OUR HERITAGE
Our heritage is a special one. We are an organization of passionate members who have chosen to dedicate their time, love, and money to support the children and teachers of impoverished areas of the world.
When Books are the Beginning began in 2009, we knew there was a lack of books and proper library resources in parts of the world and we knew we could fix that problem. We made it our mission to collect and send books to those children in need. We had no idea this mission would come so far in so little time. Since our beginning we have donated close to 100,000 books and have even began building libraries and donating education supplies and training to teachers and children in schools across the world.
Our work has a magnificent impact on the schools and communities we serve. From schools across the United States to schools in Uganda and Kenya, Books are the Beginning is molding the minds of young students and teachers each day. Books truly are the beginning of education and we plan to continue our work until no child is left without a book in hand and and education available.
OUR BOARD
MIKE THRASHER
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Mike received his Bachelor in Business Administrations from Angelo State University in 1980. After spending many years working for Thrasher Trucking Company and managing The Spring Christian Shoppe, he and his wife Mary Thrasher began Thrasher Consulting Company, an educational consulting company. Mike traveled to Uganda in 2006 and recognized a need for books, supplies, and training in which he knew he could help. He built his first library in Uganda in 2009 and serves as the Chairman and CEO of Books are the Beginning.
MARY THRASHER
Secretary
Mary holds a Masters of Education in Technology Educational Leadership from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Arts from Angelo State University. She currently uses her 30 years of experience in the field of education in her current job as an Instructional Coach for San Marcos CISD. Mary brings her passion for student’s learning and improving teaching instruction into her involvement with Books are the Beginning. As a lifelong learner herself, Mary continues to grow professionally in the field of education and reaching the hard to teach students and students in poverty.
STACI THETFORD
Treasurer
Staci currently serves as an Analyst at Sendero Business Services where she is responsible for the design and development of corporate training curriculum for online and classroom learning. Prior to her work as a business consultant, Staci worked at the City of Dallas in public relations. Staci holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Public Administration from Texas A&M University. Staci and her husband, Robert and daughter Laura, live in Dallas, Texas.
ROBERT THETFORD
Robert is an attorney and adviser who has ten years of experience in public policy, communications and public relations. Robert holds a Juris Doctorate from SMU Dedman School of Law, a Masters of Public Administration from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University. Robert and his wife, Staci and daughter Laura, reside in Dallas, Texas.
REID RICHARDS
Reid currently works with robotics at the Caterpillar Plant in Sequin where he enjoys keeping the robots in line. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin in 2012. Reid is an Eagle Scout and has always-valued reading contributing to his community. He enjoys using his engineering skills to plan the packing of the containers to ensure optimum weight and space. He currently resides in San Marcos, Texas.
MARC APPLEWHITE
Marc taught at the elementary level for twenty-four years, retiring from Monahans Wickett Pyote Independent School District in May 2011. An active member of Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas, Marc serves as deacon and choir member. He has two married children and two grandsons. He traveled to Uganda for the first time in 2009 where he helped set up the first library at Lulwanda Children’s Home. God has continued to allow him and Glenna to go every year since. Marc and Glenna reside in Lubbock, Texas
JAMES STAFFORD
Discipline, Diversity, and Determination are among the attributes that separates Mr. Safford from other litigation attorneys. The combination of leadership skills gained from his military experiences, the creativity and management involved with his position in Education assist him in being able to thoroughly understand and easily relate to the needs of his clients. Currently James is an associate attorney for Scheef & Stone, LLP and focuses his practice in a diverse range of business litigation and transactional matters on behalf of the firm’s clients. In addition to private practice, Mr. Stafford serves as a JAG attorney in the United States Army Reserves. Before practicing law, James spent five years as a classroom teacher (high school band director) in the Dallas Independent School District. James, his wife Saosat, and three young daughters, live just north of Dallas, Tx.