Reading ASSIST Institute - Unlocking the written word... one sound at a time

Our Board

Our Board members are part of an active group of community people who believe in the mission of Reading ASSIST Institute and have a unique desire to bring their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to the organization. The RAI Board meets every other month with an RAI Executive Committee meeting on the other months.

FOUNDER
Virginia Biasotto
Virginia (Ginger) Lanier Biasotto is a native of Delaware and a graduate of the University of Delaware (1959). She is the founder of Reading ASSIST^® Institute and has authored ten Reading ASSIST textbooks as well as the autobiographical book, Educating Andrew, A Promise Fulfilled. In 1994, Ginger was the first recipient of The Janet L. Hoopes Award from the Philadelphia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. In 2005, she received Delaware's Jefferson Award for her contribution to literacy. She and her husband, Lawrence, are semi-retired and spend half of each year in Wilmington, Delaware, close to children, grandchildren and mothers, and the other half in Palm City, Florida where she enjoys the luxury of time to paint.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephen Reid, P.E., President
Stephen (Steve) R. Reid has been the President of the Board of Directors since 2004. He brings a wealth of experience on policy, problem solving, contracts, and management skills to the board. As president of his own engineering firm, Steve team provides services to major energy companies worldwide. Steve was the recipient of the national recognized ASME George Westinghouse Silver Medal Award for his contributions to the Power Industry in 1993 and is past Chairmen of the ASME Power Generation Operations Committee. He also works with the Charter School of Wilmington's Board to promote integration of industry skill needs into the High School curriculum. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Delaware.

Jack Woodall, Vice President
Jack Woodall joined the Board of Reading ASSIST^® in June 2006, because of family and friends who have experienced reading difficulties. Today, he serves as the Vice President of RAI. Jack served with the U.S. Army for 34 years before joining the civilian corporate world as president of a manufacturing company in Florida. After five years, he left Florida and joined the Technology Sector of MBNA in Wilmington, DE. Jack continues to provide corporate and government consulting in addition to volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware and RAI. Jack stays busy traveling to visit his four children and 12 grandchildren.

Michael Cradler, Secretary
Michael Cradler came aboard in June of 2004 and serves as the RAI Secretary. Mike currently works as a business analyst for Chase Card Services in Wilmington, DE providing forecasting, financial planning, and reporting for multiple call centers. He received a Masters degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science both from the University of Delaware. Mike has previously been a mentor in both the H.O.S.T.S. and the MentorMe Program in New Castle County and is currently his civic association treasurer. Mike is married with four children and lives in Wilmington.

Israel Mercado, Treasurer
Israel Mercado is the RAI Board Treasurer. He has been a member of the Board for five years and has helped guide the organization on financial matters. A CPA, Israel works for the Santora CPA Group as an auditor. Israel is a graduate of the University of Delaware and has been involved with and volunteered time for various professional organizations and Delaware charities. 
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BOARD MEMBERS
Kevin Boyle
Kevin J. Boyle was born and raised near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but since 1981 has resided in northern Delaware. His career within the Information Technology field started with an entry level computer programming position and has lead him through several local companies into his current management role of Director, IT Applications for AmeriGas Propane in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He gained his B.S. from Goldey-Beacom College and his MBA from Wilmington University. Kevin enjoys golf and fitness. Kevin comes from a large extended family that includes his daughter, Keelin, a junior at Loyola University Maryland.

Jane Gerlach
Jane Gerlach grew up in Ohio although she calls Tennessee "home". Receiving her BS in Elementary Education from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, she taught first grade there until she and her husband Howard moved to Delaware and began their family. Retiring in 1998 she worked for 20 years as Director of Children's Ministry at her church where she is still very active in Women's Ministries. She was a volunteer tutor for Project Assist in the 1980's serving in an inner city school. She is the mother of a successful daughter as well as granddaughter both of whom have benefited from the methods of the Wilmington area Reading Assist^®. Their son and his family live in Tennessee. Her favorite pastimes include being with her six grandchildren and traveling the world with her now-retired husband.

Steven League
Steven League is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. His career includes senior management positions with Wells Fargo, CalFed Bank, US Bancorp, and MBNA where he worked for 11 years. Most recently, Steve has become a managing principal for his own consulting practice. In addition to being a part of the RAI Board, Steve has demonstrated his commitment to the community and his passion for helping children through his service on the board of Jobs for Delaware Graduates, where he served as Board Chairman. He is also affiliated with the United Way’s Leadership Communities and the Boys and Girls Clubs in other states. When not consulting or volunteering, Steve enjoys spending time with his family.

Bill Higgins
Bill Higgins joined the RAI Board of Directors in 2007. He is the Chief Lending Officer of ING DIRECT USA with over 20 years of financial services experience. Bill’s banking credentials have been an invaluable resource to RAI. Bill is active in various community efforts through both his family as well as ING DIRECT USA initiatives like Junior Achievement.

Kay McFadden
Kay McFadden spent 37 1/2 years as a classroom teacher in Caesar Rodney and Milford School districts. Kay graduated from the University of Delaware and holds a masters degree from Salisbury University. She was one of the first teachers to be trained in the RAI methods and used her skills throughout her teaching career. In 2006, Kay retired from public school teaching but continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member of Wilmington University a job she has held since 2003. Kay achieved National Board Certification for Teachers in 2001. Living in Kent County, Kay is helping RAI expand its programs to schools in Kent and Sussex Counties. She is active in the Delaware Choral Society, currently serving as its president. She is married and has four children.

Terry Yancey-Bragg
Terry joined the board of RAI in 2007. A 25- year veteran of the DuPont Company, she has held many challenging roles in both operations and human resources at various levels of the organization. These positions include Global Manager for Engagement and Inclusion, Regional HR Manager for North America, U.S. Regional Transformation leader, Change Management Leader, Senior HR Consultant, and HR Generalist. She is a certified Diversity Consultant and Trainer and has worked in the field of Diversity and Inclusion for over 15 years. Terry is also certified in Emotional Intelligence and Change Management. Terry is the proud mother of 3 daughters ages 31, 29 and 13; and 3 grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys working in the church and the community; teaching, reading, traveling and going to the movies with her 13-year-old daughter.

Arthur "Burt" Chase
Burt Chase is a graduate of Newark High School and the University of Delaware and spent 40 years in sales and marketing at W.L. Gore and Associates before retiring in 2001. Since his retirement, Burt has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the community through service on several boards. He previously served on the board at the YMCA and is currently a board member for W.L.Gore & Associates and Micropore, Inc. Micropore is a small local startup company. He has also written and self-published a book about the company culture at Gore and his experiences working there. In his spare time, he greatly enjoyed writing a genealogy book about his father. He also takes pleasure in traveling and spending time with his wife, Jenny, his three grown children and spouses, and five grandchildren.

Stephen Brauerman, Esq.
Steve joined the board of RAI in 2008. He is currently an attorney with the Bayard, P.A., and specializes in corporate and intellectual property litigation. He is a graduate of American University, Washington College of Law and Johns Hopkins University. Steve’s legal and human services background has been an asset to RAI.