FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tanya Holton, VP
National Braille Press
Phone: (617) 266-6160, ext. 15
tholton@nbp.org
Sandra Goroff
Sandra Goroff-Mailly & Assoc.
Phone: (617) 375-9013
Boston, MA - April 8, 2008 - National Braille Press, a leading Braille publisher and advocate of literacy for the blind, is pleased to announce that its Board of Trustees has named Brian A. MacDonald to serve as the company's new President. Mr. MacDonald brings with him a solid track record of success in operations, sales, marketing and donor development within the non-for-profit world.
Mr. MacDonald holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Boston College and an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Vermont and was most recently Chief Operating Officer of New Hampshire Audubon where he helped lead a major restructuring that included strategic planning, change management and improved revenue generation. He also has significant experience in planned giving, business development and building corporate partnerships. Prior to Audubon, he was the Senior Director of Sales and Revenue for over twenty years at New England Aquarium where he managed business development, operations, sales, marketing and international tourism for its business units. He formed and managed strategic alliances and partnerships to advance revenue and promote the Aquarium's mission.
His significant volunteer work has included four years as Essex County Director of the Massachusetts Special Olympics where he led operations, corporate development, training and regional/state competition involving 33 cities and towns with more than 750 athletes, 105 coaches and 1100 volunteers from corporate, civic and charitable organizations. He founded the Northeast Whale Watching Association; authored an economic impact study; and, testified before Congress on the reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
"After 32 years, Bill Raeder has stepped down for a well deserved retirement from President of this venerable Boston based institution. Under Mr. Raeder, NBP recently inaugurated a major strategic initiative to expand our offerings and to accelerate our outreach and advocacy programs. We want to emphasize the 'national' in National Braille Press. Our historical success has always included a fiscally responsible budget and the solid leadership to carry it out. Brian MacDonald has the important skills and background to apply sound business practices and he brings advanced marketing skills and, most important, an authentic inner passion that soon will be felt within the blind community," said Paul V. McLaughlin, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Mr. MacDonald added, "To be chosen to lead National Braille Press is a most welcome joy and privilege for me and my family. Because my grandmother read braille, I have a strong personal interest in its advancement. I realize there are challenges, especially in succeeding such a great leader as Bill Raeder. It is hoped that my leadership of the Strategic Plan for the future will continue to complement Bill's vision of strengthening programs and building capacity while remembering NBP's wonderful past."
About National Braille Press (NBP)
National Braille Press is located at 88 St Stephen Street in Boston and for over eighty years has been promoting literacy through excellence in braille printing and publishing. Our founder, Francis B. Ierardi once said, "He who looks over his shoulder cannot see that which lies ahead." Ever since its first publication which was America's first newspaper for the blind, NBP has never looked back and has been a leader in introducing and authoring many self help publications that are particularly geared to independent living and career development for the blind.
Our children's braille publishing initiatives include America's first Children's Braille Book Club and our family outreach program, ReadBooks! Because Braille Matters. We support these and other initiatives through a major fundraising campaign that includes our annual gala event, Hand On! Books for Blind Children. In 2007, NBP made history and the national TV and press by publishing and delivering Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to blind children on the same day as their sighted counterparts.
