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Board of Directors
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LAURA JACOBSEN, PRESIDENT has been involved with The
Learning Source since 1998. She has spent the last 23 years as a start-up business generalist in various industries. Most recently, Laura was hired by GRX, an electronics and computer recycling company, to build its infrastructure and manage its robust growth. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics and an emphasis in Finance from
Regis
University . Laura also holds the designation of CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist). Prior to her involvement with The
Learning Source , she volunteered with the Special Olympics.
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GEORGE W. VALUCK, VICE PRESIDENT, is the executive director of the Alameda Gateway Community Association and Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District in
Lakewood . In college, he studied political science and music, and performed with the Electronic Music Ensemble, Denver Symphony Orchestra. Later, George went on to play with the legendary rock band, Spirit. His past business experience includes management and marketing work with Coors Brewing Company, the
Aurora
Mall and Villa Italia Mall. In addition to The
Learning Source , George is a board member of the Heritage, Culture & the Arts Alliance, vice president of the Belmar Optimists, director of the Business Leadership Committee, team leader, political organizer and consultant for the Lakewood Graffiti Task Force, and member of the Colorado Special Olympics.
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REX JOHN, SECRETARY, is the owner/founder of
Rex John & Associates Public Relations. A Denver native, Rex is a longtime community volunteer and has served on the boards of numerous local organizations, including the
Denver
Center for the Performing Arts, City of Denver Board of Health and Hospitals, KRMA-Channel Six, Adopt-A-School, Junior League of Denver, Historic Paramount Foundation, Colorado Ballet, and the State of
Colorado Juvenile Justice Council . In addition to serving on The
Learning Source board, he currently serves on the Advisory Council for the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
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KRISTIAN GENSEMER, TREASURER 1st Bank
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SHELLY DUPLANTIS, Ameristar Casino, Blackhawk
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KATHLEEN FINLEY is senior vice president of CoBiz Insurance. She has more than 18 years of experience in the insurance industry and has served the community through the local chamber of commerce, leading the Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado and serving on national producer advisory boards for various insurance companies. In 1999, Kathleen received the prestigious Professional Independent Insurance Agent of the Year Award for her service to the industry. She has a B.A. from the
University of
Northern Colorado and holds a CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) professional designation.
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JAMES PEREZ FOSTER is the Founder and Chairman of Solera National Bancorp, a community commercial bank with a core specialization serving the diverse Hispanic demographic. He moved to the Denver metro area four years ago after 33 years in
New York City working with the investment firms of Merrill Lynch & Co. and Smith Barney, Inc. James is of Dominican descent and is proficient in the Spanish language.
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ELIZABETH FRAWLEY, PAST PRESIDENT, has been a volunteer with The
Learning Source since 1968 and has served on its Board the past 16 years. Since moving to
Denver in 1967, she has been a volunteer and community leader with many nonprofit organizations. In addition to The
Learning Source , Liz serves on the Board of Directors for the Fine Arts Foundation and is an Honorary Board Member of the
Rocky
Mountain
M.S.
Center . She also is a volunteer with the Gathering Place, the Denver Center Alliance and the
Denver
Art Museum . In 1996, Liz was named a Colorado Woman of Distinction and was also recognized with a Volunteerism Award from the
Denver
Art Museum.
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MICHELE HUSTON has served on The
Learning Source Board for the past two years. She has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry, including 14 years with CoBank, where she is currently the manager of corporate accounting. Michele also serves as treasurer of Kwaze-Kwasa USA, Inc., an organization that provides support for AIDS victims in
Africa . She is a
Denver native.
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SISTER CECILIA LINENBRINK, FOUNDRESS, started The Learning Source (originally named The Adult Education Tutorial Program) in 1964 following a survey of
Denver ’s Westside residents. This survey revealed that 50 percent of adults lacked a High School Diploma. In November of that year, the program admitted 46 students tutored by 16 adults. In 1968, Sister Cecilia completed her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado and accepted a position with the Denver Commission on Community Relations while, at the same time, continuing to guide The Learning Source. In 1991, she was elected to lead her Franciscan Sisters for a four-year term. She periodically taught at
Regis
University and continues her involvement by serving on one of the University Committees. Now entering her eleventh year, she continues her ministry to the women at the Denver County Jail, visiting them weekly to provide them with some light and hope.
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BRUCE MILLER joined The
Learning Source ’s Board of Directors in 2006. For the past six years, he has been the owner of Beds ‘N Biscuits, a Bed & Breakfast and Day Spa for dogs and cats. Bruce received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing and has more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience. Since 2001, he has operated BW Miller & Associates to provide clients with marketing, business and public relations plans, branding and client retention strategies, website development, and online and print collateral materials. In addition to The
Learning Source Board, he has served on the Board for the Colorado Business Council for the past four years.
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MARY MOSER is a partner in the law firm of Moser and Silver LLP where she specializes in the drafting of wills and trusts, estate planning, including charitable gifts, estate and trust administration, and tax-exempt organizations. She received her B.S. degree from the
University of
Colorado and her J.D. degree from the University of Denver College of Law. Mary is a member of the Denver Estate Planning Council, the American,
Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, and the Zonta Club of Denver II, an international women’s service organization. She has served as president of The
Learning Source Board of Directors and received a Philanthropic Leadership Award from The Denver Foundation in 2004. |
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ANDREW SULTAN practices corporate and securities law, and is a partner at Jacobs Chase Frick Kleinkopf & Kelley, LLC. He emigrated to the from as a young child and moved to
Colorado 11 years ago to attend law school. Drew joined his current law firm approximately five years ago. A resident of Lowry, he also is a volunteer tutor with The
Learning Source for its GED program offered on the Lowry Campus. |
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DAVE TOLLEFSON is the owner of Urban Farmer, a full service commercial landscaping, irrigation and reclamation business. He has lived in Colorado since moving from
Wyoming when he was five. Urban Farmer is a family-owned and run business with Dave’s wife handling the operations functions and their high-school-aged son helping out whenever he’s available. Founded 23 years ago, the firm employs 400 people and offers design, installation and maintenance services to the commercial, residential, sport and golf course markets. |
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CHRISTINE WATSON has served on the Learning Source Board since 1991, and was Board President in 1996-98. She teaches economics and business at the undergraduate and graduate levels at
Regis
University , College for Professional Studies, and
Community College of
Denver . After receiving a B.A. from
Middlebury
College and M.A. from the Graduate School of International Studies,
University of
Denver , Chris spent many years in business, with Coors Brewing Company and Gates Rubber Company, before leaving to teach full time and do nonprofit work. When the Colorado Legislature is in session, she lobbies for the League of Women Voters of Colorado.
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