Pam Weldon - Founder
Pam Weldon, creator of irock2read, received a BA in Child Development with a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential (K-12) from California State University. After she began her career as a classroom teacher in Los Angeles, she received her M.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Reading from the College of New Rochelle. As a result of her research with brain hemispheric research in the teaching of reading, she became a veteran teacher of reading from Kindergarten to Grade 6 in Tarrytown, New York. In addition to producing an award-winning, literacy-based public television show for children, she actively served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Public Schools of Tarrytown, Tarrytown, New York. By combining non-conventional methods of instruction with the latest technological advancements in the classroom, her long involvement in a district-wide technology committee helped her to address the many needs among poor readers. In addition to recognition from the ARCO Community Volunteer Outreach Program, she received special teacher recognition from The Journal News, Westchester, New York. Her list of professional achievements include acknowledgement from Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who in the World, Millennium Edition. pam@irock2read.com
Philip D. Vairo, Ph.D. - Advisor
Dr. Vairo received his doctorate from Duke University. He has held teaching and administrative positions covering the education gamut---from classroom teacher, school counselor, college professor, dean, academic vice president, and president. He has been affiliated with the New York City public school system, Hunter College, the University of North Carolina, the University of Tennessee, California State University at Los Angeles, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Touro College, Fordham University, and Worcester State College, where he served as president.
Dr. Vairo has coauthored six books: Urban Education: Problems and Prospect; How to teach Disadvantaged Youth; Learning and Teaching in the Elementary School; Urban Education: Opportunity of Crisis?; Hot-Button Issues in Today’s School: What Every Parent Needs to Know, and Hot-Button Issues for Teachers
Additionally, he has authored numerous monographs and chapters in texts and over 60 articles in professional journals.
Brian Mangines - SR VP - Corporate Counsel
Brian Mangines was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1990 and the Florida Bar in 1997. He is a graduate of Cornell University, and an honors graduate of the University of Connecticut, School of Law. His practice primarily entails Corporate Transactions, Foreclosure Defense, Bankruptcy, Litigation and Immigration.
In addition to his 20 plus years of legal experience, Mr. Mangines formerly owned and operated a successful legal staffing and recruiting firm across three states. He is a former President of the Florida Staffing Association and the past Chairman of StaffPac. Mr. Mangines was honored by the South Florida Business Journal by his inclusion into its industry “Heavy Hitter” designation in the area of Human Resources.
He is a member of the Florida Bar as well as a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, South Palm Beach County Bar Association, the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida and various other Federal District Courts in New York and Connecticut. Brian is also a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and the Florida Foreclosure Defense Bar. He has held several leadership positions over the years in various Bar Associations
Beth Daly - Sr VP - Technology Advisor
Beth is a proven IT professional with diversified experience in global application development. Through her many years of working for Fortune 100 companies, she has honed her skills in aligning technology and business goals to provide productive solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. She collaborated globally with company customers, business associates, IT associates, business partners, and other stakeholders to identify customer requirements, consider available technologies, compare costs and benefits, and recommend solutions to meet the requirements.
She has traveled the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand introducing, implementing and training employees in the new technologies. Along with her technical responsibilities, she was a coach and mentor to junior team members as well as summer college interns. beth@irock2read.com