Meet the Candidates Running for PTA Officer Positions
We are pleased to announce the following people running for 2019-2021 Charles Ellis Montessori PTA Officer positions. Here's a little bit of background on each parent to get you acquainted. We hope you'll come to our final General PTA Meeting of the Year at Historic Grayson Stadium on April 24 when you can help us officially vote them in !
Co-Presidents: Holly McCormick I have been a part of the Ellis community for 5 years now with children in 4th grade and 1st grade. I have volunteered at many of the various fundraisers, events, and in the classroom over the last few years which has given me a greater appreciation for the efforts of PTA to strengthen our community. It would be an honor to serve with Melanie and the executive board as we continue to support our students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community. Melanie Finnegan My son, Patrick, is a rising first grader and I tell people that Ellis is our ‘big lottery win.’ We know that we are fortunate to be a part of this wonderful school, and serving on the PTA is one way for me to give back to our Ellis community. I have been an Active and Sustaining member of the Junior League of Savannah since 2006, serving in multiple volunteer positions as well as gaining valuable leadership training. I have also been the chairperson of the St. John’s Church Holly Days Bazaar for the last two years. This annual tradition raises nearly $60,000 each year that is used to support local and international philanthropies. I believe that my volunteer experience, community involvement, and desire to serve our school will help me effectively lead the PTA as co-president. Co- Vice Presidents: Lori Wynn I am a former newspaper editor and now work as a freelance writer and editor for publications in Georgia and North Carolina. My husband Zac and I are from North Carolina but have lived in Savannah since 2010. Our two daughters will be in kindergarten and second grade, respectively, next year at Ellis. Being nominated to the PTA board is an honor and serving is an opportunity to be more involved at school while creating relationships with teachers, staff and fellow parents. If elected to serve on the PTA board, I look forward to working closely with David in hopes of keeping the momentum and direction the current board has created while supporting the new co-presidents in any way I can. David Wills My name is David Wills. I am an electrical engineer here in Savannah and my daughter attends Charles Ellis Montessori Academy. I am currently the Bobcat Dads Chair and am running for the 2019-2020 PTA board position of Co-Vice President. I am running to make an impact at the school and increase the representation of fathers at the officer level. I look forward to the opportunity to continuing serving our community and building meaningful relationships with other PTA members. Secretary:
Dionne McAffee
I am Canadian who moved to Savannah from Toronto 3 years ago. My background is in fine art and my interests/hobbies include art, literature, gardening, Yoga, holistic medicine and early childhood education. I am a big fan of Montessori and try to contribute to the school environment any way I can, including weekly art projects with Room 3 and maintaining plants around the front entrance. I look forward to building on the success of CEMA through the position of Secretary of your PTA.
Treasurer:
Larry Silbermann (incumbent) I currently serve as PTA treasurer and look forward to continuing in that role. As the general manager of a local TV station, I am very familiar with budgeting and fiscal responsibility and am happy to bring that experience to the Charles Ellis PTA. I have seen our PTA grow over the years in many ways, including fiscally, and great strides have been made to move the organization in a positive direction. Ellis is a very special school and a very special community and I - along with my wife and daughter - am proud to be a part of it.
