Anderson's Advisory Board

Hello from the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area! I am the Yearbook, Student Government, and Computer teacher at Fernando Rivera Middle School in Daly City. Daly City is located just south of San Francisco. I love living and working in the Bay Area. I have two young children that keep my husband and me laughing and enjoying each and every day. I completed my undergraduate work at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. I completed my masters at San Francisco State University. One of my many hobbies is shopping. I love to shop at Anderson’s for school logo items, prizes, certificates, and other goodies. They create quality items that last. I always feel good giving students certificates and medals from Anderson’s because I know it is something the students will treasure. I look forward to serving on their Advisory Board.

Rebecca Dennison has been a teacher at Bethune Bowman Middle School in Rowesville, South Carolina for 2 years now. Prior to working there, Rebecca also taught 1 year in Hawaii, and 2 years in San Diego where she was also the track coach. When asked why she was first interested in joining Anderson's Advisory Board, Rebecca's reply was, "I am the definition of school spirit!"

Michelle Lancaster teaches at Bushland High School, near Amarillo, Texas. She was just awarded the 2010 FCSTAT Texas State Teacher of the Year, and also received the 2009-2010 Region I Outstanding Teacher of the Year. She teaches Lifetime Health & Wellness and Career Preparation and serves as the high school campus coordinator for the district homeless liaison. Michelle devotes her time helping students achieve their goals and is a mentor for many organizations. Michelle is an advisor for FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) and has a student who is serving as FCCLA Vice President of Programs. Michelle is a mentor for D-FY-IT (Drug Free Youth in Texas), Random Acts of Kindness club, and “Teens in the Drivers Seat.” Michelle graduated in 1991 from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Before teaching she managed Dillards, Talbots and Best Buy. She met her husband, Kevin, in 1995. They have two active boys, Alex 6 and Brad 3. Michelle decided to leave the fast paced world of management to devote her life to teaching and mentoring young adults. She has been an FCS teacher for the last 14 years, and served on prom committee 10 of those years.

I've ordered merchandise from Anderson's prom catalog for 10 years. I know I can trust Anderson's to have the newest and trendiest themes. The instructions are very easy to understand and the displays are easy to put together. Anderson's has always had fast service and are great about standing behind their product. One order of glasses arrived with a few broken stems, I called a representative, and new glasses were sent overnight. I even received a courtesy call to make sure the glasses arrived on time. I've been impressed with the quality of all the items I've even ordered! - Michelle

Kori lives in Southern California with her husband and two children. Kori is very involved in her local schools and community. She devotes countless hours to philanthropic and charitable causes such as ALS and Susan G Komen and serves on several volunteer committees. She is the coach of the award winning Costa Mesa High School cheer squad and holds all of the safety certifications from AACCA and NFHS, among others. Kori was named the 2010 GSSA Cheer Coach of the Year and also the Community Leader of the Year from Leadership Tomorrow, and her program won the American School Spirit Award in 2009, naming them one of the top overall cheer programs in the Nation. Kori has been a keynote speaker at many cheerleading coaches conferences. She graduated from California State University in Long Beach with a degree in Speech Communications. Kori has been featured on the ABC news program- Nightline, 60 minutes Australia and has written and been interviewed for several articles in the leading cheer publications, and also sits on the coaches advisory panel for American Cheerleader Magazine. Kori also serves on many non-profit boards, such as Costa Mesa United (youth sports council) and has held numerous positions on PTAs and other organizations. Kori has developed and written the Newport- Mesa Unified School Districts policy on cheer safety and the athletic emergency policy and plans. Her main passion is improving school and community programs and increasing both school and community spirit and pride.

I am always confident that Anderon's will have just the right items to increase the spirit at any event I am planning, whether it be an elementary school jog a thon or the cross town rival football game. Using the incredible assortment of products and decorations Anderson's brings excitement and fun to any event. There low prices make it affordable on any type of organizations budget. I would be lost without their catalog! - Kori

Jodie Gharbi was born & raised in White Bear Lake, MN. There she graduated from White Bear Lake H.S. 1998, and then went on to graduate in 2002 from Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa, where she majored in Elementary Education with Endorsements in Title 1 Reading and French Instruction, and a French Minor. After that, Jodie taught Kindergarten at St.Matthews School in Cedar Rapids, IA -- teaching 1 year there, and then teaching K-5 Title 1 Reading in Springville Iowa for 2 years. Soon after, Jodie was married to Air Force Captain, John Gharbi, B-52 Radar Navigator & Instructor, and moved to San Antonio, TX where she attended Culinary School at the Le Cordon Bleu, Texas Culinary Academy. There she graduated Magna Cum Laude & Valedictorian, and then moved to Shreveport, LA, Barksdale Air Force Base, where she worked as a Chef, a Wedding Cake Artist, and Head Pastry Chef for various establishments in Shreveport. In 2010, Jodie went back into teaching, and taught 7th Grade English at a Sabis Charter School, and is currently in her 2nd year teaching French 1 & 2 at Huntington High School in Shreveport, LA. Jodie is involved with various clubs and activities at school such as the Drama Club, Homecoming, Prom, and any other event that needs a helping hand. On top of all that, she is also attempting to start an International Club with the Spanish Teacher for the 2011-2012 School Year. Jodie currently resides in the Fairfield Historical District of Shreveport, LA with her husband John, a 120lb. Akita named "Buff", and three unique cats named "Maverick", "Goose", and "SkipPee".

My name is Jeremy Cole and I reside in Somerset, Kentucky, with my beautiful wife and energetic 9 year-old daughter. I am originally from Columbia, KY and have lived in the Somerset area for 11 years. I teach high school Arts/Humanities and Yearbook, as well as Choir and Vocal Ensemble. I am also a member of the Pulaski County High School SBDM and Department Chair of the Arts/Music Department. I have a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in School Leadership. I am currently pursuing certificates in Instructional Supervisor, DPP, and the school Superintendent. Outside of the classroom, I sponsor student council and serve as the Prom committee chair. I have served as the prom chair for 11 years.

I have used many of the products that have been offered through Anderson's through being in charge of prom for the past 5 years and the lead adviser in FCCLA for the past 15 years. I work with the students on a very personal level, and feel that I am a good problem solver, learn very quickly, have strong communication skills, and am open minded.

• Job Title: Market Research Associate
• Yrs./Experience with the company: 7 years

Brief Bio:
• Where you’re from: I was born in Minneapolis, MN and grew up in White Bear Lake, MN (headquarters of Anderson's)
• Family: I have an extremely close family & network of friends, that I constantly surround myself with. My family members are also some of my best friends, and my friends I treat like family. I have 1 younger sister, Ani, who lives exactly 1 mile from me, and we are polar-opposites -- as our mother says, "Ani is the worried scientist, and Nici is the care-free artist."
• Hobbies: I LOVE music, painting/drawing in my studio, traveling, and playing or watching just about any sport (though I enjoy ALL sports, my favorite team to watch is MN Twins baseball!).

I have enjoyed being a part of our Anderson's Advisory Board program throughout the entire process; from the very beginning planning stages, through the implementation of the program, and all the way to the present -- most importatnly, watching it morph into a successful & rewarding program for both Anderson's Team Members and it's Advisory Board Members! I've had almost too many favorite moments to mention them all, but one of my favorites was getting the chance, after a year of participation, to finally meet one of our members face-to-face at a conference in California, and being able to sit down and talk with each other like we were old friends that have known each other for years. I guess that's what our Advisory Boards are all about: creating & nurturing that personal connection with you, our customers.

• Job Title: Marketing Manager
• Yrs./Experience with the company: 11 years (5 with Anderson’s)

Brief Bio:
• Where you’re from: White Bear Lake, MN
• Fun Fact: I was born in Tyler, TX and from there moved around the state of Minnesota my entire life. I went to 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and was finally able to stay at 1 high school.
• Family: I married my high school sweetheart and best friend, Tony. I have a sister who is three years younger. Her name is Jenna. Harley is my baby brother – he is 14 years younger than me!
Hobbies:
• I LOVE football! Watching the college and NFL football is the best!
• I love the Olympics, too! Both summer and winter.
• I really do love all sports (golf, tennis, baseball, hockey, basketball, etc.)
• I love to read historical fiction.
• I love music. In college I took a number of historical music classes like Rock n’ Roll History.
• And last but certainly not least, I love spending time with my family and friends just hanging out grilling, having a bonfire, golfing…doesn’t matter as long as we are together.

My favorite Advisory Board moment? I love them all! But if I have to chose one, it would be when we had our last call for the 2010-2011 school year, the advisors said, ‘Oooh! We’re going to miss this!’

• Job Title: I am a Marketing Manager
• Yrs./Experience with the company: I have worked at Anderson’s since February 2011.

Brief Bio:
• Where you’re from: I was born in Minneapolis, MN and grew up in the western suburbs.
• Family: I am the oldest of three with 2 younger brothers. I have been married for four years and have no children, but do have two cats named Bailey and Charlie.
• Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, reading, shopping, boating and eating! I’m excited to travel to Europe in September for the first time with my husband!

While this is my first advisory board session my favorite moment at Anderson’s has been attending NAESP in April and speaking with customers and hearing how they are using our products to inspire student achievement!

• Job Title: Sr. Marketing Manager overseeing our Early Childhood and Elementary customer segements
• Yrs./Experience with the company: 12 years

Brief Bio:
• Family: Married with 2 preschool aged daughters
• Hobbies: Travelling, Reading, Hiking, and Skiing.