Martinsburg, W.Va. – Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) – an organization serving children and youth who have experience abuse or neglect — appointed 5 new members to the organization’s board of directors. The elected members are all esteemed leaders, selected to serve alongside an already impressive list of Eastern Panhandle’s civic and business influencers who will guide CASA-EP into a successful future. The new directors are appointed to a three-year term and represent Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. CASA-EP welcomes: Terri Beard (Blue Flame, Inc.), Daniel Clarke (NextGen Media), Kelly Hart (Shepherd University), Kim Himes (Bank of Charles Town), Gloria Keyser (Procter & Gamble).
CASA-EP relies on its board of directors for many functions including governance and budgeting, strategic guidance, community involvement, and fundraising. “We have worked hard over the last few years to recruit new board members that can help take CASA-EP to its next level of growth and mission impact,” says Susan Caperton, CASA-EP’s board president. “Our board volunteers, including our emeritus members, have a deep commitment to serving our community’s most vulnerable children and youth, and I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome our newest recruits to the CASA-EP family.”
To find a full list of the CASA-EP’s board of directors, click here.
I look forward to partnering with our new board members as CASA-EP strives to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in our community,” said Michelle Sudduth, executive director of CASA-EP. “Each one of our new directors brings a unique and diverse background and perspective and I’m confident their expertise and support will advance our mission and fuel our ability to better serve more children and youth in the years ahead.”
Caperton added, “On behalf of the board, I want to express our gratitude to Heather Henry, Tim Hott, and Lindsey Matscat, and who have concluded their service as dedicated and valued board members.”
Full new board member bios listed below:
Terri Beard has been the Business Manager for Blue Flame, Inc. for close to a decade. A role that she loves with all of the different intricate pieces of Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Compliance and Operational Management. Terri is a former award recipient of the Girl Scouts National Capital Woman of Distinction for the Eastern Panhandle, and was recognized for her exemplary leadership and service to many volunteer organizations in the community, including local and district Little Leagues, Junior Wrestling League and local Junior football program. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Berkeley Springs-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, and he Morgan County Economic Development Authority. Terri is also a member of the Berkeley Springs Rotary Club.
Daniel Clarke of NexGen Media is a music, marketing, and technology entrepreneur with over two decades of experience developing and implementing strategies, products, services and initiatives that deliver major impact driving the transformation and growth of start-up, emerging mid-market, and large corporations. Prior to joining CASA-EP, Dan has been actively involved in various volunteer and philanthropy roles with Wendt Center for Healing & Loss, Martha’s Table, Wounded Warriors, DC Central Kitchen, Montgomery College, American Youth Soccer Organization, Association of Legal Administrators, Maryland Soccer Institute, City of Rockville, and Shepherd University. Dan attached himself to CASA-EP due to his passion for mentoring and working with vulnerable and at-risk youth and young adults, himself having “aged-out” as a product of the foster care system in the UK where he grew up.
Kim Himes is Director of Digital Banking and Payments Strategy at BCT-Bank of Charles Town. Her role is to ensure a positive digital customer experience that allows for innovative, faster, secure payment methods throughout. Kim leads the Customer Care Center team, Business Cash Management Support team, and the Wire Department team at BCT. She is a member of the CHS Advisory Board, a member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Serves on the WISH Foundation Grant Committee. An active member with her Sisterhood and church, Kim has a true passion for encouraging women and teen girls. She is honored to serve on the CASA of the Eastern Panhandle Board of Directors.
Dr. Kelly L. Hart is the vice president for enrollment management at Shepherd University and serves on the University’s executive leadership team. As vice president for enrollment management, Hart oversees the admissions, financial aid, and registrar’s offices. Prior to her appointment at Shepherd in 2021, Dr. Hart worked at several private and public higher education institutions where she held both faculty, administrative, and athletic coaching positions. Throughout her career and in her work in the community, Dr. Hart has shown an unwavering commitment to helping young people understand who they are, feel grounded in their identity, have a vision for where they are going, and secure a network of support to help them get there. Dr. Hart earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education, English, from Villanova University, a Master of Education in physical education from the College of New Jersey, and a Doctor of Philosophy in physical education from Florida State University.
Gloria Keyser is a Quality Assurance Compliance Leader at Procter and Gamble, located here in Berkeley County. She has been the Site’s United Way Campaign Leader for two years and helped in making P&G the area’s largest donor for each of the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. In addition to her responsibilities for P&G and the United Way, she also operates her own animal rescue, Freedom Hearts Animal Rescue, based out of Berkeley County. While partnering with the PetSmart Charities organization to help animals that have been abused and/or abandoned, they ensure their fosters receive great care, love and in the end find amazing homes. Her love and compassion for animals is just as strong for children and she is very excited to share her life experiences as a foster child to help others going through the process.
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CASA-EP believes that every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school, and in our community. To accomplish this, CASA-EP educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure that each child’s needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. Apply, donate, or learn more at www.www.mycasaep.org, call 304-263-5100, or find CASA of the Eastern Panhandle on Facebook.
