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Front
Row (L to R) Nellita, CEO; Paul, Founder; Whitney,
Customer Service
2nd Row (L to R) Shirley, Data Processing; Linda,
Customer Service; Larry, Processing; Bob, Accounts
Receivable. |
The FFNA Family
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(December
2, 1944 - May 10, 2006)
Paul
E. Young / FFNA Founder
Had 19 Years Experience in Christian School Administration
Paul
founded FFNA in 1991 to assist Christian schools that were
dissatisfied with their financial aid program. Paul was also
President of Southern Baptist Educational Center in Olive
Branch, Mississippi, until his retirement in 1998. It was
there that his financial aid model and his strategies for
growth were tested and proven. In 1988 SBEC relocated its
ministry from Memphis, Tennessee, to its present location
in northern Mississippi. Paul used a strong financial aid
program to help grow the school from 625 students in 1988
to 1024 students in 1997, a 61% increase.
SBEC was in the midst of a financial and leadership crisis
when Paul assumed leadership in 1979. Tuition for a senior
high student in 1979 was $1,070. Today tuition at SBEC exceeds
$5,000. Maintaining a strong financial aid program has allowed
SBEC to raise tuition to ensure her commitment to excellence
and, at the same time, assist families who cannot afford the
tuition increases. Today approximately 170 students at SBEC
receive financial aid totaling $180,000.
Paul
authored several magazine articles on Christian education
as well as on financial aid. He was also the founder of The
Administrators’ Roundtable, an annual conference for
administrators of large Christian schools from across the
United States. Paul was also a past board member of the
Network of International Christian Schools (NICS), a group
that pursues the establishment of Christian schools all over
the world. His expertise in the field of Christian education
has been sought over the years as a speaker at numerous
conferences and as a consultant to many young as well as
established administrators. |
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Nellita H. Young / FFNA CEO
Has 22 Years Experience in Christian Schools
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| Nellita
has worked hand in hand with Paul since the inception of FFNA. Nellita
has over 35 years of experience in education serving as teacher,
guidance counselor, assistant principal and Supervisor of Instruction.
For the last 20 years of her career, Nellita served as guidance
counselor at SBEC a Christian School in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
She retired from teaching in 2000 to devote full time to the ministry
of FFNA. Just recently Nellita was asked to serve on SBEC’s
Board of Trustees. She has the distinction of being the first lady
to serve on the Board of Trustees in the 30 year history of the
school. Nellita
and Paul have been married for 40 years and have 3 daughters and
10 grandchildren. Nellita’s commitment to excellence and
her organizational skills have contributed to the growth and success
of FFNA. Her servant spirit permeates the entire staff and ministry
philosophy of FFNA.
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Whitney
Hall / President, Customer Service
Attended a Christian school 12 years
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| Whitney
is probably the most recognizable voice at FFNA. She has served
as head of our Customer Service Department since January 1, 2000.
Whitney is a Christian school graduate who earned a B.S. Degree
in Business with an emphasis in Insurance. Before coming to FFNA,
Whitney was with Lispcomb & Pitts Insurance, one of the largest
independent insurance agencies in Tennessee. Whitney’s enthusiasm
and willingness to go the extra mile has made her a favorite with
FFNA clients. Whitney
and her husband, James Alan Hall, have just recorded their
second contemporary Christian CD, performing the music that
was written by her husband. Recently Whitney
and James Alan won first place in a Christian music cruise contest
and won the opportunity to perform one of their songs between
Rachel Lampa and Brothers Keeper! Much of Whitney’s vacation
time is spent with James Alan leading the music at various
Christian youth camps throughout the country. Whitney’s
heart for ministry and love for people make her a key employee
at FFNA.
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Larry Wright / Vice President,
Processing
Father of eight, six of whom attend a Christian school
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| Larry
has been leading our processing department full time since January,
2002. Prior to 2002 he had worked for FFNA part-time for a number
of years. Larry and his wife Kim are both graduates of a Christian
school. Christian education is a priority for his family, and he
is committed to assisting as many parents as possible in helping
them send their children to Christian schools regardless of the
family’s income. Larry is very sensitive to the needs of parents
who make a sacrifice to send their children to a Christian school.
Larry
is the father of eight, with six children attending a Christian
school. Larry is committed to the philosophy of FFNA because he
knows first hand how families can be served. Even though our processing
is governed by a formula that compares income to a family’s
tuition, parents can rest assured that when they have a special
need or extenuating circumstances, they will have someone in charge
of FFNA processing who is sensitive to their needs. Larry’s
Christian beliefs and his love for children overflow in his personal
life. His spare time is spent as a volunteer coach in his Christian
school. He and Kim can also be found most weeks teaching children
in their local church.
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