Sanger Education Foundation Board of Directors
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Gary Bilyeu
Board President – KFA Financial
Service has always been and continues to be an integral part of Gary’s life. Gary has been a Marine for more than 23 years and continue to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves, earning multiple distinctions, which include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal as well as Series Honor Man. Gary serves his community, as a City Councilman (4th term) and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Sanger, Texas; and as a Charter Member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1300. He has a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of North Texas and am a Distinguished Graduate of the USMC Command and Staff College. His strong belief in that his work within and for the community allows him to see the world through others’ eyes, which in turn helps him assist people to create financial plans that suit their individual lives. He enjoys the fact that no two plans are ever the same. Whether it is young people making their very first investment or people at the end of their working career, He finds true satisfaction in helping others achieve their goals and dreams. Gary joined the Administration Committee in 2018, becoming a Board of Director in 2019.
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Jeff Springer
VP Administration
Jeff Springer is a practicing attorney at Springer-Lyle Law Firm. He has taught law as an adjunct Professor at Texas Woman's University. He regularly teaches Sunday School in Denton and has served on a number of charitable organizations and in leadership positions. Jeff's vision and insight with two others led to the creation of the Sanger Education Foundation becoming the foundation's very first Board President in 2007, serving in that capacity until 2010. Jeff has continuously served either in some means as a member of the Administration committee, Administration Committee Chair or as an active Board Member.
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Don Long
VP Investment & Treasurer
Don Long is a graduate of Sanger High School and attended college at North Texas State University before joining the Navy in 1987. Don served honorably for 8 years as a Hospital Corpsman (combat medic) and was deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1991. While in the Military, Don graduated from the Naval College of Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD with a degree in Medical Technology. Don worked for Siemens Healthcare in the Laboratory Diagnostics division for 21 years. His last position was Senior Manager for the Regional Support Center Americas. He had responsibility for the second level support team that covered the entire western hemisphere. Don returned to Texas in 2013 and has been a member of the Sanger Bank Board of Directors since 2015. In 2019, Don left the medical field and joined the bank full time as Executive Vice President. He is currently attending the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU in Dallas.
“It is such an honor to have the opportunity to give back to the community and school system that helped shape my life.”
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John Reed, DDS
Board Secretary Sanger Family Dentistry
John H Reed Jr DDS email largeDr. Reed grew up in Sanger and graduated from Sanger High School in 2002. He attended Texas A&M University in College Station where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Science. Dr. Reed graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry, a component of the Texas A&M Health Science Center, in Dallas. Dr. Reed joined the Investment Committee in 2013 and has served consistently on the Investment Committee and has served as Committee Chair in both the Programs Committee and Development Event Committee. He joined the Board of Directors in 2014, serving two terms before stepping down in August 2019. He rejoined the Board of Directors in September 2020, and is currently serving as Board Secretary and an Investment Committee member.
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Carol Danner
VP Programs
Carol Danner holds a master’s degree from the University of North Texas and in 2019 retired from Sanger ISD after teaching math at Sanger High School for 40 years. Carol and her husband Mike have been married 43 years and have 2 exceptional daughters, 2 incredible sons-in-law, and 2 outstanding grandsons. carol loves her Sanger school family, and when asked will tell your she is greatly pleased to be able to give back to the community and teaching staff of Sanger ISD through her involvement in the Sanger Education Foundation.
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Jodie Miller
VP Event Development – Sanger Insurance
Jodie Miller started her insurance career in 2000 and has been with Sanger Insurance since 2009 where she is currently the Agency Manager and Commercial Lines Agent. In the past she has served on the Board of Directors for the Sanger Chamber of Commerce and was a committee member & chair of donations for the Event Development Committee for the Sanger Education Foundation in 2019. She has now transitioned to a Board of Directors position in 2020. Jodie loves giving back and volunteering in her community, both personally and professionally. She is excited to join the Education Foundation’s Board of Directors.
For more information about Sanger Insurance visit: Sangerinsurance.com -
Dixie Berry
At-Large – North Texas Print Solutions
Dixie Berry is a proud alumni of Sanger High School, having attended UNT on a Basketball scholarship. Mrs. Berry graduated from University of North Texas with a Bachelors degree in Recreation. For the last 23 years Dixie has worked extensively in building a successful career in Marketing and Print Publications offering a range of marketing and print services to clients throughout the North Texas area. In April 2014 Dixie created and opened North Texas Print Solutions catering to all types of the marketing, print and advertising needs of her clients. In addition, Dixie has volunteered throughout Denton County serving as a CASA Board of Director for over 15 years, served on 2 Community Committees within United Way of Denton County for 3 years and has served as both a SEF Public Relations Committee Member and a Board Member for over 10 years. For additional information about Dixie and North Texas Print Solutions visit North Texas Print Solutions.
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DeeDee Peterson
At Large
DeeDee is a lifelong resident of Sanger and a 1989 graduate of Sanger High School. DeeDee began her career in Banking in 1995 and has been with DATCU Credit Union since 2005. She is a graduate of Southwest CUNA Management School and is Vice President of Branch Operations overseeing daily operations of the call center and 12 locations throughout the North Texas area. She serves as a volunteer for United Way of Denton County and Texas Health Resources Community Impact Leadership Council. DeeDee has volunteered with the Sanger Education Foundation since 2013, serving on the Board of Directors since 2014. She serves as Board Secretary, Vice President of Events and Chair of the Development Committee. For more information about DATCU Credit Union, visit: DATCU.org
The Board of Directors meet the 3rd Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at 400 Bolivar Street, Suite 102, Sanger, Texas. For additional information please contact the foundation off at 940-600-8890.
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Valerie Foster
CEFL, Foundation Executive Director
Valerie was one of three who envisioned the formation of the foundation and was instrumental in the organization and development of the Sanger Education Foundation and brings over 25 years of experience in non-profit fundraising. In 1999 Mrs. Foster was chosen as recipient of Heroes for Children for contributions and dedication to public education by The State Board of Education. She was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Sanger Area Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and again in 2013. She is an honorary Member of both the Rotary Club of Sanger and Lion’s Club. Most recently Valerie was awarded the 2014 Spirit Award as a Heart and Hero’s Recipient for her non-profit work in Denton County from Health Services of North Texas. Mrs. Foster earned her CEFL in 2016 from NSFA and the Sanford Educational Center at National University. Since 2012 Valerie serves on the Texas Education Foundation Network Conference Committee and holds memberships with TSPRA and NSFA.