Chrissy joined The LEAD Center team in 2002 and has served in every capacity within the company. While growing her skills within the corporation, Chrissy pursued her teaching license and master’s degree in Special Education and recently became a licensed behavior analyst. As the current executive director of the school, she brings experience, passion, and expertise to the classrooms and staff of the LEAD center. Her core conviction is helping others to see and fulfill their potential.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Lao Tzu
Alexis brings a wealth of behavioral knowledge to the administrative team at LEAD. She is a Virginia-Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with 10+ years of experience in a private day school setting and additional time delivering behavior analytic services for local, private agencies. Since her Fall, 2017 start date, she’s improved our approach to behavioral interventions and continues to shape student programming to reflect LEAD’s passion for excellence. When Alexis is not in the classrooms working alongside and training staff, you will find her looking for the next project in the workplace or adventure in her personal life. She is a welcomed addition to the LEAD Center family!
"Bloom where you're planted."
Mary Engelbreit
Harvey is a self-taught entrepreneur with 30+ years of business ownership across a variety of industries. His success came against all odds and is indicative of his belief that an individual can become whomever they desire to be with experience, drive, and a sense of purpose. His business acumen comes from his desire to reach personal and professional goals that mainly include combining family and entrepreneurship within the small business arena. Although he respects the academic community, his knowledge base was developed and honed over years of trial and error.
His journey began as a high school graduate with a desire for independence and a goal of proving that his life would not be defined by the letters, or lack thereof, behind his name. He entered into the traditional labor force attempting to take his eagerness and make the local power company better. He figured out that his “against-the-grain” and “challenge the status quo” mentality was not welcomed. After impulsively quitting the job that his parents dreamed he would have, a series of serendipitous events lead his wife and him to launch an industrial painting company that would eventually serve plants throughout the North Eastern United States. They successfully navigated the union and non-union systems, as well as served their growing customer base for nearly 20 years. They sold the company in 2006 in an effort to begin a new era of their lives. Now, in an ironic, life-plot twist, he currently own and operate a special education school in Central Virginia.
Through innovative measures he has overcome the obstacles presented by his lack of formal education and has transcended the expectations of many naysayers. He’s been dedicated to his calling of encouraging the underdog to achieve his goals. Although he once was, he is no longer out to prove anything other than “anything is possible.” Find your purpose. Find your voice. Find your audience. Serve. Over the years he’s learned that those are the steps to success.
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong."
Abraham Lincoln
As the Director of Student Services at The LEAD Center, Parish merges his business and special education backgrounds to serve our students, their families, and our localities. From student enrollment to discharge, he values the use of assessments and meaningful data reports in providing student services and in planning for student transitions. His favorite conversations center on stepping a student down to public school.
“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Since 2003, Mary Beth has progressed from a 1:1, to Program Assistant, to Teacher, and now to Manager of Student Services and Enrollment. She treasures the acts of kindness and empathy shared among the staff, parents, students, and clients. Through her kind words, affirmations, and encouragement, Mary Beth brightens the front office with her cheery and optimistic disposition.
Mary Beth says, “My ordinary achievements in life as a wife, mother, grandmother, tri-athlete, swim instructor, and friend have given me the insight needed to positively impact other lives.”
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Mother Theresa
Marie is the company Treasurer and head of the Accounting Department within The LEAD Center. Her dedication to organization and customer service is shown through frequent and thorough connections with LEAD Center customers.
Marie is also passionate about providing financial advice to staff, parents, and students throughout the school. She is able to share her in-depth knowledge of the financial system in ways that are simple and easy to embrace. Her experience working within the banking industry and small business accounting positions for 20+ years allows her to quickly and easily meet financial needs that are presented.
"Minutes are worth more than money. Spend them wisely."
Thomas P. Murphy
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