SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS:
Douglass B. Hiatt
Chair
Parent Representative
Term expires: 2014
Doug graduated from Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska in 1990, with a BSBA in Accounting. In 1993 he graduated with a JD from the Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in October 1993. He has been a practicing attorney in the area of banking and financial law for the past eighteen years. He has been employed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Bankers Systems in St. Cloud, and for the last fourteen years has been in-house counsel at TCF Financial Corporation.
Doug and his wife are the proud parents of a fourth grader and two first graders at DaVinci Academy.
Doug served on the board of a small private school in Elk River from 2006 thru 2008. He has served on the DaVinci Academy Board since September 2008, and is currently the chair of its Finance Committee. Doug has volunteered in a number of different programs over the years and enjoys helping others.
Vice Chair
Teacher Representative
Term expires: 2015
David was educated in Shakespeare, European History and Art History at Glasgow University in Scotland, and graduated with a BA in English, with minors in History and Criminal Justice, from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. A lifetime spent creatively working with children culminated in a teaching license from Augsburg College. His enthusiasm for art, science, and medieval history brought him from the Eden Prairie school district to DaVinci Academy, where he has taught fourth grade since the school's inception.
David grew up in Hopkins, Minnesota. He is a Bronze Palm Eagle Scout, and served as Scoutmaster for an active troop of boys for seven years. He created and ran multiple youth and adult Leadership Training programs for his troop and district. David set two Hopkins High School records in sprint swimming, and was head life guard at Shady Oak Beach for multiple summers, where he received two Minnesota Honor Deed Awards for preventing the loss of human life.
David has organized and ran DaVinci Academy's elementary age science fairs, and wrote and directed two full length school plays. He was asked by the Minnesota Historical Society to advise researchers at their 2010 "Redesigning Field Trips for the 21st Century" conference. In August of 2010 he was nominated to join the DaVinci Academy Board by his fellow teachers.
David currently resides with his wife and fellow 4th Grade co-teacher Michelle in Coon Rapids. He enjoys music, writing, natural science, art, theater, child development, entomology, and medieval history.
Ross Meisner
Treasurer
Parent Representative
Term expires 2016
Ross grew up in Cloquet, MN, received his BS in Electrical Engineering from DeVry Institute in Kansas City in 1987, and his MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, MA, in 1997. Ross has been an entrepreneur several times over, including his current company, Dymedex Consulting, which he co-founded in 2007 to deliver strategic marketing insights to the medical technology industry. He spent 6 years at Medtronic doing global marketing. His prior work includes management consulting, internet financial services, and the semiconductor industry, including a three year stint in Tokyo. He started his first company while in college.
Ross brings an array of business skills to the board, notably financial management and strategic planning. Ross also spent six years on the MIT Club of Minnesota board, two as Treasurer and two as President, where he led an expansion of membership programs. He has been an active volunteer on the DaVinci Academy Board's Finance Committee for three years before joining the Board as Treasurer in 2013.
Ross, his wife Mandy, and their two children - both enrolled at DaVinci Academy - now reside in Fridley. Ross is a passionate advocate of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as a supporter for music and art programs
Kevin Furst
Secretary
Parent Representative
Term expires 2016
Kevin graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2005 with a B.S.. in French Education. He has also studied in La Rochelle, France earning a CP in 2004. Currently finishing his M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with an additional certification in Instructional Design Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Kevin has a strong interest in the design and implementation of engaging and effective curricula in schools. He is also a strong supporter of Arts and STEM education.
Kevin has taught French in Mankato, Fargo, ND, and the Twin Cities Metro. Currently the coordinator for the secondary-level International Baccalaureate Programmes in Brooklyn Center, MN, he deals with curriculum alignment, program implementation and staff development. In his career, Kevin has served on or chaired both teaching and educational administration experience, Kevin's focus is on helping the school continue to deliver a top-quality education to its students.
Kevin and his wife, Samantha, have a daughter currently in Kindergarten with two future DaVinci Academy students soon joining her. The Fursts currently reside in Coon Rapids.
Dale F. Lieb
Director
Community Member
Term expires 2015
Dale is a 1974 graduate of St. Mary’s University, with a BA in Business Administration and Modern Languages. He also received a MBA in Marketing in 1976 from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business. Dale is currently employed by CHS Inc., a large grain/energy agribusiness company in St. Paul, where he has held various finance, sales, marketing management and insurance brokering positions for the past thirty-three years.
Dale and his wife, Linda, are longtime residents of Vadnais Heights.
Dale joined the DaVinci Academy Board in May 2011 as a community representative. He comes to the board with substantial experience in financial and operational management, customer relations, marketing, and risk management. He looks forward to utilizing those skills to help DaVinci Academy accomplish their mission and achieve continued success.
Mike Hebert
Director
mhebert@davincicharterschool.org
Teacher Member
Term expires 2015
Mike is a 2011 graduate of Northwestern College (St. Paul), with a BA in Instrument Music Education. He served as the college band's president and assistant conductor his senior year. Mike has been an active part of the MN marching band scene since 2006 and is now entering his first year of full time teaching. He was recently accepted into the Tri-State Judges Association and is now adjudicating year round across the Tri-State area.
Mike and his wife, Laura, live in Maplewood. They are enjoying the process of fixing up their first house and are regularly involved in their church's youth group.
Mike joined DaVinci Academy Board in August 2012 as a teacher representative. He comes to the board with a passion for education that is meaningful, relevant, and worth the student's time. Mike is excited to use his training in quality classroom instruction to help DaVinci provide a superior model of education for the benefit and joy of its students.
Anand Singh
Director
Parent Representative
Term expires 2014
Anand has a Ph.D. (Computer Science) from University of Minnesota and M.S. (Computer Science) from Purdue University. Anand has lived in the twin cities since 1998 and has been in executive leadership positions at USBank, Target and UnitedHealth Group. In his current role as Sr. Director at UnitedHealth Group, Anand leads the organization responsible for implementing innovation solutions for the enterprise including solutions for mobile devices, tablets and Cloud. Anand has a strong interest in Information Security and Agile and is a nationally recognized expert in these areas.
Anand brings the repertoire of technology, leadership and financial skills to DaVinci Academy board of directors. He is passionate about advancing the cause of grade school education. He looks forward to using these skills to advance DaVinci Academy's success.
Anand, his wife Samidha and his two children are long-time residents of the Blaine area.