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English Language Testing Society
The leadership of the English Language Testing Society (ELTSociety) is made up of members from all walks of life — from teachers and directors, to research analysts and more. Our Board of Trustees is here to support the community, ignite insightful conversation and are always committed to responsible governance in the fulfillment of the ELTSociety mission.
Chief Academic Officer, Pacific States University
Dr. Daniel Lesho is Chief Academic Officer at Pacific States University. Dan was also the Senior Director of International Pathway and English Programs at the University of California, Davis, Continuing and Professional Education – International. Previous to his position at UC Davis, Dan was the Executive Vice President at iTEP International, where he was responsible for the oversight of daily operations, new test development, and research. Prior to joining iTEP, Dan was the director of the Cal Poly English Language Institution (CPELI) on the campus of the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). During his eight years as CPELI director, Dan and his team secured the school’s initial accreditation with the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation and instituted Cal Poly Pomona’s visiting international student program.
Prior to joining CPELI, Dan was an adjunct professor in the Modern Languages, Literature & Culture Department at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and an instructor in the International Fellows Program at the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
Dan earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Cal Poly Pomona, a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Simmons College in Boston and a bachelor’s degree in history from Providence College in Rhode Island. Dan has overseas English language instruction experience in Korea and Japan, including positions at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies and Tokai University in Nagoya, Japan.
Associate Professor of General Studies, Dubai Men's College
Christine Coombe has a Ph.D in Foreign/Second Language Education from The Ohio State University. She is currently an Associate Professor of General Studies at Dubai Men’s College. She is the former Testing and Measurements Supervisor at UAE University and Assessment Coordinator of Zayed University. Christine is co-editor of various publications including; Assessment Practices (2003, TESOL Publications); co-author, A Practical Guide to Assessing English Language Learners (2007, University of Michigan Press); and co-editor in, Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness in EF/SL Contexts (2007, UMP); co-editor, Language Teacher Research in the Middle East (2007, TESOL Publications), Leadership in English Language Teaching and Learning (2008, UMP), among many more.
Christine has lived and worked in the Gulf for the past 27 years. In this capacity, she has served as the President and Conference Chair of one of the largest TESOL affiliates in the world and is the founder and co-chair of its Testing Special Interest Group.
During her tenure in the Middle East, she has won many awards including: 2002 Spaan Fellowship for Research in Second/Foreign Language Assessment; 2002-03 TOEFL Outstanding Young Scholar Award; TOEFL Board Grant for 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08 and 2009-10 for her work in delivering assessment training assessment in developing countries. She served on the TESOL Board of Directors as Convention Chair for Tampa 2006 and was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Teacher of the Year for 2003-04. She served as TESOL President (2011-2012) and was a member of the TESOL Board of Directors (2010-2013). Dr Coombe is the 2018 recipient of the James E. Alatis Award which recognizes exemplary service to TESOL.
Chairman & Co-Founder, TEP International
Perry Akins is chairman and co-founder of iTEP International, headquartered in Canoga Park, California. iTEP International, LLC develops and markets internet-based English language assessments catering to high schools, colleges, Intensive English Programs and businesses. Prior to iTEP, Perry was president of ELS Language Centers for 30 years and retired from that position when the company was sold to Berlitz. In addition to serving on several corporate and advisory boards, Perry is also an active member of Rotary International and a an active advocate within the ESL and International Education fields.
Owner, Managing Director, The American Language Center of Florence (Istituto Americano)
Since 1985 Tom Shandorf has owned and managed the American Language Center of Florence, the oldest American language program in Italy, authorized by the Ministry of Education; it is an official TOEFL, SAT, ACT and ITEP Testing center.
He also owns and manages Via Lingua International TEFL, a network of 15 schools worldwide. He has been a lecturer at the University of Florence, in the Department of Business and Economics, and has held various positions at ELS Language Centers: Center Director, European Marketing Manager, and Managing Director. As a certified college advisor he advises students applying to American, British, and European universities. He is an active member of TESOL, NAFSA and IATEFL, and since 2018 he has been Executive Vice President of iTEP International for Europe.
Case Western Reserve University
English Teacher, Toshin High School
Tetsuya Yasukochi has worked as an English teacher for 30 years at Toshin High School, which is one of the biggest online education networks in Japan. He is also the representative director at the Practical English Promotion Systems Foundation, which he established. Tetsuya worked as a government advisory panel member for English education reform. He has published over 100 books about learning English, some of which have been translated and published in other Asian countries.
Tetsuya Yasukochi graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo and has worked as an English teacher for 30 years at Toshin High School, which is one of the biggest online education networks in Japan.
Ret. Associate Provost, Defense Language Institute
Dr. Kia holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts from Claremont Graduate University, and a Master of International Administration from the School for International Training. She is an alumni of Univeristy of Nebraska at Omaha.
CEO, English3
Moroni Flake is CEO of English3, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. English3’s mission is to increase access to higher education around the world through accurate, affordable, and convenient online English proficiency instruction and assessment. English3 began in 2006, emphasizing quality in ESL instruction for businesses, universities, secondary education, and non-profit organizations. Today, English3 focuses on provided online English tests for J-1 exchange visitors and international students. Prior to English3, Moroni worked as a consultant for EdTech companies throughout the United States.
Director, In-Times-In Co. LTD. In Seoul, Korea
In-Woo Kim is Director of the SPEP and S.P.A. Divisions within In-Times-In Co., Ltd. In Seoul, Korea. These business divisions provide language training programs, corporate skills development, and speaking skills assessment services for business professionals employed by the top Korean conglomerates, corporations, institutions, and organizations. In-Woo oversees the effective management across the units within the divisions, including Operations, Sales, Research & Development and IT.
He has also overseen the operations, business planning, and general administration of the junior English literacy program 100 Classics, SAT, TOEFL, SSAT, LSAT, GMAT, and GRE test preparation programs as a director at The Princeton Review Korea Co., Ltd.
Linguistics Professor, University of Illinois
Abdulsamad Humaidan is currently a doctoral candidate pursuing a PhD in Education, Curriculum and Instruction; Language, Literacies, and Culture/TESOL at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he also pursued an MA/TESOL as a Fulbright grantee between 2012-2014. Mr. Humaidan was one of the founding members of the ELTSociety and has been active in attending the Society virtual activities since March 2019. He taught English language for eight years in the US and abroad at Intensive English Programs (IEPs) and universities. His research interests include language assessment, and he has co-published a book chapter on classroom assessment. Mr. Humaidan has received multiple awards and the last one was the 2021 TESOL Leadership Mentoring Program.
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