Junior Achievement of New York Announces New President - Joseph A. Peri

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Junior Achievement of New York's Board of Directors proudly announces the appointment of Joseph A. Peri as its new President.  Mr. Peri will succeed Douglas E. Schallau, who will retire on March 1st after nearly 32 years of service with Junior Achievement.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100211/NY53845 )

Joseph Peri most recently served as Acting President & Chief Executive Officer of The Council for Economic Education (CEE), a leading international economic education organization. His work in the non-profit sector spans over 25 years, including 14 with CEE, where he previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and before that as Chief Financial Officer. Peri led CEE's senior management group, and was involved in all facets of the business, which is focused on advocacy for and providing programs in economic and financial education for teachers and students in grades K-12. He oversaw all aspects of the operation, which included management of a $13 million budget and a 33-person staff.

Prior to joining CEE,  Peri was Assistant Vice President for Finance at The Commonwealth Fund, a large private grant-making foundation located in New York, where he spent 12 years in a series of financial, administrative and program management roles. He also formerly worked at Reliance Group Holdings and Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Peri is a graduate of Fordham University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner.

In a statement issued by Mr. Peri regarding his appointment, he said:  "Junior Achievement is a globally respected organization with a mission that challenges young people to be innovative, prepared and ready to compete successfully in the 21st Century. In a rapidly changing world, never has the need for entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness skills been more crucial to the success of young people in New York City and Long Island. I'm excited about this opportunity to lead JA New York into a new era of delivering on the mission's promise to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy."

Anre Williams, Chairman of the JA New York Board of Directors, shared the following regarding the change in leadership:  "We are grateful for Doug Schallau's leadership as President of Junior Achievement of New York over the last 20 years.  During his tenure, JA New York increased outreach from 35,000 to 95,000 students, grew annual funding by 300% and expanded the board from 21 to 53 senior corporate executives.  Today, we are proud to announce a successor who promises to build upon Doug's accomplishments.  Joining us as the new President of Junior Achievement of New York, Joe Peri brings a wealth of expertise from both the non-profit and corporate sectors.  I am confident he will lead JA New York towards a future of stability and growth."

Mr. Peri currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and is Chairman of the Connecticut Council on Economic Education and President of the Fairfield County Children's Choir. He resides in Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife, Nina, and two daughters.

About Junior Achievement of New York (JA New York)

Founded in 1929, Junior Achievement of New York, Inc. (JA New York) is the New York affiliate of Junior Achievement Worldwide, the world's largest and fastest-growing organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy.

Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA New York provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA New York's educational programs focus on three key content areas: Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Work Readiness – The Three Pillars of Student Success.

JA New York's in-school and after-school programs serve students in the New York City and Long Island geographic area. Currently, Junior Achievement Worldwide programs serve approximately 9 million students globally.  For more information, visit www.jany.org.

SOURCE Junior Achievement of New York, Inc.