10/24/2025
PRESS RELEASE:
Boone Educational Endowment Foundation President Jamie Williams announces the retirements of Pat Hagan and John Nerem from the Board of the Boone Educational Endowment Foundation (BEEF) after 23 years and 14 years of service, respectively. Pat served as the Investment Officer and John as Vice President, and both played a significant role in building the foundation over the years. Their dedication and leadership helped the foundation grow significantly over the years, resulting in the trust growing to nearly $900,000 while also giving more than $455,000 in grants to local schools over the past 16 years.
On October 6th, Mike Tungesvik joined the Board and will serve as the foundation’s Treasurer, replacing Jeff Putzier, who will fill the position of Investment Officer vacated by Pat Hagan, and Wendy Kinne was named as the Vice President to fill the vacancy left by John Nerem.
In 1986, retired Boone Methodist minister, Jerry LaMotte, proposed his idea to establish an endowment fund for Boone schools. LaMotte’s belief in the very best educational opportunities and a community effort of concerned parents and friends must be willing to give resources to help assure this goal, was the catalyst that led to the creation of this endowment. What came next was the appointment of nine Boone residents to a committee in charge of the Boone Educational Endowment Fund. The group spearheaded a campaign to raise money for educational excellence and encourage Boone residents to invest in the schools through payment plans and private endowments.
The mission of BEEF is to promote, develop, and foster excellence in all aspects of the Boone Community School District by providing financial support for innovative educational projects not ordinarily provided through the district's operating budget. Since their launch, the BEEF Board of Directors has been working hard to promote educational excellence.
BEEF is a 501 (c)(3) and every donation may be tax-deductible. All Board members serve on a volunteer basis, and the foundation operates with minimal operating expenses. With little to no operating expenses, 99% or more of every donation stays in the foundation, and the interest on the assets is distributed annually to Boone Schools, so your gift is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Please consider a gift to the Boone Educational Endowment Foundation.
