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Contact: Kathy Reincke Tel: 269.969.2148 kar@wkkf.org
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) announced the election of Richard M. Tsoumas of Battle Creek, Michigan, as its new board chair during today’s annual meeting. Tsoumas was elected to a one-year term as board chair, and will assume the role in January, replacing Ramón Murguía of Kansas City, Kansas, whose term as chair expires.
“Rick is the epitome of a servant leader who brings extensive business, civic and philanthropic experience to his role as board chair,” said La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO of the Kellogg Foundation. “His commitment and enthusiasm for Mr. Kellogg’s hometown, and his service as a trustee of this foundation, speak to his dedication for improving the lives of children and families here in Battle Creek and in all the communities we serve.”
The board re-elected trustees Celeste A. Clark of Battle Creek, Michigan and Khan Nedd of Grand Rapids, Michigan, each to a new three-year term. In addition, the board will include: Cynthia H. Milligan of Omaha, Nebraska; Roderick D. Gillum of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Cathann Kress of Columbus, Ohio; Ramón Murguía; President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron of Battle Creek, Michigan; and the new board chair, Richard M. Tsoumas.
Tsoumas has served on the board of trustees at the Kellogg Foundation since December 2009. He is president and chief executive officer of The Planning Group, a Battle Creek-based wealth management practice that he founded in 1999. Previously, Tsoumas spent 13 years in the Tax and Financial Planning areas at Price Waterhouse in Chicago and Battle Creek, where he managed the West Michigan Tax and Financial Planning practice. He also spent five years at the Kellogg Company, where he was director, International Tax Planning.
Tsoumas currently serves on several local nonprofit boards, including the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation and the audit and finance committee of Battle Creek Unlimited. He also serves on the board of Stewart Industries, an automotive assembly company, and previously on the national advisor council of NFP Securities, Inc. He has also previously served in governance roles in a variety of other organizations and committees, including the Battle Creek Health System, Calhoun County Board of Health, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Miller College, Regional Health Alliance, Youth Alliance Committee, Southwest Michigan First, the Art Center of Battle Creek and as cofounding member of the Maternal Infant Health Commission.
Tsoumas is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional and received his accounting and finance degrees from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Tsoumas and his wife, Linda, have raised two daughters and reside in Battle Creek.
In addition to Montgomery Tabron, the following staff was re-elected as foundation officers: Kathryn A. Krecke, general counsel and corporate secretary; Carla D. Thompson, vice president for program strategy; Donald G. Williamson, vice president for finance and treasurer; and Joel Wittenberg, vice president and chief investment officer.
Appointed to the board’s development committee were Clark (chair), Kress, Murguía, Montgomery Tabron (ex-officio) and Tsoumas (ex-officio). Appointed to the CEO compensation committee were Tsoumas (chair), Clark and Murguía.
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The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.
The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.