Leadership

2020 Leadership Officials

Welcome!

The following EDmarket members have accepted their nominations for open Board of Directors positions.

Congratulations to the nominees who were selected by the Nominating Committee, based on the names submitted by the membership at large.

Board of Directors

Lee Stapp CHAIR-ELECT Lee's view 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 FIRST VICE-CHAIR James's view 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 SECOND VICE-CHAIR Mark's view 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 SECRETARY Darlene's view 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 DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE Thomas's view 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-AT-LARGE Jennifer's view 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 DIRECTOR AT-LARGE Rachel's view Rachel Wisnefski Vice President of Sales & Marketing, The Amos Group   Member since 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.

Incoming Councils and Committees

Jolene Levin EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS COUNCIL Jolene's view 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. Murray Hudson EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS COUNCIL Murray's view 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. Terry Sullivan EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS COUNCIL Terry's view 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. Chris Courtnell EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS COUNCIL Chris's view 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.