Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien & Cass
Elects Directors and Officers

February 24, 2009, Niles, Michigan – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass has elected three new people to the executive team of the Board of Directors: Tim Brown, Owner of Brown Funeral Home (President); Susan Larson, Loan Department Manager for Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union (Treasurer); and Karen Marsman, Senior Support Account Manager for Infor Global Solutions (Secretary).

Owner of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Tim Brown is a charter member and a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Southwest Michigan as well asserving on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass board for over five years. Brown is also a member of the Niles Rotary Club; President of the Board of Directors for New Hope Church;  on the Hospice at Home Advisory Board; and currently on the Niles Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Brown is also a member of the National Funeral Directors’ Association.

Susan Larson brings community service experience and leadership skills to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass board. In addition to serving as a board member and treasurer for the Kiwanis Club of Niles, Larson was the Regional Director for the American Heart Association for three years where she was responsible for fundraising events over a 13-county territory. Larson was also involved in Relay for Life for four years and as a Team Captain for two years.

A Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass Board of Directors’ member since 2006, Karen Marsman has been a Big Sister to a Niles Elementary School student since 2005. “Participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Lunch Buddy program is a terrific way to spend quality time mentoring a young person in the community,” says Marsman. She has been involved in developing business partner sponsorships and has chaired the annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraising event during her tenure on the board.

"We are delighted to have this wonderful team of committed board members, all of whom believe in the tremendous value of mentoring a child,” said Kathryn Rossow, CEO/Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass.

In addition to the newly-elected executive board members, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass’ Board of Directors has appointed several new members to its board including; Susan Larson, Loan Department Manager for Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union; Emily McLoughlin, Human Resources Department Administrator for K & M Machine - Fabricating, Inc. and Dowagiac High School Junior Varsity Girls Basketball Coach; Angela J. Eiting, Business Banking Officer for 1st Source Bank; Diane Haslett, Community Representative; Mary Malesky, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Berrien County; James Taylor, Community Representative; and Mary R. Hale, Realtor for Coldwell Banker R.E.S.. These members join Robert Smith and Jerry Rossow, who are both past presidents of the organization; Jane Wise, Owner of wiseHaus design, LLC; and Jazmine Kyles, Community Representative.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, a United Way partner agency, helps vulnerable children beat negative odds. Professionally-supported volunteer services are proven to reduce children’s risk of dropping out of school; becoming violent; using drugs and alcohol; and falling victim to other negative cycles. Big Brothers Big Sisters and its network of supporters recognize the hardship, pain and challenges that children in too many communities confront. There’s an urgent demand for what the organization achieves. In addition to the traditional mentoring program, which matches a Big Brother or a Big Sister with a child of the same gender for at least one year, BBBS provides "Lunch Buddy" mentors who meet with a child at their school once a week during lunchtime. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass, Inc. is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization celebrating 42 years of service in Berrien and Cass counties of Southwest Michigan. Learn how to join the movement to change how children grow up in Berrien and Cass Counties by going to BBBSofBC.org or call (269) 684-1100, toll free (877) 367-2244.