ACCESS is proud to announce the appointment of its new board president, attorney William W. Swor, and seven new board members who will continue to support the nonprofit social and economic services organization in fulfilling its mission and vision of enabling and empowering individuals, families and communities to lead informed, productive and culturally sensitive lives.
“I am in awe of all of the knowledge and skillset each of our board members brings to our organization,” said Hassan Jaber, executive director of ACCESS. “I am happy to welcome our new board members and to see William Swor, who has been involved with ACCESS for a number of years, and who has been a great advocate for the Arab American community, in such a leadership position. This board will lead us into furthering our mission and vision and in helping the local and global community. I look forward to working with this board in 2014 and for many more years to come.”
The skillset and knowledge of the ACCESS board of directors — ranging from law, education, technology, finance, and a myriad of other exciting backgrounds — advance ACCESS’ ability to make a difference in the community. ACCESS looks forward to the new board leading the agency into an exciting 2014.
“I am honored by the trust placed in me by the ACCESS board and membership,” Swor said. “ACCESS is one of the premier social agencies in the country. ACCESS has been an agent for change in the way in which many nonprofits deliver services, and how Arab Americans are viewed as part of the social fabric of America.”
Swor has served on the ACCESS board since 1999. He has been in private practice for 42 years and has tried many high profile and politically charged cases. He has written numerous articles on various aspects of practicing law, and has spoken frequently on legal issues in print and electronic media.
Swor also has lectured and written extensively on the need to guard against the loss of American freedoms, and has tried several cases in which Arabs and Arab Americans were accused of supporting terrorism.
“Our new board of directors brings a unique level of professional skill and vision for the future of ACCESS. They come from the community, business and academic world. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them,” Swor said. “With this professional board, and the staff at ACCESS —which has always demonstrated its passion for service, creativity and excellence— we look forward to a year in which we expand our ability to serve the community, and lead the way into the future.”
ACCESS’ new board members include:
The 2013-2015 ACCESS executive board includes: William W. Swor, president; Jeff Antaya, vice-president; Yasser Al Soofi, treasurer; David Allen, English secretary; Aoun Jaber, Arabic secretary; Rasha Demashkieh, at-large; and Ron May, at-large.
Board members include: Wadad Abed, Mary Abouljoud, Raju Balakrishnan, Hussein Berry, Amal M. Berry-Brown, David J. Campbell, Greg Clark, Dennis Denno, Debbie Dingell, Lina Dirani, Dr. Basim Dubaybo, Hon. Charlene Elder, Zenna Elhasan, Michael Juchno, Paul Larrair, Ryan Maibach, Mike Makki, Linda Mansour, Ziad Ojakli, Robert Riney, May A. Saad, James Sherry and Hussien Shousher.
Emeritus board members include: Ali Baleed Almaklani, Dr. Barbara Aswad, Andrea Awada-Zeaiter, Linda Hallick, George Khoury, Noel J. Saleh, Gerald Smith and James Stokes.
