The Carman Cougar Charities Board
Membership of the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation consists of an all-volunteer Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for overall policy and direction of the corporation, and delegates responsibility of day-to-day operations to committees. The Directors do not receive compensation, and may only be reimbursed for reasonable, approved, cause-related expenses. Each Board Member serves a term of three years, for up to three consecutive terms/classes, with classes staggered to ensure experience and consistency. The current board consists of ten graduates of Carman High School, and one graduate of Carman-Ainsworth High School. The Directors bring a variety of valuable education and experience to the Board.
Current Board Member Profiles
Tres Kline, class of 1973. Vice President of CCCC and leading the Student Teacher Fund created to help CA Teachers and administrators meet their students' immediate needs. A retired General Motors Executive whose career took us all over the world. Beginning my career as an Engineer in training moving up the manufacturing organization to a Plant Manager and retiring as the Global Director of Manufacturing Engineering – Stamping. After that, I spent 2 ½ years as a Vice President of Shiloh Industries and finally 4 years as Vice President of ArcelorMittal. Married to my CHS sweetheart Monica Miller (Class of 1975) we have 3 children and 5 grandchildren
Mark A. Barton, CHS Class of 1972. Treasurer and past President, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. Retired Unit Sales Manager, Altria Group Distribution Company. President and Church Counsel Secretary, Elder, and Board of Education member at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Grand Blanc MI; League Secretary for multi-WELS church golf league; Officer and member of Finance Committee for The Landings at Crane's Cove Condominium Association, Fenton MI; Marketing Leadership Advisory Board & Lear Center Advisory Board, Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University; Advisory Board, Sales Specialization Program at MSU and Member of The Keepers of The Shiawassee.
Elaine Baillie Bully, CHS Class of 1970. A retired elementary school teacher, primarily in first grade, and a reading interventionist. Married to Michael Bully. Mom and grandma, enjoys family, friends, her garden and helping others - especially children.
Joanne I. Armbruster Kipp, CHS Class of 1973. Health Education Teacher 1995-2009, Kindergarten Teacher 2009-2015, Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, Flint, MI. Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church; Member of School Improvement Committee; Randels Expectations Committee; Randels Social Chair; MAPHERD (Michigan Association of Physical Education, Health, Exercise and Dance).
Kevin M. Kirbitz, CHS Class of 1979. Director of Heritage Operations at General Motors (Durant-Dort Factory One in Flint, GM Heritage Center and GM Media Archives in Sterling Heights). Board of Directors, Buick Heritage Alliance. Board of Directors, Back to the Bricks. Board of Directors, Society of Automotive Historians. Board of Trustees, Durant-Dort Carriage Company Foundation. Has published many works on Flint and GM history. Married to Denise (Henry) Kirbitz, a 1980 Carman graduate.
Wendy Krzciok, CAHS Class of 1994. A University of Michigan Flint graduate with 15 years of classroom teaching grades 7-12. She previously taught at Northwestern, Beecher, Bendle and Madison Academy.Former National Honors Society adviser. Former volunteer at Genesee County Animal Control.
Nancy Kursik, CHS Class of 1977 A Retired Family Practice private physician, Nancy attended Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1981. She then went on to the University of Mississippi "Ole Miss" Medical school, graduating in 1985. After completing residency in the Family Practice program, Covington, KY, in 1988, Nancy moved on to her current Grand Blanc, MI practice (1988 to present). Her hobbies include golfing, gardening, traveling, watching sporting events, reading murder mysteries, and virtually any outdoor activity!
Rick Kursik, CHS Class of 1975. President, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. Rick is now retired after serving several years as the Vice President of Sales and a member of the Executive Operating Committeefor Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting Professional. Rick graduated from Kalamazoo College where he was a 4-year member of the varsity swim team. He has served on several charitable, professional and business boards over the previous 30-years
Laurie (Hynan) Schaibly, Class of 1976. Current Secretary on CCCC Board. Works at Kettering University as a Major Gift Officer – raising funds to support Kettering University (formerly GMI) and its amazing projects and students. Bachelor of Science Degree from Central Michigan University in 1980 and Juris Doctor of Law Degree from Michigan State University in 2000.
Theresa Kratofil, CHS Class of 1986. Proprietor, T. Kratofil Corporate Trainer/Consultant, Grand Blanc, MI. PTA secretary, Grand Blanc Community Schools (2013-2016). Longtime school volunteer. Whaley Children's Center Programs sponsor.
Cathy Grimmett Roeper, CHS Class of 1970. Medical technologist at Hurley Medical Center and American Red Cross, 1986-1994. Environmental sanitarian in the food program at Genesee County Health Department, Environmental Health Division until retirement in 2016. Active member of Faith Baptist Church in Davison, MI. Married to Gary Roeper, mom to twins (boy and girl) and grandma to 8 grandchildren.
Greg Young, CHS Class of 1972 – Retired from General Motors several years ago as VP of NUMMI after stints in Finance, Manufacturing and Product Development. He subsequently spent 3 years as a VP at Levi Strauss and ended his career as managing a group of food companies in Michigan. Greg is an avid skier and contributor to the National Ski Patrol and a current member of the Palisade Tahoe and Boyne Mountain ski patrols. He has been married to his sweetheart for 43 years, has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. He and Diana reside in Northern Michigan.
Lori (Sanders) Vedder, CHS Class of 1979. Serves as the Director of Financial Aid, University of Michigan-Flint. She is currently serving as the interim Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management. Lori has held various positions at the National, Midwest and State levels, for associations serving the financial aid profession. Founding member, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation.
Past Board Member Profiles
James (Woody) Bucherie, CHS Class of 1971. General Contractor, Interior Design, Henderson, Nevada. Founder and Manager of “Carman Talk” website; Henderson, Nevada Chamber of Commerce; Las Vegas, Nevada Rotary Club; Homeless Advocates Las Vegas; Founding member, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation.
Wanda Woods Emmerling, CHS Class of 1970. Retired Public Relations Specialist, Journalist and Editor. Past President Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. Founding president of several non-profits; BOD of Clio Area Educational Foundation, BOD several community theater organizations and youth sports organizations; Chairperson United Way Clio Area campaign. Honors include Clio Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of Year Award, Clio Area Schools Golden Apple Award.
Mike Gates, CAHS Employee. Teacher for 10 years at CAHS, current Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Carman-Ainsworth High School, Flint, MI. A graduate of Flushing High School. Played baseball and finished undergraduate degrees from Central Michigan University (Majors in Marketing, Logistics, and Business Teacher Education, Minor in Physical Education). Masters in Educational Leadership from Concordia University - Ann Arbor. Former football and baseball coach at CAHS. Former NHS and student council advisor at CAHS. Treasurer of the Carman-Ainsworth Athletic Hall of Fame.
Alan F. Himelhoch, CHS Class of 1981. Attorney, Partner and Manager at Winegarden, Haley, Lindholm, Tucker & Himelhoch, PLC, Grand Blanc, MI. Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission; Genesee Lapeer Shiawasee Region V Planning Commission; Leadership Flint Board; Genesee County Democratic Party Executive Committee; Temple Beth El Endowment Committee; Flint Jewish Federation Board; United Way Account Executive; Rotary Club of Greater Flint Sunrise; Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce; Jordan College Community Advisory Committee; Genesee County Jewish Democratic Caucus; Grand Blanc AYSO Coach. Mediator, Arbitrator, Moderator, and Speaker.
Don Laney, CHS Class of 1977. Past Treasurer, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. AVP and Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third Bank with 38 years in the financial industry. Board member for Junior Achievement and Council Member for the St. Pius X Educational Trust Fund. Member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and The Knights of Columbus. Past Athletic Director at St. Pius X Catholic School, and ran a successful Athletic Boosters Club for grades 5-8.
Jessyca Mathews, CAHS Class of 1995. Teacher, Carman-Ainsworth High School, Flint, MI. Author: "Simply, A Collection of Poetry." A graduate of Flint Carman-Ainsworth High School and the University of Michigan-Flint, BA Secondary Education). MBA, Marygrove College in Detroit. Varsity girls soccer coach. Founder and operator, The Cougar Closet.
Mark R. Rebhan, CHS Class of 1981. Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, MRM Advertising Agency, Birmingham, MI. Elder and Treasurer, Oakland Hills Community Church, Farmington Hills, MI; past Elder and Treasurer, Coveneant Presbyterian Church, Brighton, MI; Assistant Head Referee, Farmington Hills Soccer Club; Head Soccer Coach, Farmington Youth Soccer; Head Coach, Southfield Christian High School Girls Soccer.
Peggy Suess, CHS Class of 1973. Realtor, State of Michigan, Real Living Tremaine Real Estate, Flint MI. Secretary Carman Cougar Charities Corporation; Public Notary, State of Michigan; Deacon, Resurrection Reformed Church; Community Liaison Boy Scouts Pack 110; Carriage Town Ministries – Food Service; Prom Dress Give Away – Chair; Carman Ainsworth Athletic Boosters – Secretary; Class of 1973 Reunion Events – Organizer.
Paul Peter Trainor, Jr., CHS Class of 1971. Retired, General Motors Truck and Coach. Historian and Founding member, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. Longtime school volunteer; Find A Grave Photography volunteer; Paul lives with his wife in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and has two daughters.
Rhonda Ureche, CHS Class of 1972. Customer 1st Manager, Novi Michigan The Kroger Co. of Michigan. Vice President, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. Linden Planning Commission Appointed Office 2013-2014 United Way Campaign Coordinator; Making Strides for Breast Cancer Coordinator; Paint for Pride; Gleaners Food Bank Team Leader Volunteer; Forgotten Harvest Team Leader Volunteer; Susan G Komen for the Cure Team District Coordinator.
Karen M. Woods, CHS Class of 1986. Corporate Trainer/Consultant/Instructional Designer, K.Woods Training and Consulting, Swartz Creek, MI. Swartz Creek Community Schools PTA President/Board Member (2005-2011); Coordinator for Swartz Creek Elms Road Elementary Playground Project (2005-2009); Swartz Creek Community Schools Parent Involvement Initiative; Three-for-Me Parent Involvement program; Operation Brush Up; Flint Township Police Department Crime Prevention Department Seatbelt Awareness Campaign Assistant Coordinator. Founding member, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation.
Janice Chamberlain Baillie, CHS Class of 1978. Former Secretary, Carman Cougar Charities Corporation. Retired from Fifth Third Bank as a Licensed Investment Representative and Personal Banker, with 35 years in the Financial Services Industry. Member of First Presbyterian Church of Flint, previously serving on the Women's Ministry Team, Trustee Board and Finance Team, Chair of the Stewardship Committee, Section Leader and Choir Council for the Chancel Choir, Sunday School Teacher and Nursery Aide. Previous and current volunteer activities include Carriage Town Ministries, Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministry, CRIM Festival of Races and Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Past member of the West Flint Business Association and the Flushing Chamber. Married to Steve Baillie (CHS Class of 1973), Janice is currently focusing on family, reading, travel and photography.
**Courtney Gebhardt Irish- CAHS Class of 1987**. Senior Sales Manager for the Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce/ Convention & Visitors Bureau. CMP-Certified Meeting Professional, CTA- Certified Tourism Ambassador and facilitator for the program. Secretary/ Treasurer of Circle Michigan, an organization that promotes group tourism in the state. Volunteer for Magic Johnson-Feed the Children, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and Michigan Cares for Tourism. Interest include, golf, tennis, walking, four-wheeling, hiking, reading and traveling. Married to Michael Irish and two children, Ethan and Emmersyn.