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ADR Board
All District Reads Mission Statement:
To partner with public school districts and communities to foster family literacy.
All District Reads Board of Directors and Staff
From left to right front row (seated): Annette Wilson, Bert Schmidt, Tara Ramsey, Kim Peck, Steve Heretick
From left to right back row (standing): Rebecca Little, Mike Dillender, Gary Anderson, Jay Sarcone, Jon Joaquin, Kurt Krause, Diane Legg, Cecilia Joaquin, Clenise Platt
Not pictured: Trey Campbell, Dr. Debra Aleck, Kisha Moore
Bert Schmidt
President
Bert Schmidt is the President and CEO of WHRO and has been a leader in public media for over 28 years. Bert has passionately sought ways to support local communities through programming and educational services in his fifteen years at WHRO. Bert has been instrumental in the development and distribution of numerous virtual learning solutions for educators including the production of online courses used in high schools throughout Virginia; eMediaVA, a web-based library of multi-media learning objects available to every student in the Virginia; and SkillsOnline, an online career development and workforce readiness education initiative for adults.
Bert serves on numerous community boards including the Virginia Aquarium, the Virginia Arts Festival, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the Norfolk Public Library Board. He previously served as the chair of America’s Public Television Stations (APTS), and as the chair of the Public Broadcast Management Association (now known as PMBA). Bert was the president and general manager of WVPT in Harrisonburg, Virginia, from 2002 to 2007 and the CFO and executive vice president of WCNY in Syracuse, New York, from 1991 to 2002. Bert is the father of two adult children: daughter Jillian and son Bertel and is married to Missy Schmidt.
Tara Ramsey
Vice President
As the Chief Executive Officer of Instant Systems, Tara Ramsey draws upon her deep leadership
experience in growth companies with innovative products. As rapid advances in biotechnology
continue, specifically in areas of cell-based assay/culturing, tissue engineering/regeneration,
biopharmaceuticals and fermentation, Tara uses her experience to spearhead the next generation of products designed to anticipate and solve future challenges facing these fast growth markets.
Tara has proven experience in building ‘Built-to-Last’ companies. Prior to Instant Systems, she took a start-up biotech and grew it into a globally renowned company responsible for innovations in point of care diagnostic medical devices. In 2007, this company, Instant Technologies, was sold to Inverness Medical. Today it continues to thrive as a division of Abbot Diagnostics.
While building strong companies as well as bringing needed innovations remains Tara’s focus for Instant Systems, she believes that one of the most rewarding parts of her role as CEO comes in joining with other business and community leaders to effect positive social change. Her work in this area centers on creating a more equitable society through the creation of well-paying jobs for a workforce rich in diversity and through the formation of world-class health care accessible to all. She is honored to serve on several boards in Hampton Roads, where she partners with likeminded leaders to help create a better future for all who call the 757 home.
Having grown up here in Tidewater, Tara loves her hometown, believing it to be one of the best places to live, work, and play. She can often be spotted kayaking in one of the many beautiful waterways or biking on the Elizabeth River Trail with her family.
Annette Wilson
Treasurer
Annette V. Wilson is an award-winning professional banker with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently a Vice President and Retail Sales Manager with Townebank. Annette has served on the executive board of Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Dress For Success Hampton Roads & and the City of Chesapeake housing board.
She is also the founder and managing director of Craigwil Ministries. Craigwil offers ecclesiastical services, motivational presentations, customer service, leadership, and financial literacy training to low to moderate-income individuals.
Rebecca Little
Secretary
Rebecca Little joined the Navy in 2014 has been proudly serving since. She has always had a fascination for reading. While growing up in Indiana she didn’t realize how hard she worked each night attempting to get through her class schedule of reading and writing. Eventually she was diagnosed with a learning disability, dyslexia and struggled with reading comprehension over the years. Her time in the US Navy has led her around the world and across the country, currently landing her in Hampton Roads. While stationed here she reached out to volunteer and found ADR, passionate about spreading the love of reading. She hopes to utilize her knowledge and skills to strengthen the community one book at a time. She attends University of Maryland Global Campus and plans on completing a bachelor’s degree in general studies. Dual military mom of three juggles the demands asked of her, as she hopes to enlighten young minds!
Mike Dillender
Executive Director
Mike Dillender is a retired Navy Captain who served as a Surface Warfare Officer for 25 years. Mike has also served as a licensed financial advisor and is currently also the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for StoneBridge School in Chesapeake, VA. He and his wife Susannah have two school-aged children, Michael Jr. and Mary Ruth, who both enjoy reading immensely.
Gary Anderson
Director of Development
Gary Anderson is the Founder and Executive Director of All District Reads, an organization focused on Lighting Literacy Fires in the home. This is the third nonprofit Gary has organized involving Read Aloud programs. All District Reads is Gary’s first nonprofit that has focused on system-wide execution and community engagement. Gary has discovered over the last 30+ years the positive and lasting impact that Read Aloud programs have on children and their families.
Gary is married to his college sweetheart, Debbie. They use up any free time they have enjoying their 13 grandchildren.
Jay Sarcone
Director
Jay is a consultant with EY-Parthenon focused on the strategy and execution of mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his time with EY-Parthenon, he served more than 11 years in the Navy’s construction community in both enlisted and officer roles. He graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Jay also serves on the Grantmaking Committee of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation’s Community Leadership Partners.
Jay is a native of Norfolk, VA, where he currently resides with his wife, two daughters, and dog. He enjoys tennis, golf, current events, and reading about history.
Trey Campbell
Director
Trey Campbell is the Special Executive Assistant to Louis S. Haddad, President and CEO of Armada Hoffler Properties, Holdings, and Construction Company. Before joining the Armada family, she was a 10-year employee of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools System, where she trained and managed office teams when she wasn’t assisting in Curriculum and Development for Gifted and Differentiated Learners at the District’s Central Office. Trey has taken multiple TESOL courses that focus on early reading initiatives and cultural factors that affect literacy. Trey is Armada Hoffler’s liaison to the Board of Directors.
Director
Jon Joaquin comes from a background of 20 years in semiconductor manufacturing with Philips Electronics on projects from CDMA Telecom chips, to the Compact Flourescent bulb, to the Fuel Mode Device currently used in today’s vehicles. After retiring, he worked 15 years in sales in the federal, state, and local government arena and school districts. He is currently semi-retired and works part time as a product specialist for Apple Computers.
He credits his success to having read the encyclopedia A-Z during summers from grade 3 to 7. Books, magazines, even daily comics when read out loud add to the word database of an individual. He firmly believes that the All District Reads concept accomplishes this as well as provides families time to bond and enjoy reading together. Jon is married and has three grown children.
Dr. Debra Aleck
Director
Dr. Debra J. Aleck is a retired certified foot surgeon and diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery as well as a lifetime member of the Virginia Podiatric Medical Society and American Podiatric Medical Association. In 1990, she graduated cum laude from the Dr. William M. School of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. Dr. Aleck completed a residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas as well as Francis Scott Key Medical Center, a Johns Hopkins institution in Baltimore Maryland. At Virginia Tech, Debra majored in Biology, while studying nuclear engineering. Debra grew up in Virginia Beach and lettered in basketball and tennis while attending Kempsville High School. She participated in a research program for gifted high school students through Eastern Virginia Medical School.
She started at age 11 working for her father at Earle’s Market where she went from “cutting chickens to cutting feet” after having her feet reconstructed. She was a foreign exchange student and attended Trier University in Germany and was fluent in German and French. Dr. Aleck has been a third generation Rotarian since 2001. She was president of the Rotary Club of Churchland 2021 through 2022. She is also part of the 10 For 10 with United Way of South Hampton Roads. Her special interests are the arts, boating, opera, kayaking, traveling, and of course her dogs.
Clenise Platt
Director
Clenise Platt is a native of Virginia Beach. She manages the talent development and training department for the 300 plus staff members of the Virginia Beach Public Library. Clenise is an author, speaker, and educator. She is also the CEO of The Plattinum Group, a collective of brands designed to help and inspire people and organizations to maximize their influence and to fully engage in the life experience. Clenise is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and Old Dominion University. She received an ATD Foundation of Management Excellence certificate from the Yale School of Management. Clenise has appeared on multiple television and radio shows and spoken around the country and internationally to a variety of audiences about personal, professional, spiritual, financial, community, and youth development.
She belongs to several professional organizations and has received numerous awards and honors for her community service and professional accomplishments. She was selected to serve as the District Governor during 2019-2020 for Rotary District 7600 which consisted of 62 clubs and over 2,500 Rotarians in Southeastern Virginia. She was one of six District Governors in the world featured in the May 2020 issue of The Rotarian magazine’s cover story, Up and Comers: Never Too Young to Lead.
Clenise is also the President and founder of the nonprofit organization, The Keep Your Chin Up Organization, Incorporated which raises scholarship dollars for students. She is the host of the Plattinum Passport Podcast.
Kimberly Peck
Director
Kimberly Peck is the Manager of Administration and Human Resources at Instant Systems, a MedTech company based in Norfolk, VA. Kim graduated with her B.S. in Biology from San
Diego State University. She draws upon her experience, education and skills to develop effective programs and policies to support company growth strategies. She protects Instant Systems’ most valuable asset, its people, by spearheading innovations in talent management, thus boosting job satisfaction, employee commitment, and company loyalty. While driving strategic growth initiatives remains Kim’s focus for Instant Systems, she believes community engagement is key to the growth and health of our region. To this end, Kim is committed to actively participating in the community and currently serves as a Mentor in the GNC/NSU student mentorship program and as an active member of HRSHRM and SHRM.
Kurt Krause
Director
Kurt currently serves as the President and CEO for VisitNorfolk, joining in 2019. He is responsible for directing the effort to improve the quality of life for all residents through the economic and community benefits of tourism. His history in the hotel industry spans over 38 years, including 21 years with Marriott International, 8 years with Aramark, and 4 years with Gold Key PHR. Arriving in Norfolk in 2014 he led the pre-opening efforts of Hilton Norfolk – The Main followed by the re-opening of the historic Cavalier Hotel and Cavalier Beach Club in Virginia Beach. In addition to his hospitality career, he was part of the startup team for the Transportation Security Administration (2001-2003) and served four years as Vice President of Business Affairs at Virginia Tech (2003-2006), where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the University.
Kurt currently serves on the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association Board of Directors, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, Virginia Tech Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board. He is a proud graduate of Virginia Tech, Leadership Fairfax, Lead Virginia, Lead 757, and the CIVIC Leadership Institute.
After enjoying 20 years of playing amateur baseball, winning two national championships’, Kurt found enjoyment on stage, participating in the Hampton Roads Dancing with the Stars, performing with the Virginia Opera, and with Hurrah Players in Annie (2018) and Dames at Sea (2019).
Kisha Moore
Director
Kisha is the founder and CEO of Salt and Light Brands, and Creative director of the award-winning company Hummingbird Dessert boutique specializing in macarons and desserts. As a visionary she is passionate about business/entrepreneurship, and bridging gaps in access to opportunities for people of color/minority owned business.
As a Consultant, Speaker, and Mentor it is her greatest endeavor to cultivate, sharpen, uplift, and inspire people to pursue their dreams with purpose, and make an impact in their region, nation, and world. She helps individuals and small businesses create strategic plans that lead to success through business development, team building, and understanding the organization’s cultural construct.
Along with her education in Business, Food and Beverage Management and Hospitality Supervision, Kisha has over 20 years of experience in the Hospitality industry. She believes in drawing out the best in people and creating opportunities for the underserved. She has done this with the Boys and Girls organizations, Girl Scouts, Ladies with a Mission, Greater Norfolk Corporation, Black Brands, The Mighty Dream Forum, WILDE Inc., Generosity Global, Retail Alliance, YMCA, Universities, community outreach, and various mentoring programs.
A native of California with a zeal for life, people and adventure, she currently lives in Virginia Beach, VA. She is a daughter, sister, friend, as well as a mother of 2 amazing humans.
Stephen Heretick
Director
Stephen E. (“Steve”) Heretick, a native of Hopewell, Virginia, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the College of William & Mary in 1982 and his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1988. After clerking for a federal judge, he joined the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, serving in Washington, Philadelphia, and Central Pennsylvania. Leaving federal service in 1992, Steve became a principal litigator at two regional firms before founding his own practice in 2000, specializing in business and commercial litigation. He holds an “AV-Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Appointed to the Virginia Board of Medicine in 2003 by Governor Mark Warner, Steve served until 2014, including two terms as Board President, the first non-physician to do so. He was also a Director of the Federation of State Medical Boards and held leadership roles with the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Steve served on the Portsmouth City Council (2004-2012) and in the Virginia General Assembly (2015-2021) for the 79th House District, focusing on legislation related to wireless communication, solar energy, health care, criminal justice reform, and cannabis legalization.
Steve is married to Stephanie von Schaaf, and they have a son, Stephenson, a Firefighter/EMS in Suffolk. He enjoys fishing and traveling with his family.