Bettendorf, IA - Pete Wessels, Randy Moore, Jenny Kimball and Terry Wilson have joined the Board of Directors at the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.
    Pete Wessels, a Rock Island attorney and previous Board member, is returning to the Board as 2nd Vice Chair. Randy Moore, President of the Iowa American Water Company, joins the Board for the first time, as does Jenny Kimball, Assistant Treasurer at Deere & Company in Moline. Terry Wilson, Niche Publications Manager at the Moline Dispatch, is new on the Board but is already a member of the Foundation’s Marketing Committee.
     “We’re fortunate to have these four talented individuals join the other community leaders and philanthropists on the Board,” said new Board Chair Mike Drymiller, who served as 1st Vice-Chair during the past year. “Each brings different experiences to the Board, and a deep commitment to the Quad Cities region. That commitment is important as we determine how to direct the Foundation’s resources to address the pressing needs of the community.”
     The Board of Directors is made up of a diverse group of citizens representing a cross-section of the community. Members for 2011 are:
     Michael K. Drymiller -- Chair
     Deann R. Thoms -- 1st Vice-Chair
     Pete M. Wessels -- 2nd Vice-Chair
     Chris Wahlig -- Treasurer
     Jill N. McLaughlin -- Secretary
     Diane B. Harris -- Past Chair
     Alan D. Anderson
     Katherine A. Andrios
     Daniel P. Ellard
     Jenny R. Kimball
     Randy A. Moore
     Linda K. Neuman
     Jean H. Steffenson
     William R. Storm
     Terry D. Wilson
     Marie Z. Ziegler     
     The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend gathers donations for the community, works with philanthropists to develop charitable funds, manages and invests funds and donations, then distributes grants to nonprofit organizations that serve a wide variety of community interests and needs, from the homeless and hungry to the arts, education and the environment. In addition, the Foundation brings together organizations and community leaders in partnerships that address issues such as the high school graduation rate, the capacity of nursing education facilities, and early childhood education.
     Along with 11 affiliate foundations throughout a 17-county service area, CFGRB distributed almost six million dollars in grants in 2010. The Foundation is a trusted partner for nonprofits, managing their endowments so the organizations can focus on their core mission. It also manages scholarship funds, distributing more than $500,000 in scholarships to area students in 2010. 
     “The Foundation helps donors establish personal legacies that can have a positive impact on the community for generations to come,” said Susan Skora, President & CEO. “In 1993, we had one fund and $1 million in assets. Now, we’re managing 641 funds and more than $67 million in assets. Our growth is a direct result of the generosity of our donors, and it increases our ability to help more people.”  

-END-