DEL REY
EDUCATION
WISDOM VIRTUE FREEDOM PURPOSE
CALIFORNIA
Johnnie Morgan, Vice President
In addition to holding a lifetime California Community College Teaching Credential, Mr. Morgan has served as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Education Commission, Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Public Social Services Commission, and was appointed a Commissioner on the California Apprenticeship Council. Johnnie is also listed in the “Who’s Who in Black Los Angeles,” having served in several government and private industry capacities including tax accountant, public accountant, cost accountant, sales, and marketing, as well as an IRS Revenue Agent.
A proud graduate of the first class of Alain Leroy Locke High School in 1969, Johnnie Morgan was inducted into the Locke High School Wall of Fame in 1990. Since then, he has been an active member of the Locke High School Alumni Association, returning to the school to impart his knowledge, experience and skills to current students. Mr. Morgan holds a BS in Business Administration/Accounting and Master of Public Administration from Pepperdine University.
Debra Boyd, Treasurer
With over 17 years of municipal finance experience executing and rating transactions in the capital markets, Debra Boyd brings tremendous knowledge in bond financing and credit, specifically in K-12 education. As Education Managing Director for BB&T Capital Markets (now Truist Securities), Debra was responsible for driving the firm’s presence in the California market, overseeing one of the largest investor pools for education-focused transactions in the organization.
Debra spent 15 years with S&P Global, holding various positions in education-related capacities, as well as serving the local government and affordable housing sectors. Her clients included such notable organizations as the Texas A&M University System, Berklee College of Music, Boise State, KIPP Charter Schools, IDEA Charter Schools, and Consumer Reports. Prior to coming to California, Mrs. Boyd also served with the Massachusetts Governor’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance.
Mrs. Boyd holds a Masters of Public Policy from the esteemed Harvard University JFK School of Government, and a BS in Business from University of the Pacific. Debra has served in a number of community service positions, from the Chapter Board Member for the National Charity League, to Women in Public Finance, to the CFO for the Ivy Academia Charter School in Ventura, CA.
Brian Haas, Secretary
Driven by a passion for providing top quality educational opportunities specific to the unique needs of the individual, Brian has served in a variety of diverse capacities throughout his career.
Beginning in the concert production industry, Mr. Haas has toured with some of the highest grossing concert tours of their day, for such artists as Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Prince, and many others. Subsequently, Brian has spent a number of years as an executive in the technology industry, insurance/risk management, and commercial real estate. In addition, he has served in a number of civic and governance roles, including as board member of one of Florida’s largest senior services organizations.
This broad assortment of occupations has taught Mr. Haas a tremendous skillset, from ethical corporate and nonprofit governance, to contract negotiation and review, to marketing and community outreach, to entrepreneurship and effective business operations, to community service. Mr. Haas currently holds real estate licenses in two states, and has been involved in expanding the footprint of classical education across 4 states.
Anthony Cabasa, Director
Serving as 'El American' Field Correspondent, Anthony Cabassa has been an Independent Journalist since 2017, having previously served our nation in the United States Coast Guard for over a decade. As a US Veteran and previous border protection of our nations borders, Anthony now brings his expertise of time served to the field providing insight only his experience can bring to our nations frontline news, targeting the Hispanic/Latino Community.
Anthony has a degree in business, and a small background in healthcare. Having covered politics since 2016, he now works full time as a Political Commentator, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers on social media platforms, and his work reaching millions of people a month. His work has always been with a heavy emphasis on the Hispanic/Latino community, and informing them from all things politics and culture. Anthony has always had a passion to proudly represent his community and culture with accurate information, and available options to better the Hispanic community.
He is proud to be onboard this educational project, as a father to 3 school aged children, to better provide resources and alternatives to education within his community, and help future generations excel in academia. Anthony regularly attends and is active in his children's school board meetings, actively engaging the parent-teacher community, and currently resides in the Los Angeles County area in California with his wife and 3 children.
Davina Keiser, President
Davina Keiser served Long Beach USD children as a devoted classroom teacher since 1979 in music and high school math. She also served as a teacher for the CSULB Education Foundation’s Youth Music Conservatory.
For twelve years, Mrs. Keiser served as the Treasurer of the Teachers Association of Long Beach, overseeing a budget of nearly four million dollars, where she received the esteemed Larry Acterman Award. During her tenure, she was responsible for returning the association to fiscal solvency.
Davina also served for 16 years as an elected delegate in the National Education Association Representative Assembly, and as Treasurer of the California Teachers Association Bay Valley Service Center Council. She also served for 15 years on the California Teacher Credentialing Commission for Professional Competence as a member of the judicial tribunal for teacher dismissal hearings.
As a third generation Long Beach native, Davina attended Long Beach Unified School District schools, graduating from Wilson High School, and attended Long Beach City College and California State University, Long Beach, concurrently during her senior year. After Wilson, she attended the University of Southern California as an academic scholar, followed by CSULB, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Secondary Teaching Credential, both in Music, and the University of LaVerne, where she received her Supplemental Teaching Credential in Mathematics.
Davina also served as Congregation President, Secretary, Choral Director, and Worship Leader for East Side Christian Church in Long Beach. She lives with her husband of 43 years, Frank, and has two adult children who are also LBUSD and CSULB graduates.
FLORIDA
Xtavia Bailey, President
Xtavia Bailey’s diverse background in fiscal management, marketing, public relations, classroom management, community engagement, and grant writing – and practically a lifetime in Manatee County – has prepared her with the skills, savvy and assets to meet the needs and expectations of everyone she serves. Keen attention to detail, patience, thoroughness and a caring nature makes Xtavia an ally in the goals and dreams of her community.
With a strong work ethic and determination in everything she does, Xtavia holds several degrees in addition to her real estate license, including medical assisting; she also majored in criminal justice and was accepted to begin her Doctoral degree at Keiser University in 2021. Xtavia also is a graduate of the MTI's Police Academy. She is married to Edward Bailey, a former Sgt. in the United States Marine Corps., and they share two children — Amara, 19, and Edward Jr.,16.
Passionate about contributing to the community, Xtavia has spent much of the past 17 years helping nonprofits, such as advocating for children’s safety, animal rights, early childhood education development and helping those seek an opportunity for a better future. Her core values directly align with those of Michael Saunders & Company, which is richly rooted in the community.
John Colon, Vice President
John A. Colón is the Managing Partner of Sanderling Partners. He has spent over 30 years managing investments for his clients, and has been duly recognized by several prominent firms. Mr. Colón most recently served as a Senior Vice President-Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors in downtown Sarasota. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors, Mr. Colón spent more than a decade at Morgan Stanley in New York. While there he attained the rank of First Vice President, and was tapped to open the Locust Valley, NY office of the firm which he managed for several years.
Outside of the office, Mr. Colón has been active in his community both locally and at the state level. He has served as a Gubernatorial appointee on the State Board of Education, and the Manatee County Schoolboard. Mr. Colón has also been a Commissioner of the Sarasota Housing Authority since 2005, and has served as its chairman 4 times over the years.
Dr. Carol Macedonia, Ph.D., Secretary
Dr. Macedonia has committed her professional life to the teaching and learning of both children and adults. As the Vice President with Step Up For Students for nine years, Carol led the Office of Student Learning and oversaw the development of work systems to assist schools and families in establishing and maintaining structures, conditions and processes that sustain collaborative partnerships to ensure the academic, social and emotional success of every child; while at the same time, upholding the belief that the ultimate responsibility for the education of the child resides with the parent.
Prior to joining the Step Up Students team Carol spent over 36 years in public school education as a teacher, principal, director of professional development, assistant superintendent of elementary and exceptional student education, area superintendent, and university adjunct professor. She has written numerous educational articles and has co-authored and published A District wide Approach to Staff and Student Learning. Carol received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of South Florida.
James Frishe, Treasurer
A very thorough, resourceful and self-motivated entrepreneur and community leader, Jim Frishe possesses in-depth quality work experiences with public, private and non-profit organizations. Having been reelected for multiple terms to the Florida House of Representatives, Jim has tremendous state-level insight into legal, judicial, appropriations, healthcare, and education matters. Jim has also served his community via the non-profit sector with Contemporary Housing Alternatives of Florida.
Professionally licensed as a real estate broker, Jim is a University of Florida alumni with a BA in Political Science, and an AA in Literature, Science and Arts from Andrew College.
Nancy Bostock, Director/Past President
Currently the President and CEO of Chemical Standards Lab, Nancy Bostock served on the Pinellas County School Board for 10 years. During her tenure, she oversaw structure and policy for approximately 100,000 students and 6,000 employees, with a budget of $1.2 billion.
Mrs. Bostock also served on the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners for 4 years, overseeing a $2.2 billion budget, and leading efforts to reduce spending by over 20% while still maintaining quality of services to over 1,000,000 residents during the "Great Recession".
Mrs. Bostock has also served her community with the United Way's Reading Pals literacy program, and has been involved with the Juvenile Welfare Board, Pinellas Education Foundation, Junior League, and many others.
In addition to being a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Nancy has a Master of Arts in education from USF and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Florida.
TENNESSEE
Cassie Chapman, President
A Parkersburg, WV native, Cassie Chapman moved to Nashville from Louisville, KY in 2007. The following year, she married her TV host husband, Gary Chapman.
Cassie starred in the docudrama “Private Lives of Nashville Wives” in 2013. In front of the cameras and the world, she and her husband adopted their beautiful, baby daughter Eva Rose on the show. That process caused her to become an advocate for independent, open adoption.
Cassie is involved with many charity organizations and loves philanthropic work. She was co-chair for Agape Animal Rescue, where she hosted “Glitter and Glam” and “Animal Ball,” the two largest monetary events the organization has had to date. She has also served on the board for Women In Numbers, a nonpartisan organization that supports women running for local office.
Currently, Cassie is working on the launch of a new TV cooking show. In her free time, she loves to ride horses, cook, research, sing, and spend time outdoors with her daughter. Grateful for the amazing support system in her life as she navigates through her daughter’s diagnosis of Autism, Cassie wants to “pay it forward” by helping other families who find themselves in the same situation.
Brian Haas, Vice President
Driven by a passion for providing top quality educational opportunities specific to the unique needs of the individual, Brian has served in a variety of diverse capacities throughout his career.
Beginning in the concert production industry, Mr. Haas has toured with some of the highest grossing concert tours of their day, for such artists as Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Prince, and many others. Subsequently, Brian has spent a number of years as an executive in the technology industry, insurance/risk management, and commercial real estate. In addition, he has served in a number of civic and governance roles, including as board member of one of Florida’s largest senior services organizations.
This broad assortment of occupations has taught Mr. Haas a tremendous skillset, from ethical corporate and nonprofit governance, to contract negotiation and review, to marketing and community outreach, to entrepreneurship and effective business operations, to community service. Mr. Haas currently holds real estate licenses in two states, and has been involved in expanding the footprint of classical education across 4 states.
Mitch Emoff, Treasurer
Passionate about building organizations, Mitch is Executive Vice President of the marketing and advertisement firm, Goldner Associates. In addition to developing systems and processes, Mitch enjoys watching people rise to challenges and grow individually through teamwork.
A graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor’s in Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Mitch also served as the President and Board Chair for Nashville Filmmakers, a group of more than 1,000 producers, directors, writers, actors, and production personnel.
Mitch has also served in a number of leadership positions with associations serving the product distribution industry, including The PeerNet Group and TASA, the Tri-State Advertising Specialty Association. In 2021, Mitch was the founding board chair for USA Classical Academy classical charter school, and has subsequently merged efforts with Del Rey Education.
Austin Tallant, Secretary
Austin is an Account Executive with the esteemed Ramsey Solutions in Franklin, TN. Austin works with middle schools and high schools across the US to provide them with life-changing personal finance curriculum.
Prior to that, Austin’s career history involved roles with student fundraising giant, Booster Enterprises. There, his responsibilities included market analysis and growth strategy and program and team leadership. Austin was responsible for launching the Southern California market, where he led 14 school programs to raise funds and develop character and morale for students.
Austin graduated from Chowan University (Murfreesboro, NC) where he was a member of the football team. In 2012, Austin was Special Teams Player of the Year and Presidential Athletic Excellence Award recipient. In 2013, Austin was Presidential Athletic Excellence Award recipient, Faith in Your Future Award recipient, Excellence in Leadership Officer Award recipient and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Member at the 2013 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
Austin currently lives just outside of Nashville in Nolensville, TN and is actively involved with Rolling Hills Community Church with his wife Caelen and daughter Reagan, with one more on the way!
Dr. Kenneth Lee, Director
Dr. Lee brings 40 years of wide-ranging experience in building successful companies in the health care and information technology sectors. As the Senior Vice President at Ventech Solutions, Ken led a team of over 400 engineers, developers, operators, and trainers to deliver healthcare quality analytic solutions to the federal government.
Ken’s well-rounded background includes 25 years in program management, fiscal management, and health economics, as well as 10 years in curriculum development, course preparation, and delivery at the professional, college, and graduate school levels. He has a passion for classical education and the opportunities involved in mentoring and teaching the next generation of leaders.
Ken lives in Maryville, TN, with his wife Janice and three rescue dogs, and is actively involved in the Blount County Conservative Coalition, the Smoky Mountain Parents Involved in Education (PIE) chapter, and Blount Community Church. When not participating in community events, he supports his four grandchildren in their sports teams, school activities, and exploring the Smoky Mountains. Ken received his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D. from George Mason University.