ABOUT US

Our Board of Directors

Our all-volunteer board is made up of teachers, community members, authors, and literacy specialists. All of us are passionate about reading, and we nurture that passion by getting more books into the hands of more people – especially children – in order to steer them to a life-long love for reading.

William S. Blowers
President

William S. Blowers has been a proud resident of Hudson since 2016. His journey of community involvement and helping others began early, marked by a memorable gift during his fifth-grade graduation: the book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, presented to him by the elementary school librarian. This gesture ignited a lifelong passion for reading and giving back. William is an avid reader, with a particular fondness for the works of Ellen Hopkins. His love for literature has shaped his worldview and continues to inspire his commitment to serving his community. Beyond his literary interests, William is dedicated to helping people and making a positive impact in Hudson. Whether through volunteer work or community projects, William strives to make Hudson a better place for everyone. His story is one of kindness, generosity, and a deep love for his community.

Sarah Reidy
Vice President

Sarah Reidy is the V.P., Executive Director of Publicity at Tor Publishing Group, part of Macmillan Publishers and has over 20 years experience in the publishing industry, including roles at Penguin Books and  Simon and Schuster. She has been a full time resident of Hudson, NY since 2021 and hopes to use her love of reading to contribute to the Hudson community. When not reading or working, she can be found hanging out with her husband and their dog and four cats.

Michann Thompson
Treasurer

Michann Thompson is an accomplished finance leader with extensive experience across sectors; from investment banking to startup tech space, along with past and present roles in nonprofit healthcare. She currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties. Previously, Michann held a New York City Teaching Fellowship where she taught at a Bronx elementary school. She holds an MBA in Finance and Operations Management from NYU Stern School of Business, along with an M.Ed in Education from Mercy College. Since 2013 she has enjoyed exploring Hudson and its surrounding areas and relocated here permanently in 2020. Michann is a passionate reader, avid traveler and aspiring foreign language speaker.

Virginia Martin

Virginia earned an MS and a PhD from RPI in communication and rhetoric. As a former election commissioner in Columbia County, she consults and presents on election security issues nationwide, also serving on the advisory board of the National Election Defense Council. She began mentoring with Hudson Reads in 2011. As a child, Virginia’s “second home” was the Kinderhook Memorial Library where she read all the Nancy Drew and Black Stallion books. Then she moved on up to William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, and so many more. Now she’s consumed by histories, biographies, and newspapers. She wants everyone, young and old, to love reading like she does.

Jen Nixon

Jen is an avid reader of books for all ages and strives to bring her enthusiasm for books to her students, colleagues, family, and friends. Born and raised in Hudson, Jen is an alumnus of the Hudson High School Class of 1998. She earned her certifications in Elementary Education as well as Literacy Birth through grade 12 from SUNY Cortland. She has been a Reading Specialist teaching academic intervention for the past 17 years at the Hudson Junior High School. Jen is also the co-director of the Hudson Children’s Book Festival. She makes it a priority to bring in diverse authors and illustrators, so that our community and students can see themselves reflected in the literary works represented. She loves spending time with her husband and young son, who is always up for a great bedtime story or two.

Marlena Peduzzi

Marlena has been a teacher in the Hudson City School District since 1998. Teaching kids to read and write while fostering a love of reading has always been one of her education instructional goals. During her tenure in Hudson, Marlena has been a teaching coach and has supported the professional development of teachers. She is currently the District Literacy Coordinator continuing to support the literacy of students, where she has facilitated multiple literacy projects with the Hudson City School District. Marlena has a Master’s of Science in Reading, is a Literacy Certified teacher for children from birth to 6th grade and is a PhD candidate at the University of Albany in Literacy Teaching and Learning.

Wendy Schmalz Wilde

As Wendy has said, books are her life. From Dr. Seuss to Donna Tartt, there’s never been a time she hasn’t spent part of the day lost in reading. Books are also her career as she is a literary agent. Her tiny 1770s farm house is filled to the gills with books. Books are also why she is on the Board of the Hudson Literacy Fund. Nothing is more important than a passion for reading. It sparks intellectual curiosity and empathy. If she can help just one child find that passion, it’s worth the effort. As the saying goes, “Give a child a book and you give them the world.” 

Christian Trimmer

Christian Trimmer turned his love of reading into a career. He has been editing books for more than fifteen years, with stints at the Disney Book Group, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan. He currently serves as vice president, head of books for the MTV Entertainment Group. Christian found his place in the world through stories and deeply believes that representation matters. As such, he is committed to telling and publishing projects about underrepresented, misrepresented, and marginalized communities. When not editing books, he writes them, including Teddy’s Favorite Toy (art by Madeline Valentine) and What Are You? (art by Mike Curato), among others. Christian lives with his husband in Hillsdale, New York.