"EFB is unique among its peers. I am proud to be a member of an organization where all functions of our operation are managed by a dedicated, fully volunteer Board of Directors. This assures that all funds donated to the Foundation directly benefit our students." – Karyn Arazi
Karyn Arazi, President
Karyn is a co-founder of the Foundation and Business Manager of Dewey Financial. She is a leader in her church and active with the Bloomington Noon Rotary. Karyn previously served two terms on the Bloomington School Board and served as chair for two years.
Mary Udseth, Vice President
Mary has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2005 and now chairs its Fundraising Committee. She is a past director of the Foundation’s Chip in for Schools Golf Classic. Mary and her husband, Bill, both graduated from Kennedy and both strongly support public education in general and Bloomington Public Schools in particular.
Addie Mattson, Secretary
Addie is involved in the community through League of Women Voters, Bloomington Heritage Days and the Sister City Organization. Previously she served for 25 years as the Community Relations coordinator for the Bloomington Public Schools. Addie has been the Foundation Board’s Secretary since 2000, and serves on the Scholarship and Communications committees.
Tony Engebretsen, Treasurer
A CPA, Tony has served as the Foundation’s Treasurer for 10 years. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Taxation and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounting and the Minnesota Society of CPAs. Tony also participates in the United Way as an emerging leader. Currently, he is the U. S. Tax Manager for Viterra, Inc.
Arlene Bush
Arlene is Minnesota’s longest serving School Board member with 30 years on the Bloomington School Board. She has led numerous statewide and metropolitan education groups and received the National School Boards Association’s Distinguished Service Award. Arlene also has been cited for leadership roles in the Chamber of Commerce, the arts and athletics.
Dr. Carl Casperson
Robert O. Erickson
Bob is President of the Bloomington Port Authority, serves on the Board of Haug Foods and as Director of Pervinco Financial. He is a Board member of the Hennepin Technical College Foundation and serves on the Scholarship Committee of the Minnesota State Colleges Student Association. Bob also serves on the Board of Tubman and is Treasurer of the Parks and Trails Council.
Les Fujitake
Bloomington’s Superintendent of Schools and Foundation Board member since 2006, earlier served as Director of Finance for the School District. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Board of Bloomington Heritage Days.
Tom Holton
Tom is the Executive Director of Community Services for the Bloomington and Richfield School Districts. He has been involved with community efforts to support schools for over 35 years and has served as an EFB board member for 10 years.
Karolyn Lee
After 30 years teaching at Normandale Hills Elementary School, Karolyn continues to serve education as the Foundation’s Vice President, a member of its Scholarship Committee and on the Companies to Classrooms Board. She serves on the Richfield Bloomington Credit Union Board and on its Credit Committee. She is an Elder on Session at her church and sings in the choir.
Wendy Marczak
Wendy has served Bloomington Public Schools as a school social worker for 13 years and as president of the Bloomington Federation of Teachers for three years. A member of the Foundation Board since 2008, Wendy coordinates the teachers’ fundraiser for Senior Scholarships to help Bloomington graduates continue their educations.
Ted Nemzek
Ted, a Board member since 1993, is a former teacher and mayor of Cannon Falls, MN. A long-time volunteer in the Bloomington Schools’ program for disabled adults, the Minnesota Literacy Council and the Eleven Who Care Award honored Ted’s service. Ted earned the Bronze Star for Valor and the Combat Infantry Badge for his service in the Korean War. As past Commander of the Fort Snelling Honor Guard, Ted has taken part in 7,000 military funerals.
Barb Parrish
Barb is a 20-year Kennedy High School English teacher who has served on the Foundation Board for 15 years.She was an active parent in youth hockey and baseball when her sons were young. Following in their fathers’ footsteps, her grandchildren now are experiencing education in Bloomington’s schools. Barb also served as volunteer coordinator for the Foundation’s golf tournament.
Maureen Peterson
Maureen has served on the Foundation’s board for two years as Chair of the Senior Scholarship Committee. Previously, she served four years on the Bloomington School Board. Maureen now is the Normandale Community College Foundation’s executive assistant and is active in many community activities.
Renee Raming
Renee comes from multiple generations of Bloomington students: her mother was in the former Lincoln High School’s first graduating class, her grandparents worked for the school district and her two sons attend Bloomington schools today. Renee co-chaired a school district referendum campaign. An attorney, Renee earlier practiced labor and employment law. She serves as director of global hour compliance and policy for the Mosaic Company.
Laura S. Schmit
Laura, a former family law attorney, works as a theater director at Bloomington Jefferson and Kennedy High Schools and co-chaired a school levy referendum campaign. She serves on the Foundation’s Senior Scholarship Committee and Bloomington Theatre and Art Center’s Strategic Planning Team for Educational Planning. She is involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Hennepin County Bar Association and her church.
Mark Thorson
Mark is a freelance marketing, community relations and social media consultant with InterActive Strategies Group. In addition to serving on the Foundation’s Board, Mark is on the Board of Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, chair of the Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority, a volunteer with VEAP, and a reserve officer with the Bloomington Police Department.
Ann Tillotson
Ann formerly was the Managing Director of Equity Capital Markets Marketing at Piper Jaffray Inc., for 13 years. She is the founder and volunteer fund-raiser of the Foundation’s Children’s Food for Thought. CFT provides free school meals for students whose families are in financial crises but ineligible for federal meal programs.
Flora Tsukayama
Flora is a valued volunteer and student mentor in Bloomington’s schools. Her service includes facilitating the Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) program for youth and the Parents and Community Leadersʼ Inclusiveness Project as well as serving on the Diversity Advisory Council. A member of the Foundation’s Board since 2002, she chairs the Prodigy Awards committee. Flora also is active in Bloomington United for Youth and the Sister CIty Organization.
Cary Weatherby
As founder and Executive Director of Companies to Classrooms, Cary secured over $1 million worth of donated equipment and materials for teachers and students in the Bloomington schools and other local school districts. She also serves on the Richfield Public Schools Foundation and on the Bloomington Charter Commission.