To:       Editor

From:   Mary O’Brien

Date:   December 19, 2007

For Immediate Release, Please

Tom Lister elected to Foundation Board

At the Black River Falls Area Foundation’s Annual Strategic Planning Meeting on December 18^th at the Jackson County Bank Board Room, two incumbent trustees, Mike Dougherty and Dave Millis, were re-elected to the board of trustees.  Dougherty had completed his third term, but, as treasurer, was asked to serve an additional three-year term and Millis was elected to a second three-year term. 

Trustee John Hogden had completed three consecutive three-year terms and was not eligible for re-election.  Elected to succeed him was Tom Lister. The following officers were re-elected to their positions: Gil Homstad, chairman; Dave Hoffman, vice chairman; Sue Michaelson, secretary; and Mike Dougherty, treasurer.

John Hogden could not attend the meeting, but Gil Homstad thanked him for his many years of dedicated service to the Foundation.  Homstad and Dave Hoffman then presented their thanks and a gift to Bee Herzberg, the Foundation’s assistant secretary who is retiring the end of December.  “We thank Bee for her dedication as assistant secretary and sole employee of the Foundation since it started over 20 years ago,” said Homstad.  “For most of those years she volunteered without any compensation and has been the administrative glue, which has held the Foundation together. She has been so important to the success of the Foundation and we will greatly miss her.”  They then welcomed Beth Overlien who has been hired to succeed Bee Herzberg.

Also at the meeting, a $10,000 check was presented to the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County from the Ken and Cheryl Olson Fund.  Accepting the check were club director Patrick Guarino and members Nick Turnmire and Jade Potter.  Guarino said the funds will be used for needed safety and usability building repair projects and extended appreciation to Ken and Cheryl Olson and the Foundation for this gift.

The Foundation’s eleven-member volunteer board of trustees reflects a variety of community interests and involvement.  They oversee the investment of donor funds and the distribution of grants to worthy causes in accordance with donors’ intentions.  Trustees serve a three-year term of office, with a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms.  They serve without compensation and are selected for their judgment, integrity, and understanding of philanthropic needs. Other trustees are Todd Anderson, Ron Danielson, Jean Lee, Mary O’Brien and Fred Stai.