Ben’s Lighthouse is led by a dedicated volunteer Board formed in September 2013. (Prior to that, the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church performed Board responsibilities.) The organization was originally founded as a program of Trinity Church under its 501(c)3 umbrella and in the summer of 2015, Ben’s Lighthouse became it’s own independent 501(c)3. The Ben’s Lighthouse Board meets monthly and Board members will lead or participate in various committees to support the needs of the organization. Over time, new Directors and Advisors will be added as needed.
Keith Alexander
Keith a Software Architect with a Bachelor of Science from Penn State and has written and designed software to distribute stock market data and drive industrial machinery. Keith has seven years of experience on the Board of Education in Newtown, half as Board Chair. During his tenure, the Board of Education implemented full day kindergarten and added an elementary foreign language immersion program. He is currently serving on the Newtown Board of Finance. Keith and his wife, Elizabeth, have lived in Sandy hook for over 20 years. Their two children have grown up in town and are in various stages of moving out.Tim Carlson, CPA
A public company CFO with extensive experience in accounting, financial planning, treasury, risk management, compliance, audit, and investor relations. Earlier in his career, Tim held a series of global finance, strategic planning, and auditing roles at various divisions of Campbell Soup Company and at Ernst & Young. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.Priscilla Jones
Has been a public school educator for 30+ years, working in schools in Nigeria, Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin and Connecticut. She has degrees in Education, Psychology and Elementary Math and Science teaching. She is currently teaching in Westport, Connecticut, and lives in Newtown with her husband and two children. She enjoys gardening and hiking the many trails in town, as well as traveling to the Midwest to be with her extended family.David Wheeler
Kara Wanzer
Has a MA in Education and a BA in Sociology/ Anthropology. She has worked with children and families in the Greater Danbury Area addressing the education and mental health needs of young children for the past seventeen years. Her work has included programs such as the Mental Health Association of CT, Head Start, Even Start, and the Danbury Public Schools. She is the founder of the Solid Ground Project that supports educators, families and communities in building social emotional competence in young children. Kara lives in Sandy Hook with her husband and two children.Ben’s Lighthouse is committed to fostering children’s potential to build a more compassionate and connected world. To that end, BLH utilizes dedicated, trained staff members to create, implement and run programs and activities (with the assistance of volunteers).