Jan Davidson





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About Jan Davidson
The following is quoted from the Davidson institute Press Kit:


 * In 1999, philanthropists Bob and Jan Davidson founded the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a nonprofit operating foundation whose mission is to recognize, nurture and support profoundly intelligent young people and to provide opportunities for them to develop their talents to make a positive difference.


 * Jan Davidson’s career in education began at 13 years old when she started a tutoring service for her fellow students. In the late 1970s, Jan asked herself why computers were not being used to teach students at an individualized pace and she realized the potential of using computers as learning tools. In 1982, she founded Davidson & Associates, the educational software company that published award-winning products such as Math Blaster™ and Reading Blaster™.


 * In 1989, Jan persuaded her husband, Bob, to leave his job as executive vice president of engineering and construction at Parsons Corporation, and become chairman and CEO of Davidson & Associates. During the next few years, Davidson & Associates formed partnerships with Fisher-Price and Simon & Schuster, and made several strategic acquisitions including Blizzard Entertainment, a small entertainment software developer, whose products Warcraft™, Starcraft™ and Diablo™ became runaway best sellers. Under Bob’s leadership, Davidson & Associates became a publicly-traded, multi-million dollar company.


 * After selling Davidson & Associates in 1997, Bob and Jan decided to focus on philanthropic endeavors to help young people become successful learners. While researching ways to make a positive impact, they realized that our nation’s brightest students are arguably the most underserved and neglected in America’s educational system. In 1999, the Davidson Institute for Talent Development (www.DavidsonInstitute.org) was established.