THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Leon (LJ) Bush, Jr.
Executive Director
Answers to: L.J. or Coach Bush
Born and raised in Bluffton in the low country of South Carolina to Leon Bush, Sr and Laura A. Bush. At a very early age, his parents taught him and his three sisters to love god, family and community. Through tough’s years as I watched my parents model this behavior by becoming active in church and community, I never realized that one day I would follow in their footsteps.
As a youth, I realized very quickly that I was very athletic. I played three sports developing my skills through interaction with older kids in the neighborhood. By the time I reached high school, I excelled in football and baseball, earning all-state honors in each. As a result, I received a full scholarship in baseball and football at Norfolk state university, Norfolk Va. Though my college career was short, I realized how blessed I was to have the experience and knowledge of coaches who were also mentors that taught by example the power coaching has on a young person’s life.
This experience and life lessons from my parents led me to an extensive high school coaching career. I was assistant coach eight years baseball, and twenty-five years as junior varsity head coach and assistant coach at the varsity level, a position I hold today. These years of coaching and mentoring inspired me to become a Certified Life Coach through the International Coaching Science Research Foundation. This certification has increased my knowledge in how to work with people especially the youth. Inspiring them to find their purpose in life and to pursue whatever career path they choose. My ultimate goal is to always assist those I come in contact with to realize they have hope, options and opportunities and can live a life of purpose thus becoming a contributing member of their community.
I am married, father of four and two grandchildren.
Lynn Mustazza
Advisor
Kimberly Gray
Advisor
Kim has a degree in Applied Business from the University of Cincinnati. Her career and experiences include leadership roles at the Procter & Gamble Company, AT&T, mergers and acquisitions, Myers Briggs practitioner, and registered yoga teacher (RYT 200 hours).
In her experience as a business professional, she is committed to leading organizations to deliver results. She is a trusted strategic partner and drives operating objectives and strategic growth.
She has been a business partner and executive coach to key business leaders to develop strategic plans, organization designs, and capabilities to rapidly grow billion-dollar businesses. She helped build talent and organizational capability that led to business growth.
Kim is married and has three children.
Elizabeth bush-Swinton
Board Member
Billy Watterson
Advisor
Billy Watterson is a serial entreprenuer and lifelong learner obsessed with brandbuilding, innovation and community engagement. After graduating from the University of Findlay with a BS Degree in Environmental and Hazardous Materials Management, he joined Sears, Roebuck and Co. at their world headquarters in Illinois. Though he gained five years of priceless experience, Billy knew he had a higher calling. Self employed now for nearly 20 years, he enjoys the challenge of creating solutions for the impossible, those “hard to solve” problems that ofter exasperate clients.
Sarina Reid
Board Member
Laura Bush
Advisor
Bluffton native, who provided more than fifty years of community and public service to the women and children of Beaufort and Jasper County. This included 26 years as a member of the Beaufort County Board of Education.
– Attaended University of South Carolina, Beaufort. Credit hours in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
-Graduate of Leadership South Carolina. A statewide training program for aspiring leaders.
Played pivotal role in the eradication of Intestinal Parasite (stomach worms) infestation. Summary of written in the South Carolina Medical Journal, 1969. This project resulted in the establishment of Beaufort-Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. (B-JHCHA,INC). The agency is still in existence today, fifty-one years later.
– Served 10 years as community organizaer, health educator and youth services director for B-JHCHS, Inc.
– Served as a consultant to Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, organizing community water systems. This included convincing local citizens to disconnect their deep wells and connect to the central system.
Served as director of a local community based non-profit serving the needs of women (statewide nontraditional employment project) and children (Afterschool/Summer enrichment program).
-Served as county coordinator of emergency assistance at the Beaufort County Department of Social Services (DSS). Meeting the needs of citizens in emergency situations due to death, illness or loss of employment.
– Wrote grants to Ford Foundation, Ms. Foundation and several local and state agencies to support programs for women and children.
– Elected by the community and served 26 years on the county Board of Education. Two years as chairman. Two years as chairman and twenty-two years as secretary.
Currently, Founder and President of a local nonprofit organization: It;s Better to Give Back.” The goal of the Fund is to meet the educational, cultural and social needs of families and children in the lowcountry.