February 22, 2010

SCSDB News

South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

Crystal Chirico, Communications Office

W: (864) 577-7505 cchirico@scsdb.org

Katie Rice, Communications Office

W: (864) 577-7506 krice@scsdb.org For Immediate Release

The Walker Foundation Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

SPARTANBURG, SC – South Carolina native Ann Akerman has been named the new CEO of The Walker Foundation (TWF), the fundraising arm of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB). With 23 years of non-profit experience and the belief that every child deserves a high-quality education, Akerman has taken on her new role at TWF with open arms and an open heart.

"We are so blessed to have Ann Akerman as the new CEO of The Walker Foundation,” said Scott Brawley, chairman of The Walker Foundation Board of Trustees. “Her drive, determination, empathy and understanding of our mission are matched by her incredible ability, wisdom, vision and focus. Through Ann's leadership we look forward to sharing with everyone in the state of South Carolina the great story of SCSDB as well as the many needs that we must fill as a statewide organization." 

By age 25, Akerman earned the executive director position of a local grassroots non-profit organization after working for the American Red Cross. More recently, she served as the executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia for eight years. Her industry accolades include the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award in 2006 from the Central South Carolina Chapter of Association of Fundraising Executives and raising more than $6 million throughout her career.

Akerman is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Southern California. She has two sons and currently resides in Lancaster. She enjoys scrapbooking, exercising, riding motorcycles and spending time with her friends and family.

Founded in 1980 for the sole purpose of working directly with SCSDB, The Walker Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to securing resources that enable SCSDB to achieve its mission and goals.

“The Walker Foundation is a pivotal resource for the success of our school. We are very grateful for its support, especially during these difficult financial times,” said Maggie Park, interim president of SCSDB. “We are excited to have Ann at its helm, and we look forward to working with her.”

Through sharing SCSDB’s stories, to building partnerships across the state, to raising funds for support, TWF seeks to maximize each student’s individual opportunities for success. TWF also aims to build understanding and acceptance through education, as well as support for people with sensory disabilities so they can lead fulfilling and rewarding lives of productivity and independence. For more information, please visit www.walkerfdn.org.

SCSDB provides statewide leadership in education and accessibility for individuals who are deaf, blind or sensory multidisabled, their families and the professionals who serve them through: K-12 educational programs on the main campus in Spartanburg, including the Schools for the Deaf, Blind and Multihandicapped; specialized vision and hearing services in local school districts statewide; early intervention programs for infants and

toddlers; family and program assistance for students with deaf-blindness; braille and large print services; free assistive phone and alerting devices; sign language interpreting services; community sign language classes; summer camps for children who are deaf or blind; and family and professional conferences.

SCSDB is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and the SC Department of Education. The SC Department of Education named SCSDB a Red Carpet School for its outstanding customer service and a Palmetto Gold School for academic accomplishments. For more information, please visit www.scsdb.org.