Meet Your 2020 Leaders

Lee Stapp

President, OfficeScapes  
Member since 2004

I currently serve on the EDmarket Board of Directors and Executive Committee. I am passionate about Education. As the father of 8 children I am acutely aware of the issues facing our schools in providing quality education. I am convinced that EDmarket has the opportunity to be a leading voice in bringing together all the channels that support our schools and educators.

James D. Johnson, II

Principal, James Johnson, LLC  
Member since 2019

I am currently serving on the EDmarket Executive Committee and believe that commitments like these should not be taken lightly. EDmarket needs people who have the desire and time. to make a difference. I am passionate about driving more value for members and for involving more end users to meet the mission of improving student outcomes.

Mark Hubbard

President, Paragon Furniture, Inc.  
Member since 1985

Experience, vision and energy are the primary reasons I ask to be considered for an officer position within EDmarket. Over those years, I have accumulated valuable experience operating within the educational market, all of which imbue me with a practical understanding of our industry's challenges and opportunities. Since 2004, our business has quintupled in revenue and our product portfolio is arguably the broadest and relevant among loose furniture providers. Activating and sustaining that vision required a plan and profuse amounts of physical, mental and emotional energy.

Darlene Akers

President, Akers Business Solutions  
Member since 2006

I have learned that a well-functioning board of directors is essential to the health and sustainability of any organization. With my experience on the Board of Directors for BSA, I found being a vital part of this team that I provided insights and guidance to the organization to help it reach its objectives and goals. I plan on bringing my experience and knowledge to the Education Market Association Board of Directors and be a valued asset to the organization.

Thomas A. Eyeington

Chief Operations Officer, Socorro Independent School District  
Member since 2019

My diverse background being an architect, interior designer, program director and program manager for a construction company in my previous career. Now as the Chief Operations Officer for one of the fast-growing school districts in Texas allows me to bring total perspective to the educational market. Budget has always been the biggest challenge facing school districts and how the oil industries and tariff affect construction. Leadership in EDmarket is helpful by addressing American made products and having sessions addressing budgets and escalating construction costs.

Jennifer Gilreath

Director of Procurement, Charter Schools USA  
Member since 2019

I am looking for an opportunity that lets me exercise my skills to make a larger impact within the educational environment. The recent movement towards innovative classrooms utilizing flex seating and the like has reenergized me and I would like to be on the forefront of these changes to not only benefit my own schools, but to help others as well.

Rachel Wisnefski

Vice President of Sales & Marketing, The Amos Group  
Member since 2019

As a previous officer in multiple organizations, it has been my pleasure to utilize the strengths of those respective teams to maximize the potential of the organizations I served. I'd enjoy the opportunity to meet with other members to understand where their strengths lie and to then plan a strategy that would effectively capitalize on those individuals' capacities to benefit EDmarket. I would be more than honored to be able to serve in an Office position for the Education Market Association and to use my prior experience and expertise to serve the organization.

Duane H. Frager

Director of Operations & Supply Chain, Shiffler Equipment Sales Inc., a UnitedForGrowth Company  
Member since 2014

I have an extensive background in both Distribution and Manufacturing and would like to leverage that experience within this industry. I believe that not only can I add a unique perspective because of my involvement within my current professional position at my company which I plan brubg to the group. At the same time, I have an unprecedented enthusiasm for this industry and I'm motivated to contributing to strengthening the relationships and understanding between the vendors and the dealers

Sylvia Myers

VP of Sales & Marketing, Schoolhouse Products, Inc.  
Member since 1996

I feel I can bring new and modern ideas that I am seeing in our market. Since I am doing space planning, design and sales, I work very closely to end-users so really know what they are looking for. I also work with architects and designers which I know many of the "Education" manufactures struggle with since it is not something they are comfortable with as well as many of the dealers.

Mary Sauvageau

Sales Manager K12 division, Red Thread  
Member since 2015

EDmarket has an important yearly show and I would like to be more involved with the details. Lastly, several current members of your origination have encouraged me to become more involved as a unique gear to the organization, a product designer, giving back to what I would consider as the most important annual gathering in our industry.

Dainen Tolman

Director of K12 Education, Business Furniture LLC  
Member since

I have sold into the K12 industry for more than a decade, but recently my role and our specific market have escalated. I love seeing the positive changes that are happening in K12 and I love seeing the manufacturers respond to the needs of teachers and children. EDmarket is playing a great role in connecting the two - manufacturers and schools - and I'd love to be a part of that.

Paula Meason

Sr. Segment Marketing Manager, Education and Corporate , Interface Americas, Inc.  
Member since

Jeff Schreiner

Vice President of Marketing, Palmer Hamilton, LLC  
Member since 2012

EDmarket is an extremely viable and valuable organization for the community of Schools, Educators, Distributors, Architects, Designers, Builders and Manufacturers. This organization has also been in the forefront in communicating changes in how students are educated and the future of education. More importantly how that impacts each of its members. EDmarket is the only organization that promotes members collaboration of common goals to provide ideal environments for learning. I look forward to sharing my expertise in helping to furthering EDmarket vision.

Amanda Sullivan

Marketing Manager, VS America, Inc.  
Member since 2003

Deborah Kerr

Superintendent, Brown Deer School District  
Member since

Chris Courtnell

President, CERTWOOD Ltd  
Member since 2007

EDmarket has been the platform for us to be able to reach the US education industry. The school people, customers, suppliers, manufacturers and industry leaders we have contacted over the years have allowed us to grow and develop our company and product line into the industry leader for storage solutions. I look to support the industry and the end organization with share ideas with EDmarket members to continue to improve the process and products that are supplied into our schools.

Murray Hudson

C.E.O., Gratnells Ltd.  
Member since 2017

I believe I can add a different perspective to the EDmarket Association that both reflects US but international education supply business. I want to positively contribute to the Association and make active changes through best practice school supplies to improve educational outcomes in the US. I will always be attending the EDspaces show so can attend that single meeting and will be available for other phon- based meetings.

Jolene Levin

Director, NorvaNivel  
Member since 2017

I am extremely passionate about ensuring that NO child is left behind in our educational system. Serving in a leadership position among many esteemed individuals with a common goal would be a big step in ensuring that we can reach as many schools and students as possible for the betterment of their educational outcomes.

Terry Sullivan

Vice President of Sales & Distribution, Fleetwood  
Member since

I have an extensive background working for Steelcase and Fleetwood. I have 25 years of distribution leadership in markets across the US and Canada. I have a very deep understanding of the Robinson Patman and Clayton Anti-trust acts. I have a passion for making a fair and competitive market and advocating for schools.