Q: How and when did you first become involved with The Education Foundation?

Q: As the Chairman of The Education Foundation what are your goals for the coming year?

A: Supporting the work of Allen Wutzdorff and the incredible staff as outlined by our strategic plan to foster career academies in our region’s high schools; continue to solidify and expand our financial strength; provide quality programming (Business Education Summit, WISE, Principal for the Day, to name a few) that allows the business community and the education community to interact positively; and, to advocate for quality education resources that allow our teachers and administrators to be supported in shaping our future talent pool.

Continue the amazing dialogue for regionalism championed by my predecessor and friend, David Ramey. I will continue to be outspoken for robust regional dialogue about the critical education funding needs in our community.

Championing our region’s children. I am a passionate believer that EVERY child in this community can succeed if EVERY adult in this community is working toward the same goal of making education a top priority in the Lowcountry.

Q: How can businesses become more involved with schools?

A: Businesses in this region have a rich and generous track record of involvement with our students. Now more than ever, we need every business to give their time and talent. We need volunteers in our schools who can read with our students. In his book “Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning,” author Mike Schmoker, Ph.D. says, “wide, abundant reading is the surest route out of poverty and the limitations that impose themselves on the less literate. Reading changes everything.” If you can read, we need you!

Q: Who or what is your inspiration or motivation?

A: This is a really hard question for me. I find inspiration from so many interesting people that have touched my life. I am truly blessed to have been raised by parents who encouraged (and gently demanded) that I succeed in school. And, I am motivated each time I walk into one of our region’s schools and see amazing teachers and kids doing such incredible work. There are great things to cheer about in our community – our schools are one of them and need to take a higher priority in our community’s dialogue about economic and regional development.

Q: What is most satisfying about your job?

A:The most satisfying thing about being Chair is facilitating regional accountability, collaboration and trust between the business and education communities. While serving as Chair this year, I want the school districts and the business community to receive mutually beneficial outcomes. The districts are creating a product – a talent pool of ready-to-learn/ready-to-work adults. The economic development of our region depends on this workforce and businesses need to take an active, collaborative role in giving their time, talent and treasure back to the school systems. It is satisfying to know that I can help create that bridge in our community.

Family: I have been married to Chris for 17 years. Together we have three amazing daughters, Leah (12), Lindsey (6), and Lacey (3). We also have two knuckle-headed dogs, Oreo and Calvin.

Favorite Books: I am a voracious reader and can easily stay up all night (the only time I really allocate for pleasure reading) reading a book. My favorite books include To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain), The Red Tent (Anita Diamant), My Life in France (Julia Child), and just about any book on food and travel. I also have just finished reading The Paris Wife (Paula McLain) which fueled me to re-read many of Ernest Hemingway’s books this summer.

Favorite Websites: I don’t have a favorite website, but I never miss a morning without The Today Show or a Sunday night without 60 Minutes.

Hobbies: I mentor two children, one in Charleston County, one in Berkeley County and seem to spend a large amount of time with several of my favorite organizations The Education Foundation, Trident United Way and Metanoia. We also are active in our church, St. Mark’s Lutheran on Isle of Palms. I lead a Daisy Scout Troop for my 6 year old, cheer for my 12 year old volleyball player, and chase after my tenacious and utterly fearless 3 year old. Sometimes I take a nap.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Ohio University, 1993; Master of Business Administration, Kent State University, 2005.