To read more about our Board of Directors and what they do, click on the links below:
- President: Garland Harris
- Administrative Vice President: Brian Kjos
- Treasurer: Alan Shechter
- Vice President of Family and Educationa Programming: Mary Anne Britton
- Vice President of Membership: Larry Freeman
- Zone Presidents -- serve as Directors on the International Board of Directors:
President
Garland Harris
The President shall be the Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall preside at the meetings of the membership and the Executive Committee, shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee and the Ethics and Grievance Committee, shall exercise general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and see to the enforcement of the Constitution and Bylaws and carry out all orders and resolutions of the IBOD, shall make an annual report to the membership on behalf of the IBOD, shall be responsible for assigning membership to committees set up by the IBOD or these Bylaws, shall serve as Chairman of the Bylaw & Administrative Review Committee (BARC), and shall be empowered to call special meetings of IBOD, as needed.
Administrative Vice President
Brian Kjos, Johnsburg, IL
The Administrative Vice President shall assist the President in the discharge of functions and, in the absence or temporary disability of the President, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, shall be concerned with the administration of the Corporation in areas not under the cognizance of another officer or as the IBOD may designate, and acts as liaison between the International Board of Directors and the International Office.
As the Administrative VP Brian is currently serving as Chair on Bylaws and Review Committee, and also on the Family Programming and the E&G Committees. Brian has been involved with PWP since 1999. He served as Lake County Chapter VP of Family and Youth, and Activities Director; founded and chartered New McHenry County Chapter where he served as VP, Treasurer, and VP of Membership; was the Midwest Regional Council VP of Family and Youth, and President; served as Zone F VP and President. He also served as Chairman of the 2008 Convention Committee when his Zone hosted the 2008 Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. Brian has been busy raising his two daughters on his own. He went through bottle training, diaper training, girl stuff, cars, and now going through his girl’s boyfriend issues. For his own personal time and health, he has been doing Marathon training. As you can tell, he is a busy fellow, but Brain is willing to lend a helping hand.
Treasurer
Alan Shechter, Fairport, NY
The Treasurer shall have custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall ensure that full and accurate accounts are kept of the receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and that all monies or other valuable effects are deposited in the name, and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the IBOD; shall render to the President and the IBOD at the regular meetings of the IBOD, or whenever they may require it, an account of all transactions as Treasurer and of the financial conditions of the Corporation, shall Prepare and present a certified report annually, shall be bonded in such manner as is satisfactory to the IBOD.
As the new International Treasurer, he hopes to make a positive impact on the organization. Alan has been a member of PWP for seven years. His first office was as his chapter orientation director. In the Rochester, New York chapter he has also served as webmaster, Administrative Vice President, and President. Furthermore, he has served the Upstate New York Region, and Zone B. Alan is a Senior Network Administrator at a Thermonuclear Fusion Laser Research facility. They are performing experiments to recreate the sun, providing endless energy for the planet. http://www.lle.rochester.edu/pub/documents/ext/ICF.pdf Alan has three children - all teenagers. Aside from being a taxi, he has many activities that keep him busy. He has produced a music video for a British Band (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9ztsts_eOM) he officiates as a High School fast-pitch softball umpire and a High School basketball referee; he is a member of the Society of American Magicians and also juggles. Locally, he is known by many as "the Halloween guy". http://www.shechterfamily.com/Halloween portal/Halloween index.htm.
Vice President of Family & Educational Programming
Mary Anne Britton, Hamburg, MI
The Vice President of Family & Educational Programming shall be concerned with the development of programs and activities for children of all ages at all levels of the organization. In addition, the Vice President shall provide assistance and be responsible for the development of all other programs and educational activities at all levels of the organization.
Mary Anne serves as the chairperson of both the Family & Programming Committee and Awards Committee. She is a committee member of Executive, BARC, Convention, Budget & Finance / Income Development, and Community Relations/PR /Website/ Legislative Affairs. She has been a member for 14years and has been on numerous boards at chapter, region and zone including Zone D VP Programs & Education. This is her third time on the International board, previously being Int’l VP of Family & Youth and Int’l VP Membership. She is the mother of two grown children Zac & Stefanie. Her academic career did not begin until her children were almost grown and continues to take courses to compliment her chosen profession and business management skills. She believes in constant change and personal improvement. She volunteers for many organizations including Toastmasters and Detroit Public Television. She facilitates various training, certifications and job seeker support groups. Her goals as International Vice President of Family & Programming is to increase activities in both arenas while bringing the subject matter more into today’s opportunities for single parent families. Additionally, she believes you have to have fun while sharing your ideas, experiences, and knowledge with others. Enjoy what you are doing and the rest will follow. Lastly she sees herself as a kid at heart and enjoys doing the unexpected.
Vice President of Membership
Larry Freeman
The Vice President of Membership shall have custody of the rolls of members and shall supervise the issuance of membership cards, collection of dues and the admission of new members into PWP; shall review and present to the IBOD for approval all chapter, regional council petitions for charter and articles of incorporation; shall plan for establishment of other units and/or affiliates of this organization, when directed by the IBOD.
Zone Presidents
Zone A President
Sandi Connelly, Tewksbury, MA
Zone B President
Donald J. Palermo, Webster, New York
Don has been a member of Parents Without Partners since 1993. Since that time he has been on one of PWP’s boards every year at various levels throughout the organization. Don has served as Program & Education Chairperson, Camping Director, Vice President and President of the Greater Rochester Chapter (formerly the Fairport Chapter). He has served as Vice President and President of Region Counsel 26, Treasurer of Zone B and is currently President of Zone B. As Zone President for the past two years Don has been a member of the International Board Of Directors and served on the Budget and Finance Committee, and was the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. During 2010 Don was the Chairman of the International Convention Committee overseeing the International Convention that was held in Niagara Falls, New York. This year Don is serving on the Budget and Finance committee, the Election Committee and is the Chairman of the Zone Presidents for the Zone Presidents Meetings. Don grew up in Rochester, New York and graduated from RIT with a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting. He is a CPA and has been a member of the AICPA and NYSSCPA’s since 1983. He worked for the Internal Revenue Service for 35 years, retiring from the position of Northeast Area Manager of the Federal State and Local Government Division of the IRS in July 2007. He served on the Board of Directors for the Combined Federal Campaign, which operated in conjunction with the United Way for nine years. Don is also a facilitator and on the Board Of Directors of “Neutral Ground” a support organization located in Rochester. His children Michael (27) and Laura (24) were very active in PWP and enjoyed numerous family and youth functions conducted by the Fairport Chapter for many years. Michael is serving in the Navy where he has been stationed in Hawaii for 3 years and has recently been transferred to California. Laura graduated from RIT majoring in hotel management and is currently working for Disney and Caribe Royal Hotels in Florida.
Zone C President
Loretta Bradley, Roanoke, VA
Zone D President
Judy Goodman, Frankfort, KY
Zone F President
Frank Ouderkirk, Kansas City, MO
Frank has held several PWP offices during his years in PWP. He has served as President of chapter #106 twice, RC treasurer and AVP, Zone treasurer and now Zone F President. Frank serves as the IBOD parliamentarian. He is the chairman of the Zone President’s committee, the vice chair of the E&G committee and serves on the BARC committee. Frank is a retired pipe fitter and spent time in the army defending our country. He holds two Masters and one BS degree. Frank has been married and divorced twice blessing him with five children and 15 grandchildren.
Zone H President
SueEllen Hayes, Hayward, CA
As Zone H President SueEllen sits on the Zone Presidents, Membership, Community Involvement, Public Relations, Website, Legislative Affairs, and Nominating committees. In addition, this year SueEllen is serving as Chairman of the Board and working with the Int’l Convention for 2011. SueEllen has held many positions at all organizational levels of PWP including but not limited to Chapter and Regional President, Newsletter Editor, VP Family & Youth, VP of Programs & Education, Secretary and Treasurer. She has been instrumental in establishing chapters in her area. She has served as Zone H Director on IBOD, served two terms as Administrative Vice President and was then elected as Zone H President. SueEllen grew up in the San Francisco/Bay Area in a town called Pleasant Hill, CA. She attended grammar, high school and some college there. She and her children joined Parents Without Partners in 1973. In the years her children were growing up, she spent time as a volunteer in Little League, programs for physically/mentally handicapped children, created workshop information on Alcohol/Drug Abuse for teens, and was a speaker at various schools on Single Parenting. SueEllen recognizes her greatest achievements are her four children – Jeff, married, and is a Chief of Clinical Engineering at O’Conner Hospital in San Jose, CA. Christina is married and lives in Antioch, CA with her husband; and the twins, Michelle who currently at the Portland State University finishing her Master's Degree in Human Sociology/ Criminal Justice and Theresa, who is an ER Nurse in Marin, CA. . And of course, there are her grandchildren, who she enjoys - her granddaughters, Nicole and Isabella; and her grandson, Dylan.
Zone J President
Sandra Morgan, Ontario Canada
Sandy is the National President for Canadian Parents Without Partners, Inc. – Zone J. As Zone J President, Sandy serves on the Zone Presidents, Membership Committee, Elections and Credentials, and Bylaw And Review Committee (BARC). She is also the International Secretary. Sandy is an active member of her home chapter, Pine Ridge Chapter 204 in Oshawa. She has held many positions at all levels of PWP, Chapter, Regional & Zone. Sandy and her three children joined PWP in 1994. They have all grown and she is now a proud grandmother of seven beautiful grandchildren. Outside of PWP, she’s involved with the Oshawa Moose Lodge and KTR Trailer Resorts Entertainment Committee. Sandy enjoys indoor/outdoor activities, Nascar Races, and having fun! One of Sandy’s goals during her term as Zone J President is to help increase membership and raise awareness in the communities about Parents Without Partners.
Zone K President
Cindy Godley, Lewisville, TX
Cindy is a current member of chapter 1384 which is in the Lewisville area. She has served on the chapter board as past president, VP of Admin and VP of Programs. She is currently serving on the International BOD on the Family and Programming committee and the membership committee. She has two teenage daughters at home so, she stays pretty busy. One is in college and the other one just started high school and plays volleyball and the cello. Cindy is a pediatric nurse and loves her job. She loves cooking, gardening and her kids.
Zone L President
Roger L. Salter, Cropwell, AL