News

Learn to Read of St. Johns County President/CEO Ann Breidenstein announces her retirement.

Elected to Board Chair effective July 1, 2021.

Joseph P. Cinney to assume President/CEO position July 1


[St. Augustine, FL] – June 17, 2021
– Ann Breidenstein, President & CEO of Learn to Read of St. Johns County announced to the Board of Directors at its February Board Meeting of her plans to retire on June 30, 2021, after having served in that position since August 2013. Joseph P. Cinney, will be assuming the position of CEO effective July 1. 

Joe Cinney is a graduate of Boston College, and the University of Miami Law school, where his daughter, Alexandria is currently a student.  Cinney has also been affiliated with Port in the Storm, St Augustine, and most recently served as Academic Dean for St. Gerard Campus in St. Augustine. Cinney has been affiliated with Learn to Read since 2013, originally as a tutor, and most recently as a member of LTR’s Board of Directors.

Sid Ansbacher, current Board Chair, said, “Ann has honored us with her many years of service. We are excited to have Ann as Board Chair. She will continue to work with Joe, who has years of hands-on teaching experience and volunteerism at Learn to Read. We will miss Charlotte Ballard, Tutor/Student Coordinator, who is retiring after her years of loyal service to our clients, as well as to the community.”

Breidenstein said, “I have loved my tenure at Learn to Read working with exceptional boards, dedicated tutors, determined students, caring volunteers, community supporters, and having Charlotte by my side since day one. While I am stepping down from the CEO position, I am looking forward as Board Chair to working with the board and with Joe to continue the organization’s growth under Joe’s leadership in service to our adult learners. I am sincerely thankful for the friendship and support from many people throughout my professional life, and I wish to give special thanks to my husband, Mark, and my sons, Justin, Landon and Matt, for the sacrifices they made so that I could pursue and experience such a meaningful and treasured 30-plus nonprofit career.”

Cinney says he is “very much looking forward to carrying on the legacy that Ann has established, while investigating new opportunities for Learn to Read. This organization has an exceptionally talented Board of Directors and a wealth of excellent volunteers/tutors, so I am thrilled to be working with such an accomplished group of people.”

Learn to Read of St. Johns County was established in 1986 by the St. Augustine Branch of American Association of University Women.  Learn to Read provides free one-on-one tutoring by trained volunteers in reading, math, GED prep, career certification programs, entrance to college degree programs, as well as English for Speakers of Other Languages and US Citizenship exam preparation for adult learners 16 years of age and above.  By removing barriers to employment and higher education, adult learners are equipped to achieve academic and career goals that lead to a brighter financial future for themselves and their families. Learn to Read of St. Johns County is a partner agency of United Way of St. Johns County.  For more information, please call 904-826-0011.

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