Four candidates are running for two open positions on the TAA Council, the association’s governing board. Council members serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2018.

TAA members were emailed a link to the ballots on April 4. To be eligible to vote, individuals must be members in good standing. If you are a TAA member and cannot vote electronically, contact Kim Pawlak at Kim.Pawlak@TAAonline.net or (608) 687-3106 to request a paper ballot. The deadline for voting is May 1, 2018.

Lisa Daniels

Member Since 2016

Position Statement

“I would be honored and thrilled to serve on the Council for the Textbook and Academic Authors Association (TAA). I first discovered TAA while I was in the early stages of writing a textbook in 2016. I immediately joined and attended six webinars and the annual meeting in 2017. Since that time, I have spread the word to colleagues about the amazing resources available to members. Although I am not a seasoned textbook author like many on the Council, I have published in academic journals and am currently in the final stages of finishing my first textbook that is due in June 2018. I would hope to bring the perspective of a new textbook author – seeing the process for the first time. In fact, I would hope to reach out to prospective members so that they could learn more about the resources available through TAA as they begin their journey.”

Lisa Daniels is a Professor of Economics at Washington College. She specializes in development in Africa, where she worked for ten years, beginning as a Peace-Corps volunteer. She has also testified at the World Trade Organization on behalf of developing countries and was the director of five national surveys in Africa. At her college, she was one of the founders of a Center for Teaching and Learning and has presented at over a dozen teaching workshops. She has also published articles related to her teaching and research. She is currently working on a textbook that uses her knowledge of survey design.

Elizabeth E. Reding

Member Since 2018

 Position Statement

“I have been an author of computer textbooks (specializing in Microsoft and Adobe products) for over twenty years. I understand the complexity of author contracts and royalty statements and feel that protecting the rights of authors is paramount.”

Elizabeth Reding has been an author of computer textbooks (specializing in Microsoft and Adobe products) for over twenty years and has worked for a number of different publishers.

Julie Reeder

Member Since 2017

Position Statement

“As a ‘pracademic’, someone who straddles the lines between the academic and program/practice worlds I would bring a unique perspective to the TAA Council. Although I have been a member for a relatively short period of time, I have benefitted tremendously from the resources and supports offered by TAA and believe that I could help to increase awareness and interest from other ‘pracademics’ My academic writing and publishing experience includes serving as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior for the last five years. I co-edited a textbook and am currently writing two textbook chapters. As for governance experience I am a member of the National WIC Association Evaluation Committee as well as Chair of Strategic Planning and now Chair Elect for the American Public Health Association Food and Nutrition Section. I would be honored to be part of the TAA Council.”

Julie Reeder, PhD, MPH, MS, CHES is the Senior Research Analyst for the State of Oregon WIC Program and an Affiliated Associate Professor with the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health. Julie’s research focuses on improving health and well-being of lower-income pregnant and postpartum women and children up to the age of five. She has been an Associate Editor for the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior for five years, co-edited a textbook on AIDS and STDs and is currently writing chapters for a Community Nutrition textbook.

John Russo

Member Since 2007

Position Statement

“The textbook industry has evolved. As authors, we have moved from being concerned with print books to also thinking about electronic versions as well as content providers. TAA has a big role in educating authors about the complexity of contracts in a changing publishing environment. I also see TAA as a great resource for new authors as well as experienced authors. There are so many interesting ideas generated in webinars, online resources as well as the conference. Through another term on the council, I would like to help ensure that we continue to provide resources to new authors, including mentoring. I would also like to help shape the future direction of TAA, particularly as we navigate the changing industry. I bring a wealth of experience from the business world as well as the academy which I intend to put to good use in service to TAA.”

John Russo presently serves as an associate professor of Computer Science and Dean of Professional Studies and Science at Landmark College. In 20 years of experience in academia as a faculty member and administrator, he also has 15 years of industry experience. John has extensive experience working with large data bases and big data. He has authored one book on SQL and is currently working on a multi-volume series of primer books on SQL and data mining. John has been a member of TAA for over 10 years and has served on the Council for five years.