The FHM adds prominent community leaders to Board of Directors
March 13, 2018 [St. Petersburg, FL] – The Florida Holocaust Museum (The FHM) elects two new members to the Museum’s Board of Directors, David Alvarez and Allyson Watson.
David Alvarez, CPA, CVA, CGMA is an audit partner with Carr, Riggs and Ingram, LLC (CRI) and has over 15 years of experience in public accounting, with the first 5 years coming at KPMG LLP. Alvarez has significant experience auditing not-for-profit, governmental, financial services, employee benefit plans and public companies. He is also a certified valuation analyst and runs the business valuation practice in the Tampa Bay offices of CRI. Alvarez is a recognized speaker on topics including financial reporting standards and audits of employee benefit plans. Alvarez previously sat on the board for Clothes To Kids and is the immediate past board president. He also serves on the finance and investment committees for First Presbyterian Church of Tampa.
“I am honored to be joining the board of The Florida Holocaust Museum. The message of acceptance and focus on identifying similarities and not differences in all people is more important today than ever. I also am a heavy supporter in all organizations that focus on education and I have been very moved by the educational programs that The FHM provides,” said Alvarez.
Dr. Allyson L. Watson serves the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg as dean of the College of Education. In her prior work, Dr. Watson and a team of leaders directed impact and education efforts at Northeastern State University. While at NSU, she was the Eddings Endowed Chair for Urban Education, Outreach and Research. Because of her groundbreaking work in Oklahoma in the area of urban education, she was awarded the institution’s first named endowment. Prior to her appointment, she served as Assistant Dean of the College of Education at NSU. During her doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Watson was selected to serve as an AACTE Holmes Scholar. Her educational career and experience include teaching 1st-8th grade in the urban areas within Oklahoma. Dr. Watson has focused her research on urban education, faculty of color in higher education, and urban school and university partnerships. As a national leader Watson was the first president of the Gates Millennium Scholar Alumni network. Watson is also the founding director of the Teaching and Urban Reform Network established in 2010 which promotes teacher preparation in urban schools. In her new role, Dr. Watson, along with her family look forward to making new contributions to impact education and beyond.
“To be invited to serve a community built on the thrust of social justice is humbling and inspiring. The Florida Holocaust Museum and the programs they promote across our state have an immense impact and create opportunities for others to learn how historical moments captured within The FHM span to individuals, families, and communities. In this role, it is my desire is to find ways to continue the service that The FHM team actualizes. My previous experiences in Oklahoma with the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, Educational Curriculum committee, pushed me to learn more about educational initiatives led by the Tulsa Jewish Federation and the Schusterman Foundation. This level of service through The FHM promulgates further necessary actions to take, and lives to change, as we focus on the past history and shape the future,” said Watson.
The FHM’s mission is to honor the memory of millions of men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust and to teach members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides.
David Alvarez
Allyson Watson
The Florida Holocaust Museum slate of Board Officers for 2017-2018 is listed below.
Amanda Saft, Board Chair
Rachael Worthington, Esq., Vice Chair Development
Helen Levine, Ph.D., Vice Chair External Affairs
Robin K. Warren, Vice Chair Governance
Michael A. Igel, Esq., Secretary
Jonathan Stein, Treasurer
About The Florida Holocaust Museum
2017 marked a monumental milestone for The Florida Holocaust Museum (The FHM) as the Museum celebrated its 25th Anniversary. One of the largest Holocaust museums in the country, and one of three nationally accredited Holocaust museums, The FHM honors the memory of millions of men, women and children who suffered of died in the Holocaust. The FHM is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. For additional information, please visit www.TheFHM.org.