Endorsements
New Mexico
I am pleased to announce that the NEA-NM Board of Directors voted to
endorse Lily for VP at our Board meeting earlier this week. We are
excited to support Lily in recognition of the outstanding job she
continues to do on our behalf!
Ohio
I am proud and pleased to congratulate you on your endorsement by the OEA/NEA delegates.
HSTA Board of Directors
PSEA Interview Team
I am so very happy to inform you that the PSEA Candidate Recommendation Committee will be recommending you as NEA Vice-President. We will make this recommendation to the PSEA delegates in Chicago.
Massachusetts Delegates
North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming ALABAMA
Anita Gibson, President, 2010
Sheila Remington, NEA Board
“I am happy to support you!”
-Susan Brown, NEA Board/ Higher Education
Timothy Parker, Vice President, 2010
John Wright, President, 2010
Andrew Morrill, President, 2011
Annie Crego, NEA Board, 2010
Janie Hydrick, NEA Board
Linda Somo, NEA Board, Retired
ARKANSAS
Donna Morey, President
Cathy Koehler, NEA Board
Sid Johnson, NEA Board, Retired
Carole Bailey, NEA Board
Theresa Montano, NEA Board, Higher Education
George Sheridan, NEA Board
Darla Bramlette, NEA Board
Sonia Martin-Solis, NEA Board
KC Walsh, NEA Board
Sergio Martinez, NEA Board
Jolene Tripp, NEA Board, ESP
Marc Sternberger, NEA Board
Margie Granado, NEA Board
“This year I invited 4 newly active members to the Pacific Region Leadership Conference. They were in awe of how we do things on a national level. But what really moved them was Lily's speech during dinner. They felt so charged up by what Lily had to say, they decided they needed to get more involved”
-Sue Cirillo, NEA Board, California
Brenna Isaacs, NEA Board
Phillip Apruzzese, President
Maureen Honan, NEA Board
Sheila Cohen, VP Connecticut
Tom Nicholas, NEA Board
Diane Donohue, President
Mike Hoffman, Vice President
FEDERAL
BettyLou Cummins, Vice President
Brian Chance, NEA Board
“Her vast educational experience includes understanding the unique needs of the dependents of military personnel stationed around the world. Lily is able to put into action, her strong words of support for all children worldwide.”
-Michael Priser, President, Federal Education Association
“Lily is the total package - knowledgeable, intelligent and purposeful. She brings a sense of humor and style to the NEA while being a fierce advocate for our members and students.”
-Andy Ford, President , Joanne McCall, Vice President and Clara Cook, Secretary-Treasurer
GEORGIA
Calvine Rollins, President, 2011
Debra Gunter, Secretary-Treasurer, 2010
Doris Glover, NEA Board
“She is knowledgeable, exudes enthusiasm and sincerity, and plays a mean guitar.”
-Karen Solheim, NEA Board
HAWAII
Wil Okabe, President
Roger Takaayashi, NEA Board
Joan Lewis, Secretary-Treasurer
“Lily leads with intelligence, compassion, and humor and is one of the most articulate people I know.”
-Penni Cyr, NEA Board Idaho
ILLINOIS
Cinda Klickna, Secretary-Treasurer
Jim Grimes, NEA Board
Al Lorens, NEA Board
Terrie Tudor, NEA Board
“I have been impressed with her work ethic and the joy that she brings to her NEA work.”
-Steve Kipp, NEA Board/Chair American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus
“She is an inspirational leader who communicates the positions of the NEA in ways that are engaging to a broad spectrum of people.”
- Eric Brown, NEA Board
INDIANA
Nate Schnellenberger, President
Kathy Parks, Secretary-Treasurer
Callie Marksbary, NEA Board
Sarah Borgman, NEA Board Retired, Indiana
“Her strong yet sensitive and clever demeanor is the perfect match for this office.”
- Cindy Miller, NEA Board
“Lily is a positive, steadfast force in the battle to protect and preserve public education for all our students and for all our members.”
-Teresa Meredith, Vice President
Leslie Dake, NEA Board, ESP
Kathy Williams, NEA Board
Mike Breranek, NEA Board
Kathy Haltmeyer, Iowa State Teachers Association Past Treasurer
KANSAS
“Her skillful advocacy and visionary leadership inspire members to positive action in pursuit of a great public school for each and every student.”
-Blake West, President
“Her impressive intellect, admirable people skills, and sense of humor make her a perfect fit for NEA.”
-Karen Godfrey, Vice President
“Her steadfast and passionate support for children, her humorous candor and no-nonsense leadership are why Lily has my support.”
- Mark Farr, Secretary-Treasurer
Tom Denton, Vice President
Jim Sproul, NEA Board, Retired
Joycelyn Olivier
Joyce Blakney, Treasurer
“She gets her message across clearly and always with wit and grace, and her tireless energy lifts our spirits and inspires us to move onward. Con Lily, ¡sí, podemos!”
-Grace Leavitt, NEA Board
“Lily inspires me to block out the schmucks who are trying to tear us down and open my ears to the voice inside me that says that I really do know what's best for my students.”
-Dan Allen, NEA Board
MARYLAND
Terry Borneman, Treasurer
Veronica Henderson, NEA Board, ESP
“Lily is the kind of education “ambassador” who makes me proud to be an NEA member and confident that the voice of our members is heard in Washington, DC and beyond.”
-Gary Brennan, NEA Board President, Frederick County Teachers Association
MASSACHUSETTS
Zach Galvin, NEA Board, Administrator
Catherine Boudreau, NEA Board
“She has always been there for us.”
- Maureen Carlos, NEA Board
“Lily has been a wonderful mentor and source of support to me and many other state affiliate leaders as we have faced many challenges across the nation during these difficult economic times.”
-Paul Toner, Vice President, 2010
MICHIGAN
Tom Brenner, NEA Board
“She brings a great deal of energy and passion, as well as some much-needed humor,”
-Peggy McLellan, Secretary-Treasurer
MINNESOTA
Denise Specht, Secretary-Treasurer
Steve Hinrichs, NEA Board
Joe Cerar, NEA Board
“Her poise and confidence under pressure and her wit, when the situation calls for it, are an unbeatable combination that continues to serve our union well.”
-Paul Mueller, Vice President
MISSISSIPPI
Cheryl Case, NEA Board
MISSOURI
Chris Guinther, President
Brent Fullington, NEA Board
“Lily continues to offer visionary leadership in education for the 21st century.”
-Charles Smith, Vice President
NEBRASKA
Leann Widhalm, NEA Board
Ruben Murillo, Clark County Local President
Doug Bache, Vice President Nevada
“Lily Eskelsen has challenged us all to reach deep and keep fighting for our kids and schools.”
-Lynn Warne, President Nevada
“Lily is constantly our voice of defense and reason with those who constantly bash Public Education and educators!!!”
- Ken Buhrmann, NEA Board, 2010
“Lily is a kind, caring and compassionate leader. She is well versed on the issues we encounter everyday on the "frontline.”
-Tom Wellman, NEA Board, Nevada
NEW HAMPSHIRE
James Sweeney, Vice President
Megan Tuttle, Secretary-Treasurer
Kevin Fleming, NEA Board
“I am so proud of being a member when I hear Lily speaking out on behalf of all of us.”
-Rhonda Wesolowski, President
NEW JERSEY
Toni Elise Guerra, NEA Board
Jacqui Greadington, NEA Board/Black Caucus
“She's a proven leader and deserves to continue leading our organization in the pursuit of a great education for every student in America.”
-Earl Kights, NEA Board
Kathy Porter, NEA Board
“She "gets it" and can discuss complex issues in a way that makes them understandable to the general public.”
-Sharon Morgan, President New Mexico
“She is able to make everyone comfortable and a friend, “
- Betty Patterson, Vice President
Lee Cutler, Secretary-Treasurer
“She deftly uses humor and wit to make accessible some of the most complex challenges facing educators today, sparring no misguided politician, policy wonk or administrator.”
-Richard Iannuzzi, President New York State United Teachers
“Hermanas y hermanos, tengo el honor de apoyar la candidura de mi hermana Lily Eskelsen a la vicepresidencia de NEA. (Sisters and brothers, it is my honor to support the candidacy of Sister Lily Eskelsen for NEA Vice President.)”
-Maria Neira, Vice President, New York
Sheri Strickland, President
Dawn Shephard Pope, NEA Board
“Her intelligence, clarity of message, and personality make her an ideal bridge builder with our partners and our detractors alike.”
-Mark Berntson, Vice President
“Lily represents us with pride. She inspires respect for our profession. As a successful Hispanic woman, she is an exemplary image of what can be accomplished with hard work and perseverance.”
-Alicia Bata, NEA Board
Lee Schreiner, NEA Board
Nanci DiBianca, NEA Board
Andre Taylor, NEA Board
Alicia Priest, NEA Board
“Lily’s energy and dedication to public education sets the bar high for all NEA members.”
-Becky Felts, President
“She works tirelessly on behalf of NEA members.”
-Linda Hampton, Vice President
Elizabeth Nahl, NEA Board
Karen Watters, NEA Board
Janis Eggert, NEA Board, ESP
Grace E Bekaert, NEA Director, PA
Michael Crossey, Vice President
Chuck Thompson, NEA Board, ESP
"What can I say about Lily that she hasn't already said about herself? If you're smiling at that joke, then you know Lily as well as I do, and you also know how invaluable she is to this organization and our membership."
-Marsha Fabian, NEA Board
SOUTH DAKOTA
Elizabeth Ahlgren
"Lily is a wonderful asset to the NEA. She has the ability to make people stop and
listen. Her enthusiasm and knowledge are irreplaceable."
-Janelle Greeg, State Vice President
Diane Lilard, NEA Board
"Lily is a leader that represents all of us in a way that makes us proud to be NEA members.”
- Earl Wiman, State President, 2010
Rita Haecker, President
Ginny Evans, NEA Board
Yolanda Molina, NEA Board/Hispanic Caucus
“I have always appreciated her personal touch to whatever she was doing for NEA, whether it was a song she sang to entertain or teach or embrace each of us,”
- Frances Smith, NEA Board
Kim Campbell, President
Ellen Thompson, Vice President
Ryan Anderson, NEA Board
Jesse DeHay, NEA Board
Denise McDougal, Murray Classified President
Rod Sims, President, Utah School Employees Association
"No matter how dismal the education picture might be, Lily never leaves me feeling hopeless. She is always positive about our ability to overcome the obstacles."
- Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh, State President
Jeff Isham, Secretary-Treasurer
Eric Weiss, NEA Board
Kitty Boitnott, President
Meg Gruber, Vice President
Lee Dorman, NEA Board
WASHINGTON
Kim Mead, NEA Board
Carla Camp, NEA Board, WA
“Lily is intelligent, articulate, and does a great job of representing our NEA members with the public.”
-Michael Ragan, Vice President
WEST VIRGINIA
“Lily has shown outstanding leadership and remarkable courage in standing up for public education.”
-Dale Lee, President
Mary Bell, President
Guy Costello, former Vice President
Laura Vernon, NEA Board, ESP
“Her caring and love for her work is apparent in everything she does.”
-Kay Hansen, NEA Board/ESP
Kathryn Valido, President