Though small and mighty, the professional staff of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation is well equipped to help strengthen Tidewater’s Jewish community.
The team is led by Scott Kaplan, president and CEO, who moved to the area with his family in 2014. In less than four years, Kaplan has made a number of positive changes to the Foundation by increasing its asset baseand by expanding the breadth and reach of the programs and services it offeres. Last year, Kaplan earned his CFRE (certified fundraising executive) designation, a globally recognized credential for fundraising executives. He also received his 21/64 certified advisor credentials denoting expertise in facilitating multigenerational philanthropy and is a member of the LEAD Hampton Roads Class of 2016 and CIVIC Leadership Institute Class of 2018.
Barb Gelb, director of philanthropy, moved to Virginia Beach one year ago and has made an immediate impact on the team and community. In addition to a career in Jewish communal work, education, and nonprofit management, in May, Gelb received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles. This was in recognition of her 25 years of service to the Jewish community since receiving her master’s degree in Jewish nonprofit management from HUC. In addition, as a 21/64 certified philanthropic advisor and certified facilitator, Gelb says she is excited to help TJF donors and agencies have the greatest possible impact through their philanthropy.
Randy Parrish, vice-president and CFO of the Foundation for the past nine years, has a diverse financial management background. In 2018, Parrish received the AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner) designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils to recognize estate-planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional reputation, and character. Parrish is a Certified Public Accountant and has been recognized in his role as a “Super CPA” among financial managers, CFOs, and controllers by Virginia Business magazine. As his recent AEP® designation indicates, Parrish is able to help facilitate complex charitable gift plans and understands the importance of working with professional advisors. Parrish serves on the board of the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council and is currently board president of Primeplus, the Norfolk Senior Center.
For more than 10 years, Craig Bailey has diligently served as controller of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and is the longest serving member of the staff. Bailey has a background in financial management and multi-unit accounting in both for profit and non-profit environments. His dedication and thoughtful commitment to the organization serve as an example to the team.
Ann Swindell, the “glue” that holds the team together, joined the Foundation team two years ago as the administrative assistant and has since moved into the donor services coordinator role working more closely with TJF’s Donor Advised Fund holders while supporting the scholarship and grants processes.
The TJF team is well equipped to work in partnership with individual donors at all levels and in collaboration with each local affiliate organization and synagogue to help make the greatest impact on the community… now and in the future.