Our Staff

Karl E. Gentles, APR, MBA
Executive Director

Karl Gentles is the executive director of Back toSchool Clothing Drive. With more than 20 years of corporate, political, and nonprofit public relations experience, Gentles has helped double the organization’s operating revenue by 50 percent since taking over the organization in 2008. Back toSchool Clothing Driveserves more than 25,000 Title 1 public elementary school children with new school uniforms and outfits, backpacks and school supplies.

Currently Gentles and his team are pursuing the expansion of its widely acclaimed social enterprise – an online clothing store and matching grant program supporting Title I public elementary school uniform needs. In just 24 months, the venture has grown from 30 member schools to over 175 representing a 56% market share of all Title I public elementary schools in Maricopa County. Today, the store generates more than $450,000 in sales with the net proceeds reinvested back into the operation to build the organizations operating reserves, expand the matching grant fund, and ultimately increase member schools. The goal is to grow the program by adding 115 new schools over the next 24 months and raise and additional $250,000 in matching grant funds for the program.

The social enterprise earned the organization and its executive director a 2012 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellowship, a prestigious recognition of its efforts to address the basic needs of school children throughout the Valley. The venture also earned Back to School Clothing Drive a spot among eight finalists in the prestigious Social Venture Partners 2011 Fast Pitch competition; was featured as an innovative social enterprise at the 2011 Nonprofit Business Seminar presented by the Phoenix Business Journal; and is the feature social enterprise in the ASU Lodestar Nonprofit Management Institute certificate class and graduate degree classes on Social Entrepreneurship. The City ofPhoenixrecognized Back toSchool Clothing Drivewith its 2011 Community Partnership of the Year award.

Back to School enjoys the support of some of the most influential foundations and corporations the Valley including BHHS Legacy Foundation, The Stardust Foundation, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Nina Mason Pulliam Trust, Bank of America, CBS 5, Delta Dental of Arizona, Walmart, the City of Phoenix & Glendale, Kohl’s, Western Destinations, General Dynamics, Intel, US Airways, USAA, and others.

A two-time graduate of Arizona State University, Gentles is also president and CEO of KGPR, a Phoenix-based public relations firm specializing in corporate public relations, strategic communications, and government relations. Gentles earned his bachelors degree in organizational communication from Arizona State University, and his master’s degree in business administration from ASU’s W.P. Carey School of  Business. He holds an accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America. He is a past-president of the Public Relations Society of America Phoenix chapter, member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce board member, a past director of the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, Governor’s ArizonaServes Task Force, and Sire Archon-Elect of Sigma Pi Phi Gamma Mu Boule fraternity.

Jean Pegler
Program Administrator

Jean Pegler joined the board of the  Back To School Clothing Drive over 15 years ago while still employed with Intel. Since retiring, Jean has continued her commitment to the organization, serving as Treasurer and other capacities. Since 2008 she has been an integral part of the agency’s daily operations, and supply chain management and processes. Pegler manages the Back to School SAFE program handling all merchandise ordering, shipping, delivery, and inventory working closely with Back to School vendors, partners, and participating schools. Testimonials from school partners show Pegler with accolades for her attention to detail, follow-up and strong customers service. A passionate advocate for children and schools, Pegler delivers superior value and customer service to partner schools, donors, and volunteers.

Krissy Miskovsky
Project Manager

With more than 15 years of communications and marketing experience, Krissy Miskovsky is deeply involved in the day-to-day marketing, communications, and projects for Back to School Clothing Drive.  Her proven project management, writing, editing, event planning and marketing skills has created strong linkages between Back to School and its supporters. At Back to School  she skillfully crafts website and newsletter content, speeches, press releases, letters, and marketing materials focused on our member schools, donors, and other audiences.  Her responsibilities include developing and implementing campaigns for organizational branding, print advertising, online, and direct mail communications to schools, donors, and other stakeholders.

Not only is she a writer with strong editing and proofreading skills, she is also adept in project management. Some of the projects Krissy has led include creating television ads and various videos and producing annual reports. Two of the annual reports Krissy worked on were named to the “Top 100 Annual Reports in the Nation” list by AR 100 and four of them won (Phoenix) Silver Addy Awards.

As a freelance writer and editor, Krissy has helped clients with website design, media strategy development, and inbound media visits. Additionally, she is experienced in planning and executing a variety of special events, including golf tournaments, large and small dinner programs, planning retreats, round tables, and outbound executive missions.

Her work has been published in local and national publications, including a special section in Forbes magazine, as well as BizAZ, Arizona Business Magazine, and the Scottsdale Airpark News. She was the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council for 10 years and worked as a public relations intern for Catholic Healthcare West, serving both St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute.

Krissy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arizona State University with an emphasis in public relations and related-field hours in communications.