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Literacy and Education Partners & Governance
Because literacy is the foundation of a successful workforce and economy, it has long been a priority for the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County Inc. Operating under the framework of the Literacy Works Project, an initiative funded by the Massachusetts Department of Education and the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, a 25-member Literacy Works Committee and 21-member Hampden County Literacy Cabinet oversee and advocate for literacy programs. The Cabinet, formed in May, includes:
- Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.
- Emily Bader, director of the Springfield City Library
- Stephen A. Davis, senior trustee of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation
- Sylvia Galván, director of English as a Second Language programs for Springfield City Schools
- Jack Henry, Vice president, Big Y Foods Inc.
- Mary Anne Herron, director, Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation
- Denise R. Jordan, Chief of Staff for Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and president of the youth Athletics, Academics, Arts and Achievement Association
- Andrea Kandel, director, National Conference on Community and Justice
- Maura McAffrey, vice president, Health New England
- Aimee Griffin-Munnings, executive director, Center for Law and Advancing Entrepreneurship, Western New England College, and executive director of the New England Black Chamber of Commerce
- Larry A. McDermott, publisher, The Republican
- William Messner, president, Holyoke Community College
- Thomas Moriarty, Hampden County Register of Probate
- Carla Oleska, executive director, Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts
- Rus Peotter, general manager, PBS station WGBY
- Henry M. Thomas III, president, Urban League of Greater Springfield; trustee, University of Massachusetts
- Arlene Rodriguez, dean, Springfield Technical Community College
- Agma Sweeney, aide to Congressman John Olver and administrator, Westfield Association of Spanish Americans
- Robert J. Schwarz, vice president, Peter Pan Bus Lines
- Denise Pagán-Vega, assistant superintendent, Springfield Schools
- William Wagner, president, Chicopee Savings Bank