BEREA, Ohio—October 22, 2014—Working Animals Giving Service for Kids® (W.A.G.S. 4 Kids) today announced that Sam W. Rosenfeld, partner at Gabriel Partners and chairman of The Densus Group, has been elected to W.A.G.S. 4 Kids’s Board of Directors as interim Chairman. Ed Crann, the Board’s longest-serving member, is retiring after 10 years of service.

Mr. Rosenfeld leads the strategic, special projects and Government Relations functions at Gabriel Partners. He served as a British Army Infantry officer for 11 years in diverse operational theaters globally before leaving and beginning a career as an entrepreneur. An internationally licensed securities professional, former Board member of a Qualifying Investor Fund in Ireland and Chairman and co-founder of The Densus Group, a security sector reform and risk management company, his relationships extend throughout the national and international diplomatic, financial and intelligence communities.

“Sam is a pioneer in the financial industry and we are excited to welcome him to W.A.G.S.’ Board of Directors,” said Wendy Crann, W.A.G.S. 4 Kids Founder. “We believe his strong experience, especially in risk & reward and building a global business across both developed and emerging markets, will be extremely valuable as W.A.G.S 4 Kids continues to grow nationally.”

“We conducted an exhaustive search for someone who would further strengthen our Board’s breadth of talent and background, and we are delighted to have identified such an outstanding individual,” said Ed Crann, W.A.G.S. 4 Kids’ Chairman. “I’m confident that Sam is going to make an important and positive impact on our organization.”

“I have always admired W.A.G.S. 4 Kids for its innovative programming and dynamic leadership team, and I’m honored to be joining their board,” said Rosenfeld. “I have tremendous respect for Wendy, Ed and the other Board members, and I look forward to working with them.”

Mr. Rosenfeld holds a MBA from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, a MS in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management from Leicester University (UK) a BA(Hons) in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lancaster University (UK) and was commissioned at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Ed Crann’s relationship with W.A.G.S. 4 Kids dates back to 2004, when he joined the fledgling non-profit as co-founder and Chairman of the Board. Next to W.A.G.S. 4 Kids Founding Trustee, Sera Nelson and CFO, Diana Fretwell, Crann is the longest-serving board member in the non-profit history. Ed currently serves alongside CFO, Diana Fretwell and Board Member and W.A.G.S. parent, Courtney Jones.

“Ed’s contributions to W.A.G.S. 4 Kids are immeasurable and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I want to thank him for being a leader, a mentor and a friend,” said Fretwell. “The idea of service animals trained specifically to meet the special needs of children was nearly unheard of in 2004. As a former special education teacher, he helped develop W.A.G.S. 4 Kids from dream to reality. An organization founded and built-in Northeast Ohio for the children here, in our own back yard.”

“Ten years later, W.A.G.S 4 Kids stands as a testament to what individuals with vision can accomplish. It’s been exciting to watch history unfold as W.A.G.S. emerged as the charity that Cleveland grew. I am so proud of my wife, Wendy, and what this amazing group of volunteers has been able to accomplish. It has been a joy,” said Crann. “The needs of local children is what spoke so loud to Wendy and I back in 2004 and the special needs of children and their families will continue to drive the growth of this organization.”

W.A.G.S. 4 Kids provides mobility service and skilled companion animals, meeting the specific needs of children with disabilities in Northeast Ohio, utilizing our Accredited Cell Dog Training Program. W.A.G.S. 4 Kids is the only organization in Ohio that exclusively places service dogs with children up to the age of 18. What is most unique to the W.A.G.S. 4 Kids program is the personal commitment made to the families we serve. W.A.G.S. provides in-home transition training and ongoing placement training and support.

Press Contact:
Sera Nelson
Director of Development & Special Events, W.A.G.S. 4 Kids
sera@wags4kids.com
(216) 586-5853 ext. 2

For more information on W.A.G.S. 4 Kids: www.wags4kids.org