|
|
President
George Esseff, Sr. began his career in 1951 as a Chemist/Metallurgist for the U.S. Corp of Engineers. Today, he is one of the world’s most successful Titanium entrepreneurs, a pioneer in the processes designed to further expand the commercial and industrial uses of Titanium, and involved in initiating The International Titanium Association. He established the Esseff Foundation in memory of his Grandfather George Abdanour Esseff in 1979. Mr. Esseff and his wife of 57 years, share their wealth by feeding the poor, building and maintaining shelters for the homeless and making available medical services for those in need. He and his wife donated more than 1 million dollars to build low income housing in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Vice President
Betty Jane Strong is a dedicated manager and committee member of the William A. and Genevieve H. Strong Foundation Trust. She is a professional horticulturist and was instrumental in developing composted bark-growing media for the commercial greenhouse industry through Strong-Lite Products. Ms. Strong, a lifelong equestrian, graciously shares her passion for horses and life with the young women she mentors.
Secretary/Treasurer
Betty Gaston is a highly experienced, goal oriented fundraiser with over 20 years experience in the non-profit sector, deeply committed to improving lives through the art of fundraising. Ms. Gaston, National Manager for Major Donor Relations for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, is skilled in multiple areas of philanthropy, including major and planned giving, gala events, board development, corporate, and grassroots fundraising. She has successfully managed top markets in the Midwest and Central Region with responsibilities including presentation of research messages to donors, stewardship of key patrons at events, board training, coordination of research updates, and serving as the main driver at solicitation meetings. She has been an Advisory Board member for HART-US, has been actively involved with the American Lung Association, the Alamo Shrine, Habitat for Humanity and served as Chairperson for numerous events and auctions to benefit a variety of organizations.
Immediate Past President
Lee Miller is a lawyer and consultant, whose expertise combines the disciplines of law, public administration, disabilities and communications. During her Presidency of HART-US, she twice visited the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre in Stepanakert, Nagorno Karabakh, with Baroness Caroline Cox and has been instrumental in helping to raise funds and provide needed supplies for the Centre and for other areas served by HART-US.
Lee worked for the United Nations and the Republic of Poland as an international consultant on public administration reform and program development. She also served on the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Executive Board, the U.S. Department of Labor Presidential Transition Committee, the President’s Council on the 21st Century Workforce Skills Gap Committee and many other national and international programs.
Lee is a noted international speaker who has been featured on the Today Show and C-Span. Her numerous awards include two annual commendations from the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities for Distinguished Contributions toward the Full Employment of People with Disabilities.
|
