CLA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2010-2011

Officers/Executive Committee

President:  Sara Rothfeder

Education:  BS, Journalism University of Florida, MBA Goizueta School of Business, Emory University
Personal tie to CLA:  Sara has twins in 6th grade.
Goals as trustee: To carry on the CLA legacy as the wonderful, unique educational gem we are to the greater Pensacola community.

Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair: Allison Jones

Education: BS, Accounting, Florida State University
Employment:  CPA, Senior Manager at Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund, CPAs
Personal tie to school:  Community member
Goals as trustee:  To provide a fresh perspective to the Board to aid in their oversight responsibilities related to governance of school affairs and to use my financial background to advise in the fiscal management of the school.

Secretary: Rachel Tippett Botts

Education:  BA, JD, University of Virginia
Personal tie to CLA:  Alumnus, current parent of two preprimary students.
Goals as trustee:  To ensure this school will continue to provide the opportunity for academic excellence in an open, inclusive and creative environment for my children’s children and beyond.

Immediate Past President:  David Bear

Education:  BS, Business Administration, Belhaven College, Jackson, MS
Employment:  Vice President, The Lewis Bear Company, Beverage Wholesale Distributor
Personal tie to CLA:  David graduated from Creative Learning Center in 1985.
Goals as trustee:  To lend leadership and management experience to help guide CLA strategically.  To write policy that supports the long-term viability and professional excellence of a successful community organization.  To cultivate and encourage other people to support the school through admissions, fundraising and word-of-mouth promotion.  To support, assist and hold accountable the administrative leadership and board in fulfilling the school’s mission and vision through successful accomplishment of appropriate measurable and attainable objectives.  

Dr. Mohamed Khabou

Dr. Howard Liebman

Wright Moulton

Ajit Patel

Cameron Smith

Suzanne Turbyfill

Education:  Masters of Education, University of Florida, 1991, BA , Elementary Education, University of Florida, 1990.  Specialized in Reading Education.  Montessori Elementary Training Program, California, 1994
Employment:  Taught in public, private and Montessori schools in Florida and California.  Also employed as Human Resource assistant, placement coordinator and customer service training specialist.
Personal tie to CLA:  Parent of two children who attend CLA’s lower school (grades 1 and 4).
Goals as trustee:  To help CLA maintain the highest academic standards in this area.

Kyle Watson