VBEF Board members share why they volunteer their time.
Neil L. Rose, president
Willcox & Savage, PC
Upon finishing my two terms on School Board, I found the Foundation to be a great way to continue to give back to the public school system to try and help repay the opportunity I was given to be successful through the quality, free public education that met my educational needs.
Randall Dubois, secretary
Community Member
As a former public school teacher for Virginia Beach, I know first-hand how dedicated teachers are and the extra time and money they put into making learning relevant, exciting and creative. They need to be the extra resources to be able to do this.
Mike Ross, immediate past-president
HBA Architecture & Interior Design
I wanted to be part of a driving force behind promoting innovative teaching practices and processes that empower our students with the gifts of learning how to think and learning how to learn, that equip them with critical and creative thinking skills, and that awaken our childrens’ intrinsic motivations for learning.
Doug Bitterman
CH2M Hill
I am passionate about quality education for our children, especially with regard to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. There is a growing disconnect between the STEM skills employers need in our increasingly high tech world and what the U.S. educational system produces. As an Engineer and a Scientist myself, I hope to help the VBEF make an important contribution to promoting STEM education in VB schools.
Ramon W. Breeden, Jr.
The Breeden Company, Inc.
Serving as a board member of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation has allowed me to continue to support creative learning programs and other academic initiatives for the students of Virginia Beach City Public Schools and reward educational excellence.
Jane S. Brooks
Community Leader
I believe our grants afford our teachers the opportunity to try new ideas that enhance our students’ education. Supporting the House Building Projects gives students real life experiences. Reaching out to the community helps build a stronger relationship. As a Career and Technology Advisory Council and PTA member, I hope to be a link between these and the Foundation.
Barbara Deal
Community Leader
I would consider it an honor to continue to serve an organization as dynamic in its purpose as the Virginia Beach Education Foundation. I sincerely believe the Foundation needs the steady influence of someone such as myself with lengthy experience and a passion for the students that Virginia Beach City Schools serve.
Nancy DeFord
Community Leader
I believe that the success of our nation and our youth depends upon a high-quality, free, public education. Public schools face stress from limited funding and federal and state government requirements. Supporting the Education Foundation provides funds which enable and encourage teachers, parents, students and schools to continue to innovate.
Catherine Gettier
Catherine's Catering
I was already invested as my daughter is in the Virginia Beach City Public School system – I wanted to see first-hand the “inner” operations. I have been so impressed with this school system and hope to be on the Board well after my daughter graduates.
H. Frank Malbon
Tidewater Home Funding, LLC
Strong belief in attempting to raise private sector funds to fund grants for public school teachers. Since all three of my children have been publically educated, I have seen the results that can be achieved. We all need to work together in achieving our mission.
John Mazach
Community Leader
Having spent 30+ years in the Navy and 10 years in the shipbuilding industry, I learned the importance of a solid education particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) at an early age (pre college/university). I also have a daughter who teaches in the Virginia Beach school system and a son-in-law who is a principal in the same system and I am interested in what they do.
Harry R. Purkey, Jr.
Harry R. Purkey, Jr., PC
To help make the Virginia Beach Public Schools one of the best public school systems in the country.
Pam Bennis
Principal, Malibu Elementary School
My school has been able to fund a variety of innovative programs as a result of Building Futures Grants. Having seen how students can benefit from the work of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation, I wanted to do all I could to help support the organization.
Joe Burnsworth
Assistant superintendent, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, VBCPS
As a classroom teacher, I was the recipient of a grant to provide opportunities for my students that they would not have had otherwise. I appreciate the opportunity to support the innovation and creativity of our teachers.
Eileen Cox
Director, Communications and Community Engagement, VBCPS
In a community which prides itself on the high quality of its schools, we must all do our part to support teachers and students. Working as part of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation allows me to raise awareness of the outstanding teaching and learning already taking place in our neighborhood schools. In addition, I have the opportunity to help raise much needed funds to support innovative grant projects which engage students in the classroom.
Dan Edwards
Chairman, Virginia Beach School Board
In my 14th year as Board Chairman for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, I am well aware of the incredible things the Foundation has done for our staff and ultimately our students. I am pleased to assist the Foundation Board in any way I can in furthering their efforts on behalf of our schools.
Janene K. Gorham
Director, Center for Teacher Leadership, VBCPS
I directly benefitted from the work of the Education Foundation as a Building Futures grant recipient and know firsthand the impact that the program has bringing instructional projects to fruition. Serving on the board allows me the opportunity to build awareness and increase capacity for innovative instruction in our schools.
Daniel Keever
Principal, Salem High School
I am honored to serve on the Virginia Beach Education Foundation Board as I fervently believe in the work of the Foundation. Working with community leaders to support our schools and students is incredibly gratifying and critically important as we seek to maintain a top-flight school division.
Dr. Patricia (Patsy) Slaughter
Principal, Trantwood Elementary School
Teachers who give so much, are excited whenever they apply for a grant. It is this creativity and willingness to give additional time that motivated me to become a Foundation Board Member. What can I do to increase the number of grants? How can I best help talented teachers to foster new ideas and means for students to learn? As a Board member, I felt privileged to work with so many talented members who are endless in giving of their talents, time, and resources. The Foundation provides the forum for promoting winning for all.
Debbie Thomas
Coordinator, Virginia Beach Education Foundation
I’m a better person when I work for a cause. It inspires me to know that students benefit from the projects and activities that teachers are designing and we are funding. I want more people to reap the rewards of helping our students achieve success in whatever they do.
Betty F. Broyles
Community Leader
As a former teacher, education was important to me. When I was asked to be a member of the Virginia Beach Public School Education Foundation, I was honored. During the years that I served, we had excellent Board Members and we did many good projects for teachers and students.
Charlie Cortellini, past-president
Massimo-Zanetti Beverage USA
Supporting our community should be paramount to everyone. Supporting our teachers and school system is probably the single most important ingredient in that statement. The process of being apolitical and unbiased makes this almost the perfect program.
Chris Ettel, past-president
VB Homes
I am committed to making a difference in the lives of the teachers and students of the Virginia Beach Schools by providing them "real world" learning opportunities in the residential construction industry.
Jane M. Purrington
Community Leader
I began my career as a public school teacher and felt it was my niche. The Virginia Beach Education Foundation seemed an excellent way to continue to serve and maintain contact with the field of education after retirement.
Emilie M. Tilley
Community Leader
The Virginia Beach Public Schools Foundation is all about supporting teachers who want the best education for all students in their classrooms and schools. How could I not want to be involved in such a group? The Foundation takes seriously its mission to reward excellence and fund innovative, creative programs to benefit students.
