Board of Directors
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Mary Salsich (Board Chair) - Community Member
Mary is owner and managing broker of her own real estate brokerage, Red Pepper Real Estate. Prior to getting her real estate license, Mary worked in the nonprofit sector as development director for a variety of nonprofits and Community Partnership Coordinator at Manual High School from 2000-2003. Mary joined the board of Friends of Manual in 2015 because she truly believes schools with a majority of students who qualify for free and reduced-priced lunch need extra support, both financially and emotionally. She became Treasurer in 2017 and assumed the role of Board Chair in 2018. Although it is often said that real estate is a 24/7 business, Mary finds time for many outdoor activities and giving back to the community through volunteering and fundraising for Friends of Manual, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition and Park Hill Neighborhood Association. |
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Walter Huff (Board Member)- Class of 1978
Walter and his two brothers graduated form Manual High School: Walter in 1978, his older brother in 1976 and his younger brother in 1980. Walter is the CEO/Team Leader of the Huff Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Realty, DTC. He has been serving Coloradan’s for 28 years as a Trusted Home Wealth Expert Advisor. His Expertise in negotiating Win Win transactions for Home Buyers and Sellers, including Commercial Real Estate clients has created Lifelong relationships. He is a Certified Military Residential Specialist, Graduate of the Aging Mastery Program accredited by the National Council of Aging, Certified Senior Housing Professional, and Graduate of the Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) program directed by the Denver Office of Economic Development. He also provides strategic advice to small and medium size businesses seeking Commercial Capital Funding solutions. Walter is an alumnus of Metropolitan State University Denver and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He is a graduate of Manual High School, class of 1978, his Brother James class of 1976, and Brother Daniel class of 1980. Additionally, he’s devoted to his Faith and Father of two beautiful daughters and three wonderful grandchildren. |
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James Beverly (Secretary)- Class of 1996
James Beverly has worked for the State of Colorado for more than 15 years managing a Disability Mobility Shuttle Service for the Auraria Higher Education Center. His passion in life is Photography. He is the owner and creative director of One Focus Productions. He has been a Freelance photographer within the community and has provided photography services for Colorado for more than 10 years. James is an alumnus of Colorado Christian University and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management. He also received a Masters of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix. James enjoys being a mentor to college students, spending time with family, and playing a friendly game of chess with friends. |
Catherine (Cathy) Crawford (Historian) - Class of 1981
Cathy is a Native of Denver and graduated from Manual in 1981. Going to Manual is a family tradition. Her father graduated from the Old Manual in 1953, and her 2 siblings graduated in 1976 and 1985. Her niece will carry on the tradition and will be the newest graduate in 2023. Cathy is a past board member who volunteered to be a mentor to a student who had to relocate to a different school when Manual closed in 2006. Cathy rejoined the Friends of Manual in 2019 because Manual is close to her heart and wanted to give back to the school.
It's never too late to go back to school. Cathy went back at the age of 40 and graduated from Community College of Aurora in 2010.
Currently working for Colorado Access, Cathy helps families access quality, affordable care through the Children’s Health Plan (CHP) in the State of Colorado. She has seen several families need extra help. She organized a food drive within her department and collected enough for almost 20 families for Thanksgiving and they adopted a family from Manual to help with Christmas.
Cathy loves traveling and was fortunate to go oversea more than 20 years ago. Since then she has been very blessed to see the 2 different Popes at the Vatican in Rome. Cathy is a firm believer in making a wish list and once you accomplish one add a new one. This always gave Cathy something to look forward to. Her next wish is to go to Spain, fingers crossed that travel will become safe again.
Cathy is a Native of Denver and graduated from Manual in 1981. Going to Manual is a family tradition. Her father graduated from the Old Manual in 1953, and her 2 siblings graduated in 1976 and 1985. Her niece will carry on the tradition and will be the newest graduate in 2023. Cathy is a past board member who volunteered to be a mentor to a student who had to relocate to a different school when Manual closed in 2006. Cathy rejoined the Friends of Manual in 2019 because Manual is close to her heart and wanted to give back to the school.
It's never too late to go back to school. Cathy went back at the age of 40 and graduated from Community College of Aurora in 2010.
Currently working for Colorado Access, Cathy helps families access quality, affordable care through the Children’s Health Plan (CHP) in the State of Colorado. She has seen several families need extra help. She organized a food drive within her department and collected enough for almost 20 families for Thanksgiving and they adopted a family from Manual to help with Christmas.
Cathy loves traveling and was fortunate to go oversea more than 20 years ago. Since then she has been very blessed to see the 2 different Popes at the Vatican in Rome. Cathy is a firm believer in making a wish list and once you accomplish one add a new one. This always gave Cathy something to look forward to. Her next wish is to go to Spain, fingers crossed that travel will become safe again.
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Blake Johnson (Treasurer)- Class of 1988
Blake graduated from Manual High School in 1988 and his brother, Lyle Johnson in 1986, and sister Ashley Rust in 1991. He 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 I 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. |
Debra A. Clark - Class of 1974
A mother of two adult children, Billy and Amber, and wife of 28 years to Alton Clark. A highly motivated retired Accountant/Finance and Tax professional, Certified Substitute teacher, and Business instructor. Debra enjoys facilitating and educating. Debra has served faithfully as a Children’s Church worker, (AWANA) bible study educator, Boy Scout assistant, and commander for over 20 years at True Light Baptist Church. Both Debra (74) and Alton (70) are graduates of Manual High School.
Debra has served on various executive boards as Finance Director of the Black Forrest Camp and Conference Center, Treasurer of the American Baptist Churches, Vice President of Professional Development of the Association of Governmental Accountants, community Commissioner of American Boy Scouts, Treasurer and now Assistant Financial Secretary of the Denver Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
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Jim McNally, (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. |
Previous Board Members:
Bernique Abiakam, Bill Bridges, Aaron Burgamy, Kari Campbell, Dan Combs, Cathy Crawford, Sarah Csanyi, Nick Delap, Polly Flobeck, Kendrick Friendly, Ron Frierson, Linda Galloway, Julia Gayles, Emily Harris, Hayden Hirschfeld, Lainie Hodges, Andy Holleman, Bruce Hoyt, Rossanda Jackson, GG Johnston, Pastor Vernon Jones, Angie Knepell, Charles Malek, Jacob Martinez, Burke McHugh, Jorge Merida, Anne Moorehead, Buffy Naake, John Raabe, Joan Richardson, Cindy Sack, Laurence Schiffman, Al Schnegelberger, Dale Scott, Becky Selig, Aaron Smith, Jessica Springs, Max Stitch, Rebecca Sunshine-Dewitt, Wallace Sutton, Jose Torres, Lane Volpe, John Warren, Mark Warren, Hon. Elbra Wedgeworth, Graham Williams, and Marty Zimmerman.
We are looking for new Board Members! Please click on the Board Application Form to apply or email us for more information.
Bernique Abiakam, Bill Bridges, Aaron Burgamy, Kari Campbell, Dan Combs, Cathy Crawford, Sarah Csanyi, Nick Delap, Polly Flobeck, Kendrick Friendly, Ron Frierson, Linda Galloway, Julia Gayles, Emily Harris, Hayden Hirschfeld, Lainie Hodges, Andy Holleman, Bruce Hoyt, Rossanda Jackson, GG Johnston, Pastor Vernon Jones, Angie Knepell, Charles Malek, Jacob Martinez, Burke McHugh, Jorge Merida, Anne Moorehead, Buffy Naake, John Raabe, Joan Richardson, Cindy Sack, Laurence Schiffman, Al Schnegelberger, Dale Scott, Becky Selig, Aaron Smith, Jessica Springs, Max Stitch, Rebecca Sunshine-Dewitt, Wallace Sutton, Jose Torres, Lane Volpe, John Warren, Mark Warren, Hon. Elbra Wedgeworth, Graham Williams, and Marty Zimmerman.
We are looking for new Board Members! Please click on the Board Application Form to apply or email us for more information.