Our Staff

Karl E. Gentles, APR, MBA
Executive Director

Karl Gentles is the executive director of Back to School Clothing Drive. With more than 20 years of corporate, political, and nonprofit public relations experience, he has helped double the operating revenue since taking over the organization in 2008. Currently Karl is leading the expansion of BTS’s 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 more than 175, representing a 56% market share of all Title I public elementary schools in Maricopa County. Today, the SAFE Store generates more than $450,000 in sales with the net proceeds invested back into the operation to build the organization’s operating reserves, expand the matching grant fund, and ultimately, increase member schools. The goal is to grow the program by 115 new schools over the next 24 months and raise an additional $250,000 in matching grant funds.

The SAFE Store earned BTS and Karl a 2012 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellowship, a prestigious recognition of the efforts to address the basic needs of school children throughout the Valley. The store also landed BTS a spot among eight finalists in Arizona’s 2011 Social Venture Partners 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 class on Social Entrepreneurship.

Gentles earned his bachelor’s 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 and is a past-president of the Public Relations Society of America’s Phoenix Chapter. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, a board member of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, a past director of the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, a member of the Governor’s ArizonaServes Task Force, and Sire Archon-Elect of Sigma Pi Phi Gamma Mu Boule fraternity.

Karl is also President & CEO of KGPR, a Phoenix-based public relations firm specializing in corporate public relations, strategic communications, and government relations.

Jean Pegler
Program Administrator

Jean Pegler has more than 14 years of experience with Back to School Clothing Drive. She spent nine years as a board member, including serving numerous terms as the treasurer, while she was employed with Intel. After retirement in 2008 she joined the staff as program manager. In this role, Jean is an integral part of the daily operations. She provides vital financial, program, and administrative support to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and community volunteers. She also manage the SAFE Store, interacting with school district employees, teachers, and nurses, forecasting inventory needs, overseeing fulfillment, and seeking out new lines of merchandise. Jean is a passionate advocate for children and testimonials from partner schools shower her with accolades for her attention to detail, follow-up, and strong commitment to customer service.

Krissy Miskovsky
Project Manager

With more than 15 years of communications and marketing experience, Krissy is deeply involved in Back to School Clothing Drive’s day-to-day activities. Her project management, writing, editing, and event planning skills have helped the organization advance its mission, position itself in the market, and increase its value proposition to donors and supporters. In addition to writing and creating web stories, newsletters, and marketing materials, she also manages social media, volunteer coordination, and investor/donor communications. 

Krissy has been published in local and national publications, including Forbes magazine, 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.