New Officers Take the Helm of the Pueblo Community College Foundation

A slate of new officers has been elected to lead the Pueblo Community College Foundation for the coming year.

Paul Willumstad has been elected as President of the PCC Foundation and will be joined by Barbara Fortino (Vice President), Wynona Sullivan (Secretary), Pamela Patterson (Treasurer) and Joe Welte  (Past President) as officers for the coming year.

Willumstad has been involved with the Foundation for many years and has been a professional asset to the Foundation providing legal counsel to the organization.  “Paul has continued to be a favorite presenter at the Foundation’s Senior Law Day and the Fremont Campus’ Senior Mini College; always presenting topics pertaining to Estate Planning,” explained Martha Simmons, Executive Director of the Pueblo Community College.  “I am truly looking forward to working closely with him over the coming year as he prepares to take over the reigns of the Foundation’s Board.”

Barbara Fortino is a retired school teacher and has also been involved with the Foundation since its inception.  Barb’s husband Tony Fortino was the Founder of the PCC Foundation.  Barb has been an active member of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, helping to lead the direction of this program which benefits hundreds of students yearly and has become a trusted advisor to the Foundation’s staff; reminding each about the history of the organization and working to continue the Foundation’s advancement toward helping even more students each and every year.  In addition to the PCC Foundation’s scholarship committee, Barb is the Chairperson of the Pueblo Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

Wynona Sullivan has been a fundraising fixture in the Pueblo community for many years thanks to her oversight of KTSC, the community’s public television channel.  Upon her retirement from that position, Wynona has overseen many community projects and is now involved with not only the PCC Foundation Board of Directors but also a local chairwoman for Care & Share and the Women’s Foundation.  “If you want something done in Pueblo, you call on Wynona,” explains Simmons.  “I am in awe of her ability to spin many plates within the community and do an excellent job at each task assigned.  We are thrilled to have her involved with the PCC Foundation and look forward to utilizing her expertise in advancing the Foundation.”

Pamela Patterson has been involved with the Foundation for three years and since coming on board she has assumed leadership roles including Secretary of the Board of Directors, a member of the Fore! Education Golf Tournament organizing committee and working on the Foundation’s Development Committee.  “Pam is truly a breath of fresh air for the PCC Foundation and we are thrilled to tap her financial expertise as she assumes the role of Treasurer of the Foundation.”

Joe Welte has been involved with the PCC Foundation for decades and after concluding his most recent stint as the Foundation’s President, he will now assume the position as Past President of the Foundation, heading up the Nominating Committee and adding valuable historical information to other Foundation committees.  Joe and his brother Tom were both inducted into the Pueblo Hall of Fame last year in recognition to their service to PCC and many other community organizations.

“We are thrilled that these individuals have stepped up to the plate to help lead the Foundation for the coming year,” explains Martha Simmons, Executive Director of the PCC Foundation.  “Each individual is committed to advancing the overall mission of the Foundation and will be working closely with the staff in an effort to increase awareness and funding for this Foundation which was begun in 1981 with the intent of lending financial support to Pueblo Community College and its students and programs of academic excellence.”

Since its inception, the Pueblo Community College Foundation has been successful in generating over $16 million in funding from donors throughout the southern Colorado communities to support the campuses in Pueblo, Canon City, Durango and Mancos/Cortez.  $12 million of Foundation funding has been directed to support college programs and infrastructure needs.  Over $4 million has been directed to supporting the PCC Foundation’s student scholar program.

The current slate of officers will be joined by many others who serve on the PCC Foundation’s Board of Directors including Carla Barela, Ross Barnhart, Val DeSantis, Theresa Dudley, Barbara Duff, Patty Erjavec, Jeanne Gardner, Barbara Leonard, Lori Lovato, Charnell Mayer, Scott Moore, Marty Poole, Walter Schepp, Mary Jane Voelker and Jan Williams.

“The Pueblo Community College Foundation is always interested in talking to individuals throughout the community who would like to serve on our Board of Directors or on any one of our Foundation committees,” stressed Simmons.  “If you have an interest in lending your time and talents to advancing the mission of the PCC Foundation and being a part of the PCCF Team, contact the Foundation office at 719.544.0677.”