The Vacaville Public Education Foundation recently appointed five new members to its board of directors. “These new directors bring a fresh perspective to the board, and we see many opportunities for them to contribute,” noted Board President Catherine Podkin.
VPEF is a non-profit organization that raises funds and supports programs that enrich and improve the quality of the educational environment in the Vacaville Unified School District. Joining the board are:
Jakki Kutz, part-owner and president of Allied Framers, Inc. Kutz is a native Vacan and Vacaville High School graduate. She is married to a Vacaville High School teacher and they have four children, all of whom have either attended or are currently in the Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD) system. Kutz also serves on two boards representing the construction industry and their interests.
Jennifer Leonard, director of business development and association management for Modus Solutions, Inc. Leonard specializes in community marketing and grassroots strategies and currently oversees event planning, sponsorship sales and communications for Modus. She also has threedaughters, all of whom are currently enrolled in the VUSD.
Barry Nelson, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Travis Credit Union. Nelson and his wife have a daughter who is a student within the VUSD. He has worked at Travis Credit Union in Vacaville since 2000, and is also a recent graduate of the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Vacaville program.
Jon Ramirez, manager of Rudy’s Auto Body. Ramirez is a Solano County native, and works in the family business, one of Solano County’s premier collision repair centers. Ramirez and his wife have two sons, both attending VUSD schools.
Sally Miller Wyatt, freelance writer. Wyatt and husband, Tom, moved to Vacaville in 1987 from the Bay Area. They are the parents of three children, all graduates of VUSD schools.
These five join current board members Podkin, Constance Salisbury, Carl Debevec, John Thompson, Glenn Beddow, Theresa Crozier, Mary Feaster, Jamie Hearn, Elizabeth Lozano, Debby McGuire, Michelle Trippi and Jenny Zane.
“The current economy will present difficult challenges for our schools, but this is a great community that has stepped up in the past to support our children and their education,” Podkin noted. “The VPEF board believes our children deserve a great education, no matter the economy, and we will work hard to do what we can to support them.”