Brian Ace Chosen as New Executive Director

Brian Ace has been named Executive Director for the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, announced board president John Neill.  "Although we are going to miss Marc Harden very much as the Executive Director, we are excited and very pleased to have Brian Ace as our new leader.. Brian has the passion for our mission plus the local knowledge and experience to carry on and expand the Foundation's programs in order to continue it's successes in promoting literacy in our region. We wish Marc a very successful and enjoyable retirement ".

Ace will assume his new duties by February 1, replacing Marc Harden, who has held the post since 2004 and is retiring.  “I am excited to join the Reading Foundation as we support parents, caregivers, educators, and our community to assure every child learns to read early and well.  Marc has assembled a dedicated and capable team of staff, partners and volunteers.  There is a vibrant and meaningful future for this organization.”

Ace, a Tri-City native, graduated from Kennewick High School.  He received his Bachelor of arts degree in Psychology and Theology from Seattle Pacific University and has a Master’s degree in School Counseling from WSU Tri-Cities.  Ace brings local non-profit experience having served as Vice President of Finance for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties and as Director of Development for The Chaplaincy.  He is a graduate of Leadership Tri-Cities Class XIII and is a member of the Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary Club.

“We had an excellent pool of candidates for this important post and Brian rose to the top,” said Nancy Kerr, founder of what was originally called The Reading Foundation and current president of the National Children’s Reading Foundation.  “We are confident Brian will continue the successful programs initiated by Marc and take this important work to the next level.”