Ward E. Leber: Over the past 28 years of child advocacy work, Mr. Leber has developed a wide variety of programs and services for charitable purposes; many of which have been recognized and recorded in the Library of Congress. Some of those projects include work with The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, The U.S. Department of Transportation, The National Highway Traffic Safety Association, The U.S. Department of Justice, The U.S. Postal Service, The United Nations, The House and Senate, along with various other local and national charitable organizations. Mr. Leber has been given special congressional recognition on 6 separate occasions for his innovation and expertise on pediatric injury prevention and child advocacy work. Mr. Leber has testified before Congress as an expert witness on the use of Federal funds for missing and abused children. Mr. Leber was formerly appointed by (then) Senator Pete Wilson to the U.S. Attorney General’s Advisory Board on missing and exploited children. He has also developed a number of award-winning public service announcements for radio, television and print using nationally recognized celebrities and leaders in government. Mr. Leber has launched statewide and national cooperative child safety educational campaigns and written a number of publications on safety distributed to millions of parents via CSN and PTA.
Ernie Stevens, Jr.
Chairman and national spokesperson for the National Indian Gaming Association in Washington, D.C. Stevens is currently completing his seventh two-year term as the organization’s leader, which is a position elected by all the member tribes. Ernie first met Ward Leber (CSN Founder) through a mutual friend and actor Adam Beach. The two started to collaborate on ways to protect Native American children/all children and worked together with nationally known sports icons like Michael Jordon, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Kobe Bryant and many others to promote CSN’s programs. Stevens represents the (approx.) $30 billion dollar annual Indian gaming industry. Ernie recently formed a Safety and Security Committee Council and invited CSN to present at the launch of this vital group. From 1993 to 1999 Stevens served as an elected councilman for the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin. He is a former First Vice-President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). As a respected leader in Indian Country, Stevens also serves as a long-standing board member on the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the Nike N7 Foundation Board, the Executive Board of the Center for Native American Youth and the Native American Advisory Board for the Boys & Girls Club of America.
The Chairman has been recognized for his outstanding leadership and his advocacy in Indian Country by numerous organizations. The Association on American Indian Affairs recognized his lifetime achievements in November and he was inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012. He and his wife Cheryl have been married for over 30 years. Together they have 5 children and 13 grandchildren.
Stephanie Duckworth – Executive Director
As a veteran nonprofit executive and business development director, Stephanie currently provides both fundraising and business strategic planning services through her own company; Wampum Books. Prior to this she held the position as Director of the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Bergen County and previously, she served as the Director of Development for the Princeton Center for Leadership and Asst. Director at the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Stephanie also was the Asst. Director of the National Commission on the High School Senior Year, under the Clinton Administration. As an educator she has worked with some of the most prestigious institutions of learning including Princeton University, Rutgers University, St. John’s University, The College of New Jersey, Colorado Technical University and various NJ Community Colleges, teaching over 100 college classes. Her dynamic personality and positive attitude is an inspiration to all who come in contact with her.
Otha Thornton
Otha Thornton, immediate past president of National PTA, has recently presided over 22,000 PTA chapters (about 20 million parents) and over 4 million dues paying PTA parents. His work as President over the past two years was as a volunteer on leave as a senior operations analyst with General Dynamics in Fort Stewart, Georgia. He is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel and his last two assignments were with the White House Communications Agency and United States Forces-Iraq in Baghdad. Thornton earned the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional performance in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-2010. He is a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association and has more than 25 years of active service in the scouting program across the United States and around the world. Thornton received his bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in communications from Michigan Technological University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Michigan Technological University in 2009.
Dr. Michele Borba
An internationally renowned educator, award-winning author, parenting expert and child and adolescent expert. She is recognized for her practical, solution-based strategies to strengthen children’s behavior, character, and social development, and to build strong families. A sought-after motivational speaker, she has presented workshops and keynote addresses throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific and has served as an educational consultant to hundreds of schools. Her proposal: “Ending School Violence and Student Bullying” (SB1667) was signed into California law in 2002. She offers realistic, research-based advice culled from a career of working with over one million parents and educators worldwide. Dr. Borba is an NBC contributor who has appeared over 97 times on the NBC TODAY show as well as being featured on countless talk shows including Dr. Phil.
Attorney V. Aislee Smith
During his tenure with the Internal Revenue Service – National Headquarters, Attorney Smith specialized in Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3) tax exempt law; and garnered invaluable experience in the Municipal Bonds and Healthcare tax divisions. After serving over a decade with the Service, Attorney Smith expanded his craft in the private corporate sector with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young, LLP. While with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Attorney Smith was appointed Regional Manager of the New Jersey, New York and Connecticut offices’ tax operations. In this capacity, he supervised a staff of lawyers and accountants in servicing prestigious multi-million dollar tax-exempt clients including: The Catholic Church, Greenwich Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, and the Manhattan YMCA. While employed with the Internal Revenue Service, Attorney Smith simultaneously pursued and was conferred a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. Attorney Smith was an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University where he taught Tax-Exempt Organizations in the Masters of Tax Program. Currently, he travels frequently as a lecturer at seminars and conferences.
Dr. Linda F. Bluth
Dr. Bluth has 48 years of experience as a Special Educator including 33 years in special needs transportation. Her past experience includes work at the United States Department of Education (USDE) and as a University Professor; School System Administrator; and Policy Specialist in the Maryland Governor’s Office for Children Youth and Families. She is currently employed part-time at the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. Dr. Bluth is the Past-President, National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), as well as the recipient of the NAPT Distinguished Service Award (2000). She previously served as NAPT Director at Large (1995–1998) and Special Needs Committee Chairperson. She authored four editions of Transporting Students with Disabilities. In addition, she has over 100 publications in the field of transportation and numerous education publications. She administers the Special Needs Endorsement Program.
Dr. Lisa Smith
When Lisa’s son was diagnosed with autism at age 3 ½, she began a passionate quest comprised of research, education and hands-on experience, creating a program that ultimately led to the remediation of her son’s autism. Now, at age 22, he is considered indistinguishable from his peers! She has taken this life-learning, coupled with a Master’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology, a Master’s and Doctorate in Metaphysics and Transpersonal Counseling, certification in Family Effectiveness Training, and as a Neurodevelopmentalist to assist other families. Her life mission is to share this eclectic experience and knowledge to help parents to parent consciously and holistically. She works with families of all kinds to create a business model for parenting with a program known as ESP (Effective Strategies for Parenting) and teaches CPS (Conscious Parenting Strategies) for effective parenting. Lisa believes that all behavior is a language and teaches parents to interpret this language. She also believes that effective strategies must incorporate the child’s mind, body and spirit to create strong efficacy and self-esteem. These integrated practices create a whole child who is “monster-proof” for life! Lisa Smith, Ph.D has authored 8 books, speaks around the country about Parenting On Purpose and is available for individual consultation.
Joel Lisker
Mr. Lisker is a former FBI agent, Federal Prosecutor, and is one of the most experienced professionals in matters of world-wide investigations; having dealt with physical security, cyber security and/or kidnappings in over 130 countries. Mr. Joel S. Lisker is the StarGuard Director of Search and Recovery as well as a senior advisor on Cyber Security. Keeping our members safe and their personal information secure is paramount to us. One of Child Safety Network’s most unique talents is the advice of experts in the area of search and recovery.
Steven Sprague
Steven is proud to contribute his international know how in the cyber security Space to CSN’s child safety efforts. Steven Sprague is the CEO of Rivetz Corp. and one of the principle industry evangelists for the application of trusted computing technology. Steven has a strong technical foundation in the principles, capabilities and business models of incorporating trusted hardware into everyday computing, and is skilled at translating these concepts into layman’s terms. Steven is the co-founder of Rivetz Corp. a new company focused on the use of trusted computing and TEE for the consumer market. Rivetz provides app developers tools enabling easy access to the embedded cyber security capabilities of modern mobile devices. Rivetz is also playing an important role in providing the key technologies for the protection of private keys, encryption and secure instructions for blockchain and crypto currencies. Steven graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in mechanical engineering.
Michael Lloyd
Referred to as a boy genius at the start of his career, Michael Lloyd has certainly proven that right. In the past 40 years the prolific and talented record producer has accumulated in excess of 100 gold and platinum records – well over 72 albums and 34 singles. Lloyd’s records, ranging from Pop & Rock to Country & Jazz, R&B & Gospel, have been recognized by such organizations as the Grammys, the American Music Awards, the Academy Awards, the Dove Awards (the Christian Music equivalent of the Grammy), NARM (the National Association of Record Merchants) and The Golden Globe Awards. He is featured in Who’s Who in America, in California & in Entertainment. His chart records span five decades, from the 60’s to the present. Additionally, Lloyd has provided scoring/music supervision/song writing, song placement and/or music producing for over 85 motion pictures, 11 TV movies, 12 television specials & 29 television series.
Michele Fumerton
Michele’s vast experience in media and marketing, partnered with her ongoing involvement in Direct Response, new Business Development, Entertainment, Campaign set-up, Product development, Production, Promotion, and Multi-media Campaigns makes for a strong partner in the world of corporate sponsorship. Michele’s uniquely combined professional experience perfectly positions her to effectively lead corporate marketing campaigns from inception through completion. Working in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, Michelle has developed and managed campaigns in the categories of Entertainment; Non-profit Organizations (including multiple national and worldwide children’s charities including Child Safety Network), Home Goods, Sports and Fitness, Retail, Fashion, Beauty and Health, Travel, Medical, and Automotive and over 40 consumer products.
Mr. Jeff Cassell
The experts at the School Bus Safety Company have been designing award-winning driver safety training programs for school bus drivers for more than 20 years. Until now, their work has been private-labeled and not available to district fleets. But now, they’re making them available for the very first time. The School Bus Safety Company has a team of performance improvement experts with specialties that include fleet operations and safety, industrial psychology, instructional design and media production. They have worked together to bring you this breakthrough series of programs. Jeff is a safety expert with more than 20 years of experience in making kids safer. He was responsible for both the installation of crossing gates on more than 38,000 buses and the first major installation of the Child Checkmate System to ensure that drivers checked for sleeping children. Jeff Cassell is President of the School Bus Safety Company where he is responsible for helping create driver training programs for school districts.
Rick Perry
Mr. Perry has held numerous senior executive management positions including COO/VP of Operations for REIS/The Coaching Company, CEO/Facility Director of EG&G, COO of Whitney Education, and Global Program Manager of Sun Microsystems. As COO/VP of Operations, Mr. Perry has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology and a Master’s of Science degree in Business Organizational Management. He has implemented a worldwide e-commerce portal that centralized e-learning offerings. Mr. Perry has been responsible for implementing and managing several infomercial, continuity and e-commerce offerings, resulting in several million dollars of weekly revenue streams, all accomplished while implementing and managing a world-class CRM to accommodate growth and customer service. Mr. Perry has over 24 years of experience in operational management with startups, including ongoing operational and turnaround situations where he has managed over 150 employees.
Reuven Rubinson, CPA, MBA – Financial Advisor
Mr. Rubinson is a hands-on financial executive, with a wealth of skills in many areas. He has a successful track record of implementing and maintaining accounting and control systems through Sarbanes-Oxley and other SEC/Governmental compliance reporting, working with startups, joint ventures, acquisitions, reorganizations, reverse-mergers and restructurings. Mr. Rubinson received his MBA from New York University and brings 30+ years of experience as a practicing CPA. He worked at several CPA firms in New York and at 31 years old was admitted as Partner in an East Coast CPA firm, specializing in Wall Street clientele. When he left in 1988, the firm was billing in excess of $3.5 million annually. In California, he assisted with a pink-sheet listed corporation in 1988 and became their VP of Finance. He then spent four years as the Controller of a software technology company. He later assisted a local company complete a reverse merger to become publically traded and acted as CFO for two years, providing accounting services for another two years thereafter. He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching graduate and undergraduate Accounting, Tax and Finance courses.
William H. “Bill” Arrington
CSN Professional Adviser on Surface Transportation and School Bus Security. Bill has devoted his professional life to keeping citizens safe on a local, regional and national level. After retiring from the Transportation Security Association (TSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in January of 2017, CSN is honored to have access to his continued commitment to help us protect American children. Starting in 1974 Bill was sworn in as a Maryland State Trooper and for more than 28 years he enjoyed a very noteworthy and remarkable career of service with the Maryland State Police. Retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Bill served in a variety of assignments with his last as the Deputy Superintendent, Chief of the Field Operations Bureau.
In October 2002, Bill answered the call again to serve with the creation of the TSA under the United States Department of Transportation following the 9/11 attack. In 2003, TSA along with 22 other legacy organizations transitioned to the newly formed DHS, which consists of more than 220,000 employees and second only in size to the Department of Defense. TSA’s initial focus was aviation security. Bill served as one of the first Directors for Aviation Operations and had the responsibility for overseeing and transforming airport security from a contract security workforce into a federal workforce at all commercial airports across the United States.
In 2006, when appointed to the position of General Manager for the Office of Highway and Motor Carrier Security under TSA’s Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement Directorate, Bill had primary responsibility for commercial motor vehicle security. This included oversight for trucks, motor coach (bus) and school bus, as well as the national critical infrastructure (bridges and tunnels) throughout U.S. transportation systems, which consist of more than four million miles of highway.
In 2012, Bill assumed added responsibility and oversight for Mass Transit and Passenger Rail (more than 6,000 local transit providers), Freight Rail (more than 500 regional and short line railroads operating on more than 162,000 miles of active track), Pipeline (more than 3,000 companies operating over 2.1 million miles of pipeline) and Maritime (passenger vessels) security for our nation’s transportation systems. Bill’s experience and expertise are reflective of his ability to proactively lead and manage complex issues within critical transportation security systems across all surface modes of transportation in this country.
John Simmons
CSN Senior Advisor on School Safety Appropriations, Legislation & Implementation:
Since the infamous school shooting at Columbine, CO in April 1999 John Simmons has tirelessly worked to develop and implement resources for schools in Colorado. He has worked to present School Interoperable Communications Planning and Fundraising Workbooks and helps schools fund, launch, and maintain a high-quality crisis communications programs with their community response agencies. Currently, John has been successful by helping to procure another $60 million in School Safety grant funding for his state and he remains the most visible point of contact for the CO Department of Public Safety to schools seeking assistance with obtaining those grant monies and identifying and implementing technology and training that will protect students, staff, and first responders. CSN is proud to have John’s sage advice and experience as the nation looks for answers and resources for school safety and security.
Contacting us:
We are a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization and our mailing address is:
10601 Tierrasanta Blvd
Unit G404
San Diego, CA 92124
Phone: (800) 906-6901
email: info@csn.org
