Dear valued Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) Foundation stakeholders:
As an entity serving the 7,000 deaf and hard of hearing children in Texas, the Foundation puts children first. That fundamental value that many of us hold dear has become apparent as our Executive Director (ED) of one year, Laura Duran Villa, has decided to resign. She has rightfully chosen to focus her time and energy on her baby daughter Ellie, who continues to fight a courageous battle for survival.
The Foundation would be remiss to not recognize Laura for the positive changes she brought to the organization’s day-to-day operations with her proven expertise with other foundations. Laura also showed a strong ability to quickly assimilate the unique nature of deaf education in Texas, its challenges and the potential opportunities that can be realized by the Foundation as it continues its support of TSD and the children it serves across the state.
To ensure continuity of the Foundation’s activities, which include the upcoming and nearly sold-out annual Diamond Chefs Gala, the board recently voted to approve Mark Seeger’s offer to become the ED on an interim basis for up to six months. Mark’s generous offer will afford the Foundation the opportunity to facilitate a well-executed search for its next ED. As a result, Mark resigned as Vice President, and wishes to continue serving on the board after the new ED is appointed.
Further details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks about the search process, as well as the attributes the Foundation will seek as it prepares for a thoughtful transition to the next chapter.
On behalf of the TSD Foundation, its board and I thank you for your continued support thereof.
Jack Busenbark, President
jack.busenbark@tsdfoundation.org