Allison Rankin - 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!
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!
Blake Johnson (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).
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.
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).
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.
About Friends of Manual
Friends of Manual High School is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the academic achievement and overall high school experience of students at Manual. Friends of Manual was started about 10 years ago by a group of alumni committed to public education in Denver and with a desire to find ways to connect in a positive way with their alma mater.