The Salvation Army Announces New National Advisory Board Chair
Mike Cassling, CEO of CQuence Health Group, to lead advisory board of the nation’s largest private provider of social services
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (November 5, 2020) – The Salvation Army announces the election of six new officers to its National Advisory Board (NAB), with CQuence CEO Mike Cassling taking on the role of NAB Chair, effective January 2021.
The Salvation Army is grateful to Cassling’s predecessor, Tony Thompson, for his service as the National Advisory Board Chair since January 2018. Thompson has provided exemplary leadership through multiple years of immense natural disasters, increased public need—and most recently—the coronavirus pandemic.
From left to right: Mike Cassling, Alva Adams-Mason, Bob Smith, Deborah Brittain, Marc Belton, Mike Ducker
“Mr. Cassling has demonstrated steadfast commitment to our mission of meeting human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination for nearly two decades,” said Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army. “We have a profound trust in him for this important role.”
Cassling began his service with The Salvation Army of Omaha in 2002, helping to launch the William Booth Society, a group of impactful Salvation Army donors which has more than doubled in the past four years. He has also supported the annual D.J.’s Hero Awards program that has funded more than 150 college scholarships for Nebraska students and significant support of Salvation Army youth programs in Omaha.
“Cassling is a highly respected business leader in Omaha and around the country. He is a longtime philanthropic supporter of The Salvation Army who believes passionately in its mission,” said Fred Hunzeker, fellow Omaha businessman and NAB member. “He is an ideal fit and will serve The Salvation Army with distinction in the new role.”
Cassling is CEO of CQuence Health Group, which services and strategic direction for its partner companies: Cassling, a diagnostic medical equipment sales and service provider, and Ensocare, a care coordination software company. He also serves locally in Omaha with the Aksarben Foundation, Broadway Dreams Foundation, Nebraska Health Information Initiative, Broadway Dreams Executive Committee, Omaha Community Foundation, and Omaha Performing Arts.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to join this esteemed group of national leaders to serve and advise The Salvation Army, which provides hope to millions of Americans facing hardship each year,” said Mike Cassling.
NAB Secretary: Alva Adams-Mason
Alva Adams-Mason has served on the NAB for two years and will take on the role of NAB Secretary. She brings a wealth of experience in leadership at Toyota Motor North America to support the strategic work of The Salvation Army. Adams is currently a Group Manager for Multicultural Business Alliance & Strategy and Multicultural Dealer Relations for Toyota.
Adams-Mason is responsible for directing strategy for Toyota’s multicultural partnerships, organizational support, and sponsorships relevant to Toyota/Lexus multicultural business initiatives. She also leads collaborative projects and relationships with Toyota Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association (TLMODA), including the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD)
NAB Vice Chair: Bob Smith
Bob Smith has served on the NAB since 2017 and takes on the role of NAB Vice Chair, filling the role of NAB Chair in the absence of Cassling and regularly leading the NAB Development Committee. Smith is the former Senior VP of People Operations at Papa Johns, and he has been working for The Salvation Army of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland and at the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.
Additionally, Smith is a co-author of the anthology Rethinking Human Resources. He also serves as Chair of The Salvation Army Advisory Board in Salisbury, Maryland and formerly served as Chair of The Salvation Army Advisory Board in Louisville, Kentucky.
NAB Treasurer: Deborah Brittain
Deborah Brittain has served a combined 17 years on the NAB and will begin her second term as NAB Treasurer. She brings nonprofit leadership experience in education, child welfare, health, social justice and the arts.
She has served in regional and national positions in a variety of organizations, including the President of The Association of Junior Leagues International, a 15-year appointment on the Board of Trustees of Simmons University, 10 years on the Board of Advisors for the Dean of Harvard Business School, eight years as associate dean and four years as lead dean of The Scott Hawkins Leadership Institute sponsored by The Links, Incorporated.
Brittain has lifelong memberships in the NAACP and the Northern Virginia Urban League. She was also was a charter member of the Northern Virginia Chapter of The Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Young Adults of Actions chapter of the National Council of Negro Women.
NAB Vice Chair: Marc Belton
Marc Belton has served on the NAB for nine years and takes on the role of Vice Chair. He is a former executive at General Mills, where he served as the Executive Vice President for Global Strategy, Growth, and Marketing Innovation. In his 32-year career with General Mills, he became known as a champion for growth, innovation and people. Belton’s leadership was recognized by Fast Company Magazine as one of the “Most Creative Executives in the U.S.” He was also featured in Fortune Magazine’s Black Enterprise as one of the “Most Influential African Americans in Business.”
In 2015, Belton founded Wisefellows Consulting, a purpose-driven consultancy that focuses on growth and strategic clarity for its clients. Additionally, Belton is known for bringing creative thinking and leadership skills to nonprofit boards and the Fortune 500. He also serves on the board for the Minnehaha Academy, Guthrie Theater in Minnesota and the Itasca Project.
NAB Vice Chair: Michael L. Ducker
Michael L. Ducker has served on the NAB for eight years and takes on the role of Vice Chair, including the responsibility of chairing the Resources & Institutional Development Committee. Ducker recently retired from the position of President and CEO at FedEx Freight. Before that, Ducker was the COO and International President for FedEx Express, leading all customer-facing aspects of the company, FedEx Trade Networks, Supply Chains and improving company efforts to open markets around the world.
Ducker has also served as an executive board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, on an advisory committee for Trade Policy under the Obama Administration. He also serves on the International Flavors and Fragrances Board, Amway Corporation Board, nVent Electric PLC Board, and US Xpress Board.