From the Classroom to the Boardroom

Fifteen years ago, my days were dedicated as a longtime elementary school art teacher, helping engage young minds through creativity and personal expression. My husband, Michael Silberkleit, was the proud chairman and publisher of one of America’s most iconic and beloved international comic brands: Archie Comics. Never in the farthest reaches of my imagination would I envision myself taking his seat in the boardroom … but that’s exactly what happened.

In 2008, Michael passed away unexpectedly, and I was faced with the choice – a choice I saw at the time as unfathomable! Michael’s 50 percent of the two-family-operated Archie Comics share were left to me to preserve. However, there was a force that somewhat demanded that I sell. It was now my decision whether to assume Michael’s role or to sell his half to the company’s other family. Well, that did not happen and suddenly I blazed a path to make what I thought would be my first foray into business.

Navigating an unexpected career change

At first, I thought, what on Earth would an elementary school teacher be doing co-leading a company like Archie? I talked it over with my friends, family, and myself. Friends thought I would be eaten alive by wolves. For some reason, I did not see wolves. I just saw that beloved orangehaired, freckled-face Archie Andrews, and stories filled with love, humor, and poignant messages. On March 28, 2009, I said yes, signed my name on the dottedline, and became co-CEO of Archie Comics.

Looking back, I can say I was signing a document that would eternally change myself – the self whose heart Michael Silberkleit knew. Michael always called me “his lady in overalls.” What else would an art teacher wear? thought of all the children I taught over the years. If I were leading a company like Archie, how could I use my position to continue to help students reach their goals? Much to some people’s surprise – and perhaps, chagrin – I decided to trade in my teacher shoes and step right into the big professional shoes Michael left me to fill.

Nancy Silberkleit, Co-CEO of Archie Comics

Today, I can easily make a connection between classroom teacher and co-CEO. I realized that all of my collective experience as a schoolteacher prepared me very well, in fact, to transfer my skills. Teachers constantly multitask, lead groups, serve as advocates, engage dialog, and advance minds – just like a CEO of a company does. Let’s not forget, educators often navigate very difficult political terrain. I am in a family business! As my role developed, I fast became the spokesperson on the educational side of Archie Comics. I participate regularly in library and school events around the world to help students, teachers, librarians, and parents understand the value of comic books. It was during my educational visits I coined the phrase: Comic Books + Children = Reading. Comics are a fantastic tool for gaining a love of reading. Students relate to characters, which opens them to express their feelings and concerns. I help parents understand that comic books guide young people toward gaining skills – like archiving and investment – through the power of collecting. Comic books also assist readers who may be learning a second language. Comic books are a complex literary read.

The more I delved into this business, I came to appreciate the characters in comic books. They are easy for readers to identify with, and representation is so important. I decided to create a character named Scarlet Saltee, who is of FilipinoIrish descent, loves architecture, and also is Autistic. Scarlet has become a cast member who helps facilitate dialog around diversity, inclusion, and anti-bullying. So far, we have four issues starring Scarlet, featured alongside Archie’s most famous characters, like Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and, of course, Archie himself!

My entry into the company was not smooth and some people were confused about why I would make this decision. Why didn’t I just take the money? Well, money doesn’t equate to Nancy Silberkleit cated a new character in the Archie comics. Her name is Scarlet Saltee, who is of Filipino-Irish integrity. I took descent, loves architecture, and also is Autistic. Michael’s place in order to ensure that the integrity of what he built was maintained. I quickly became a strong advocate for literacy promotion.

Continuing to educate

As an art teacher, I’d been in the business of educating minds for 25 years. I already understood the value of graphics as a tool for literacy and personal expression and

Many fans talk to me often about the company’s hit television show Riverdale. It’s so exciting to hear how much people not only love reading Archie but hearing about how the intergenerational reach expanded because of the series. Kids who watch Riverdale rush out to buy the comics, and parents who grew up on the comics can relate to the show.

One woman I met shared that she knew her grandchildren were downstairs watching Riverdale. She had heard the show was different from the classic but she “wanted to be cool, so I intentionally planned to go down and sit with them.” She shared that she fell in love with the show and her experience with the classic has created an added bond with her grandchildren.

Drawing conclusions

There is no reason for a person not to explore uncharted territory and find a new career path. It may not be easy, but it can be extraordinarily rewarding. I never would have guessed in a million years that I would be traveling the world, sharing the Archie brand while helping engage so many people with reading, literacy, diversity, and social issues. I learned long ago to block negative noise from naysayers and keep pushing forward because our readers deserve to have the co-CEO representing them and listening to them in real spaces and real time. I decided to be accessible, so that I could be a change agent.

Helping others harness their own “superpowers” through the vehicle of comic books meant I needed to find my own, so I took the leap and stuck it out. I’m not looking back and have no regrets. Yes, I bravely traded my teaching shoes for boardroom shoes – turned out to be a perfect fit! ________________________________

Reach out to Nancy Silberkleit with questions on navigating an unexpected career change, Archie Comics, literacy and comic books, or other relevant questions at nancy.archiecomics@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter.

This article first appeared on BOOMER.com

PLAY BALL! WITH SUSIE!

Former BOOM! Cover Profile and author will throw out the first pitch for the Biscuits Game on Thursday, July 15th. Local author Susie Mattox will be at the old ball game throwing out the first pitch and signing books for fans. Her book will be available for purchase at the Biscuit Basket that night as well!

Susie's latest novel is Idiot Farm. Idiot Farm is told through the eyes of young Flynn Bolenn during the hot, molassesslow summer of 1972. "The Vietnam War rages on, and Daddy signed up to fight. Now he's gone missing," Flynn muses. "Mama dumped me and my brother, Willie, at my grandmother’s farm in Haley, Alabama, while she takes my little sister, Sunny, all over the state to compete in Little Miss beauty pageants. Me and Willie ain't the only ones staying here, either.

Ida Mae takes care of a bushel of reject kids the state can't find a home for. Idiots. All of em. There's a serial killer on the loose targeting pretty little girls... ones that win Little Miss beauty pageants. "Oh. And there's a monster in the cellar."

Ingredients 5 Lb Boneless, skinless chicken thighs 3 Tbsp Smoked paprika 1 ½ Tbsp Oregano 2 Tbsp Cumin 1 ½ Tsp Salt 15 Cloves Garlic Minced 5 Tablespoons Parsley, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil Garnish Chopped Parsley 1 Lemon, quartered, to finish For the Garlic Aioli 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 cloves garlic, minced fine 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 Tablespoon olive oil Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions 1. Remove all skin and fat from chicken thighs and put into a medium large bowl or dish. 2. Combine rub ingredients from Paprika to Olive oil and slather all over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for minimum 3 hours and preferably overnight. 3. Preheat the grill to medium high heat (350°F – 375°F). 4. Grill chicken on each side for 5 minutes until the pieces turn golden and you can see visible grill marks. Keep the lid closed (but check for flareups). 5. Flip pieces again and turn the heat down to medium low, about 300°F, for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the chicken has cooked through and the internal temp is 175°F. Large thighs may take even more time. (Yes...dark meat is actually better cooked a bit longer, the meat pulls from the bone easier!) 6. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Squeeze lemon all over chicken and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with sour cream or garlic aioli if desired.

To Make the Garlic Aioli Put all ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together until well combined, transfer to a smaller bowl to serve.

How can renters insurance protect both landlord and renter?

Purchasing renters insurance is a smart move. While a rental dwelling policy covers the building itself for the property owner, a renters insurance policy covers the personal belongings of the tenant and also provides liability coverage for certain types of bodily injury or property damage. Purchasing renters insurance with coverage for personal property is a smart move. But, most tenants won’t purchase it unless a landlord requires it.

What are the benefits of renters insurance?

Renters insurance protects the renter. In many cases, the insurance a landlord carries covers only the building. Person property loss or damage, caused by theft, vandalism or fire are typically not covered by the landlord’s policy. Without renters insurance, the tenant may have to bear the financial burden of a loss to their personal property. A renters policy might: I Compensate you if your belongings, like a bike, a laptop, or a television, are lost, stolen or damaged. I Protect against liability claims from a guest injured while in or near your rental. I Cover your personal property, like your cell phone, clothes in a storage unit or laptop left in your car, regardless of where it’s located.

What are the benefits for landlords?

By requiring renters insurance, landlords potentially avoid liability claims from tenants due to damaged property caused by fire, or other covered losses. A Tenant’s rental insurance policy could help with:

Relocation expenses

A renters policies might cover the cost of temporary housing due to natural disasters or fires.

Protection against property damage

If a tenant’s belongings are stolen, that tenant might sue their landlord for failing to protect their property. However, if their renters insurance covers the damage for their lost belongings, they’re less likely to sue their landlord for damages.

Damage or injuries from pets

A rental insurance policy might help mitigate the risks of damage or injuries caused by pets to others or other’s property. However, if your pet causes damage to your apartment, it may not be covered by your renters policy

Rental dwelling insurance premiums

With the tenant’s renters policy potentially covering the cost of damage to the renter’s personal property, there might be less claims against the landlord’s rental dwelling policy.

Screening potential tenants

Like a tenant’s credit score, requiring proof of rents insurance might be an indicator of a potential tenant’s ability to pay rent on time. The landlord my require renters insurance by including a clause in the lease that says: “Lessee is required to provide proof of renters insurance within 14 days of the lease start date.”

While landlords require renters insurance to help minimize their risks, renters insurance also benefits the tenant to protect their property and minimize their risk. It’s a method to help ensure respect for property by both parties, keeping the rental in tip top shape.

“It Won’t Happen to Me”

The statistics cannot be denied. Seventy percent¹ of Americans will need long-term care before they die. On average, someone needing longterm care will receive over four years of care in their home and then will go on to a facility, such as an assisted living, a memory care facility, or a nursing home for another two years. Long-term care includes assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, moving around, toileting or incontinence due to physical limitations or cognitive impairment.

Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore

The interesting dynamic is how differently men and woman tend to view long-term care, which relates to how they tend to think about risk. Harley Gordon, an influential elder law attorney, wrote a book about it, “The Conversation,” Helping Someone You Love Plan for an Extended Care Event.” He notes, “Men are wired to minimize if not dismiss risk in life. If there is no risk of a serious event happening, what consequences can there be? If there are no consequences, why put together a plan?” Whereas, he says, “women have an aversion to risk. They see the risk of serious event and the consequences of it as being inseparable.”

Gordon observes that trying to motivate men to plan for long-term care with the statistics does not work because they do not believe it will happen to them, whereas women hope it will not but understand that the odds are that it will. He recommends that since men are most motivated by taking care of those they love, the conversation about planning for long-term care needs to focus on the consequences to those they love if they fail to act, and long-term care is needed. be prohibitive. Genworth, in its annual 2020 Cost of Care Survey, estimated that a home health aide in the Montgomery, AL cost $3,337 a month or $40,044 a year. The cost of an assisted living facility in the Montgomery, AL was estimated to be $3,725 a month, or $44,700 a year. So,

six years of receiving long-term care in the Montgomery currently costs more than $240,000.

There are multiple ways to financially plan for long-term care, including traditional insurance, hybrid types of life insurance and long-term care insurance, long-term care annuities, self-insuring, etc. These methods will be covered in a Webinar format on Wednesday, July 21st by Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. at 12 p.m. Please

By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.

Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. call 334.270.1672, or email sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com, for more information and reservations.

We conduct a variety of workshops and seminars at MWM. The mission statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do what is expected, what is required “and then some”. The Planning for Retirement workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts daily current events market updates that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming webinars, please call 334.270.1672.

Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan has under advisement over $170 million (as of 3.31.2021) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner over 38 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement.com.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inchttps://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

¹https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html

July Workshop (webinar) It Won’t Happen to Me

to register, call our Montgomery office at 334.270.1672

sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com

OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University at Montgomery

THE PAST & LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

Research on aging stresses the importance of keeping your body and brain moving to impede the growth of diseases of all kinds. As the population of citizens fifty and above increases and as people are retiring earlier, universities nation-wide are responding with lifelong learning initiatives to fill that need.

That is where OLLI at AUM stepped in. In 2010 AUM Continuing Education inaugurated its lifelong learning program with 22 participants and two courses. Five years later we began a partnership with Auburn University’s Osher Lifelong learning Initiative (OLLI). AUM’s OLLI is now in a national network of over 124 institutes connected to major colleges or universities across the country and serving over 100,000 adults age 50 and older who want to age gracefully and remain lifelong learners.

As we recover from the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will begin to increase our face-to-face class offerings. Normally, OLLI operates on a four-term system, offering classes during the fall, winter, spring, and a condensed summer term. Past topics of the courses have included literature, history, art, film, dance, golf, religion, finance, nature, computers, and writing. Course styles vary from guest lecture series, class discussion, to instructor-led. In the past, there are also hands-on and active courses: painting, pine needle basket making, jewelry making, Zentangle, gardening, knitting, ballroom or line dancing. Most classes are taught by OLLI members who volunteer their time and talents.

OLLI courses are non-degree courses, and they require no homework, tests, or entrance exams. OLLI members participate for the sheer joy of learning. There are benefits to having an OLLI membership, in addition to courses and bonus opportunities. Some of these benefits are library privileges at AUM and AU, free admissions to AUM athletic events, participation in AUM and AU field trips and others.

We hope to see you in the near future to continue our lifelong learning and fellowship with other OLLI members. For

more updates and information about

AUM OLLI go to www.aum.edu/OLLI .