Beauty Changes Lives (BCL) today announced that seven new members were elected to the Board of Directors: Jan Arnold, Reuben Carranza, Ted Gibson, Christine Gordon as Secretary, John Halal as Treasurer, Lynelle Lynch as President and Robert Passage. Each new board member brings with them a wealth of philanthropic experience, as well as long-standing dedication to the profession of beauty and wellness.

"We appreciate the insights and energy our new board members offer Beauty Changes Lives," said Jim Cox, Executive Director, American Association of Cosmetology Schools. "They are each outstanding business and community leaders, and we look forward to utilizing their talent and experience to further the implementation of our 2012 initiatives," added Mr. Cox.

(From left to right: Jan Arnold, Co-Founder and Style Director, Creative Nail Design; Reuben Carranza, North American CEO, Managing Director, P&G Salon Professional; Christine Gordon, President and Co-Owner, Graham Webb Academy and board secretary; John Halal, Founder and President, Honors Beauty College and board treasurer; Lynelle Lynch president of Bellus Academy and board president, and Robert Passage, Global Ambassador, Pivot Point International.  Not pictured is board member Ted Gibson, Stylist and Celebrity Salon Owner.)

The new members will use their collective knowledge to guide the organization including:

Robert Passage, Global Ambassador, Pivot Point International: Robert has been active in cosmetology education for more than 22 years, 46 years if you consider he was born and raised in the business. He is a licensed cosmetologist, licensed cosmetology instructor and holds a degree in business from Loyola University in Chicago. Robert has served on the AACS board since 1995 and has served on numerous committees during his tenure. He has also served on the IACS (IL Association of Cosmetology Schools) board as past president and continues to serve his state association today. He is also involved on numerous industry committees including CC (Cosmetologists Chicago), PBA (Professional Beauty Association) and ACCRED (Advisory Council on Cosmetology Relations and Education).

Jan Arnold, Co-Founder and Style Director, Creative Nail Design (CND): As Co-founder and Style Director, as well as the daughter of Dr. Stuart Nordstrom, the brilliant dentist and organic chemist whose discoveries and patents launched CND, Jan is the electrifyingly dynamic link between the worlds of professional nail beauty and international high fashion. Since CND's incorporation in 1979, Jan brings both powerful acumen as a brand engineer and a dynamic fashion sense to her many roles within the company. Jan is in year-round demand as a speaker on the beauty trade-show circuit, with a travel itinerary taking her from Des Moines to Dubai and beyond.

Reuben Carranza, North American CEO, Managing Director, P&G Salon Professional: Ruben, the son of a working hairdresser who stood behind the chair for more than 40 years, joined Proctor and Gamble in 1989. He currently serves as managing director of P&G Professional (Wella, Sebastian, Graham Webb and Clairol) and has had significant positions in many divisions, including integrating the Clairol and Wella retail businesses when he served as Country Manager in Puerto Rico. Rueben serves on the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) Manufacturer's Leadership Counsel, the City of Hope (COH) National Professional Salon Industry Board and works with the Circle of Hope's Trevor project.

Ted Gibson, Stylist and Celebrity Salon Owner: Ted is one of the most sought-after editorial, runway, and celebrity hair stylists in the business, and has been involved with BCL since it's inception. His work has appeared in publications such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, People StyleWatch, W, and Allure and backstage at runway shows such as Chanel, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. Ted is perhaps most known for toiling over the tresses of top celebrities including Anne Hathaway, Debra Messing, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Greene, Joy Bryant, Zoe Saldana, Emma Watson, Gabrielle Union and many more. An influential style maker, Ted is a regular contributor on "The Today Show" and has also appeared on multiple top national programs including serving as the resident hair guru on TLC's popular makeover show, "What Not To Wear."

Christine Gordon, President and Co-Owner, Graham Webb Academy: Christine began her career in the beauty industry over 35 years ago, as a CIDESCO diplomat, and Master Esthetics instructor. She has traveled and taught in many world class spas throughout Europe. Upon returning to the United States, she became Director of Education for a large beauty supply distributor in the Mid-Atlantic States. During this time she produced shows and created stylist education for Trevor Sorbie, Irvin Rusk, John Sahag, and many industry giants. In 1999 she became co-owner of the Graham Webb Academy in Arlington, Virginia and was instrumental in promoting the ratification by the Virginia State Assembly of a bill regulating the aesthetics profession. Christine has served for 12 years on the Government Relations Committee for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, and regularly meets with members of Congress, and the US Department of Education representing the needs of Cosmetology and Aesthetics students. She currently serves as President of AACS, and is a founding member of BCL.

John Halal, Founder and President, Honors Beauty College: John began his career in the beauty industry as a hairstylist over 37 years ago and owned and operated beauty salons for 33 years. John is an active member of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) and is the immediate past president of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) and is a past president of the Indiana Cosmetology Educators Association (ICEA). John is the author of "Hair Structure and Chemistry Simplified," and "Milady's Hair Care Ingredients Dictionary" and is a contributing editor to "Miladys' Standard 2000 Textbook of Cosmetology."

Lynelle Lynch, President, Bellus Academy: Lynelle, an accomplished visionary and entrepreneur, took over as President and Owner of Bellus Academy in August of 2005. Lynelle's fresh perspective on the beauty and wellness education business allowed her to revolutionize beauty education offering advanced education that was unprecedented in beauty school education and career development. Today the Bellus Academy offers 17 programs and an articulation agreement for a Health and Beauty Associate Degree. Throughout Lynelle's career, she has been active in numerous civic and charitable causes serving on 16 Boards of Directors, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) Executive board and is a founding member of BCL.