The Guy Behind the Mission
Tom Kiernan
The Story: Tom Kiernan wears many hats: author, certified yoga instructor, marathon runner, and former global sales executive. But at his core, Tom is a believer in the power of approach and attitude. For over a decade, he has taught yoga in the local community, helping others find balance and strength. As a runner who has crossed the finish line of 14 marathons, he understands that the most difficult journeys are often the ones that lead to the most growth.
The Inspiration: As a husband and a father of two boys, Tom wanted to create a world where adventure and laughter serve as the foundation for healing. He wrote The Mad Dash trilogy to give children of all ages (Tom is a kid at heart) a story that captures their imagination while exploring the profound bond of friendship and the resilience needed to face life’s biggest challenges. For Tom, “Live like Bones”isn’t just a theme in a book—it’s a lifestyle of optimism that he strives to share with every reader.
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Why Lumpy Bones Company?
More Than Just a Story
The Vision
The Lumpy Bones Company was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a singular goal: to turn the message of The Mad Dash into tangible support for our schools. Tom recognized that for a story about healing and optimism to truly make an impact, it had to be accessible to every student and supportive of every teacher.
The Mission
We believe in a “Partnership of Optimism” By connecting local businesses (our Sponsors) with our Champions (dedicated educators), we provide the tools needed for a refreshing classroom experience. From the groundbreaking use of Noah Text® to our direct teacher reimbursements, Lumpy Bones Co. is dedicated to giving back to the people and the profession that give the most.
● About Us
Board of Directors
Tom Kiernan
Chairman of the Board & Founder, Lumpy Bones Company
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As a global sales and marketing executive with decades of leadership experience, Tom brings a strategic, results-driven approach to the nonprofit sector. His career has been defined by building high-performing teams and scaling complex operations—skills he is now applying to the Lumpy Bones Company’s ambitious goals. Tom’s professional background ensures that the organization remains fiscally responsible, strategically focused, and operationally sound as it expands its reach.
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Tom is the visionary behind the “Live Like Bones” philosophy. After years of teaching yoga in the community and completing 14 marathons (Boston, New York, Chicago, Beijing & Paris) he recognized a need for a new kind of “healing art” in the classroom—one that combines the power a positive spirit with the strength of inclusive literacy. As Chairman, he serves as the bridge between our legal, technological, and educational experts, ensuring that every partnership we build is aligned with our reaching and exceeding our goals.
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A resident of Narragansett, RI, Tom and his wife Billie are the proud parents of two amazing sons, Michael and James. He is a dedicated advocate for the healing arts and whether he is in the boardroom or on the yoga mat, his mission is the same: to provide the next generation with stories of laughter and meaningful life lessons. Tom’s leadership is the driving force to connect sponsors and champions to bring the “Live like Bones” message to today’s classroom.
Read Tom’s Full Story as the Author of The Mad Dash >
Matthew R. Plain, Esq.
Director
Co-Managing Partner, Barton Gilman LLP-
As a Co-Managing Partner at Barton Gilman, Matt is a leading voice in education law across New England. He doesn’t just represent schools; he understands them from the inside out. Before his legal career, Matt served as a junior high teacher in North Carolina, where he earned his Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction. Today, he advises over 200 schools and educational nonprofits on everything from governance to student advocacy, ensuring that the legal and policy framework of our education system always puts students first.
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Matt brings a rare perspective to the Lumpy Bones Company: the heart of a teacher, the mind of a legal expert, and the vision of an education reformer. Matt’s guidance is instrumental in helping us scale our mission, providing the structural integrity needed to support our Champions teachers and their students.
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A lifelong advocate for the power of teamwork and mentorship, Matt is an East Greenwich, Rhode Island native who has never stopped giving back to his roots. He is the Co-Founder and a long-standing Member of the East Greenwich Football Alumni Association, serving the committee for over 20 years as well as a member of the EGHS Wall of Fame. Whether he is on the sidelines or in the boardroom, Matt’s commitment to "Live Like Bones" is evident in his career-long dedication to the healing, growth, and empowerment of the next generation.
Matt and his wife, Stephanie, live in East Greenwich, RI with their three awesome and ever-growing children.
Sarah K. Blodgett
Director
Founder of Noah Text® & Literacy Innovator-
Sarah is a visionary in the field of literacy and the inventor of Noah Text®, a groundbreaking specialized text designed to help struggling readers, those with dyslexia, and English Language Learners navigate the written word with confidence. Recognizing that standard English can be a barrier for many, Sarah developed a research-based method of word-building patterns that allows the brain to decode language more efficiently. Her incredible work has transformed the way educators approach reading disabilities, moving the focus from “struggle” to “fluency”
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Sarah and Tom have been partners in the "healing arts" for a decade. As the first author to publish a series outside of Sarah’s own specialized titles, Tom’s vision for The Mad Dash became the perfect vessel for Sarah’s literacy tools. Together, they have pursued a vision that every student—regardless of their reading level—can experience the humor and heart of the trilogy. Sarah’s expertise is the engine behind our commitment to accessibility, ensuring that no child is left behind on the journey toward optimism and healing.
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Beyond the technology of Noah Text®, Sarah brings a deep-seated passion for student empowerment. Her ten-year partnership with The Mad Dash is built on a shared goal: to remove the hurdles that prevent children from falling in love with reading. By aligning her life’s work with the Lumpy Bones Company, Sarah continues to lead the charge in making sure the most important stories are available to the students who need them most.
Sarah and her husband, David live in Ledyard, CT and proud parents to three fantastic children.
Kara Walsh, M.Ed.
Director
Educator & Curriculum Specialist, Warwick Public Schools-
With over twenty years of dedicated classroom experience, Kara is a cornerstone of the elementary education community in the City of Warwick, RI. A proud "double Friar," Kara earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Special Education from Providence College.
Her deep academic background, combined with two decades of practical application, has made her an expert in navigating the complex needs of diverse learners and the ever-evolving standards of modern education.
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Kara is the "voice of the classroom" for the Lumpy Bones Company. Her expertise in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and English Language Arts (ELA) standards ensures that The Mad Dash curriculum is not only engaging for students but high value for our Champions teachers.
Kara provides the essential "pulse" on the vibe of today’s classroom, ensuring our materials are refreshing, relevant, and easy to implement. Her guidance is what allows our Champions to feel confident that they are bringing a truly unique and special experience to their students.
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Kara and her husband, Sean live in East Greenwich, RI, and their three amazing children, Kiley, Abby, and Colin. As a mother and a lifelong educator, Kara is passionate about the "Live like Bones" mission of promoting optimism and resilience in children and the classroom. Her presence on the Board ensures that as we fulfil our mission, we remain grounded in our commitment to the Champion teachers and students who are the heart of everything we do.
The Lumpy Bones Company was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a singular goal: to turn the message of The Mad Dash into tangible support for our schools. Tom recognized that for a story about healing and optimism to truly make an impact, it had to be accessible to every student and supportive of every teacher.
What People Are Saying
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“This was the best book I have ever read! Tom Kiernan is my new favorite author!”
— Hailey L. • 6th grade student
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“Fans of Jeff Kinney and Dave Pilkey will love Tom Kiernan's new book series The Mad Dash. This fast-paced, adventure story will keep you engaged right to the end.”
— Phyllis H. • Librarian (30 years)
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“It was a great read and extremely funny and then very intense. I couldn’t put it down.”
— Carter D • 5th grade student
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“I loved the friendship between Lumpy and Bones and as a teacher I was taking notes but then just found myself wanting to read. I am dying to know where the boys will go!”
— Tiffany M. • 5th grade teacher
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“Laugh out loud funny and never a dull moment…I can’t wait for what happens next!”
— Liam S. • 6th grade student
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“My 11 year-old absolutely loved this book! "Just plain awesome" were his words, not mine. He would have finished it in one sitting but we made him go to bed. He finished it the next morning!”
— Mom on Amazon