Keith Henry, director of transportation at Lee’s Summit R-7 School District in Kansas City, officially took over as NAPT’s new president at the conclusion of the Summit, following the sudden death of Don Carnahan last month.
In a statement, NAPT explained that Henry became acting president immediately following Carnahan’s death on Oct. 3. But Henry asked the NAPT board to continue considering him the president-elect until the conclusion of last week’s NAPT Summit in Kansas City.
Keith Henry assumed the NAPT presidency one year earlier than planned.“It was very important to me — and, fortunately, the entire board agreed — that people understand the invaluable role Don played at this year’s NAPT Summit,” said Henry. “Don wanted us to re-imagine and re-engineer every component of our conference. He worked closely with the staff and was involved in every aspect of decision-making for 11 months. This was his conference as much as anyone’s. He deserved the utmost respect, and I wanted to ensure he received it.”
Henry will serve as president for the remainder of Carnahan’s term and begin his own two-year term next year.
“I am honored to be President of NAPT, and I am humbled by the opportunity my peers have given me,” Henry said in a statement. “NAPT has a long, rich history filled with notable, successful leaders; one of my goals is to maintain the standard of excellence they have created. I will do my best, with the help of my family, friends and faith, to overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities associated with leading this great organization.”
Meanwhile, Region 3 Director Steve Simmons agreed to serve as the acting president-elect until the next NAPT election takes place in November 2015 in Richmond, Virginia.
“While I am honored to serve in this interim capacity, I am also sad. If Don were alive, I wouldn’t need to do it,” said Simmons, the director of transportation at Columbus (Ohio) City Schools. “But we must move forward, and I am willing to do whatever I can to help my teammates on the Board create products and services that enhance communication, leadership, education, advocacy and research that will help our members.”
NAPT Executive Director Mike Martin said Simmons’ role as acting president-elect leaves a vacancy on the board for Region 3 director, according to the association’s bylaws. The board is charged with filling the vacancy, but he added that the directors want to first receive feedback from members in that region, including NAPT’s state association partners.
“Steve will make an outreach to NAPT members in Region 3 to find out who is interested in the position. Whenever members in that region reach a consensus on who they want as their representative, the board will make an appointment,” Martin added.
Barry Sudduth, director of transportation at Stafford County Schools in Virginia, and Kenny Mulder, director of transportation at Special School District in St. Louis, were re-elected to the board by acclamation of the membership at the association’s annual business meeting on Nov. 8. Sudduth will continue to serve as director of Region 2 and Mulder as director of Region 4 director. Both terms extend over the next three years.
Sudduth was also re-appointed as chair of NAPT’s Committee on Professional Growth and Mulder as chair of the NAPT Committee on Specialized Transportation. Additionally, Mulder received the annual STN Leadership Award on Nov. 9 at the NAPT Summit.
