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Israel

OUR TEAM

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HEATHER JOHNSTON

FOUNDER & CEO

Over the past 20 years Heather has personally pioneered the way in building the strategic relationships and providing the relevant perspective that makes USIEA a valued resource to U.S. and Israeli leaders. For over a decade, she has led dozens of trips to Israel comprised of businessmen, Members of Congress, and other distinguished guests and leaders. In addition to leading and facilitating briefings in Washington, D.C. Heather is a world renowned speaker on Modern Israel.

Also, Heather, in partnership with former Mayor Ron Nachman, established the National Leadership Center in Ariel. Today the Leadership Center hosts groundbreaking programs that have given more than 70,000 Israeli and Arab youth the opportunity to meet and participate in a unique experiential learning adventure.

Heather attended Auburn University studying Communications and completed her Masters of Theology degree at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Heather Johnston

CEO & Founder

USIEA

Bob Broadway

CEO & Founder

The Broadway Group, LLC

Bradley Byrne

Special Counsel 

Adams and Reese LLP 

Former U.S. Representative

Alabama 1st District

Ken Cella

Principal, Client Strategies Group 

Edward Jones

Ron DeLeenheer

Former Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Ash Grove Cement Co

Julia Sprunt Grumbles

Former Trustee, UNC-Chapel Hill

Vice Chancellor of Development

(Interim), UNC-Chapel Hill

Corporate Vice President, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc (Ret)

Ann Leatherman

Community Volunteer 

John Mejia

CEO & Founder 

Providence Investments

Dr. Musette S. Morgan

Former Member of Tennessee State Board of Education 

Bruce Pearl

Head Coach 

Auburn University Men's Basketball

Dr. Phil Roe

Former U.S. Representative

Tennessee 1st District

STAFF

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JAHAN BERNS

Chief Operating Officer
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JULIE ESCUE

DIRECTOR OF TOURS & EVENTS
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ARI SACHER

Senior Policy Advisor
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EJ KIMBALL

Director of Policy & Strategic Operations
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JOAN LESLIE MCGILL

CHIEF OF STAFF
Stacy Ryan

STACY RYAN 

CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
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CAROLINE ESCUE

EXECUTIVE MANAGER OF TOURS & EVENTS
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SHELBY PUTNAM 

MARKETING & DESIGN STRATEGIST 
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TYLER DENNEY 

DONOR & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
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SHAN FINLEY 

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO HEATHER JOHNSTON
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DONNA LONG

OFFICE MANAGER
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