BAEO Board Member Deborah McGriff was named president-elect of the Education Industry Association (EIA) in July. McGriff, who will take the seat in July 2005, said she feels �honored� by the appointment.
Once known as the Association of Educators in Private Practice, the EIA is described as a �professional network of educators dedicated to the business of delivering and advancing the education of children and youth,� according its web site.
The EIA boasts a varied membership � from charter and private school operators, tutoring programs, consulting companies, supplementary service providers, education service providers, childcare providers, financial institutions, and for profit colleges such as the University of Phoenix, Platform Learning, Catapult (formerly Sylvan learning Systems) and Kaplan.
EIA is the umbrella organization for the education industry McGriff said.
�The Education Industry Association supports pre k through college educational options provided by profit companies.�
McGriff became involved with the EIA in 1991 when she was superintendent of schools in Detroit. Following her tenure as superintendent she joined Edison Schools to expand educational partnerships with school districts and community groups. She was a charter member of the EIA�s leadership board. The leadership board was formed to advise education leaders in the organization.
McGriff said she plans to work with current and past presidents, board members and general members to �get a deeper understanding of the organization and its needs.�
Her nomination has received a warm reception.
�I am always pleased when a Board decides to select not only a competent person for the leadership position, but one that has a long history of outstanding work and contributions in the field of education,� said Anna Amato, a member of the EIA and the Detroit Chapter of BAEO. �I am equally pleased that their choice also happened to be a woman.�
�I think Deborah will bring her own personal style to the position - one she is known for amongst her colleagues: professionalism, enthusiasm, attention to quality, and the ability to get things done,� Amato added.