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Announcing the Director of the Ross Roeder Institute (RRI)

Source/Author: Nancy L. Spencer, Head of School

May 28, 2023

Faculty Spotlight Upper School News

Following a nationwide search, Shorecrest is pleased to announce that Earl Walton will join the School as its the first-ever Director of the Ross Roeder Institute for Financial Literacy, Economics, Entrepreneurship (RRI). A seasoned entrepreneur, business leader, and educator, Earl brings a wealth of experience, passion and drive to launch the RRI at Shorecrest.

With a vibrant 20+ year career in sports marketing and business, Earl comes to Shorecrest most recently from USA Triathlon where he was the Director of Education, leading the development of all live and virtual education products for the National Governing Body of the Sport of Triathlon. He has served as the Global Director of Coaching and Training for IRONMAN Group, innovating coaching and training content for IRONMAN athletes and coaches worldwide. Prior to joining IRONMAN, Earl successfully founded and ran two businesses in New York City - TriLife Coaching, a coaching partnership, and Tailwind Endurance, a brick and mortar indoor training studio. In his early career, Earl worked in advertising and marketing, supporting visionary brands including MTV. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Communications from Duquesne University and a master's degree in Sports Business from New York University.

"We were looking for a program pioneer and a director who will bring their experience to directly teach program courses, as well as lead the charge to network, coach and mentor in the financial literacy and design-thinking process," says Head of School, Nancy Spencer. "We are thrilled to have a business leader and energetic educator like Earl as our first-ever RRI Director."

Following a rigorous interview and vetting process for the RRI position, Earl was the committee's unanimous choice. After Earl taught a sample financial literacy lesson to a group of fifth graders, one student commented, "This was one of the best lessons I’ve ever had. I really liked that we had to do a lot of math, and I liked that he was really understandable and a very good teacher."

The vision for the Ross Roeder Institute is to implement a schoolwide program in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, first by enhancing current instruction in the Upper School, with the eventual creation of a new signature program. RRI is funded by a $1 million endowment gift from donors Jan & Craig Sher, and Mary Anne Reilly in honor of Mary Anne's late husband, Ross Roeder, honoring his passion for business, economics and the entrepreneurial spirit. The gift, announced in early 2023, is the largest endowed gift that Shorecrest has ever received to support people and programs.

"The entrepreneur in me is excited about building something new," Earl shared. "The faculty at Shorecrest has been fully engaged right from the start and I look forward to connecting with our families and the business community as we bring this program to life for our students."

Already a familiar face at Shorecrest, Earl is the parent of two current Shorecrest students. He will join us as the Director of RRI starting in August 2023.