M. Christian Bender, Chairman
Chris Bender is Executive Director of the Brighter Choice Foundation, a nonprofit foundation located in Albany, New York.  He also is a member of the board of trustees of: the New York Charter Schools Association; the Albany Academy, a 190-year old pre-K-12 independent day school; the Albany Medical Center Foundation; and Capital Region Sponsor a Scholar, an inner city academic support program for college bound high school students.  Additionally, he serves as Vice Chairman of the Brighter Choice Charter Schools. Mr. Bender previously was employed by Austin & Co., an insurance brokerage, where he established insurance programs for charter schools and independent schools across New York State.  Mr. Bender holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Columbia University Teachers College, a Bachelors Degree in History from Rollins College, and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

Andrea Rogers, Secretary
Ms. Rogers is a Research Associate at the Foundation for Education Reform & Accountability, a non-profit education policy think tank located in Albany, New York, where she works on a variety of education policy issues, including the implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, charter schools, and other education reform strategies designed to raise academic achievement for disadvantaged student populations.  Ms. Rogers previously worked as a policy analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C., on tax and community development issues.  Ms. Rogers earned a Master of Arts in Public Policy from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University at Buffalo.

Philip Vecchio, Esq., Treasurer
Mr. Vecchio is an attorney at law and a certified public accountant.  He currently operates his own law firm representing individuals, for-profit entities, trade associations, and not-for-profit organizations.  He also served as Of Counsel in the Albany office of the law firm of Hiscock & Barclay.  During the course of his career, he has published numerous articles in technical journals and lectured at continuing education seminars.  Mr. Vecchio holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Columbia University, a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School, and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Albany.

Victor L. Collier
Victor Collier presently is a minister in Albany.  He previously served as a Senior Administrative Analyst at the New York State Office of Mental Health, as a Corrections Officer for the Albany County Sheriff’s Department, and as Drug Counselor at the Albany County Department of Health, among other positions.  Rev. Collier has been a member of various civic organizations and has received a number of honors in his professional career.  He also has served as a bodyguard to several celebrities; has been a martial arts instructor; and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Julie McClurkin
Julie McClurkin has been a system business analyst for a national insurance company for many years.  Prior to this, she was a stay at home mother of 2 sons and worked as the director and founder for the Family Association at AACS.  Ms. McClurkin has supported and volunteered with different organizations within the Albany, New York, community such as Boys Scouts, American Little League, Chocolate Thunder, AIJK, MHA, and Pop Warner football. She has been a resident of Albany for over 20 years.

Lisa McMahon
Lisa McMahon is a budget examiner and Public Management Intern (PMI) for the Division of the Budget for the State of New York.  She currently works on a team which budgets for the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD).  Ms. McMahon previously worked as a researcher for the New York Health Plan Association on special projects.  Ms. McMahon began her career in the Boston area, where she worked as a Legal and Compliance Specialist at Putnam Investments in Boston; as a paralegal in the law firm of Cetrulo & Capone, LLP in Boston; and in the Massachusetts Senate Ways & Means Committee.  Ms. McMahon has also worked as a Citizen Affairs Assistant in the New Hampshire office of Governor Jeanne Shaheen.  Ms. McMahon received her Master of Arts in Public Policy from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the State University of New York at Albany.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stonehill College. 

William Phillips
Mr. Phillips currently serves as President of the New York Charter Schools Association, (NYCSA).  Prior to joining NYCSA, Mr. Phillips served in business development leadership positions with Beacon Education Management and SABIS Educational Systems.  A former school board member in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, he served as chair of the finance committee and founded the SABIS-Foxborough Regional Charter School.  He continues to be active in community affairs, serving on the St. Mary’s Academy Advisory Board and Immaculate Conception Parish Council in Hoosick Falls.  Mr. Phillips’ background includes marketing, sales, and engineering for Synertron, Inc., and Texas Instruments.  Mr. Phillips earned his Masters in Public Administration from the George Washington University while also serving as a Congressional Fellow for Ford Motor Company.  He received a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University. 

Robert Richard
Robert Richard is an assessment analyst with School Performance, Inc.  He earned his B.A. in History from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York.  After graduating, he went on to earn his New York State teaching certification in Secondary Social Studies. In the fall of 2000, Robert joined the Witherspoon Fellowship, an academic fellowship and professional internship in Washington, DC.  He later returned to Roberts Wesleyan College as a teaching assistant for the History department.  Prior to joining School Performance, Robert worked for K12, Inc. as the Operations Manager of the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School (PAVCS) in Norristown, Pennsylvania.  At PAVCS, he oversaw the creation and development of the operations department as the school grew from 400 to over 4,000 students.

Elgin Taylor
Deacon Elgin Taylor has served as the Minister of Music of the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Albany for the past 17 years.  He has taught sacred and African-American religious music at numerous workshops and has been Director of Music of the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention of New York State for 17 years and Music Director of the New York State King Holiday Memorial Observance for the past 12 years.  In 1997 Taylor was appointed Director of Music and Operations of the Empire State King Interdenominational Mass Choir by the Governor's Office.  He has received numerous awards and honors for his service to the community including the NAACP Outstanding Community Service Award and Medal, and citations of recognition from Albany Mayor's Thomas Whalen and Jerry Jennings and New York Governor's Mario Cuomo and George Pataki.

Marc Tillman
Mr. Tillman, who has coached summer recreation programs in Albany, currently works for the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation in the operations and production support unit.  He previously has held positions in other state agencies.  He received his bachelor’s of science degree from New York University and also is a veteran of the United States Army.  Mr Tillman serves as president and driver of Union Missionary Baptist Church Choir.  He also is the administrator of the Medical Emergency Response Team at HESC, Vice President of CTMDB, and liaison for Political Action Committee for CSEA.  Mr. Tillman and his wife, who live in Albany’s South End, both have been active in school affairs, with Mrs. Tillman serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the PTA at Giffen Memorial Elementary School. The Tillman’s children, formerly students at Giffen, have since attended CBA, Academy of Holy Names, and other area private schools.