EduGuide Team

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The EduGuide Team

Alicia Sutfin {Administrative Assistant} is a wife to husband, Steve, and a mother to seven-year-old son Tyler. She loves to cook and in the words of her son is, “Even better than Rachael Ray, Mom!” Aside from her family and their dog, Lucy, Alicia’s passions include: crocheting, reading, golfing, and genealogy. Having worked in the nonprofit world before, Alicia saw a great opportunity to use her many strengths here at EduGuide. Not only is she the smiling face you see behind the desk when you first walk in, but she’s the one you don’t see, behind the scenes, helping everyone else to look our best and to make our jobs go smoothly.

Bryan Taylor {President and Founder} is a first generation college graduate with a passion for creating a world in which each child is equipped to pursue a personalized path to their full potential. A speaker and writer, Bryan’s work has been recognized for Distinguished Achievement by the Educational Publishers Association, the Public Relations Association of America and the National School Public Relations Association and as the featured guest on a nationally televised dialogue with the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Before settling in Lansing, Bryan worked a stint in the British Parliament and, as a Rotary Scholar, studied philosophy at the University of Paris Sorbonne. Bryan served as a residential director and faculty member in higher education and worked as a survey research and strategic advisor to health care and telecom entities. Bryan and his wife, a former teacher, enjoy hikes in the park with their two young children and big black lab.

Jan Mason, {Director of Operations} keeps us on the straight and narrow. She’s a cracker-jack accountant who brings twenty years of corporate business experience to our nonprofit mission. She plans to spend her retirement sailing the open seas and volunteering for a variety of noble causes – but until then, she works for students and families by keeping the rest of the EduGuide.org team on track. She manages our office, finances and human resources.

Jenny Holliday {Community Support Coordinator} comes to EduGuide with all the knowledge and experience four kids and eight years of teaching can bring. After teaching creative writing, debate, psychology, and German via interactive television to numerous high schools, she began substitute teaching for area Head Start and early elementary programs. Working at EduGuide allows her to use her experience in the teaching field and share all her failures and successes as a parent. As a mom, she has quite a vested interest in the education of our youth.

Jon Morgan {Web Services Coordinator} brings ten years of experience in web page design, public relations and customer service to his role as EduGuide's first User Host and now, Web Services Coordinator. His passion for helping others makes him the ideal front-line, go-to-guy. He's also a key strategist, helping us build the EduGuide online community and understanding user needs. The father of two young children, Jon attributes his extreme patience and highly evolved problem solving abilities to years of answering the question, "Why, Daddy?"

Kevin Skarritt {Director of New Media} is most interested in spending time with his two boys in Boy Scout activities. Next in line are passions for reading, competitive chess, snowboarding, and flying as a private pilot.

Bringing 20 years of business experience to EduGuide, Kevin has held past roles such as Environmental/ Health & Safety Consultant, stock broker, industrial hygienist, EH&S trainer, and owner of an award-winning brand, social media, and web development agency.

Kevin is a first generation college graduate with a Biology degree from the University of Michigan. Glad to be back home (after living in CO, TX, CA, and NH for the past two decades), this recent move allows him to be near his parents, twin sister, and a large extended family.

MaryKat Parks Workinger {Editorial Director} comes to us from Grand Haven, Michigan; her husband from Connecticut; and her daughter from Lian Jiang, China. She received her BA and MA in English literature from the University of Michigan. After working many jobs as editor, admissions counselor, and teacher she has finally settled here at EduGuide. MaryKat’s favorite hobbies include (but are not limited to): Michigan history, kayaking, folk music, camping, and botany. She and her family share their home with Jazzy the dog, Oyster the cat, and a fish that shall remain nameless. MaryKat’s boundless enthusiasm and good humor encourage everyone to “just keep swimming…”

Ron Wilson {Director of Development} uses any legal means to bring money through the door – he’s a great champion for our cause! He spreads word of our non-profit mission to new corporate philanthropists, advertisers and donors while continuing to embrace the valuable relationships we have with our existing partners. He has launched his four children to success already – but plans to use EduGuide’s resources to help his grandson, Jacob, age 1, reach his full potential.

Selena M. Melvin {Training Director} A veteran teacher, curriculum developer and educational leader, Selena was a public school administrator and taught middle and high school English for over ten years in South Carolina, Connecticut, Louisiana, Texas, and Michigan. Her personal successes are the results of constructive parent-school relationships. She designs and delivers workshops that equip teachers and parents to work together in pursuit of their common goal — student success. She strongly believes that good teaching does not come from behind a desk; it comes from behind the heart.