Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library Announces New Board Members

(February 15, 2021) – The Friends & Foundation of Howard County Library System announces the appointment of Allen Cosentino and Heather Shafer to the Friends Board of Directors.

Allen is a lifelong Howard County resident and dedicated educator. Currently the Principal of Oakland Mills Middle School, he is committed to ensuring all children regardless of gender, race, ability or social class have the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed and he is working to develop students who possess a love of learning for the purpose-building skills for a productive and purposeful life. "It is an honor to serve the Howard County community through the excellent work of the Friends & Foundation of HCLS" said Allen.

Heather recently started working towards a MS in Counseling after spending ten years as an Analyst in the healthcare field and recently took a position in HCPSS as the Secretary of Student Services. She has been in the community for seven years after relocating from Connecticut and has spent many hours volunteering with the PTA, NAACP, and various community drives. “I’m ecstatic and honored to join the board of Friends & Foundation of HCLS to help support my community that I live and work in!" said Heather.

The Friends & Foundation of HCLS is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds and recruits friends to support the Howard County Library System in its mission to deliver high quality education for all ages. The Friends & Foundation is overseen by its Board of Directors, supported by businesses and organizations, and funded by more than 2,000 individual donors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Allen and Heather to the Friends & Foundation of HCLS Board of Directors and look forward to moving the Friends & Foundation forward under their leadership” said Board Chair Mickey Gomez.  

2021 Friends & Foundation Board of Directors:
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• Shara Alpert
• Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz 
• Allen Cosentino
• John Dove
• Mickey Gomez - Chair
• Ellen Flynn Giles
• Heather Jackson
• Ana Liesch 
• Dr. Diane Martin
• Nana Owusu-Nkwantabisa – Vice Chair
• Heather Shafer
• Kristi Simon 
• Wendy Slaughter
• Ronnie Wooten

The Friends & Foundation of HCLS is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds and recruits friends to support the Howard County Library System in its mission to deliver high quality education for all ages. friendshcls.org

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