CHILD CARE - Key Persons


Chassidy Jones

Job Titles:
  • Director / Kiddie Academy

Elayne Neal

Job Titles:
  • Director / Kiddie Academy

Elyce Cicotte

Job Titles:
  • Director / Kiddie Academy

Gina Purvis - COO

Job Titles:
  • Operations Director

Laura Eads

Job Titles:
  • Operating Partner
Laura loves observing the activities, interactions, and learning of young children. Their curious minds and robust spirits are a joy to nurture. She especially enjoys a delightful conversation over a favorite book or the virtues of growing a garden. Her personal experience with curriculum-based preschool and the positive experience it created for her family is something she wants to duplicate at Kiddie Academy. She understands the level of responsibility to provide a nurturing environment. She works hard to meet the entire family's needs and to build relationships that last a lifetime. Laura has worked as a professional in leadership training and human resources for more than 20 years, 10 of which were with Tom at Keller Laboratories. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Colorado and resides in Wildwood. She is married and has two adult children.

Tom Keller - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Managing Partner
Tom is a father and grandfather who knows what it's like to have a little hand reach for his. He has been asked on many occasions why he chose the child care business. His response is "because early childhood education is where children begin developing their foundation for how they will live as lifelong learners." Prior to opening the Kiddie Academy franchises, Tom was CEO and President of Keller Laboratories Inc., a dental laboratory group with offices and manufacturing in Missouri and four surrounding states. A University of Kentucky graduate, Tom has participated in numerous leadership development programs and has been invited to speak at professional conferences. He lives in West St. Louis County with his wife, Marsha. They have two children and five grandchildren.