New Board Members Also Join from Federated Insurance and Ryder
Tampa, Florida. (July 12, 2018) – The Board of Directors of the nation’s oldest and largest mentoring organization has elected the CEO of WellCare Health Plans, Inc., Kenneth A. Burdick, to serve as Board Chair and has added two new Board members: Jeff Fetters, the Chairman and CEO of Federated Insurance, and Robert Sanchez, the Chairman and CEO of Ryder System, Inc.
Kenneth A. Burdick – BBBSA Board Chair
“Ken Burdick is a great ambassador for our mission, and he is committed to strengthening our entire organization,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America President and CEO Pam Iorio. “Our two new Board members have been engaged with the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission for many years, and we are excited to welcome them to the National Board.”
Under Burdick’s leadership, WellCare became the first national corporate partner to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s Bigs in Blue program, which recruits police officers to become Bigs to children who live in the communities they serve.
“At WellCare, we strive to help our members live better, healthier lives. Mentoring has the ability to change a child’s life and has been shown to help young people, especially at-risk youth, lead healthy and productive lives—a natural extension of our mission,” Burdick said. “I am honored to serve as National Board Chair and look forward to helping ensure that more children are matched with a caring mentor.”
Jeff Fetters – New BBBSA Board Member
Jeff Fetters, Chairman and CEO of Federated Insurance, and Robert Sanchez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ryder System, Inc. also joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Board of Directors in June.
Fetters has been the CEO of Federated Insurance since 2009. He and his wife, Marty, volunteer as Bigs and also co-chair the annual Federated Challenge, which has raised $32 million to support youth mentoring through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Affiliates in Minnesota and now provides funding for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ National Office as well.
“Mentoring is deeply ingrained in our business culture, and we are committed to investing in the next generation,” Fetters said.
Robert Sanchez – New BBBSA Board Member
For more than 20 years, Sanchez has held senior leadership roles at Ryder Systems. Under his leadership as Chairman and CEO, the company has achieved record earnings levels. He has also served on the Board of several other nonprofit organizations and universities, including the United Way of Miami-Dade, the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, and the Association of Cuban American Engineers, which has granted more than $300,000 in scholarships to Hispanic engineering students.
“I have been privileged to mentor my Little Brother through the School-to-Work program through our local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency,” Sanchez said. “I am committed to making sure more kids like him have the opportunity to be mentored, and I am honored to join the National Board.”
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters has provided children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that the children in its program achieve measurable outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. Learn more at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
