The Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center (www.scottdale.org) has named Keith J. Blair as Chairman of the Board, announced Mary Mazarky, interim executive director of the Center.  In his new role, Blair will lead the organization’s Board of Directors as they set policy and raise funds and awareness for the award-winning early childhood care and education organization based in the historic Scottdale community of DeKalb County, just east of Atlanta.

“We are delighted that Keith has accepted this leadership role,” said Mazarky.  “His background in both education and finance, along with his extensive board experience, make him the ideal person to shepherd the Center through its next phase of growth.  This appointment is timely since President Obama spoke in DeKalb County very recently.  The President voiced his support and reinforced his commitment to provide pre-K programs that will prepare young students for academic success in kindergarten and beyond.”

Blair earned a B.A. in Communication Disorders from Hampton University and an M.A. in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University.  He is currently a doctoral candidate with a dual concentration in Higher Education and Organizational Leadership.  Blair is currently Director of Financial Institution Business Development for TSYS in Atlanta.  Previously, he served as Senior Director of Strategic Alliances for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education.  He has also held senior positions at Visa North America and MasterCard International.  In his early career, Blair taught preschool and first grade, and his wife, Connie, is an elementary school teacher.  The Blairs live in Alpharetta with their teenage son.

“Throughout its history, the Center has launched innovative programs that not only provide high-quality education for children up to age 5, but also support their families and the surrounding community,” said Blair.  “Many of the families we serve are stressed financially or otherwise, and might not have the resources to help their children achieve.  The Center provides research-based child development training and parenting support to the families, both on-site and through home visits.  Recently, Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center received a ‘Grants to Green’ award, which is a collaborative initiative between the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta and Southface Energy Institute.  The award provides an environmental framework for learning, as well as funding to renovate the Center’s facility to be more environmentally efficient,” he added.

About Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center

Founded in 1977 in DeKalb County’s historic Scottdale community, the Scottdale Child Development and Family Resource Center is a 501(c)3 early care and educational organization serving low and moderate income families.  Its mission is to enhance the total development of children from six weeks old to age 5, and strengthen their families and communities.  The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals, and focuses on developing young children’s social, emotional and physical skills, along with pre-reading language and literacy skills and pre-math.  For more information, visit www.scottdale.org.

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