Board of Trustees
The Belton Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is registered with the state of Missouri. The Foundation is governed by a group of community volunteers who preside over the foundation as the Board of Trustees.
Board Officers
Jacqueline Cook
President
She is a partner at the law firm of Franke, Schultz & Mullen in Kansas City, Missouri, where her primary focus is in the areas of civil and complex litigation as well as appellate work. Prior to joining the law firm, Ms. Cook served as the Circuit Judge for Division I from 2001-2012, as well as Presiding Judges of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Cass and Johnson Counties.
Joye Conklin
Treasurer
Joye Conklin is the President/CEO at R-G Federal Credit Union in Belton and a 1974 graduate of Belton High School. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2018.
Dr. Kenneth Southwick
Past President
Dr. Kenneth Southwick is one of the founding members of the Belton Educational Foundation and a former Superintendent of the Belton School District #124. He currently serves as the interim Superintendent of Shawnee Mission School District.
Nathan Irvin
Vice President
Nathan Irvin is the President of Rajeunir Medical Spas and has been with on the Board of Trustees for four years.
Board Members
Bob Hardin
Bob Hardin joined the Board of Trustees in 2008 and is has served as a Member and Past President. He has been in the banking industry since 1977 and recently retired from his position as the Executive Vice President of Country Club Bank.
James Person
Chief James Person joined the Board of Trustees in 2008. Chief Person has been with the Belton Police Department since 1980. His wife Deb is a teacher at Gladden Elementary
Kathy Muder
Kathy Muder is joined the Board of Trustees in 2017. She has been a teacher for 38 years, recently retiring from the Belton School District #124 after 35 years of service.
Charlotte Bradley
Charlotte Bradley joined the Board of Trustees in 2018.
Joe Ledford
Joe Ledford joined the Board of Trustees in 2018. After serving 31 years with the Kansas City Star, Joe moved into the real estate industry with Keller Williams Southland Partners.
Patte’ Klaus Schreihofer
Patte’ Klaus Schreihofer join the Board of Trustees in 2009. She is a proud Belton graduate and resident. She is the owner and head floral designer of Klaus’ Rose Farm, a fixture in the Belton Community since 1919.
Chris Gentile
Chris Gentile joined the Board of Trustees in 2017. He is recently retried as President of Honeywell after 26 years of service.
Karen Fletcher
Karen Fletcher is the owner of Fletcher's Forms on Main Street in downtown Belton. She currently serves on the Board of Education for the Belton School District. She joined the Foundation Board of Trustees as Liaison to the Belton School District.
Scott Swaggart
Mr. Swaggart joined the Board of Trustees in 2017. He is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Southland Partners and was recently named one of the Kansas City area "20 in their Twenties" by Ingram's Magazine.
Ex-Officio Members
Dr. Andrew Underwood
Dr. Andrew Underwood is the current Superintendent of the Belton School District #124. He has his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and has been in the field of education for the past 16 years.
Dr. Bob Poisal
Bob Poisal currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent, Finance & Support Services for Belton School District #124. He joined the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member in 2018.
Board Members
Charlotte Bradley
Amber Branson
Karen Fletcher
Joye Conklin, Treasurer
Chris Gentile
Bob Hardin
Kathy Muder
James Person
Patte’ Klaus Schreihofer
Scott Swaggart
Ex Officio Members
Dr. Andrew Underwood
Belton School District Superintendent
Dr. Bob Poisal
Belton School District Asst. Superintendent Finance and Support Svcs.
Emeritus Member
Dodie Maurer
Staff
Krista Watkins, Executive Director
Alli Schnelle, Administrative Asst./Volunteer Coordinator