Our History

Rooted in Community. Committed to Students. Inspired by Generations.

Since its founding, the North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) has been powered by visionary leaders, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and community champions who believe deeply in supporting students and schools across the North Thurston School District.

What began as an idea in the 1980s has grown into a lasting legacy of opportunity, equity, and impact.

The Founding Vision (1986–1990)

In 1986, Dr. Roy Pedersen, Dr. John Gott, and Dr. Sue Shannon conceived the idea of creating a nonprofit educational foundation to serve students and schools within the North Thurston School District.

A Task Force conducted a feasibility study in 1988 to explore the vision. The group was chaired by Judy Bergvall and included Ken Balsley, John Brown, Karen Lundahl, Hertica Martin, Ken Parsons, Mike Pastore, Cam Sherwood, Earlyse Swift, Barbara Schneider, Ward Tappero, Judy Wilson, and student representatives Amy Wusterbarth and Marta Lowe.

Original Board of Trustees

Judy Bergvall (President), Charles Boyns, John Brown, Barbara Dittrick, Gene Dolan, Nader Ghafoore, Lynda Heusman, Lela Kriedler, Gene Liddell, Ken Parsons, Barbara Schneider, Lloyd Stewart, Ward Tappero, and Judy Wilson.

First-Year Officers (Elected January 1990)

  • Ken Parsons, President

  • Lela Kreidler, Vice President – Resource Development

  • Gene Dolan, Vice President – Awards & Disbursements

  • Duke Watson, Vice President – Resource Management

Their leadership laid the foundation for what NTEF would become: a community-powered organization dedicated to student success.

Foundation Presidents

Throughout the years, strong volunteer leadership has guided the Foundation’s growth and impact:

  • Judy Bergvall (Initial Board of Trustees), 1989

  • Ken Parsons, 1990–1992

  • Alan Corwin, 1993–1996

  • Katie Collins, 1997–1999

  • Judy Berg, 2000–2002

  • Thelma Mosebar, 2003–2004

  • Paul Garrett, 2005

  • Jon Halvorson, 2006–2007

  • John Mansfield, 2008–2010

  • Carletta Garraway, 2011–2017

  • Blake Knoblauch, 2018–2024

  • Christine Forrey, 2024–Present

Each president has strengthened the Foundation’s commitment to educational opportunity and community partnership.

Long-Term Board Leadership

Many trustees have dedicated nearly a decade of service to NTEF. Board members are limited by by-laws to three terms of three years each (nine consecutive years).

The Foundation gratefully recognizes those who completed nine years of service (not necessarily consecutive):

Judy Bergvall, Judy Berg, Katie Collins, Ian Edlund, Jon Halvorson, Sam Hunt, Robyn McLean, Carol Merritt, Thelma Mosebar, Ken Parsons, Judy Wilson, Alan Corwin, Cindy Coble, Tom MacRobert, Dorn Barr, and Beth Utto-Galarneau.

From the very beginning, Judy Wilson, Ken Parsons, and Gene Dolan provided critical guidance and stability that helped shape the Foundation’s future.

Unsung Heroes & Transformational Giving

Behind the scenes, community advocates have made extraordinary impact.

Local CPA Bill Bergquist and retired high school librarian Irene Clise played a pivotal role in sharing the Foundation’s story with potential donors. Their advocacy resulted in transformational gifts, including:

  • The Violet Davies bequest of $225,000 (1994)

  • The John and Opal McGimpsey donation of $700,000 for Student Assistance Grants (2006, distributed over three years)

These gifts significantly expanded the Foundation’s ability to provide meaningful support to students.

Ring of Honor Recipients

The Ring of Honor recognizes individuals and families whose leadership and generosity have made a lasting impact.

  • Gene Dolan (2019)

  • Jon Halvorson (2019)

  • The McGimpsey Family (2019)

  • Sue Shannon (2019)

  • Ken Parsons (2021)

  • Ron & Carol Busche (2021)

  • Bill Williams (2021)

  • Carletta Garraway (2021)

  • Dorn Barr (2022)

  • Mike Jones (2023)

  • Brenda McAferty (2024)

  • Beth Utto-Galarneau (2025)

FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION

NTEF is deeply grateful for the businesses, organizations, estates, and individuals who have supported our mission over the years.

Friends of the Foundation include (but are not limited to):

1st Security Bank
Dorn Barr
Nick Barr
BECU
Benevity Community Impact Fund
Beverly J. Benner Estate
Larry Blume
Carol & Jim Brewer
Ron & Carol Busche
Cathleen & Charles Callahan
George H. Carl Trust
Chicago Title
Community Foundation
Cooper Moss Advanced Dentistry
Allan & Robin Corwin
Dawkins Foundation
Marie Demme
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Karen Eitreim Estate
Fisher Jones Family Dentistry
Fred Meyer – Lacey Store
Susan Gillis
Dr. John Gott
Lewis R. & Edna C. Hawthorne Trust
Help Us Move In
Heritage Bank
Sandra Hill Estate
Maryke Hines
Hops N Drops
Lisbeth Johnson
Dennis Johnston
Phil & Carol Juergens
Carolyn Keck
John & Gloria Kuula Estate
Lisbeth Lahaug
Mary P Dolciani Halloran Foundation
John & Opal McGimpsey
Molina Healthcare
Bob Mosebar
David & Linda Newsome
Jeff & Nancy Neyenhouse
Thorstrom-Smith Nishon

Nisqually Indian Tribe
Nobis Global Holdings
Norcliffe Foundation
NTEA
Olympia Choral Society
Charlotte Otto
Carol Porter
Claudia Page
Frank Parker Trust
Jane Parks
Ken Parsons
John & Nelda Patton
Nancy & Scott Peebles
Phoenix Holdings & Development
Carol Porter
PrimeLending
Puget Sound Energy
Paul and Carole Ressler
Rotary Foundation- Hawks Prairie
Rotary Foundation- Lacey
Seattle Foundation
Kristy Shanafelt
Dr. Sue Shannon
Heather Sweet
Priscilla Terry
True Responders
TwinStar Credit Union
U.S. Martial Arts Center
Umpqua Bank Community Foundation
Stuart & Carol Vannerson
Van’s Burger
Venture Bank
Washington State Taekwondo Foundation
Frank Wells Estate
John Williams
Windermere Foundation
Young Hak Lee, U.S. Martial Arts Center
WSECU

Donor Recognition

We also recognize the many individual and corporate donors who contribute annually and whose generosity is acknowledged in our Annual Report.

To recognize donors in perpetuity who have made single gifts of $2,000 or more beginning in 2005, the Foundation maintains permanent acknowledgment of their generosity.

Individual and corporate donors are recognized annually, and all gifts receive proper acknowledgment for IRS purposes. Gifts made in honor or memory of a loved one are recognized with notifications to the family.

A Legacy That Continues

For nearly four decades, the North Thurston Education Foundation has been strengthened by those who believe that investing in students strengthens our entire community.

We honor the leaders who built this Foundation — and we look forward to the generations who will carry it forward.