FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/5/2024
Norfolk, VA — All District Reads (ADR), a Norfolk-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting family literacy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Retired U.S. Navy Captain Mike Dillender as its new Executive Director. Additionally, ADR has elected new officers to its Board of Directors, further strengthening its leadership team as it continues to expand its impact across southeastern Virginia.
Mike Dillender succeeds ADR founder Gary Anderson as Executive Director. Anderson will serve as Development Director, focusing his attention on further growing the program. Dillender brings 25 years of leadership experience from his distinguished career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, where he commanded global security missions and led teams in high-pressure environments. His leadership and strategic planning skills will be invaluable as ADR continues to grow and foster family literacy by engaging entire communities in reading the same children’s book at the same time.
Joining Dillender in leading ADR are the newly elected officers of the Board of Directors:
- Bert Schmidt – President and CEO of WHRO Public Media, elected as President of the Board
- Tara Ramsey – President and CEO of Instant Systems, Inc., and President of Greater Norfolk Corporation, elected as Vice President
- Annette Wilson – Vice President and Branch Manager at TowneBank, reelected as Treasurer
- Rebecca Little – Serving on active duty in U.S. Navy since 2014, reelected as Secretary
These accomplished leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to improving literacy and educational outcomes in the communities ADR serves. Their involvement will also enable ADR to leverage their extensive networks including WHRO, Instant Systems, TowneBank, and other affiliated organizations, to broaden the reach and impact of its programs.
This fall, ADR will continue its mission by engaging more than 25,000 families across four communities. Families in Portsmouth Public Schools and Norfolk Public Schools will read School Days According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney, while families in Suffolk Public Schools will read The World According to Humphrey by the same author. Meanwhile, families in Northampton County Public Schools will read The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary.
“All District Reads holds great promise for promoting family literacy and boosting students’ reading achievement in participating communities,” said Dillender. “We are excited to expand our programs across southeastern Virginia and beyond, with the support of our new board officers and the broader community.”
Join us in fostering a love of reading by volunteering, donating, or partnering with All District Reads. Together, we can ensure that every child and family in southeastern Virginia has the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of reading. To learn more about All District Reads and its programs, please visit www.alldistrictreads.org or contact info@alldistrictreads.org.
All District Reads is a nonprofit organization that partners with public school districts and communities to promote family literacy. By getting entire communities to read and discuss the same book, ADR fosters a love of reading and enhances literacy skills for both children and their families.
Media Contact:
Mike Dillender
Executive Director
All District Reads
(757) 335-5524
michael.j.dillender@alldistrictreads.org