National Council For Adoption Introduces New Officers for the Board of Directors

Media Contact:
Lauren Koch
(703) 299-6633 lkoch@adoptioncouncil.org

National Council For Adoption Introduces New Officers for the Board of Directors

May 1, 2015 – Alexandria, VA – National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is proud to announce that Wayne Winston Sharp, Ph.D., of McLean, Virginia, has been unanimously elected as Chairman-Elect of the Board of Directors, effective May 1, 2015. Dr. Sharp will serve in this role for a one-year term in anticipation of becoming Chairman of NCFA’s Board of Directors next spring. Dr. Sharp will succeed current Chairman Kevin Wrege, Esq. Andrea Vavonese succeeds Dr. Sharp as Vice Chair, effective May 1, 2015, for a two-year term. Vice Chair Stacey Reynolds, Secretary Heidi Cox, and Treasurer Phillip Littleton will remain in their current roles.

Chairman-Elect Wayne Winston Sharp, Ph.D. was adopted at birth in Dallas, Texas, by Bob Henry and Mayana Yates Sharp. After receiving his Ph.D. in International Trade & Finance at Michigan State University, Dr. Sharp had a distinguished 25-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, was twice awarded the "President's Meritorious Foreign Service Award," and served two years in the White House as an Assistant Director of the President's Council on International Economic Policy. Upon his retirement in 1991, he became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and for 18 years directed a financial planning practice, “Sharp, Konopaske & Associates,” retiring in 2009. Dr. Sharp and his wife Linda now devote their time, leadership, financial and planning skills as volunteers and philanthropists in the areas of adoption, children's health, musical arts, and community service. Dr. Sharp joined the NCFA Board in 2007.

Incoming NCFA Vice Chair Andrea Vavonese is the Corporate Counsel for Northrop Grumman, Information Services. She focuses her practice on government contracting and commercial litigation. Ms. Vavonese has conducted jury and bench trials, arbitrations and mediations. She has argued motions in federal, state and administrative courts and has taken and defended numerous depositions. She has handled federal bid protests and federal and state appeals, including matters before numerous Federal Boards of Contract Appeals. She is a member of the District of Columbia and Virginia Bars and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and various federal trial and appellate courts.

Stacey Reynolds will continue to serve as NCFA’s Vice Chair through April 30, 2016, at which point Heidi Cox is scheduled to begin her two-year term as Vice Chair. Mrs. Reynolds is the principal partner at the private consulting firm SJR Associates, where she advises clients on media relations, marketing, program development, public and government relations. Mrs. Reynolds has served on NCFA’s Executive Committee, Development Committee, Legislative and Government Relations Committee, and Gala Committee.

Heidi Cox will continue to serve as NCFA’s Secretary through April 30, 2016, at which point Lisa Sinclair is scheduled to begin her one-year term as Secretary. Ms. Cox is the General Counsel at Gladney Center for Adoption. She has served the adoption community as an attorney for over 23 years and has worked with over 4,000 adoptions. She will be honored with NCFA’s Adoption Hall of Fame Award at our Great Expectations Gala on November 5, 2015.

Phillip Littleton has been reelected to serve as NCFA’s Treasurer for a two-year term, beginning May 1, 2015. Littleton is the president and CEO of Holt International Children’s Services. A father of three, Mr. Littleton adopted his two sons domestically at birth. After fostering several children in their home, he and his wife recently adopted their youngest – a daughter – from the local foster care system.

“We are thankful for Wayne and Andreas’s many years of dedication to children in need of family. We welcome them as officers in 2015, alongside current Chairman Kevin Wrege and returning officers Stacey, Heidi, and Phil,” says Chuck Johnson, president and CEO of NCFA. “Our Board of Directors plays a critical role in ensuring that National Council For Adoption’s work remainseffective and transparent as we seek to create stronger policies and practices in the field of adoption. Our executive team is a true asset to our organization, and we look forward to a bright future under their excellent leadership.”

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ABOUT NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION

Founded in 1980, National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is a global adoption advocacy nonprofit that promotes a culture of adoption through education, research, legislative action, and collaboration. As the authoritative voice for adoption, NCFA’s areas of focus include domestic infant adoption, adoption and permanency outcomes for youth in foster care, and intercountry adoption. Passionately committed to the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a nurturing, permanent family, NCFA serves children, birth parents, adopted individuals, adoptive families, and adoption professionals. In addition, we work tirelessly to educate U.S. and foreign government officials and policymakers, members of the media, and all those in the general public with an interest in adoption.

For more information, visit www.AdoptionCouncil.org.