Pub. 6 2016-2017 Issue 1

7 Mandee was a founding board member and building officer at Lakeview Academy and holds a degree in Accounting from Utah Valley University, with an emphasis in internal audit. As the Operations Director at Charter Solutions she offers support to charter school boards as they move through the startup process and learn how to properly govern a public school. 2016 Board of Directors Dr. Swensen started her 12 years as a teacher in speech/debate and theater after receiving a BA at Brigham Young University (BYU). Dr. Swensen completed her MEd and Administrative license at Utah State University, and has been an administrator/principal for 16 years. She completed her PhD in Educational Leadership and Foundations at BYU and currently works as an adjunct professor. Dr. Swensen believes that education should create a true “love of learning” in students. Meet our Team! Dr. Deborah Swensen, Board Chair Chris Bleak, Vice Chair Mandee Black, Treasurer Tirzah Anderson, Secretary Brad Nelson, Board Member Gerry Hassell, Board Member Lynne Herring, Board Member For the last six years he has served as Chief of Staff to the Utah State Speaker of the House. He played an integral role in the passage of several major education reform bills. Chris has a great ability to collaborate with businesses and stakeholders in the state. Prior to working at the House of Representatives, Chris also worked as the Executive Director of the Utah Republican Party and on the Salt Lake Olympic Committee. Tirzah Anderson is a graduate of Utah State University with a degree in social work. As a parent with students in both charter and district programs, she is passionate about quality education and dedicated to serving in educational settings. Tirzah has volunteered extensively in classroom, parent organization and governance capacities for the past twelve years. She has served on the Thomas Edison Charter Schools governing board since 2011, as board chair since 2012. She lives with her husband and six children in North Logan. Gerry Hassell is currently a Vice-President Treasury Management Consultant for Banner Bank. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1993 in Business Management with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior. Upon graduating he accepted a management position with Wal-Mart. In 2002 he was offered the Director of Pharmacy Operations’ position in Salt Lake City. In 2010 he transitioned into the banking world, covering the Wasatch Front and is now the lead consultant for all Treasury Management Clients in Utah. Lynne has been an educator for over 25 years. She has been the Director of Freedom Preparatory Academy since 2004. Always seeking greater opportunities and challenges in the field of education, she has been instrumental in building the Freedom Prep organization from a K-8 to a K-12 model and continues the journey with new satellite schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University, a Masters of Education from Chapman University and an administrative degree from Northern Arizona University. Brad Nelson currently serves as the Director of Finance and Development for Spectrum Academy. Spectrum Academy is the premier charter school in Utah for students with high-functioning autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and others that benefit from a unique learning environment. Brad has been instrumental in guiding Spectrum through the difficult task of growth and expansion. phone: 801.440.3150 email: bnelson@spectrumcharter.org phone: 801.520.3011 email: gwhassell@gmail.com phone: 801.680.8141 email: cbleak@ascentutah.org phone: 801.318.6870 email: mandee@chartersolutions.org phone: 435.752.4417 email: rogerandtirzah@gmail.com phone: 801.362.4579 email: lherring@freedomprep.net phone: 801.865.2585 email: dswensen@hawthornacademy.org