BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Source for Learning Board of Directors represents a powerful combination of credentials. Board members’ backgrounds range  from top management of organizations—public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit—to high-level experience in education. The Board provides critical leadership, perspective, and guidance to the organization.

Dr. William H. Harris joined the Source for Learning Board of Directors in 2001; he was elected Chairman in 2002.  He offers SFL extensive management and educational expertise gained during his distinguished 35+-year career serving the higher education community as a history professor, dean and the president and chief executive officer for both public and private institutions.

Dr. Harris assumed the presidency of Paine College in 1982, at the age of 37, becoming one of the youngest college presidents ever appointed at that time. He served as the college’s chief executive officer for six years and subsequently led Texas Southern University as its president from 1988 to 1993.  In 1994, Dr. Harris came to Alabama State University as its tenth president, and served with distinction until his retirement in 2000. Never one to shirk the call to serve, he briefly left retirement in 2005 to assume the role of interim president at Fort Valley State University and did the same thing in 2008 when he assumed the presidency of Texas College and later that year returned as Interim President of Alabama State University.

Dr. Harris graduated from Paine College with an A.B. in 1966; earned his M.A. degree from Indiana University in 1967; and was awarded a Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1973.

LTG Julius W. Becton, USA (Ret.) is Vice Chairman of The Source for Learning. His public service career includes several key positions held after nearly 40 years of service in the US Army, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General. He was the first graduate of Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) to attain “flag” rank in the military. In 1989 he was appointed the fifth president of his alma mater, a position he held until October, 1994.

Between November, 1996 and April, 1998, Gen. Becton served as Superintendent of the District of Columbia Public Schools. In 2007, he received the George Catlett Marshall Medal—awarded annually to an individual who has exhibited “selfless service to the United States of America”—in recognition of his lifelong contributions to national defense, exemplary public service to the nation, and his commitment to the highest American ideals.

A native of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Gen. Becton earned his first college credit in the Philippines in 1946 and ultimately received his B.S. degree in Mathematics as a non-traditional student from Prairie View A&M College in 1960. He earned his M.A. degree in Economics from the University of Maryland in 1967.

Steven J. Gorski became Source for Learning’s President and Chief Executive Officer in January, 2005. Prior to assuming his current duties, he was the firm’s Senior Vice President, responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the Reston, Virginia office, liaison with educational affiliates in Source for Learning’s 22 ITFS/EBS markets, and oversight of all online services.

Previously, Mr. Gorski was the Vice President for Advanced Development Projects and Vice President of Corporate Sales for the Jones Education Networks (JEN). Prior to joining JEN, he developed the Affiliate Relations program at Source for Learning/NITV.

In the twenty years before he joined Source for Learning, Mr. Gorski managed microwave television stations for the Catholic Church in Milwaukee and Los Angeles. During this time he supervised the selection, scheduling, and evaluations of instructional television programs for over one million students. In addition, he participated in the design and production of over 250 instructional television programs. Mr. Gorski was an Evans Scholar at both the University of Illinois and Marquette University before completing his studies in Advertising and Communications at Marquette.

Robert J. Rini, Esq., is Secretary of The Source for Learning. Mr. Rini is Managing Partner of Rini Coran, LLP, a communications law firm in Washington, DC. Mr. Rini specializes in the representation of instructional television, radio, technology companies, satellite, telephone, cable, and wireless cable interests before the FCC, Congress, the courts and other federal and state administrative agencies. He is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Court , the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the Federal Communications Bar Association. Mr Rini holds J.D. degree from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.

Carlos A. González, Esq., serves as Source for Learning’s Treasurer. He is a partner in the law firm of Vaughan & Evans in Cartersville, Georgia. He attended Florida State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Political Science, and the Divinity School at Yale University, where he received an M.A. in Religion. Mr. González earned his J.D. Degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law where he was on the law review. He serves as an appointed special master to federal courts in several states and is also an active mediator. In his private practice, Mr. González focuses on commercial litigation and consumer fraud cases. 

He is a member of the Academy of Court-Appointed Masters and an adjunct professor of law at Vanderbilt University School of Law.  He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court and all trial courts of Georgia, The United States District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Marcia A. Bexley brings to Source for Learning more than 15 years of experience in government relations, marketing, working with the press, and organizational management. She is a Partner at Frey & Associates, where she assists with the development and implementation of government relations strategies at the local, state, and federal levels.

Ms. Bexley is also President of Bexcom, where she develops proactive communications strategies for high-tech companies, working to increase her clients’ visibility both locally and in their respective industries.

Previously, at Z-Tel Communications, Ms. Bexley worked as Vice President of Group Sales nationwide, identifying potential clients, producing all levels of marketing and promotional materials, and negotiating and closing contracts. Prior to joining Z-Tel, Ms. Bexley was Manager of Government Relations for InterDigital Communications Corporation. She has been the recipient of numerous awards for excellence, and she earned a B.A. in Organizational Management at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Janet K. Black is Executive Director for San Antonio/South Texas Initiatives with Texas A&M University’s Institute for School-University Partnerships. She facilitates programmatic initiatives that result in improved P-16 academic performance, increased high school completion, and participation in community colleges and universities. Dr. Black also coordinates activity with The Texas A&M University System offices in College Station regarding the proposed new Texas A&M University campus in San Antonio.

Dr. Black received her B.S. in Education from Otterbein College and her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Education from The Ohio State University. She is the author of numerous articles in major refereed journals and has co-authored two books published by Prentice-Hall, the first in its fourth edition and the second in its second edition.

Dale Brazale is co-founder and President of DTI International, Inc. (DTI), a Philadelphia-based consulting company specializing in information system technology, training and learning technologies and programs, and Homeland Security IT solutions. Ms. Brazale is also an Adjunct Staff Member at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). 

Prior to forming DTI, Ms. Brazale helped plan and guide the marketing and financial strategies of InterDigital Communications Corporation, a pioneer in digital wireless local loop systems using TDMA and CDMA technology. She came to InterDigital with over ten years’ experience in marketing in New York City. 

Bettina Curtis is the wife of the late John Curtis, who founded Network for Instructional TV, the predecessor of The Source for Learning. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Board.

John A. Goetz was an original founder of NITV. He worked closely with John Curtis, who conceived the idea of creating an organization that would provide innovative educational services to teachers in the schools where they worked.

Mr. Goetz has had many years of result-oriented success in diversified management positions. As a program manager for the United States Army he planned, budgeted, and executed a $436M program to develop a variety of interactive training devices, simulators, maintenance, and logistics systems. He also managed public affairs programs on a world-wide basis for the US Department of Defense.

At McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Mr. Goetz was the Program and Sales Director for videodisc programs. He was responsible for hardware development as well as applications for corporate users and customers. At Interdigital Communications Corporation Mr. Goetz was Vice President of Customer Support, Sales and also served as President of IMM Institute which provided communications training to the Army.

Colonel Goetz earned a Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting from Michigan State University and has done advance study at the University of Alabama. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College. He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal for Valor with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

LTG William J. Hilsman, USA (Ret.) is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of DTI International, Inc. (DTI), a Philadelphia-based consulting company specializing in information system technology, training and learning technologies and programs, and Homeland Security IT solutions. He also served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of InterDigital Communications for over ten years.

During his military career, Gen. Hilsman was Chief of Defense Communications and Manager of the National Communications System in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for the DoD worldwide communications and command and control systems. He also led the government’s planning in response to AT&T’s divestiture of the Bell System operating companies. He initiated and later served on the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC), a committee composed of chief executive officers from the telecommunications and information systems industries, advising the President on issues of national security and emergency preparedness. 

William M. Hilsman is a Principal at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, where he oversees IT Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACS) and Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) in the National Capitol Region (Region 11). He has extensive experience in telecommunications and information systems with both large and small companies, in operations, installation, testing, quality assurance, sales, marketing, contracting, customer support, and consulting.

Mr. Hilsman served with the Army in Korea, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States as a Communications Officer for the United States Army Signal Corps, managing the Theater Command Control and Operations Center. Mr. Hilsman graduated from North Georgia College with a Bachelor’s in Business Management and pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Clifford B. Janey was appointed Superintendant of the Newark, NJ schools by New Jersey Governor John Corzine in June, 2008. Newark is New Jersey's largest school system.  Dr. Janey served as Superintendent of Schools for District of Columbia Public Schools from 2004 to 2007. From 1995 to 2002 he served as Superintendent of Schools for Rochester, New York. Prior to his tenure in Rochester, Dr. Janey was Vice President of Education for Scholastic, Inc., a multimedia education publishing company. At Scholastic, he coordinated partnerships with twenty major urban districts in areas involving language development, literacy acquisition, achievement gap initiatives, and professional development.

Dr. Janey has a doctorate in Educational Policy Planning and Administration from Boston University; he holds a Master’s degree in Reading and Elementary Education and a B.A. in Sociology from Northwestern University.

MG Robert L. Nabors, USA (Ret.) is a former senior vice president and account executive for EDS U.S. Government Solutions. He is a retired major general in the U.S. Army, where he last served as commanding general and head of contracting activity for the Communications Electronics Command (CECOM). CECOM provides its military clientele with end-to-end IT support; it has an annual operating budget of $3 billion.

Gen. Nabors is a highly decorated officer. He has received nearly 400 awards and honors and 40 official military awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the military’s third-highest award, and the Bronze Star Medal.

Gen. Nabors holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona and an M.S in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He also served as a senior fellow in the National Security Affairs Program at Harvard University and is a graduate of the Senior Officials in National Security Program at Harvard University. Gen. Nabors is also a member of the American Mensa Society.

Dr. Leo Sayavedra is the former Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the Texas A&M University System, for which he provided leadership and guidance on issues relating to program development, faculty, and students. Dr. Sayavedra also represented the A&M System to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and provides relevant information to the Texas Legislature. From 1996 to 1999, Dr. Sayavedra was Deputy Chancellor for Academic Institutions and Agencies for the System.

Dr. Sayavedra was awarded a Ph.D. in Educational Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976. He earned his M.Ed. from North Texas State University, and graduated with a B.A. in Mathematics from Trinity University in 1960.

Doris Voitier was appointed Superintendent of the St. Bernard Parish Public Schools on August 10, 2004, after a 33-year career in the school system. Her prior experience includes work as a high school mathematics teacher, Coordinator of Accounting, Supervisor of Accounting and Instruction, Associate Superintendent for Finance and Support Services, and Assistant Superintendent.

Ms. Voitier gained national recognition for her efforts to rebuild her school district in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which completely destroyed all of the system’s 21 buildings and school sites. She was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her courageous leadership during this difficult period. She is the first person from Louisiana, and the first K-12 educator, to receive this international award.

She holds a B.S. in Science from the University of New Orleans and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the same university. She completed 30 graduate hours beyond her Master’s degree in 1983.

Dr. Carter D. Ward has been Executive Director of the Missouri School Boards’ Association since 1983. Dr. Ward is also the Executive Director of MSBA's foundation, FutureBuilders, and has served in that capacity since 1995. 

Dr. Ward is widely recognized for his expertise in strategic planning. In 2007, he received the Thomas A. Shannon Award for Excellence for his leadership, achievement, and dedication to public education. He has served on numerous state association review teams for the National School Boards Association and is a past chairman of the NSBA Executive Directors Liaison Committee. 

Dr. Ward earned a Doctorate in General School Administration and Statistics from the University of Missouri - Columbia. He holds undergraduate degrees from Central Methodist College and Central Missouri State University. He has also been a mathematics teacher and administrator in secondary schools in Missouri.