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Flying High Staff


In November of 2009 Flying High, Inc. began the Leadership Zone Job Training Program.  This staff is committed to making a difference in the Mahoning Valley through their work with the students that successfully complete the program.







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Jeffrey M. Magada: Executive Director

Jeffrey M. Magada is the Founder and Executive Director of Flying HIGH, Inc.
He is a graduate of Austintown Fitch High School and holds a BA in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University.  He is also a Licensed Social Worker. Jeff serves on the Government Affairs Committee of the Yo-Warren Regional Chamber.  He also serves on the Citizens Advisory Board of the Youngstown Developmental Center.

Since 1988, he has been a pioneer in establishing effective community services both in  the private and public sectors.  He was the Supervisor of the Austintown Police Department's Juvenile Diversion Program. 
In 1995, the Austintown program was selected as a model program in the State of Ohio for its effective work with at-risk young people.

He has been instrumental in bringing in over 1 million dollars in Federal and State grant awards to the Mahoning Valley over the past 3 years. He is very committed to providing all people with economic opportunities.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DeShawn Scott: Program Specialist 
 
DeShawn began his career with Flying High, Inc. on October 1, 2007.
 
Serving first as a Support Specialist, DeShawn’s duties were to assist previously incarcerated individuals with reintegrating back into society by connecting them to vital community resources. Soon, he was promoted to the position of Co-Coordinator for Flying High Inc.’s Resource Opportunity Center. With over 13 years of commerce and non-profit experience, DeShawn’s placement at the ROC was not only a perfect fit for the newly opened employment center, but would turn out to be an excellent strategic move. 
 
In January 2008, DeShawn was named Director of the Resource Opportunity Center with responsibilities ranging from creating systems to connect employers and job seekers to building community partnerships to further address client needs.  With the goal of getting 50 people placed in jobs, DeShawn and his staff exceeded expectations by placing over 125 clients. 

As the current Trainer for Flying High's Leadership Zone Job Training Program, DeShawn shares his knowledge and skills in a classroom setting with the students during the intensive first phase of the program.    

DeShawn has taken on many roles in the community to inspire, motivate and promote positive change. These activities include serving as:
 
  • Commencement speaker for Life Skills Trumbull County, Trumbull Business College and Warren City School’s ABLE program
  • Member of Hiram College’s Program Ethics and Values Committee
  • Member of and Warren City Schools Strategic Planning Committee
  • Volunteer mentor for the WHI-Jump Program
  • Community columnist for the Tribune Chronicle
 
DeShawn continues to serve his community in various capacities. However, if there is one thing he truly enjoys doing and is proud of, it is being appointed one of two “dad” quarterbacks by the neighborhood youth ages 8-11 - even after a hard day's work.





Dean Kaplan: Case Manager
 
Dean graduated from Canfield High School. He attended Youngstown State University for his Associate Degree in Social Work and is now finishing up at the University of Phoenix online. 
 
Dean also works as a Certified CDCA (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) at Scotchie and Associates, a local treatment facility.

He volunteered for a year at Breaking Point Driver Intervention Program before he was hired on as a counselor.

Dean is the father of two beautiful girls that he loves dearly. When asked why he’s here at Flying High he said, “Sharing my experience, strength, and hope with others.”
 

 

 

Stacey Spearman: Job Developer 

Stacey earned her MSW from Temple University and a B.A. in African American Studies from the University of Cincinnati.  She is married with two wonderful children.  She spent the last 12 years in Philadelphia working in the non-profit sector.  When asked why she chose to work for Flying High she said,

“Based on my past education and experience I believe that all people deserve the opportunity to make a decent living and contribute productively to society.  In addition, all individuals deserve a second chance.  Our society is built on second chances but only for a small segment of the population.  Our organization provides individuals with those second chances and that’s why I am privileged to be working with such a compassionate organization surrounding youth in the Youngstown area.”
 
 
“Vision is seeing the opportunity inside the challenge”  Unknown
 
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