Board Members

 

Katie Ricord President Katie works at the Kids on the Move in Orem as the Director of their Early Head Start Program. She also serves on the Utah Early Childhood Conference planning committee and the Utah Early Childhood Professional Development Conference planning committee. Katie has been on the UAEYC board since 2006. Katie said "Children are a great gift in our lives and our communities; I believe it is our responsibility to love them and show them how to love in return".

 

George Garff  Past President George is the Owner with his wife Pearl, of Life Arts Center, Creative Learning Center. He has served on the UAEYC board for six years and worked as Development Director and President Elect and has been the President for the last 3 years. He is an Ordained Minister with the Inner Light Center in Salt Lake City, is a real estate licensee and in his spare time is an accomplished potter.

Sheila Anderson Vice President Sheila has served on the board for 7 years. She has worked in the field of early childhood for almost 20 years as a teacher, director, adjunct faculty, trainer, consultant, and research assistant. Sheila is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Utah State University.

 

Cyndee Maki   Treasurer

Melanie Bott Secretary Melanie Bott has been an Early Head Start Family Educator, as well as the Secretary/Historian for Habitat for Humanity of Castle Country.  She is currently enjoying being a stay at home mom.  “I strive to use my talents and skills to help people and organizations shape the future of children.  I have experience and enjoy working with and networking with others to make a difference in the lives of children and families in my communities.”

Linda Smith President Elect Linda has worked in the childcare field for 30 plus years and is passionate about advocating for children. She has worked in the private sector of childcare, Head Start and I am presently working with Kids of the Move in Orem as an Infant/toddler specialist and consultant.

Sarah Piercy Membership Sarah is an Early Learning Mentor Coach for Salt Lake CAP Head Start/Early Head Start, providing 1:1, individualized, professional development training for about 50 teaching staff.  She is currenty completing 20 credits of Early Childhood Education courses at the University of Utah for professional development.  She also teaches private piano lessons on the side of work and school for the past 12 years to children ages 4-18, as well as, adults. Sarah is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families and ECE students and teachers in Utah.

 

Christy Toala Public Policy Chrisy has worked in the early childhood field for 8 years.  She is currently an Education Supervisor with OWCAP Head Start. She is also a Federal Reviewer and keep current on all policies that are changed.  I oversee 11 teachers and attend all Child Care Committee meetings to keep current on all changes.  She have a Masters degree in Early Leadership, and love to stay current on all topics and would find it interesting and educational to attend sessions at the State Capitol.

 

 

Meg Buonforte Hospitality Meg has served for 6 years as the Early Childhood Specilist for Utah Parent Information Resource Center.  She has also been Utah Parents as Teachers State Systems Leader for 6 years.  She is currently the project manager for Ready! Set! School!  Meg said, "I am investd in giving parents what they need to prepare their child for kindergarten and feel that UAEYC has tools, vision and resources to do the same."

Kathy Carr Development Kathy works at a private, exclusive community as the Program Director for youth and family programs.   She has 13 years of grant writing experience.  She has been a board member for over 10 years in leadership positions for UAA including President and Conference chair.  She has a degree in child development and family studies from BYU and has 20 years in the field.

 

Rhonda Dossett Accreditation Rhonda has been the Director of St. Paul's Preschool for 11 years.  She is currently serving on the Office of Child Care Advisory Board as a childcare center representative.  She has been on the UAEYC board in the past as hospitality chair and as historian.  She has also co-chaired as Salt Lake and Tooele chapter presidents.

 

Encarni Gallardo Program & Services Encarni is the Director of Child Care Resource and Referral Metro and she loves her job and what she does. She loves to help people achieve their goals. The best part of her job is when she see's the new look in the provider faces, because they feel empowered and valued.  Encarni is a certified Touchpoints Trainer as well as President of the Utah Association for Child Care Resource and Referrals (UACCRRA).

 

 

Anne Mackiewicz Affiliate Relations Anne is currently the Chair of the Education Department at the College of Eastern Utah and the Executive Director of the Child Care Resource & Referral office for the Eastern Region of Utah.  I teach a few evening classes at the college and have been active with the UAEYC board. Anne said "I continue my love of interacting with young children’s gift of life and fascination with new mind awakenings!"

 

Laura Traum Newsletter Laura is a retired military wife who has worked all over the Early Childhood Career Lattice and all over the world.  Currently she is serving as Program Design and Management Manager at OWCAP Head Start.  Laura has served on the UAEYC Board as President and Vice President.

 

Dianne Mitchell Yancey Conference Dianne is the President of DSN Coaching.  She is a certified business/life success coach with over 15 years of experience.  She is a sought after speaker for conferences throughout the country.  Dianne is the Author of Talk to My Personality That's the Way the Fortune Cookie Crumbles.  She was on the UAEYC Board in 1990-1993 and enjoyed it very much.

Linda Ebersole Gilgen Bridgerland Regional Rep Linda has served in many capacities within the field of early childhood development, care, and education. Since 1998, Linda has been the Director/Program Administrator of Children’s House - an early care and education center-based program on the USU campus. Linda has been involved in the designing process and program planning for the new Delores Doré Eccles Center for Early Care and Education that will replace the current Children’s House building this Fall 2010.

 

Shirlene   Law Roosevelt Regional Rep Shirlene set up the Early Childhood Lab School at USU-UB. She has taught preschool in Roosevelt both privately and at USU-UB. Currently, she is teaching full-time at USU-UB. Half of the time she spends with 4 year-olds, with lots of energy, and the other half of the time, she spends with college students, who "wish" they had that much energy! Shirlene joined the board in 2008.

 

Rea   Gubler Southern Regional Rep Rea is an Associate Professor in Early Childhood Development/Family Sciences at Southern Utah University. She has served on the state board for UAEYC and UAFCS in different capacities over the years.

 

Brionne   Thompson Student Liaison Brionne has her Bachelors degree in ECE and ELED from USU and her Masters degree in ELED with a focus on Reading Endorsement from USU.  She is currently teaching preschool at the USU Children's House and teaching as an adjunct instructor in undergraduate early childhood classes at the Utah State University.  Brionne has been our student representative for the past 2 years and would love to continue working with

 

Amy   Funk Adminstrative Assistant Amy has been UAEYC's Administrative Assistant and only staff member since 2004. Amy teaches preschool in her home and is grateful for the association with this great organization!