Board Members

Betsy Korb

President

Betsy Korb retired after 40 years in education.  Her education experience has included being a special education teacher, student teacher supervisor, and administrator.  She served as a teacher, Therapies Coordinator, and Educational Coordinator at the Barber National Institute for 15 years.  Her last 20 years were with the Girard School District as a special education teacher, assistant principal, and Director of Special Education.  She is married to Scott Korb, a graduate of Girard School District.  Their children Jacob and Lauren graduated from Girard. 

Kristen Blucas

Vice President

Kristen grew up with an influence from both of her parents' careers in public education and service to community organizations in the Erie region for decades.  After graduating from Girard High School in 1988 and Indiana University of PA in 1991, Kristen Blucas spent the first 20 years of her career as creative public relations and events professional for nonprofits, tech startups, entertainment giants, luxury brands and Fortune 500s across the globe.

After living in various US large cities, she returned to the Girard area to live in peace (and travel to chaos )and began working at Erie Insurance in 2009. In her time at ERIE, she has held various roles, all geared to the discovery and creation of new programs, partnerships, initiatives and various communities' experiences.

She is currently a Senior Analyst, Workforce of the Future within the Human Resources and Strategy Division and Mom to her daughter, a Rice Avenue Middle School student.
She holds an Advance Program Management certification from Stanford University and a social responsibility certification from Boston College Carroll School of Management Center for Corporate Citizenship.

Throughout her career, she has been honored to serve and advance the work of the following organizations' boards or board committees: American Heart Association, VA; Erie LakeLands Association, PA; Family Services of NWPA, PA; Front Royal Chamber of Commerce, VA; Los Angeles County Museum of Modern Art, CA; National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street Program, VA; National Council of LaRaza (now UnidosUS); National Football League Charities (now Foundation),NY; NextStepFitness, CA; Spartanburg Arts Council, SC; Spartanburg Adult Literacy Council, SC; The Warren County Council on Domestic Violence, VA; Tom Ridge Environmental Center Foundation, PA; United Way of the Piedmont, SC; and the Virginia Tourism Board, VA.

Chris Yuhas

Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee

Chris Yuhas is a graduate of the GSD Class of 1984 and a lifelong Girard resident. While she has no children, she is the proud aunt and great aunt to 9 nephews and 4 nieces. Chris received an Associates Degree in Accounting from Erie Business School. She has been with United Way of Erie County for 30 years, serving as the Controller for the last 10 years. During her time at United Way she has learned much about the needs of many in the community and hopes that in some small way she has helped to make someone's day a little easier.

Jennifer Bach

Secretary

Jennifer Bach serves on the Elk Creek Recreation and Leisure Board. She is the head coach for the Elk Creek Cross Country Stingers, a running program for children in grades Kindergarten through 6th Grade. Jennifer is also involved with various clubs and organizations in the Erie County region, including past member of the Girard Lake City Chamber of Commerce. Her work includes owner/operator of Just Be Kind holistic health coaching and Jazzercise ® instructor. She has worked with Mercyhurst University in the Human Resources Department, Program Coordinator for the Erie Together initiative, Cancer Control Specialist with the American Cancer Society and assistant director with Governor Tom Ridge's Northwest Office and coordinator with Congressman Phil English's Erie Office. Jennifer and her husband are residents of Lake City with two boys currently attending Rice Avenue Middle School.

Joe Legnasky

GSD Board Member

Bettie Stephens

Chair of Allocations, GSDF Board Member

Raised in Lake City, Pa from the age of 3 years, Bettie also raised two children, Stephanie and Chad who both attended and graduated from Girard school. Her work experience has all taken place in Lake City working for Lake City Industries, Inc. for 37 years in accounting. She has also worked the past 11 years for York Seaway in the same field. Bettie has been a board member of the Girard-Lake City Chamber of Commerce for 15 plus years currently serving as secretary,as well as a board member of the Lake City Fire Auxiliary. She currently sits on Lake City Borough Council where she has been a member for 11 years. To keep busy in her spare time, Bettie attends the Albion Garden Club.

John Tramontano

Chair of Public Relations Committee & Co-Chair of Fundraising Committee, GSDF Board Member

John Tramontano is a graduate of Duquesne University Business School and has 33 years of experience in corporate selling, fundraising and as an entrepreneur. John has previously served as a Girard School District Board member. He is currently in his third year of coaching the Girard High School baseball program. His wife Shelly has been an elementary teacher in the Girard School District for 25 years.  Both John's daughters, Chelsey and Carly have graduated from the Girard School District and son, Tanner, is currently a student in the district.

Jeanne Miller

GSDF Board Member

Jeanne Miller has resided in Girard School District since 1989.  She has two children, Jerry and Annette who is a Girard High School graduate. Two of her three grandchildren have also graduated from Girard High School.  Jeanne has been on Girard Borough Council for 15 years. As a council member she serves on the borough personnel committee, Elk Creek Recreation & Leisure Board, Erie County Planning Commission, Girard Borough Zoning Board, Lake Erie Coastal Zone Management Program, West County Comm Center, and social member of A F Dobler Hose & Ladder Co. She also serves as the secretary of the Albion Area Fair and was elected as a Zone 1 Director to the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs.

Kristen Pratt

GSDF Board Member

Kristen Pratt is a graduate of Girard High School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from Penn State University and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon University. Kristen taught fifth grade mathematics at Rice Avenue Middle School in Girard for nearly a decade. She currently works as the Director of Accounting and Marketing at Pratt Insurance Agency, LLC, a business owned by her husband and fellow Girard graduate, Andy Pratt. Kristen and Andy have two children.

Brady Sager

GSDF Board Member

Brady Sager, a graduate of Girard School District Class of 2022 and a life long Girard resident. Brady is currently attending Gannon University to received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education & Masters in Administration. Throughout Brady's time as a Girard student & resident he's had the privilege to serve numerous positions: Class of 2022 President; Student School Board Represenative; Yearbook Business Manager; Rice Avenue Middle School Rededication Project; & the Penn Ohio Model A Club. Through these positions Brady has been able to gain the knowledge needed to positively serve the community. Although, Brady does not have any children he has two younger sisters, Madelynn & Mayley. Who are current students of Girard and keep Brady busy with all of their extracirricular and school activities. Although, Brady is the youngest board member he has the drive and knowledge to Enhance the Educational Experience of the Girard School District. 

Eric Podgers

GSDF Board Member

Eric Podgers is a graduate of Girard High School and is a lifelong Lake City resident.  He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business and a Masters degree in Business Administration at Penn State Behrend.  As an employee at ERIE Insurance for almost 20 years, Eric has directed one of ERIE's technology teams or led large projects for the company.  Over the past several years Eric has been active in cross country, baseball and softball in our community, either as a booster, board member or by coaching his three children. 

Doug Tomlinson

GSDF Board Member

Doug Tomlinson has lived in the Erie area since moving from Baltimore in 1972.  He and Julie, his wife of 42 years moved to Girard in 2020.  They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

Doug worked at Hammermill for 22 years before the plant closed and he returned to college to pursue his bachelor's degree.  While at Hammermill he achieved a Chief Engineers license from the City of Erie and completed an Associate's Degree from Penn State.  He received his Bachelors of Science – Education degree from Edinboro University in 2004.  Doug also holds a Masters of Education – Curriculum and Instruction from Edinboro University.

In 2005, Doug was hired by the Girard School District. During his 17-year teaching career he was the Yearbook Advisor and Model UN Advisor.  He was a partner in establishing the three social studies AP courses offered at Girard High School and had taught them as well.  Doug retired at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

Ex Officio Members

Donna Miller

Superintendent

Jacob Hagmaier

Director of Business

Committees

Board of Directors and Executive Committee

The Board of Directors and Executive Committee is composed of the Board President and chairs for each of the respective main committees below and oversees strategic planning, annual report and audit for the GSDF.

  • Betsy Korb, President
  • Mary Kay Borkowski, Past President
  • Chris Yuhas, Chair of Finance Committee
  • Bettie Stephens, Chair of Allocations  
  • John Tramontano, Chair of Public Relations Committee & Co-Chair of Fundraising Committee
  • Vacant , Chair of Nomination Committee & Co-Chair of Fundraising Committee


The Allocation Committee

The Allocation Committee has the responsibility to ensure the highest standards, process, and selection of recipients and efforts for which to share funds to distribute.  Subcommittees include The Grants and Scholarship Committees, each with respective Chairs or co-Chairs and Members.


Bettie Stephens, Chair

 

Grants

  • Bettie Stephens, Chair
  • Mary Kay Borkowski 
  • Betsy Korb
  • Brady Sager
  • Chris Yuhas
  • Kathy Holliday-Darr, community member
  • Donna Miller, Resource

Scholarship

  • Jen Bach, Co-Chair
  • Kristen Pratt, Co-Chair
  • Brady Sager
  • Betsy Korb
  • Cheryl Newton, community member


The Finance Committee

The Finance Committee maintains fiscal responsibility for the organization's monetary contributions, financial activities, and oversees its annual budget.

  • Chris Yuhas, Chair
  • Brady Sager
  • Mary Kay Borkowski
  • Joe Legnasky



The Public Relations Committee

The Public Relations Committee ensures the GSDF activities are communicated through various channels for diverse stakeholders' awareness of the organizational efforts and alignment of its mission.

  • John Tramontano, Chair
  • Vacant
  • Jen Bach
  • Kristen Blucas
  • Kathy Holliday-Darr, community member
  • Jen Fails, community member
  • Robin Seneta, community member


The Fundraising Committee

The Fundraising Committee is responsible for organizing and managing established events and supporting new partnerships, contributions, developments and ideas. Erie Gives Day, United Way, Amazon Smile, Annual Appeal, Hive of Fame, Hive of Fame Nomination Committee, Dan Rice Days Booth, Capital Campaign, Grant Writing and the Golf Outing, are all subcommittees of this area. Each has a chair or co-chair and active memberships. Philanthropic Outreach is another designated part of this committee.

Non-Board volunteers, who are supported by the Board of Directors and full Board membership, are eligible to become involved by asking or by invitation.

  • John Tramontano, Co-Chair
  • Vacant, Co-Chair
  • Bettie Stephens
  • Jacob Hagmaier, Resource


The Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee is responsible for recruiting, training, setting terms and administering an annual slate of officers and Board Members.

  • Betsy Korb, Chair
  • Jen Bach
  • Donna Miller, Resource


Make a Donation

Your generous gifts will change our students for the better. Not only will funds go towards educational materials and supplies, but they will also be given directly to the students through scholarships.