CEO Highlights

• Strategic Direction and Vision: Served 17 million constituents, worked with the Virginia Department of Education, 12 state and local boards, 2 states, and 4 cities for the school division and city initiatives; Served 28 million constituents, managed the Mid-Atlantic 7 State Education Sales Region with 358 school divisions supporting 500,000 students for math and reading improvement.
• Fiscal Responsibility and Resource Management: Managed multi-million dollar budgets.
• Funding: Secured $45.7 million in private/public funding to support several school divisions and city initiatives.
• External Relations and Governance: Served 10 million constituents, managed positive and productive relationships with 231 Mid-Atlantic and International organizations across multiple states and cities.
• Organizational Resiliency and Empowerment: Lead 18 million constituents; staff, leadership teams, partners, schools, students, local and state elected officials, communities-at-large for 9 states, 3 counties, 4 cities for multiple programs and projects.
• Real Estate Training: Real Estate, Business Lending, and Federal Grant Funding Training: Real Estate Donation Process, Non-profit board contribution, Non-profit revenue, Federal Grants, State Grants, Local Grants, Foundation Grants, Accredited Investors, Hard Money Bankers, Millionaire Real Estate Club Investing Process, Commercial and Residential Real Estate (Development, Acquisition, Management), Mixed Used Property Investing, Multi-family Property Investing, Foreclosure Residential Investing, Tax Lien Properties, Fix & Flip Loans, Airbnb Process, Real Estate P& L Review, “Subject-To” Unlimited Funding, Rental Properties, Real Estate Investment Strategy, Franchise Purchase Process and Franchise Disclosure Document Review Process (FDD).

CEO EXTENDED BIO

Leadership: His leadership experience allowed him to lead/manage a total of 461 staff across 133 schools and 109 internal and external leadership team members at the building level, central office level, community level and internationally in curriculum and instruction, band, choir, orchestra, theatre, visual arts, photography, AP French, AP Chinese, AP German, AP Latin, AP Spanish, CTE, AP English, ELL/English, ELL/Science, AP Art History, AP Social Studies, History, STEM, Literacy, Social Media, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Styles and is known for leading programs to blue ribbon status and international recognition. He has also lead a 12th Grade School of 671 students, 10th Grade School of 860 students, 11th Grade School of 1006 students and operations administrator of a building with 230 staff and 2900 students; designed and lead a Center for the Arts, STEM, Literacy and Leadership Development K-12 School without walls, 84,000 students, 51,000 patrons, 18 staff, 54 person external leadership team of community executives, 1661 events/programs; served as  lead curriculum writer on a $5 million dollar USDOE grant to open a Danville Elementary Magnet School; served as a lead designer on a Newark Middle Arts Academy; secured $1.3 million dollar USDOE grant for Literacy and Arts project for Newark elementary schools; served as math and reading Mid-Atlantic educational sales representative, 358 school systems, 500,000 students, 7 states, 23 school executive weekly meetings; worked with 8 school boards and trained 142 principals and assistant principals in Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and School Improvement and supported 65 schools with student and staff achievement initiatives as a central office administrator.

Division and Corporate Demographic Experience: Haights Cross Communications, Inc./Recorded Books, LLC, Over 500,000 students in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, over 5,000 urban, suburban, rural school systems and universities, $29.3 million in revenue; Fairfax County Public Schools, 160,000 students, 124 schools, suburban, 3.52 billion dollar operating budget; Baltimore County Public Schools, 108,600 students, 162 schools, suburban, 1.23 billion dollar budget; Loudoun County Public Schools, 65,668 students, 80 schools, suburban, 832 million dollar budget; Newark Public Schools, 41,000 students, 74 schools, urban, 900 million dollar budget; Roanoke City Public Schools, 12, 948 students, 27 schools, urban, 150 million dollar budget; Stafford County Public Schools, 11,899 students, 29 schools, suburban, 277 million dollar budget; Alexandria City Public Schools, 11,500 students, 19 schools, urban, 215 million dollar budget and Danville City Public Schools, 6,489 students, 16 schools, urban, $60.5 million dollar operating budget.

President & Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Thorpe has lead the Education Design Consulting Firm as President & CEO for several years in the area of leadership development (“Understanding Your Leadership Style”), executive strategy, strategic planning, program development and job placement. He has presented over twenty-four leadership seminars, secured new jobs for clients in five states with $20-$30,000 dollar raises and helped a school system secure a 1.3 million dollar grant. His has presented leadership seminars for University of Maryland, College Park and Maryland State Department of Mental Hygiene.

Education Design Consulting, Assessment and Programs Firm supports public school divisions, private schools, charter schools and business executives with reform strategies and techniques in the following areas; Assessment and Evaluation, Program Development, Change Process Management.  We seek to provide the highest quality service with a staff that has over 30 years of K-12 experience in education, business development, executive political strategy, business/fund development, strategic planning, arts and humanities, academics, program development, partnerships/mergers, market research, change process management, assessment and programs.

Board Vice President/Chief Financial Officer: Consistently exhibits thorough knowledge and understanding of the organization’s financial reports and important financial ratios. Keep the board apprised of key financial events, trends, and concerns, and assessments of the organization’s fiscal health. Responsible for completing, or ensuring the completion of, required financial reporting forms (including the IRS Form 990) in a timely manner and making these forms available for the board’s review. Serve as the Financial Liaison with the ability to translate financial concepts and information for board members who do not have financial backgrounds or substantial financial experience. Spend time learning the particulars of Life Outreach Worship Center’s finances and the applicable laws. Be effective with the board when facilitating and encouraging the board’s strategic thinking about the short and long term financial vitality of the organization in relation to its advancement of the organization’s mission and vision.

Work closely with the Treasurer and Financial Secretary to oversee the preparation of proper reporting of all taxable income to the Federal and State government as indicated to maintain proper compliance with the Federal and State regulations for religious non-profit organizations to maintain 501(c) 3 status. Maintain a current account of Life Outreach Worship Center assets and liabilities and manage fund development efforts on behalf of the organization.

Executive Director (Consultant): Developed and implemented strategic plans that met business goals and objectives created in partnership with the Board of Directors; recruited and developed a team of senior leaders and staff to manage critical business functions; ensured commitment to and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations across the organization, such as federal and other required taxes; create a culture of transparency and communication throughout the organization with ongoing training of staff; developed positive relationships with key stakeholders, including shareholders and government agencies to grow and sustain the organization and proactively address challenges in the internal and external environment to protect business interests.

$45.7 Million/Multi-Million Dollar Partnerships/Mergers: $10 Million Non-profit funding, Northern Virginia Community and City Organizations, ACPS Center for the Arts K-12; $5 Million Dollar Grant Award, USDOE, New Elementary School, Danville City Schools; $1.3 Million Grant Award, USDOE, 13 Elementary Schools, Literacy, Newark Public Schools; $1 Million Dollars, New 6-8 School Design, Newark Public Schools; $500,000 Dollar Grant Award, Prudential Foundation, Education Programming, Newark Public Schools; $400,000 Dollar Grant Award, Victoria Foundation, Education Programming, Newark Public Schools; $200,000 Grant Award, Little Kids Rock, Education Programming, Newark Public Schools $43,000 Dollar Award Turrell Fund, State Funded Projects, Newark Public Schools; $38,000 Dollar Award Classics For Kids, Stafford County Schools; 231 Local and national business partnerships, mergers and strategic planning with 4 school systems (7 states).

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center Institute, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Prudential, Victoria Foundation, Turrell Fund, Newark, Carnegie Hall, Sphinx Org., Alvin Ailey Dance, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, New Jersey State    Opera, Newark Symphony Hall, Newark Museum, Montclair State University, Kean University, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, Rutgers University, Jazz House Kid, Newark City Department of Recreation, Newark Fire Department and Mayor Cory Booker’s Office, Office of Councilman Donald Payne, Roanoke Jefferson Arts Center and National Staff Development Council, Roanoke Museum, Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke Theatre, Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Alexandria City Council, Alexandria Arts Council, Office of Congressman Jim Moran, Alexandria Harmonizers, Washington Balaliaka Society, American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Washington Philharmonic Orchestra, Washington DC Men and Women of the Gospel, Washington Performing Arts Society, Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Opera NOVA, Alexandria City Department of Parks and Recreation, Choreographers’ Collaboration Project, Living Legends , Convergence, Little Theater/Port City Playhouse, The Optimist Club of Alexandria.

Elected Officials/Previous Executive Partners: His exceptional programs and projects have been supported by Senator Cory Booker (Newark Mayor), Senator John Boozman’s Office and Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Systems Administrator Clermon Acklin, Senator Tim Kaine’s Regional Director (Northern Virginia) Jose “Joe” Montano, Former Congressman James Moran, Deputy Science and Technology Advisor to Secretary of State Frances Colon, Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Mignon L. Clyburn, “Way Youth Initiatives” Executive Director and Former Virginia Governor Wilder’s Chief of Staff William Porter, Former Mayor of Alexandria City William D. Euille, Newark Mayor Honorable Ras Baraka, Newark City Councilwoman Honorable Mildred Crump, Government TV and KMD Associates President Keith Moore, Harvard University Director Ron Ferguson, The Schools Superintendent’s Association Associate Executive Director Dr. Morton Sherman, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Roger Leon, Superintendent of Alexandria City Schools Gregory Hutchings, Interim Superintendent of Shaker Heights Schools Stephen Wilkins, Alexandria School Board, Newark School Board, Stafford School Board, Roanoke School Board, Fairfax School Board. George Mason University Associate Dean Lewis Forrest, George Mason University Distinguish Professor and Director of Vocal Studies Patricia Miller, Former President & CEO of New Jersey Performing Arts Center Lawrence P. Goldman, New Jersey Performing Arts Center Director of  Performance and Broadcast Rentals Kitab Rollins, CEO of Covenant House Washington DC Dr. Madye Henson, Senior Communications Program Specialist-NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Scott Woods, Esq., EEOC Attorney Michael Cokley, Executive Director “Black Tie Mentoring Group” Dawud Rollins, Alfred Street Men’s Ministry and Technology Manager Marcus Hughes, Alfred Street Men’s Ministry President Bill Willis, Former Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Dr.,Clifford Janey, Festival Interncional de Musica San Miguel de Allende President Helenmarie Corcoran, Willingboro Schools Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dale Talbert, EmpowerEd Founder and CEO and Oprah Winfrey’s Blackboard Wars Dr. Marvin Thompson, NJDOE Executive County Superintendent Yasmin E. Hernandez, Parks and Recreation Superintendent McKenya Dilworth, Newark Arts High School Principal Ricardo Pedro, Founder and President of Words Liive Sage Salvo, Xerox Corporation VP of Sales Harry Stewart, Alfred Street Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Shiloh Baptist Church Reverend Taft Quincey Heatley and Reverend Mark Montgomery, Momentum Collective Executive Director Jason Ellis, Legg Mason Senior Learning And Development Specialist Yolanda Fraction, Vox Global SVP Dirck Hargraves, New Horizons Director of IT Justin Russell, United Way National Director Lawrence Ewing, U.S. Army Reserves Office of the Chief Program Analyst Perry Dent, VP & CTO of Second Look Technologies Carl Leonard, President & CEO of Northern Virginia Urban League Cynthia Dinkins, Equal Footing Foundation President & Managing Director Patrick Gusman, Newark City Council, Alexandria City Council, Kean University, Elizabeth State University Music Director Walter Swan, Montclair State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Norfolk State University and Virginia Union University, Montclair State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Norfolk State University and Virginia Union University.

Board Appointments: Mr. Thorpe served on the Newark Arts Roundtable Board (41 members); represented the Newark District State Superintendent on New Jersey Performing Arts Center Education Board (15 members) and Newark Symphony Hall Education Board (12 Members); Co-Chaired the Roanoke Fine Arts Advisory Board (38 members) with the Associate Superintendent; appointed to the Virginia Commission for the Arts State Grant Panel (25 members) by the Roanoke City Schools Board; selected by the Virginia Department of Education to serve on the state evaluation team for the Governor’s School for the Arts; served on the Minority Student Achievement Community Committee (25 members) as a Fairfax County Administrator; worked closely with the Roanoke, Alexandria, Stafford and Newark School Boards for program support.

Tenor Soloist/Music Director: He has served as a minister of music, director of choirs and vocalist in 300 churches that included Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Baptist, Unitarian Universalist, Presbyterian and Methodist; director of choirs to 4,000, 18 different  schools, elementary-high school; sang back-up for Usher, Luther Vandross, Kathleen Battle and Jessie Norman during the Millenium Concert in Washington, DC and Denise Graves, Donnie McClirkin and Regina Bell at the Kennedy Center Black History Celebration; toured Italy, Austria, Germany and Hungary with GRAMMY award winning conductor, Robert Shafer; studied music education under Dr. Darla Hanley, Dean of Berklee’s Professional Studies; received vocal training from Shenandoah University’s Vocal Scientist, Dr. Janette Ogg ; sings in German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Swahili and Gha; debuted at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as a soloist with the Men and Women of the Gospel, Lead Tenor in the Opera Tartuffe, New Jersey Center for the Performing Arts, Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi-Italy, St. Peter’s the Vatican Basilica-Rome, St. Stephen’s Basilica- Hungary, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Famous Hotel Roanoke and Roanoke Convention Center; supported televised and community arts projects as the arts administrator for students and community to perform back-up for Diana Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey and Maxwell with Ellen DeGeneres as host; created opportunities for students to perform at Carnegie Hall through the Sphinx Organization; developed partnerships with the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for student and staff workshops; worked with World Renowned Bassist Christian McBride and his wife Jazz Vocalist Melissa Walker with Jazz House Kids; shared the 1999 Millenium Stage with Linda Carter, Elizabeth Taylor, Brian McKnight, Be Be Winans and represented Newark Public Schools alongside Judith Jamison and Wynton Marsalis for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre’s annual fundraiser; secured international arts and education collaborations in Africa, Sweden, Japan and France.

Honors and Appointments: 2014 Finalist, State Superintendent, West Virginia; 2014 National Superintendent Certification Program Nominee; 2012 (SUPES Academy) Superintendents Academy Graduate; 2015 Industry Experts Magazine Nominee, Experts in Education and Business Development; 2015 Who’s Who; 2014 National Association of Distinguished Professionals; 2014 Virginia Living Magazine Award, Top Arts High School, ACPS Center for the Arts; Congressional Program Manager, Appointed; $40,000 Scholarship Winner, Shenandoah University; Student Teacher of the Year, Shenandoah University; Vice President State Office Candidate, Virginia; New Jersey State District Superintendent Colloquium Keynote Speaker, Appointed; National Arts Programming Consultant, National Staff Development Council; State Grants Panelist, Board Appointment, State of Virginia Arts Commission; State Program Evaluator and Reviewer, Appointed, Virginia Department of Education; LEAD Fairfax Administrative Intern K-6, Selected as Administrative Intern to represent Fairfax County Public Schools, Interviewed by Readers Digest, 5 Million Dollar Internship Program; Scored a 98% on the Superintendent’s Interview Process with the Superintendent’s Academy in 2012 and was just invited to attend The Superintendent’s Association (AASA) superintendent’s training program for 2019.