Annherst Kreitz of Saline has been named the first Executive Director of the Foundation for Saline Area Schools (FSAS). The Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides private funding to support academic projects, enrichment programs, and other activities aimed at enhancing the quality of education in the Saline school district. Kreitz will be the first ever Executive Director for the Foundation.
The increase in fundraising and administrative activities over the last few years led the organization to consider a more formal leadership position. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director (ED) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for FSAS’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. The responsibilities include working closely with the Trustees, Saline Area Schools’ administration, teachers, parents, students, sponsors, donors, and the community at large.
Cheryl Hoeft, President of the Board of Trustees is ready for the next level of growth for the Foundation. “After starting the process to create the executive director position over 5 years ago, I am delighted to have Annherst on board to provide consistency and sustainability to this organization. Our growth necessitates having someone effectively manage all our initiatives and coordinate the numerous volunteer efforts” said Mrs. Hoeft.
Mrs. Kreitz was selected after a search was launched in October to fill the position. She is currently a consultant and part time faculty member at Concordia University in Ann Arbor. As a Trustee for FSAS, she formed the Alumni Committee and has organized the Hall of Fame awards event. Anne Balazs, a current Trustee indicated that “Annherst brings a strong background in marketing and relationship building skills plus a passion for the school system that is infectious. She will be a great “face” of the organization.”
Kreitz will start in the part-time position immediately and just in time for the annual Snowblast fundraiser event to be held at Travis Pointe on February 6. Other annual activities include the Fall Kickoff, Hall of Fame awards, and the competitive grants awarded to teachers.
Scot Graden, superintendent of Saline Area Schools is optimistic about the appointment. “As a district, the support of the Foundation for Saline Area Schools has been critical to our ability move forward on exciting innovations. The addition of an Executive Director and specifically Annherst Kreitz, is an excellent step in the continued evolution of the Foundation. I look forward to building on an already strong partnership.”
