Chairman's Message/CEO's Message
Board Chairman - Larry DiPietro
On October 16th 2009 Governor Crist appointed Mr. Larry DiPietro as the new Board Chairman for the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region.
“It's hard for me not to believe passionately in programs like School Readiness and VPK which improve the lives of children, improve the status of families, create a smarter more capable workforce and generate economic activity on so many levels”.
Larry is a Financial Advisor for Capital City Banc Investments, has his BA and M.Ed. from Pennsylvania State University and his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. A Tallahassee resident, he is the Club Administration Chair and Youth Exchange Officer for Tallahassee Sunrise Rotary Club, as well as an Outbound Youth Exchange Coordinator for Rotary District 6940. He is also a member of the Madison, Perry/Taylor and Monticello Chambers of Commerce. Originally from Philadelphia, he has lived in Tallahassee since 2005, previously residing in Weston, Florida since 1996. Larry has served on both the Pennsylvania AIDS Planning Council and the Broward County Health Planning Council. He is married to Debra and they have a daughter Michelle, who is an apprentice Archivist at the National University of Ireland.
Chief Executive Officer - Lauren Faison
July 1, 2010 marks the first day of Lauren's new role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Early Learning Coalition. Having served as the agency's Chief Operating Officer for the past few years, Lauren looks forward to expanding her leadership role with the ELC. "I look forward to expanding our ability to positively impact the children, families, and child care partners we serve."
Lauren is active in the Tallahassee Community serving as a member of Access Tallahassee, Leadership Tallahassee Class 26, and the Junior League of Tallahassee.Lauren earned a Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and Family Sciences from Florida State University and has lived in Tallahassee since 1991. She is married to Mark Faison and they have two children, Hayden (Age 10) and Ellie (Age 4).
