Two Extraordinary Missions and Organizations -- I Thank You Both

With the utmost admiration, appreciation and respect for the #MCEC mission, team, investors, stakeholders, and most importantly the military-connected students, parents and education professionals I was privileged to serve, I move on from my role as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the impactful and extraordinary Military Child Education Coalition? | MCEC? as I gratefully and excitedly assume the Chief Executive Officer role at United Through Reading .

Educating, advocating and collaborating to solve the unique transition challenges that military-connected students navigate was a sacred trust I held dear. I’m so grateful for MCEC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Becky Rebecca Porter ; Board Chair Admiral ( US Navy -retired) Cecil Haney and the entire board of directors; MCEC’s incredible staff and volunteers; and so many generous corporations, foundations, government agencies and American people who fuel this mission. I am proud to have been a small cog in the wheel that, as the National Advocate for the Purple Star Schools Program, helped increase the number of states employing this best practice program serving military-connected students, parents and their educators from 9 at the beginning of 2021 to 34 – and counting! But more importantly, I’m proud of the worldwide team and support network with which I shared this mission and trust. MCEC remains in great hands, and as not only a colleague but as the parent of military-connected students, I’m gratified by that -- thank you!

I assume my new responsibilities with gratitude, with vigor, with respect for a 33-year record of excellence and impact, and with reverence for the incredible 16+ years of leadership and stewardship Dr. Sally Ann Zoll provided #UTR. Sally’s shoes are gigantic, and as I step into them I realize there’s a whole lot of room for each of you to step in and support us in our mission to unite military families facing physical separation by facilitating the bonding experience of reading aloud.

I join my new team, board, volunteers, investors and stakeholders in working tirelessly to ensure every military child hears a loved one’s voice reading a great story, #NoMatterTheDistance. I appreciate how so many wonderful people and organizations support us in doing so, I look forward to connecting directly with many of you soon to collaborate on advancing our mission, and I remain at all your service anytime – let’s do this!