Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors represents a broad range of experience in healthcare administration, education, marketing, and public relations as Santas or as Elves! All share a common goal: ‘Building Santa-America to become a THE national Santa service organization visiting children and their families facing hospice, extended pediatric, and post traumatic stress.’
The Board of Directors of Santa-America will grow to nine directors in total.
Santa-America has adopted the Conflict of Interest Policy recommended by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and operates under the standards of the Alabama Association of Non-Profit Institutions. Santa-America has lead the way by adopting the most stringent standards for background investigation of Santas and Elves in America.
The following Board members helped found Santa-America. Their advice and
counsel are key to the professionalism to which Santa-America has dedicated
itself.
Santa Ernest (Ernest L. Berger), President
Santa Ernest (Ernest L. Berger) is founder and president of Santa America, Inc., a national non-profit, 501C3, IRS approved corporation dedicated to serving special needs children and their families during the holidays and throughout the year.
He has founded several healthcare management companies including Medical Transition Strategies, Inc and Physicians Strategic Resources, LLC, networking private practice cardiologists, radiologist and orthopedic/spine surgeons for improved healthcare and operational and administrative efficiency.
Santa Ernest served as a senior human resources executive for various GE businesses specializing in strategic planning, EEO, organization design and development, and labor relations. In his last assignment, he was VP of human resources for GE Computer Services (GECS), a $1.2 billion international technical service business.
He continues to provide human resources consulting services as a senior consultant for Paladin Associates, Atlanta, Georgia. He is a principal in The Elf Group, LLC, providing administrative and marketing support services to general business and Santa-centric clients.
He received his Batchelor of Science degree in economics and industrial-labor relations from Cornell University. He completed masters and doctoral studies in public administration and econometrics at State University of New York. In addition, he completed advanced management training at the GE Management Institute at Croton-on-the Hudson, N.Y.
Santa Ernest serves as a volunteer Santa for the hospice, pediatrics and seniors programs of Mercy Medical System throughout southwest Alabama. He has visited over 2000 "Katrina Children" and families; many suffering from post traumatic stress.
He is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Daphne, Alabama and has served on church council. He has four children and six "Granders" ages 6 months to 14... each is a joy and a blessing... all gifted in their own special way... and all believe in Santa Claus!
Santa Ernest is an active outdoorsman. He enjoys big game hunting & fishing, sea kayaking, tennis, golf and motorcycling on the "Santa-America Special." He is a member of "Team Reel Elves," a Gulf Coast saltwater tournament team fishing for the children and families of Santa-America. He is a living history reenactor, representing a circ. 1740-1763 member of the French colonial Troope de la Marines. He participates in living history events throughout the US and Canada.
His greatest personal joy is bringing love, hope and joy to the children and families of Santa-America during the holidays and throughout the year. "As Santa-America grows to over 200 Santas serving all the special needs children of America, I'll always visit our special children. This is THE finest team of volunteers and staff that I have ever been affiliated with."
|
Aime E. Crassas
Aime Crassas is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with an undergraduate degree in English and Anthropology. She teaches high school English and College Preparatory Reading for Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida where she was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2002. Her teaching credo is based on love and stability in the classroom. She has been highly successful in teaching socially and economically challenged inner city students.
She is the founder of The Golden Feather Personal Assistants Firm, offering "peace of mind services" to those needing upscale support for family, personal demands or social events. Golden Feather assistants are screened for education, reliability, social awareness, and sensitivity to client's needs and time constraints.
Her husband, Alkis, is President of EVOS, Tampa's premier, healthy, quick-service dining restaurant chain that is currently in a national expansion. They have a gifted and beautiful daughter, Sophia. Aime and her family spend their summers in Athens, Greece, where Saint Nicholas is the National Patron Saint.
Aime enjoys tennis, cycling, reading, cooking for friends, and yoga. She is a firm believer in strong family traditions for Christmas and the magic of Santa Claus.
|
Patrick J. Horgan
Pat Horgan is a sales and marketing expert with over thirty-five years management experience in General Electric and other nationally known firms. He majored in philosophy at Dartmouth College and attended Case Western Reserve Law School, then joined GE, working directly with future Chairman Jack Welch in rapidly growing GE Plastics.
As head of GE's Consumer Battery Venture, he led the development and introduction of consumer nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries. Later he held P&L responsibility for GE Information Services' Manufacturing Industry.
Recruited by Planning Research Corporation, Horgan led the development and successful commercialization of four complete turnkey information systems.
Recruited back to GE Computer Service as VP Sales and Marketing, he led merger integration with RCA and drove a major turn-around, doubling sales and creating an early IT outsourcing provider.
As SVP Marketing and Sales Operations at Vanstar Corporation, Horgan led another sales turn-around of outsourcing and systems integration growth, unifying marketing and sales and integrating service and product sales. Later acquired by Inacom, he led the $7B integration as VP of Corporate Marketing and Sales.
In 2001, he founded Paladin Associates (www.PaladinAssociatesInc.com), with several former GE executives who focus on productivity and profitability improvement.
Mr.Horgan is active in community affairs, heads his homeowner's association, and has worked on the Steering Committee of the Atlanta United Way. He is an active outdoorsman, enjoying canoeing and kayaking, hunting and fishing, boating and motorcycling.
He has been an active supporter of Santa-America since its inception, providing complimentary marketing and business perspective. He has been a strong advocate of hospice and personally supports families of slain service men and women and the innocent victims of catastrophes.
Patrick J. Horgan, Partner
Paladin Associated Incorporated
4709 Layfield Drive, Suite 100B
Dunwoody, Georgia 30338
Office: (770) 395-9156
Cell: (404) 276-4506
E-Mail: PJHorgan@PaladinAssociatesInc.com
|
Thomas F. Johnson
Thomas F. Johnson is Headmaster of Bayside Academy, a leading K-12 private college preparatory school with its campus in Daphne, Alabama. He has a distinguished career as an educator, executive administrator and leader in both public and private education. He brings a wealth of experience and support to the Santa America national training program.
Tom has served as President of the Georgia Independent Schools Association, Treasurer of the Alabama Association of Independent Schools, on the Board of Examiners of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and the Valdosta State University Alumni Board. He is a charter member of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society and a member of the Blue Key Leadership Organization.
He is the recipient of numerous professional awards including the Distinguished Service Award: Georgia Independent Schools Association, Alabama Art Educators Award, and Georgia State Coach of the Year awards for Basketball, Golf and Debate.
He served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corp Reserves from 1966-1972.
Tom and his wife Lee reside in Daphne, Alabama. They have a son and a daughter and three grandchildren, each and all a joy.
Tom has Bachelors and Masters of education degrees from Valdosta State University.
He is an accomplished athlete having played and coached basketball and baseball at Valdosta State University. He is an avid golfer and plays in the 70's.
|
|
