Barclay Carriar – President
Barclay returned to the board in February 2009 after having served from 2001 - 2007. For three of those years he served as as President. Barclay has had a long association with District 742, first as an actively involved student (K-12) graduating from Apollo High School, and currently as a strong supporter of District 742 and public education in various volunteer capacities. He first served on the District 742 Planning, Evaluation and Reporting (PER) committee and later on a community Relations Task Force. He was on the 2003 Operating Levy committee, co-chaired the 2006 Bond Referendum, the 2007 Operating Levy referendum and, the 2008 Operating Levy Referendum. Barclay serves on the District 742 School Board Finance Study Group. Barclay has served on local boards of Junior Achievement and the American Heart Association. Currently he is a board member of the Stearns History Museum. Professionally, Barclay is a Financial Advisor and partner with Johnson, Carriar, Kruchten, Anderson & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He is married to Janet Carriar and they have two adult daughters. He enjoys travel, friends, golf, and scuba diving.
Tami DeLand
Tami DeLand is the Communications and Community Relations Coordinator at the Minnesota School of Business and also manages a real estate team with her husband, Steve Hansen, at Coldwell Banker Burnet. She is a former teacher in District 742 and taught at the St. Cloud Area Learning Center for 15 years. In addition to LEAF, she sits on the Board of Directors of the St. Cloud Downtown Council, is a member of Anna Marie’s CONNECT, works on District 742’s Student Success task force and the city of St. Cloud’s Priorities project, as well as serves as an active member of the First United Methodist Church. She is a 30 year resident of St. Cloud. Her two grown daughters, Lauren and Lindsay, formerly attended Tech High School.
Joanne Dorsher
Joanne joined the Board in 2009. She is a former District 742 Board of Education member and Chair, and parent of two daughters who attended district schools. Joanne has been active in the community, especially as an advocate for and supporter of educational opportunities for all students.
Debbie Erickson
Debbie has a background in marketing and graphic design. Prior to moving to St. Cloud in 2004, Debbie worked in marketing for over nine years. After moving to St. Cloud with her husband, Jason, she has been a full-time mom and community volunteer with Success By 6, Central Minnesota's Early Childhood Coalition. Debbie was elected to the board in 2009 and is very excited about LEAF’s continuing and expanded mission.
Don Farleo
Don has been a resident of St. Cloud since 2002 and has three children. His youngest son and daughter both attended Technical High School and are proud members of the Class of 2010. At high school in New York, Don participated in the kinds of clubs and activities that LEAF supports including football, jazz band, concert band, marching band, and several academic club and arts clubs. Don has been owner of ADCo, an advertising and design firm, since 1991. Before that he worked at several Twin Cities advertising agencies as an art director and creative director. Since moving to St. Cloud, Don has been very involved in public school initiatives, including three levy/bond campaigns. He is also on the Board Of Directors of the St. Cloud All-City Marching Band. When he's not at his computer creating, you'll likely find him at a ball game or on the golf course.
Marty Heine
Owner – All Star Trophy & Awards
Bruce Hentges (Ex-Officio)
Bruce is a life-long resident of District 742. He attended Clear Lake Elementary, South Junior High and Tech High School, where he particiapted in athletics. After graduating from St. John's University, Bruce returned to District 742 for a 36-year career as a teacher, coach, and administrator. After retiring in 2008, Bruce was elected to the District 742 School Board. His term expires in 2012. Bruce was one of the founders of LEAF and has served the organization since 1993 as Chair of the Night of the Stars, Fall Appreciation Reception and Kickoff Luncheon. In the summer of 2009, Bruce was selected as LEAF's Executive Director. Bruce and his wife Colleen, have two boys who graduated from District 742 schools and four grandchildren.
Rolf Jacobson – Vice President
Dr. Jacobson is a dentist with Northway Dental Associates in St. Cloud, moving to the city in 1979 after having graduated from St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota Dental School. He is currently serving his second term on the LEAF Board and his second year as vice-president. Previous community commitments include the United Way Board of Directors, the St. Cloud Health Board, chair of the stewardship and worship boards and church council member at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, board member and vice-president for St. Cloud Youth Basketball, and president of the St. Cloud Dental Society.Rolf resides in St. Cloud with his wife Virginia and they have two children, Brian and Katie, who graduated from Apollo High School. Coaching youth basketball for 10 years and youth soccer for 8 years with his son and daughter has been an especially rewarding family experience. Personal interests include photography, travel, reading, spending time at the family lake cabin and water skiing.
Lori Johnson
Lori is an area businessperson and active parent with children in the district schools. She has also been a district employee. She was elected to the Board in 2009.
Jill Johnson
Jill is the current Director of Student Activities at St. Cloud Tech High School. She is new to the St. Cloud area and excited to be a part of the school district and a staff representative to LEAF.
Pat Krueger – Secretary
Pat retired from St. Cloud State University in 2007 where she worked as University Program (Student Activities) Director and finally in Admissions (Associate Director). Pat is a founding member of LEAF and recently returned to the Board after several years absence. She is also currently a member of the Board of Directors for Children's Home Society and Family Services, St. Paul, and the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Orchestra's Young People's Symphony Concert Association. In the past she has served on the District 742 Board of Education, The St. Cloud Planning Commission, The Minnesota Board of Teaching, The Minnesota State High School League, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, the St. Cloud Symphony Board, Central Minnesota Arts Council, Central Minnesota Child Care Coordinating Committee and the St. Cloud Symphony Board. Pat and her husband David raised four children in St. Cloud, all graduates of Apollo High School.
Craig Lietha – Treasurer
Craig is an accountant with Kern, DeWinter, Viere (KDV) and a resident of Clear Lake. He and his wife are also area business owners, and recently became parents, so his already firm commitment to the educational opportunities this community provides will only grow. He is in his first term as a Board member.
Chris McElroy
Chris is currently the Activities Director at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.
John Oxton
John is a retired associate professor from the College of Education at St Cloud State University. In addition to 32 years of teaching, he served as head wrestling coach for 22 years, and head men's golf coach for ten years. His wife Jane is a retired District 742 elementary fine arts teacher. They have three children, all graduates of Apollo High School, and grandchildren who are now entering the District schools. John is in his first term on the LEAF Board.
Jim Pehler
Jim is a retired St. Cloud State University professor and former Minnesota state legislator, having served district 17B in both the house and senate. He and his wife raised two children who graduated from District 742 schools. Jim has remained active in community service through LEAF, The Great River Regional Library Board and many other organizations and activities. He currently chairs the LEAF Budget Committee.
John Provinzino - Reichert, Wenner, Koch, Provinzino & Revermann, PA
John (Chuck) Provinzino joined the LEAF Board in 2011 after having served the first four years of the organization. John has been an attorney in the St. Cloud area for 39 years and is the father of three children who attended St. Cloud District 742 schools. John’s wife Jannine was a Language Arts instructor in the district for 20 years before her retirement in 2010.
Mark Sakry
Mark Sakry has served as Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota and KIDSTOP Program since 1993. Mark and his wife Diane have two children and two grandchildren. In addition to his work at the Club, Mark has served in an elected capacity as a Stearns County Commissioner for the past 22 years and prior to that as a District 742 School Board Member for 3 years. Over the past 30 years, Sakry has been involved in various roles at the Boys & Girls Club and was instrumental in building three new Boys & Girls Clubs in St. Cloud in less than 15 years, including the new Eastside Club at Raymond Park. Sakry graduated with honors from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota in 1978. He is known in Central Minnesota for community networking, collaborative programs and has served on many local boards and committees. Mark joined the Board in 2009.
Adrece Thighman-Nabe
Adrece considers herself to be an “Educational Navigator”, whereby she encourages underserved individuals to take part in the educational process in order to better support and improve communities. Adrece is currently employed as the Associate Director of Admissions, on staff as Adjunct Faculty in the department of Community Studies at St. Cloud State University and is involved with numerous committees and efforts to dismantle racism and promote Women’s rights within the community. Adrece has taught courses in Racial Issues, Democratic Citizenship and College Transitions. Adrece has been with the university since 2000 and remains excited about working with students. Adrece is a twice graduate of SCSU earning degrees from the department of Political Science with a B.A. in Public Administration as well as a M.S. from the College of Education in Social Responsibility. Prior to working in Admissions Adrece worked at the Women’s Center/Central MN Sexual Assault Center as the Communities of Color Outreach Coordinator. Adrece has previously served on the executive board of the NAACP (as treasure), is a founding member of the Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative (C.A.R.E), is a member of the Faculty and Staff of Color Caucus and has served as the Co-Advisor for the Council of African Americans Students (CAAS). During 2006 Adrece was one of few individuals selected system-wide to participant in MnSCU’s Luoma Leadership Academy- a program to assist extraordinary staff members in their pursue to become leaders within Minnesota.
Ken Voss
Mr. Voss was employed by X-Cel Optical Co. of Sauk Rapids in 1968 where he served in various capacities, retiring in October 2007 as the Vice President of Engineering. He has served on the United Arts Board of Central MInnesota and on the St. Cloud Symphony Board, where he held the office of President for two terms. His son Carl graduated from Technical High School. Mr. Voss was elected to the LEAF Board in 2006 and now serves as its Vice President.
Dr. John Weitz
John is a local physician and active community member. He is the parent of children in District schools and serving his first term on the LEAF Board.
Pat Welter
Pat is a retired public school educator. In her thirty five year career, Pat worked as a principal and assistant principal at North Junior High in St. Cloud, coordinator and co-developer of the national award winning St. Cloud’s Staff Development and Evaluation Program, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent for Planning, and as an English teacher at Technical High School in St. Cloud.
Pat earned her BA from the College of St. Benedict, her MA from St. Cloud State University, and her PhD from the University of Minnesota. She is a past member and chair of the board of Anna Marie’s Alliance(a domestic abuse organization), past chair of the Great River Interfaith Partnership Task Force on Funding Public Education, past board member of the YMCA, and past co-chair of the St. Cloud Neighbors For School Excellence Levy Committee. Pat is currently the chair of the Community Advocacy Committee for Anna Maries Alliance CONNECT Initiative – creating a healthy relationship organization. She is also the co-chair of the District 742 Community Student Success Campaign. Pat is a member of Christ Church Newman Center in St. Cloud. She and her husband live in Waite Park, MN. They have five grown children and two wonderful Shih Tzu dogs.
Phil Welter
CSB/SJU Retired
