The Missoula Education Foundation is governed by a board of directors whose members are elected to serve two-year terms. We invite you to learn more about the current board members.
Rosemary Harrison, board president. Rosemary is a third-generation Missoulian who has been involved in public education in various capacities for more than 20 years. Rosemary served on the Board of Trustees of the Missoula County Public Schools for nine years. She works as a realtor for Prudential Montana Real Estate. She and her two children all are graduates of the Missoula County Public Schools.
Micki Frederikson , treasurer, is a former teacher of mathematics and precalculus courses who taught in junior high and high schools in Florida and Wisconsin. Both of her daughters attended the Missoula County Public Schools and graduated from Big Sky High School. Following her years in the classroom, Micki works as a certified public accountant with the local accounting firm of Campbell & Associates, PC.
Marilyn Ryan, secretary, is a retired MCPS teacher, and a retired MEA-MFT field consultant. She currently serves on the Executive Council for AFL-CIO, WorkSafeMT Executive Committee, and Missoula Foundation.
Dr. Jim Clark As a retired long-time school administrator, Jim knows how important it is to support the efforts of classroom teachers. Your support of the Missoula Education Foundation (MEF) will allow not only lend support for those efforts but also the broader goals of the school district that cannot be funded currently. Jim is privileged to be a member of the MEF Board that is dedicated to this mission.
Lucia Solorzano Work - Before moving to Missoula in 1990, Lucia Solorazano Work served as education editor of U.S. News & World Report magazine; she also is the author of Barron's Best Buys in College Edition, which appeared in its eleventh edition in 2010. Lucia volunteers in Missoula's public schools as a tutor with the McKinney Homeless Program and as a member of Writing Coaches of Missoula. She is the mother of two children who recieved their K-12 education in Missoula Count Public Schools
Michael Pace is an account manager for a technology provider where he oversees IT projects for businesses and school districts across the state. He's seen first hand how challenging funding can be for educators and looks forward to working with MEF to support local teachers.
Chris Jones is a medical device sales consultant for Synthes USA the world’s foremost manufacturer and marketer of orthopedic trauma implants. Chris is the father of 5 and husband to Susan.
Jay Getz is a Missoula native and realtor with Prudential MT. Jay has two sons who attended Missoula schools. He has seen first hand what committed teachers can do with limited resources and wants to help MEF in their efforts to provide additional funding for teachers who want to improve the educational opportunities available to Missoula students.
Denise Wills - As a relatively new resident to Missoula from California, Denise comes from a family of educators and enjoys writing in her spare time. She has a Bathelor's of Science Degree in Business Management. Densie beliveves a child's first year of education are critical to stimulating interests, the imagination and achievement. Further, by establishing a firm foundation, the door is open for continued growth and development, the gaining of self-confidence and skills in written and oral expression. She also believes that leaerning is a lifelong process to be enjoyed and treasured. Denise is a parent and grandparent.
Dr. Nancy Clouse is an adjunct assistant professor in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Montana and an instructional designer for UMOnline. She enjoyed 11 years as a high school business teacher prior to earning her masters and doctorate degrees in educational technology. Her commitment to preparing future educators and strong belief in the value of public education are foundational in her mission to support the innovative efforts of the teachers and students of Missoula County Public Schools.
Kelly Milodragovich, a Missoula native, is a graduate of Sentinel High School and the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana, where she earned degrees in English and political science. The daughter of an English teacher, Kelly has always had a passion for education and began tutoring when she was 15. Since the beginning of 2007, Kelly has worked for Washington Corporations with the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, a large corporate/family foundation in Missoula. Kelly also serves on the board of the World Affairs Council in Missoula.
Marjorie Wallinder is a retired CPA, most recently working for Tamarack Management Inc, an organization that provides support services to various Missoula medical groups such as the Western Montana Clinic and Montana Cancer Specialists. Previous work experience includes working as a controller, working as an auditor for a local CPA firm, teaching and catering. A Montana native, she is a graduate of the University of Montana, earning both a BA and an MBA. Her two daughters are Missoula high school graduates.
John Tabaracci is orginally from Cut Bank, Montana and has lived in Missoula since attending the University of Montana. John is an attorney and shareholder in the law firm Sullivan, Tabaracci & Rhodes, PC, in Missoula. John and his wife Wilma have three children, all in Missoula schools, two at Sentinel High School and one at Meadow Hill Middle School.
Dr. Alex P. Apostle, ex-officio member, is the Superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools. He was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. Alex served as a teacher and coach in the Tacoma Public Schools and as a High School Principal in many school districts throughout the state of Washington. He concluded his 30 year career in Washington as an Assistant Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools. He received his Ph.D in educational administration from the University of Idaho.
The MEF also extends its thanks to founding board members Barbara Denowh, Adam Duerk, Art Hightower, and Tosha Iverson without whose help the foundation would not have completed its successful first two years.