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 a 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 Senior 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 DeLandTami DeLand is the Lead Student Success Instructor at the Minnesota School of Business and 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. Through MSB, she coordinates student service-learning projects throughout the St. Cloud community. She is a 25 year resident of St. Cloud and lives with her husband and two Shih Tzus. She has two grown daughters who attended St. Cloud Tech.
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.
David EickhoffDavid was born and raised in the St. Cloud area. In high school, he participated in many of the activities that LEAF supports and attests to the benefits of the variety of opportunities that augment basic education. David graduated from St. John’s University and is currently employed at Plaza Park Bank as the Human Resources Officer. He and his wife Betsy live in St. Cloud and have 4 school-aged children. He has have been involved in the Central MN Council of the Boy Scouts of America Board and is currently on the St. Peter, Paul and Michael School Board, Waite Park Family Fun Festival Parade Chair, and various other church and Chamber activities. David is also the lead guitar player for a retro (big hair) 80’s rock band and says he hopes to compete in triathlons in his spare time. (The three activities of the triathlon being running through the sprinkler with his kids then biking to Mr. Twisty’s for a treat).
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 attend Technical High School and will be 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.
Kenton Frohrip
Kenton has been a resident of St. Cloud since 1965. He came to join the music department at St. Cloud State, when it was St. Cloud State College, and is now Professor Emeritus of Music at St. Cloud State University (SCSU). Kenton soon became an active community member, focusing on music groups such as the St. Cloud Symphony, the Municipal Band, and as a board member of several organizations, an arts educator, manager, performer and supporter of local arts activities. Kenton has spent fifty years as a professional trombone performer and continues performing in several professional brass bands and chamber groups. Kenton and his wife have raised three children in St. Cloud, all graduates of Tech High School and from SCSU.
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.
Gayla Holmgren Hoeller
Gayla spent many years as an educator and administrator in St. Cloud area schools. She has also worked in the College of Education at St. Cloud State University. She continues to be active in education policy and practice. Gayla has raised children who attended district schools. She joined the LEAF Board in 2008.
Rolf Jacobson
Rolf is a dentist in St. Cloud and has been active as a parent of children in the District. He is in his first term as a Board member and an active member of the allocations committee.
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.
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
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 one grandchild. In addition to his work at the Club, Mark has served in an elected capacity as a Stearns County Commissioner for the past 21 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.
Andrea Swanberg
Andrea is the Activities Director at Tech High School in St. Cloud and the parent of children in district schools.
Joan Vincent
Joan is the Public Affairs Officer for the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA), where she manages public, media and congressional relations, and customer service. She has extensive professional and volunteer experience in the community, including a past term on the LEAF Board (1995-96) and management of marketing and public relations for the successful 1994 levy referendum campaign. Joan and her husband have lived in St. Cloud for more than 32 years. They raised three sons who graduated from Apollo High School, where they were active in a variety of programs and activities. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Joan completed her first three years of college at the University of Kansas and finished her degree at SCSU in 1985. She re-joined the LEAF Board in 2009.
Ken Voss – Vice President
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.
Bruce Watkins
Bruce is a retired educator and administrator who capped his career as Superintendent of District 742 schools. He brings a wealth of information and important perspectives to LEAF. Bruce joined the Board in 2009.
Don Watkins
Don is a life-long resident of St. Cloud and a graduate of St. Cloud Tech High School and SCSU. He is married to Jan and after raising four children are now to 12 grandchildren, ages 5-27. Several “grands” are fourth generation Tech grads. Don owned a family business, Tanner Systems, until 1995 when he passed leadership to his son - the 4th generation. Don also has a long record of community service. Among the many contributions, he has served as Board member (18 years) and Chair of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. He has been active with the Boy Scouts (area and regional President and member of the national Board), St. Cloud Rotary (47 yrs.), SCSU Foundation (9 yrs.), Trustee of the College of St. Benedict, Trustee of the Hill Monastic Library, St. John's University, and with the United Way.
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 educator from District 742. She earned a BA from the College of St. Benedict, an MA from SCSU, and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. In addition to teaching at Tech High School and serving as Principal at North Junior High School, Pat chaired the education task force of the Great River Interfaith Partnership and co-chaired several District 742 levy campaigns. Pat is past Board Chair of Anna Marie’s Alliance and currently chairs its civic engagement CONNECT Initiative. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Somali Elders Council. Pat is married to Patrick Henry and they have five adult children.
