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• Nancy Balogh
  Nancy has taught in the Detroit Public Schools for 21 years. Her field of expertise is Bilingual Education. She is currently hired under a "Schools of the 21st Century" grant to implement whole school reform at Logan Elementary School. She also teaches a class in educational psychology at E.M.U.

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• Cara Belkofer
  Cara received her Bachelors of Science in sociology and biology from the University of Michigan and has since been working for the University of Michigan Health System. She currently works in the Center for Human Growth and Development conducting clinical research on eating behaviors in low-income pediatric populations. She began work as the position of Coordinator of Reach Out and Read in the summer of 2007.
  

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• Bonnie Billups
  Bonnie is Executive Director at Peace Neighborhood Center (PNC). He grew up in Ann Arbor and has worked with at-risk populations since 1975. He went to Eastern Michigan University for 2 1/2 years studying Social Work Administration. He decided in 1985 to pursue a music career and moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a musician and with at-risk youth and their families. After 6 years he moved back to Ann Arbor in 1991 and resumed his work at PNC.
  

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• Tim Duperron
  Tim Duperron, who has served as Focus: HOPE's chief operating officer for five of the last eight years, was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer in January 2007. Duperron joined Focus: HOPE in 1998 after a 34-year career with the Ford Motor Company. Duperron began his career as a skilled trades apprentice and progressed through the company holding many assignments at Ford plants. He was on assignment as plant manager of Ford's Cleveland Casting Plant when Duperron accepted an early retirement to become the first chief operating officer of Focus: HOPE. Duperron worked closely with Focus: HOPE Co-founder Eleanor Josaitis during the difficult time after Father William Cunningham's death. He won the respect and confidence of Focus: HOPE colleagues during that challenging period. Duperron served in the role of COO for nearly five years until he recruited Keith Cooley as his replacement in 2002. Duperron then served as executive advisor to Cooley and Josaitis until 2006 when he agreed to become chief operating officer again. Duperron served in the U.S. Navy and holds a bachelor of science degree from Wayne State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University.
  

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• Monica Harrold
  Monica Harrold is the principal of Northside Elementary School in Ann Arbor. She has been an administrator in the Ann Arbor Public Schools for seven years. Prior to becoming a principal, she was a teacher for AAPS. Monica earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Michigan. She is a National Board Certified Teacher with an Early Childhood/.Generalist certification.
  

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• Vickie Malcolm
  Vickie Malcolm is an administrator with the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Department of Community Education & Recreation. She supervises School Age Child Care and summer programs for families. Prior to working as an educator, she was employed by the City of Ann Arbor to teach job training skills. She served on the Board of Directors for the Washtenaw Area Council for Children, is a Community Partner with the Michigan Community Scholars Program and is very active in her church. She received a BA in Community Development from Michigan State University and a MA in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University. She and her husband Ronnie are both "townies" and have an 11-year-old son.
  

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• Gwendolyn Bagner-Patterson
  Gwendolyn Bagner-Patterson is the supervisor for the Ann Arbor Public Schools, Northside School Age Child Care Program. Before working with children, Gwen worked with the Department of Defense for 30 years. While volunteering for the Detroit Public Schools, she found a love for working with children. While still in Detroit, she and a friend opened a day care program where she learned all the necessary skills for working with young children. When her family relocated to Ann Arbor, she continued to work with children at Northside Elementary School. In addition to supervising the child care program at Northside, she also works as the Noon Hour Coordinator. Both of her positions provide great continuity for children at the school and allow her to have a positive influence on many young people. She considers herself to be helpful, encouraging and fun to be around. Gwen is committed to working with young people of all ages and inspiring them to be the best that they can be.

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