Dave Squire serves as Saturday Academy’s Board Chair, which means that he gets a very wide view of everything that the organization does. We asked him a few questions about his role at Saturday Academy and within the Portland community.
How/when did you first hear about Saturday Academy?
DAVID SQUIRE: Probably when I first got involved with education reform around 1990. I knew some of the Saturday Academy’s board members at the time and later met the Executive Director, Joyce Cresswell.
What drove you to join the board and then become board chair?
DS: I was invited to join the board by Jim Huntzicker (long time Saturday Academy board member). I was interested because I was also on the Oregon MESA board and I saw that there were some great opportunities for collaboration. I accepted the Chair position because I like to be an integral part of a working board.
What is your favorite thing about being board Chair?
DS: Being in on everything and having the chance to work with and get to know all of the staff- Saturday Academy has great staff!
Least favorite?
DS: Speaking to large groups. Fortunately that doesn’t happen often. I used to like speaking to large groups but somehow I lost the knack. Now I prefer to work behind the scenes.
If you could take one Saturday Academy class this summer, what would it be?
DS: IMovie- video production
Are you involved with other organizations?
DS: Yes. Oregon MESA, Oregon Learns, Tualatin ABC project, Portland Community College, South Metro STEM Partnership.
What drives you to be so involved in community service?
DS: I like being involved in worthwhile projects with likeminded people and find ways to make connections between different organizations. And it’s very satisfying to be able to find ways to apply all that I’ve learned from 50 years in high tech to the non-profit world.
What are your favorite pastimes when not being a board member?
DS: Doing things with my kids and grandkids, playing and singing music and hanging out with my friends.
Dave provides so much support, guidance and inspiration to all of us here at Saturday Academy! We are so grateful for all that he does to make Saturday Academy succeed.
Thank you, Dave!