Three new members have been named to the local Reach Foundation Board of Directors, according to Adrian Klenz, the foundation’s executive director.
Lisa Walter, chief of police at UW-Stout, will begin her three-year term on the board next May. Wes Escondo, executive director of Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin, began his term this past June, as did Kerri Stoner, vice-president of commercial banking for U.S. Bank.
Board members currently may serve up to three three-year terms. Dan Marjala, a partner with Nordolf Flory, LLP and John Hager, who has retired from the Coca-Cola Co., left the board this year after 10 years of board membership.
Klenz expressed “a sincere debt of gratitude” for their service, in a press release that also announced the new appointees.
The Reach Foundation (see http://reach-inc.org/reach-foundation/3582421) was formed here in 2003 to raise funds and awareness for the Eau Claire County Reach, Inc. organization (Regional Enterprises for Adults and Children). Klenz joined the foundation as executive director in 2014.
Reach, Inc. is a community-based private nonprofit corporation that has provided human services to people with disabilities locally since 1963. It now serves more than 900 families and clients each year, with an annual budget of more than $4 million and a staff of more than 150 people.
Its philosophy is that “all people with disabilities should be given the opportunity to achieve independence, improve their lifestyle and maintain full participation in society,” according to its website.