Joseph Peri Named Acting President and Chief Executive Officer
New York, NY – The Council For Economic Education (CEE), a leading international economic education organization, announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Robert F. Duvall, will retire effective July 31, 2009. CEE named Joseph Peri, current Chief Operating Officer, as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2009. The Board of Directors will conduct an external search and evaluate internal candidates for a permanent replacement.
“I believe this is an exceptionally good time to make this change, both for CEE and for me, personally and professionally,” said Duvall, CEE President and CEO. “I have a compelling opportunity this Fall to return to my ‘first love,’ teaching. As we embark upon the execution of our strategic growth plans for CEE, the timing is right for new leadership.”
“Under Bob’s leadership, CEE has become the leading advocate and curriculum content provider for K-12 students here and abroad,” said CEE Board Chairman Craig Donohue. “Bob and his team have transformed CEE by writing and publishing the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics, conducting the first-ever National Summits on Economic and Financial Literacy, and more than tripling CEE’s revenues while dramatically increasing our program offerings. The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Joe and the entire CEE team to further our important mission of advancing financial literacy and economic education.”
Other Commentary
“Bob has successfully led CEE with great distinction for 15 years,” said Gary Stern, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and CEE Director for over 20 years. “Through his efforts, CEE has significantly broadened its reach among elementary and secondary school teachers, enabling an increasing number of students to gain an understanding of basic economic and financial principles.”
John Dillon, Former CEE Chairman and Life Director, observed, “Bob Duvall assumed the leadership of CEE when clear direction and commitment were essential. He has done an outstanding job in fulfilling CEE’s mission and driving economic literacy during his tenure as President and CEO.”
Dr. Pam Smith, President of the Mississippi Council on Economic Education, summarized the feelings of those in the field about Duvall’s accomplishments, “I am thankful for everything the CEE and Bob have done to move our vital agenda forward. All who care deeply about strengthening and preparing our youth for success in the global economy owe CEE and Bob a great deal for their vision for economic, financial and entrepreneurial education.”
About Joseph Peri
Joseph A. Peri has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Council for Economic Education (CEE) since 2000, having originally joined CEE in November 1995 as Vice President for Finance. As a member of CEE’s senior management group, Mr. Peri has been integrally involved in all facets of CEE’s business – finance, administration, advocacy, program, resource development, and sales and marketing.
Prior to joining CEE, Mr. Peri was Assistant Vice President for Finance at The Commonwealth Fund, a large private, grant-making foundation located in New York, where he spent 12 years in a series of financial, administrative and program management roles. Mr. Peri began his professional career with the firm of Deloitte Haskins and Sells (now Deloitte). He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner®, and graduated cum laude from Fordham University. Mr. Peri currently serves on the Board of Directors of the national Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, the Connecticut Council on Economic Education (Chairman), and the Fairfield County (Connecticut) Children’s Choir (President). He resides in Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife Nina and daughters Caroline (20) and Victoria (17).