BOARD CHAIR
Class of 1994

A Denver native, Ernie Jones is a graduate of Manual High School, Class of 1994, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Grinnell College. He is the proud father of three sons - Nigel (Manual Class of 2025), Felix (Manual Class of 2030), and Omar (Manual Class of 2034). Ernie is deeply passionate about the Northeast Denver community and the Manual campus, and is committed to showing students that their opportunities are limitless. #showthemeverything

TREASURER
Class of 1988

Blake, his brother, Lyle Johnson (1986), and sister Ashley Rust (1991) all graduated from Manual. Blake received his BA in Economics from DePauw University, Greencastle, IN in 1992 and MBA in Finance from Indiana University in 1996. 
 
Blake is CFO of Devils Thumb Ranch and Marker Hill Capital. His experience includes Commercial real estate development, oil and gas investments. He owns, builds and manages hotels, office buildings and retail buildings.  Prior career work includes consultant at PriceWaterhouse Coopers LLP, programming financial software, investment banking, and private equity, strategy at Level 3 Communications (where he worked with Tom Boasberg). 
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In addition to Friends of Manual, Blake serves on the board of Skyline Acres. He started a Robotics Club at his son's school.  His wife, Lisa Grey Johnson founded and is director of Girls on the Run of the Rockies, a non-profit after school curriculum service over 5,000 girls a year in over 200 schools, many of which are in DPS. 
 
Blake wants to serve the Manual community and help provide the school community and neighborhood, the pride, political and financial support to help the Manual kids and families.

SECRETARY
Class of 1980

Carol, a 1980 graduate of Manual, received her undergraduate degree in Religious Studies at CU and law degree at DU.  She went on to be an Assistant  District Attorney in Adams and Jefferson counties, a Guardian ad Litem and a municipal judge.  She has two children and is mostly retired now.  Her husband is also a municipal judge.  

Carol volunteers at the Peaks at Old Larmie Trail teaching exercise to the residents in Assisted Living and Memory Care and as an archivist at the Boulder History Museum.  

Parent of Manual Students

Allison and her husband Seth moved to Whittier in February 2002. They have 2 kids, Both Manual graduates. Layla graduated in 2022 and Naomi in 2025. Allison fell in love with Manual as a board member of the Whittier Neighborhood Association (WNA) and over the years has developed deep relationships with students and teachers alike. Allison helped fundraise to send 20 kids from the Performing Arts Dept to New York in the Spring of 2022 and was honored to be invited to attend the trip as a parent chaperone. It was a life changing trip for everyone in attendance! You will often find her tucked in the seats of the Joyce Davis Auditorium watching auditions or rehearsals for the various performances Manual so masterfully puts on or cheering any and every sport from the Manual bleachers. 

​Allison has an undergraduate degree in Human Services from Lesley University and a Masters in Public Health and Social Work from Boston University. She left the field of public health to start a career in real estate in 2013 and never looked back!

Class of 2017

After graduating from Manual High School, Isabelle continued her education at Colorado State University earning a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media Communications and stayed there for graduate school earning a masters degree in Communications and Media Management. Isabelle has been heavily involved with the community at Manual. She has been connected since her graduation coming back for the yearly winter showcase and the spring musicals. She even worked there for a year in 2021. 
 
In her professional career, Isabelle has always been involved in social justice and giving a voice to underrepresented communities through her writing. She has worked at organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union participating in the fight for civil rights and civil liberties for all.

Class of 1979

Julie Winger is a proud graduate of Manual High School Class of 1979. She counts her years at Manual as one of the most formative periods of her life, especially her time spent in Choir and The Bolt Vibrations under the direction of Dr. Joyce Davis. Julie notes with gratitude the many longstanding friendships that seem to thrive amongst Thunderbolts of all ages! 

After High School, Julie trained in Music Business and Sound Engineering at The University of Colorado, then Acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. She spent a few years behind the scenes at the Denver Center Theater and Mercury Cafe as a sound engineer, and many years in front of the scenery in Hollywood acting, before returning to Denver and following in her Mom’s footsteps (Graduate of South) and tackling the intriguing world of Denver Real Estate Sales. She’s now In her 25th year in Real Estate Sales and Consulting.

Julie is thrilled to be a member of the Board where she hopes to support the continued growth of this very special school and its phenomenal students. She’s longtime volunteer for and supporter of many causes for animals, children, and the environment. She loves the mountains and the ocean, skiing, cycling, singing, yoga, and still acting for fun when she can squeeze it in. Most of all, she loves her amazing grown son, Billy (Graduate of DSA) and her two dogs, Roy and Georgie-boy!

HISTORIAN EMERITUS
Class of 1957

A retired DPS social science teacher born and raised in Denver, Jim is a person steeped in the lore of his home town, especially Manual High School. As a local historian, he compiled a book in 2000 for Charlie "Bronco" Goldberg titled: Broncos: How Sweet It Is! He holds MA degrees in History (1970) and Educational Media (1975) from the University of Northern Colorado. While a teacher of US history for over 25 years, he always emphasized the importance of Denver, Manual, and minorities in the narrative of our country. His second book is titled: Denver's Manual High School- 1876 Bricklayers to Thunderbolts 2016.