PHILIP PELOSO, Chairperson

Philip is the Sales Channel Manager of KUKA Robotics Corporation, USA. He has over 30 years experience working in his chosen field of industrial robotics and factory automation. Philip attended Lake Superior State University where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Automated Systems Engineering Technology. Philip has been recognized by Michigan’s Former Governor Snyder as a proponent for his Marshall Plan to develop the talent of high school students to prepare them for the next generation of careers.

EBONY CARTER, Vice-Chairperson

Ebony received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Grambling State University. Realizing her passion for education, Ebony decided to work for various alternative education programs seeking to improve the math skills of at-risk youth.  Received her Masters in Educational Leadership with a focus in Principalship at Saginaw Valley State University. She accepted a position at Howard High School, which at the time was listed as one of the top five failing schools in the state of Tennessee.  Through hard work and determined commitment, her students excelled and passed their state exams. Ebony was awarded a highly selective, federally funded grant from the United States Department of Education. The Teacher Incentive Fund Grant is awarded as a result of student academic performance in order to maximize programmatic opportunities.

TORI FERRES, Secretary

Tori has a Juris Doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. She is an attorney at Fletcher, Fealko, Shoudy & Francis, P.C., in Port Huron, Michigan.  She handles a variety of litigation matters, including insurance defense, municipal, labor and employment, and commercial litigation.

ANNETTE DEMARIA, Treasurer

Annette is a project manager at an employee-owned environmental consulting firm where she has provided environmental engineering support to public sector and non-profit agencies for over 25 years. Her accreditations include professional engineer and Project Management Professional, and she holds B.S. degrees in Environmental Health and Chemical Engineering.

TIM O’BRIEN, Trustee

Tim is the Founder and CEO of Simplified Business Solutions, LLC. He is a Technology Specialist with over 20 years in the industry with a focus to improve a multitude of environments, to include government, public housing, medical, automotive, manufacturing and financial organizations.  Having attended The Detroit College of Business (now Davenport University), he holds many standard and advanced Technical Certifications.  His business specializes in supplying consumers with the secured technologies they need to successfully attain business goals.

SHAWN SHACKELFORD, Trustee

Shawn holds a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI,  M.A. in Educational Administration and Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Starting his career in the Detroit Public Schools, and Southfield Public Schools, he has also served as an administrator in Southfield Public Schools, Duval County Schools, and Boston Public Schools, and has been a principal at all levels. Currently, he is the Executive Director of Student Support and Diversity in the Port Huron Area School District in Port Huron, Michigan.

Shawn has successfully implemented Schoolwide Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (SWPBIS) and created a Refocus Room: that uses asset-based practices to create an inclusive environment that re-engages students in the learning process. In November 2019, Shawn was honored by the Port Huron Branch of the NAACP with the Youth Sustainability Leadership Award.  In February 2020, Macomb Celebration of Black Excellence awarded Shawn the Educational Impact Award.