Educare Arizona CEO John Scola and Site Director Lori Jablonsky were pleased to welcome Dick Foreman, CEO of ABEC (Arizona Business & Education Coalition), to tour our school. ABEC is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, statewide membership organization that unites business and education leaders in an effort to advance education in Arizona.
A business leader who understands the importance of education in Arizona, Foreman says, “I do not accept status quo for education in Arizona and neither does the ABEC board or members. We know the ‘odds’ and challenges presented by the public policy process. But for my part, I am certainly determined to engage this wonderful opportunity in every way I can to better serve our board and its mission on behalf of Arizona’s education and business communities. Together, we will continue to build consensus, advocate and succeed for Arizona’s children.”
John Whiteman, one of Educare Arizona’s founding collaborators, was celebrated at a banquet in February after being named the 2014 Mesa Citizen of the Year. In addition to his involvement with Educare Arizona, Whiteman has several other philanthropic efforts, which include improving the lives of young children in Mesa and throughout the state of Arizona. He is the president of the Whiteman Foundation and serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Arizona Museum for Youth, the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, the Phoenix Symphony and the Arizona Community Foundation.
Whiteman was instrumental in Educare Arizona becoming a reality in 2011 and continues to be a tireless champion and advocate of early childhood education in our state and beyond.