Bill Foster-Founder

Bill Foster & his wife Donna founded A Place Of Learning. Bill grew up in Richmond, CA. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Business. He worked for Chevron for 35yrs & ended his career as a systems analyst. He & Donna were active in the Community & their Church. They raised 3 children, parented 2 Foster children, and hosted foreign students & missionaries from all over the world. After retirement they began a ministry in West Oakland under the auspices of World Impact an intercity mission agency. Missionaries for World Impact live in the community they serve. Bill continues to be an active part of the APOL Board. His enthusiasm for recruiting new tutors is inspiring.

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Jim Sullivan-President

I was born in Monterrey Mexico, went to school in el Paso Texas and in Vigo Spain. Graduated from West Valley College and University of San Francisco. Retired with 22 years in the US Army. Served in Germany and Viet Nam. After retiring from the Army I spent 20 years as an agent /broker for Allstate Insurance in San Jose and Milpitas Ca. Of which I retired in 2003. I have been a member of Kiwanis for 30 years, I'm now with the Kiwanis Club of Brentwood. I've been married to Gloria for 49 happy years and I have two grown sons and four Grand children.. I travel as much as I can now.

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Catherine Oetjen-Treasurer

I was born in London England went to school in Argentina. I have worked in the Financial Field in New Jersey and California. I have been a member of the Kiwanis in Trenton NJ. I also served on the Budget committee in a recreation community in Pa. I have 2 Children and 2 grandchildren, I just retired and am adjusting to my new life. I belong to Resurrection Ministries Lutheran Church, and play the Queen at the yearly production of the Madrigal.

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Don Huntington

Dr. Donald Huntington is Editor In Chief of two lifestyle magazines, 110° Magazine – East County Living and 86° Magazine – Central County Living. Dr. Huntington is also an accomplished ghostwriter and an acclaimed motivational speaker. Dr. Huntington spent 20 years as a technical writer in California’s Silicon Valley, where he developed the specialty of creating internal newsletters for high-tech companies, besides running his own home-based book production company, Desktop Production Services. He has a background in theological studies, holding a baccalaureate degree and two masters degrees in the field, plus an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. He completed coursework for a PhD in Education and Computers In Education at Michigan State University. Dr. Huntington is author and co-author of several technical books and the motivational, self-help book, How to Put Your Whole Self In “101 Instructions on Being Good For Yourself, Good For Others, and Good For Heaven’s Sake.” as well as an online publication called A Daybook of a Man Awash in Grace.

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John Jewell

Wife Gerlinde Jewell, married, one (1 ) daughter

Reside in Discovery Bay, Ca 94505.

Retired, Compliance Manager, Environmental and Law's subjects

Education: C.S.U San Jose,Ca Degree- Economics

Retired from Kawasaki / Unisil Corp. Kawasaki City, Japan and Santa Clara, Ca.

Former County Commissioner for Contra Costa County: East County Fire Department and Equal Opportune Council.

Member of Kiwanis International and A Place of Learning in Brentwood, Ca. a volunteer organization.to help and educate children....

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Mary Monge

I was born in south Louisiana and grew up in that part of the country. I attended LSU undergrad and received a degree in biochemistry. I attained my master’s degree at Tulane in health systems management. I spent 43 years as a clinical laboratory scientist and 30 of those years in management and administration. I retired in 2013 and enjoy traveling reading and volunteering. I have 4 grown children and seven grandchildren. I spend a great deal of time with my family.

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Dr. Arlene Young

I grew up in East Los Angeles which strongly influenced my interest in Latino Culture. I was a preschool director at a preschool I and a close friend started. I was also a Head Start center Director. When I was 43 I returned to school and became a Clinical Psychologist. I had a Private Practice in San Diego and Chula Vista. I was also a Commissioner on the San Diego Juvenile Justice Commission, until I retired two years ago and moved to Brentwood.

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Maryeda Theer

I am a retired teacher, with 33 years of experience (Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First and Second grades) in Palo Alto and Moraga, California.

As well as teaching, which I love, APOL gives me the opportunity to “brush up my Spanish”, as I interact with parents.

My goal, upon completion of my first year of teaching was to travel to Mexico. A driving trip, with my mother, brother and sister, to Mexico City, became the first of many trips to various places in Mexico with various family members. For the last five years, I have been fortunate to vacation in Baja California Sur, where my sister and her husband have built a home on the Sea of Cortez.

I am a native Californian, born in Calexico, attended elementary and high school in the foothills (Camino and Grass Valley), and college in Palo Alto. I received AB and AM degrees in education from Stanford University.

I live in Brentwood, where my three grandchildren keep me busy with their sports and concerts. However, I can always find time for a good book.