Name: Robert H. Parsons
Board position: Chairperson
Career title: Public Involvement/Hearings Officer
Employer: Michigan Department of Transportation

What is your career? I have been involved in the interpersonal and public communications field for 30 years. Currently I am responsible for involving the public in MDOT's planning processes, specifically in the preparation of environmental clearance documents required under the National Environmental Policy Act. As the department's "Chief Listening Officer" I solicit public input on important transportation decisions affecting them.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? I have contributed to the agency for years through the State Employees' Annual Combined Campaign. Philosophically, as a communications professional I have always believed that literacy is fundamental to effective communication; that without a literate public, the value of my profession is diminished. I also believe, after years of volunteering for various human service causes, illiteracy is at the heart of so many problems afflicting our society. While food, clothing and shelter come first, learning to read allows individuals to function more fully and achieve the personal freedom that most American enjoy.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? Since 2002.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? CALC is an outstanding organization that is making real, life-changing differences in the lives of many. I think it is important for the board to support the great work of staff and volunteers. I also hope to continue to raise awareness of the prevalence of illiteracy in the capital area and its impact, including the need for literacy assistance and how well trained volunteers can help meet that need.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. A summer reading program had a profound impact on my life. Although my mother was a teacher, she did not have the special skills to assist me with improving my reading skills. She did, however, recognize the value of entering her struggling fifth grader in a program that ultimately set him on a course to become a prefessional communicator. Daily, CALC volunteers are changing the course of children and adults alike by applying proven techniques to boost thier ability to read.

Name: John Muenzer
Board position: Vice-Chairperson
Career title: Administrator(retired)
Employer: State of Michigan Family Indenpendence Agency (FIA)

What is your career? Labor Department Legislative Analyst
How did you become involved with the Reading People? I responded to a flyer in the library.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? November 2003
What are your goals in serving as a board member? I would like to help further literacy in the Lansing area.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Barbara Zynda
Board position: Secretary
Career title: Reading Specialist (Ret.)
Employer: MacDonald Middle School

What is your career? I was the reading teacher at MacDonald Middle School in East Lansing, serving grades 6, 7, and 8.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? Dr. Bader was my advisor at MSU when I was working on my Master's and Doctorate. We've been friends ever since, and it was just taken for granted that I would work with her after I retired.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? January, 2002, I think.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? I want to make sure that we are reaching as many people as we can who need reading help, by developing and maintaining quality programs.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. I continue to tutor (Right now I'm tutoring an 8th grader at MacDonald). I also try to help out wherever I'm needed with the Reading People Programs.

Name: Anne Blankenhorn
Board position: Treasurer
Career title: Policy Advisor
Employer: Michigan State Senate

What is your career? I am a policy advisor for the Republican Senators in the Michigan Senate. I consult with and advise the Senators on K-12 education issues and legislation.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? Susan Haley referred me to Lois Bader.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? I believe I was appointed in April of 2002.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? I hope to help improve literacy in Mid-Michigan through my contacts in the Senate.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. As a policy advisor, early literacy has been the area where I have tried to focus my efforts. I believe children who are reading at grade level at least by third grade will have many advantages in life that otherwise may be unattainable.

Name: Marty Ackley
Board position: Member
Career title: Director of Communications
Employer: The Michigan Department of Education

What is your career? Director of communications for the Michigan Department of Education
How did you become involved with the Reading People? Through a friend.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? October 2009
What are your goals in serving as a board member? Expand opportunities for CALC to reach more people inneed of literacy skills.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Brian Cools
Board position: Member
Career title: President/Creative Director
Employer: Cools & Currier, Inc.

What is your career? Creative Director/Graphic Designer/Business Communications firm owner. My career started in 1984 in Flint, MI as a graphic designer at an advertising agency where I worked my way up to Senior Art Director. In 1988 I moved to Lansing to work for an international educational publisher as Creative Director, becoming Vice President on the Exectutive Team in 1994. In 1995, I co-founded Cools & Currier, Inc., an Okemos-based business communications and design company. Our two-person writer/designer team directs and produces marketing/promotional/communications materials for corporations, organizations and educational institutions.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? Board member Marge Maxbauer asked Cools & Currier to develop the Capital Area Literacy Coalition's annual fundraising mailing materials.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? November 2004
What are your goals in serving as a board member? As a board member, I will apply my design expertise, marketing experience and business communication skills to further enhance the professional image of CALC.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. I am a strong team player and creative strategic thinker. I am not a public speaker, but can offer great support to those in speaking situations. I believe supporting CALC will positively affect our community for generations.

Name: Linda Currier
Board position: Member
Career title: Vice President/Co-owner
Employer: Cools & Currier, Inc.

What is your career? I am a writer/communications/marketing professional. My career started in 1978 in Battle Creek, MI where I taught high school English. I taught language arts at the middle school level as well (South Lyons), before moving into editor/writer positions with private, nonprofit organizations. After a dozen years in marketing communications for an international educational publisher, I co-founded Cools & Curriers, Inc., an Okemos-based marketing communications company. Now starting its tenth year, Cools & Currier focuses on all aspects of corporate communications, marketing, advertising/promotion and packaging.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? Board member Marge Maxbauer introduced me to the organization in the fall of 2004. Cools & Currier became involved with the annual fundraising campaign and prepared the print materials used.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? November 2004
What are your goals in serving as a board member? I'm still in the learning stages. I hope to be able to put my skills and knowledge to work on behalf of the organization. It's an excellent cause and the people behind the scenes are true experts.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Susan Duncan
Board position: Member
Career title: Community Volunteer
Employer:

What is your career?
How did you become involved with the Reading People?
When were you elected to serve as a board member?
What are your goals in serving as a board member?
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name:Susan J. Hill
Board position: Member
Employer: Retired

What is your career? I've worked in libraries all my life. My first job was shelving books at the public library in Champaign Illinois. After receiving a MLS degree from the University of Illinois, I worked in Santa Barbara, California; Erlangen, Germany; Saginaw, Michigan; Macomb County, Michigan; and most recently in Lansing, Michigan. Here in Lansing I was Director of the Capital Area District Library until I retired in 2009.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? When I retired from my posistion at the Capital Area District Library, I looked at several non-profit organizations to see where I might be able to help. The Reading People is an excellent match. We both believe that democracy depends on people's ability to read and on their open access to information. I attended a tutor training session and started tutoring.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? I was appointed to the Board of Trustees at their November meeting.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? I plan to be an active supporter of the Reading People, help with fundraising, and help out as needed.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. Other activities: 2009-2010 President of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing; 2009-2011 Vice-President of the Friendship Force of Greater Lansing; Member of the Grove Group Investment Club (NAIC). Other interests are traveling, quilting, and reading.

Name:Nahid Massoudi
Board position: Member
Career title:
Employer:

What is your career? Real Estate agent
How did you become involved with the Reading People? I became involved with the calc through Dr. Bader.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? I've been a board member since 2006.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? I am excited to be able to serve this organiztion and do help where ever I can.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. Since I joined the board I've had a lot of personal crises and have not been able to be effective. Hopefully this year would be different and I'll be more involved with this organization.

Name: Marge Maxbauer
Board position: Member
Career title: Vice President
Employer: ProAssurance Companies

What is your career? Develop and oversee the company's branding initiatives (through appropriate medium and research/field input) for the twenty states in which we operate. All of my career choices involved development of some sort-both in the private and public sectors.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? I served on the United Way volunteer review committee several years ago and was responsible for interviewing certain agencies and making recommendations for funding. I was so impressed with the caliber of programs and the accountability of the Reading People that I started donating and encouraging my employer to do the same. When the opportunity to serve on the board became available, I jumped at the chance to serve such a credible organization.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? 2000
What are your goals in serving as a board member? My goal is to rally community support for this incredible resource. Literacy is intrinsic to a living wage. To paraphrase one of our promotions, "We're the ones who teach people how to fish (instead of only handing out the fish)."
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. Time is my most precious commodity. As such, I only give myself to those things than can make a difference. I encourage anyone who'd like to make a difference to look at some level of involvement with the Reading People.

Name: Robert Mellor
Board position: Member
Career title: Executive Vice President (Ret.)
Employer: Schultz, Snyder, and Steele

What is your career? Director of Human Resources for 200 employees and their families. Started March 5, 1956 with this small family owned company and have had many job duties over the past 47 years.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? Needing these services for myself many years ago, I was introduced to CALC by a former board member. Once I understood the mission of this group, I wanted to see it expand its programs and establish the organization on a permanent basis for the Mid-Michigan area.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? Too long to actually remember? Many years.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? To guarantee the services to all the population that need literacy skill improved. To continue to expand needed services and raise the visibility of CALC in Mid-Michigan.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Steve Peeper
Board position: Member
Career title:
Employer: EP Images

What is your career?
How did you become involved with the Reading People?
When were you elected to serve as a board member? January 2005
What are your goals in serving as a board member?
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Alice Florida
Board position: Honorary Board Member
Career title:
Employer:

What is your career?
How did you become involved with the Reading People?
When were you elected to serve as a board member?
What are your goals in serving as a board member?
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name:Karen Grannemann
Board position: Honorary Board Member
Career title:
Employer:

What is your career?
How did you become involved with the Reading People?
When were you elected to serve as a board member?
What are your goals in serving as a board member?
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Norma Pryor
Board position: Honorary Board Member
Career title: Principal (retired)
Employer:

What is your career? Alternative High School Principal (retired)
How did you become involved with the Reading People? I became involved with CALC through my sister. She was working on her doctorate with Dr. Lois Bader.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? Years ago.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? I would like to spread the word to friends.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Brad S. Rutledge
Board position: Honorary Board Member
Career title: Attorney
Employer: Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.

What is your career? I am an attorney with Howard & Howard in Lansing specializing in structured and public finance transactions.
How did you become involved with the Reading People? I found out about the organization through Rod Robinson. I contacted Dr. Bader about joining the board and about providing support through Howard & Howard's Community Reinvertment program.
When were you elected to serve as a board member?
What are your goals in serving as a board member? 1) Help spread the word about CALC. 2) Help CALC maintain a strong financial base.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself.

Name: Bill Shipley
Board position: Honorary Board Member
Career title: Operations Manager
Employer: WSYM FOX47

What is your career? Operations Manager for Fox47; Oversee programming and public service/community involvement
How did you become involved with the Reading People? Following a meeting many years ago with Dr. Bader and Joe Veneklase.
When were you elected to serve as a board member? 1992.
What are your goals in serving as a board member? A liaison between the agency and the media.
Please describe any other information you would like to include about yourself. I can hardly remember when I wasn't uninvolved with CALC.