For Immediate Release
July 19, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Claire Jones
318-286-0933 | Claire.Jones@tn.gov
GOVERNOR’S BOOKS FROM BIRTH FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM MEMBERS
GBBF brings on Abby Robinson as Community Engagement Director and Claire Jones as Communications & Marketing Outreach Coordinator
NASHVILLE – Theresa Carl, president of Governor’s Birth from Foundation (GBBF), announces two new members of the GBBF team, Abby Robinson as Community Engagement Director and Claire Jones as Communications & Marketing Outreach Coordinator.
Robinson, the former Regional Finance Director for Jeb Bush’s Presidential Campaign brings more than five years of experience in fundraising, relationship building, resource connecting, and outreach work to her position at GBBF. She will focus on developing and maintaining strong relationships with local county Imagination Library program volunteers, partners, and supporters statewide to encourage growth in Tennessee’s Imagination Library program, established in 2004 in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
Jones, the former Policy Coordinator for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, brings experience in special events, communications, marketing research, and media relations to GBBF. She will focus on creating communications and marketing materials, planning special events with the First Lady’s office, and organizing media outreach to raise awareness of Tennessee’s Imagination Library.
“Since our founding in 2004, Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has continued to grow, now providing over 256,000 books to Tennessee children each month,” Theresa Carl said. “We are delighted for Abby and Claire to join our team, bringing with them such enthusiasm for the future of GBBF. Not only do they exhibit a passion for our mission of building a foundation for reading and learning through books, but they have new, innovative ideas that will help our program continue to grow.”
The foundation partners with Imagination Library grassroots organizers in each county to provide fundraising, volunteer management and public relations support. Additionally, GBBF raises both public and private funds to support the operation of Tennessee’s Imagination Library and to provide financial assistance to counties.
Robinson previously served as the Regional Finance Director for Jeb Bush’s Presidential Campaign and as the Deputy Finance Director for South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Jones previously served as an assistant to the former First Lady of Louisiana Supriya Jindal.
Robinson is a native of Athens, Tenn., and holds a B.A. with distinction from Belmont University. A native of Shreveport, La., Jones has a B.A. with distinction in Political Communications from Louisiana State University.
About GBBF
The mission of Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation is to sustain and strengthen Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in all 95 Tennessee counties, ensuring that new, age-appropriate books are mailed to Tennessee’s preschool children, at no cost to the family and regardless of income. To learn how to support your county’s Imagination Library program, or for information on how to register a child, visit www.GovernorsFoundation.org or www.facebook.com/TNImaginationLibrary, or call toll-free at (877) 99-BOOKS.