Founding Board President • Advisory Board Member
Steve Player’s accidental involvement in FCE started before the organization had a name or a space. He is the reason Sarita Berry agreed to lead the organization. “Sarita presented a deal: she would join as the first executive director if I would be the first president of the board.” That seemed fair to Steve who credits early FCE success to the deep level of commitment from everyone involved. Parents and families learned how to support their college-bound students, and students knew that FCE volunteers and staff were just a phone call away. Steve was at FCE when Sarita was getting close to retiring and fate could have gone either way. But commitment came through again, this time from Stephanie Wick-Child. Without prior ED experience, she stepped up and stayed nearly 10 years carrying on the mission. “Stephanie was a ball of energy, and she did a great job,” recalls Steve. He is quick to sing the praises of others, but ask anyone in the history of FCE and they will tell you how Steve has impacted the community as a connector and a cheerleader, through his deep commitment which continues today.