Foundation Officers And Advisors

Doug LaViolette, Brian’s Dad, Foundation President

Brian was the inspiration for the Foundation, but Doug created it.  He has put his heart and soul into the Foundation and although it doesn’t pay him salary, he has found satisfaction in helping others.  His full-time business and marketing consulting job, The LaViolette Group, was established in 2000, after decades of ownership of Executive Office Interiors in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Doug volunteers his time with a number of organizations, including The Automobile Gallery and Junior Achievement .  He is past Post Commander of Oconto's American Legion Post 74 after serving in the United States Army from 1968-1970. Doug has also served as Past Master of Pine Lodge 188.

As time marches on, he realizes time is truly a gift and in his spare time Doug has taken a deep dive into the world of horology.  Every day he continues to learn as much as he can about the exciting global wristwatch community as Brian’s Foundation prepares for their next benefit watch auction in 2024.  

His favorite place to visit with his wife Renee is Asheville, NC where their daughter Kim, son-in-law, Isaiah and grandson, Walker enjoy their neighborhood community, friends, and all that the area has to offer.

 

Renee LaViolette, Brian’s Mom, Foundation Vice-President

Renee wears many hats in the Foundation and the LaViolette family. She has been a great motivator and supporter since the beginning. She has played a key role in the book-keeping, organization of the Foundation inventory, and sharing her common sense ideas.

When Renee is not helping with the Foundation, she loves spending time with family, knitting and going for walks.

 

Bob Burns, Foundation Secretary

Bob is an attorney at Renning, Lewis & Lacy.

Workplaces and schools are two of the most dynamic and sometimes controversial areas in our society, and often times the “laboratories” for legislative policy enactment. Bob’s practice serves both. He helps employers and school administrators navigate a wide variety of legal issues.

Bob represents employers of all sizes, including those with union and non-union workforces. He handles labor negotiations, discrimination defense, disability and ADA issues, wrongful discharge or employment contract disputes, non-compete issues and other sensitive personnel transactions. He provides advice on a wide variety of school law issues. Bob also works with businesses and governmental entities as general or special counsel.

He is a past board chair for Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin Inc., past board member for Freedom House Ministries and past president of the Green Bay Country Club.

Bob received his under graduate degree from St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin and his juris doctorate from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He currently serves as Secretary for the Foundation.

He and his wife, Sue, reside in DePere and have three sons, Michael, Patrick and Thomas.

 

barb gilling, Foundation Treasurer

Barb Gilling.JPG

Barb is a Milwaukee native where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting along with her CPA certification during her career in public accounting. She retired in 2024 after 30+ years as the Controller position for Red Lewis and his PDQ Organization.

She is a past board member of the Green Bay YMCA, past Board Chair of Bellin Psychiatric Hospital, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Bellin Health Systems, along with the Automobile Gallery.

Barb is an empty nester living in De Pere with her fiancé Mick.  Her 2 sons live in Wisconsin yet, and although she was sad to see her daughter recently move to Edinburg with her Scottish husband, it has given her a beautiful new place to visit.

Her biggest project every year involves weeks of planning and is truly a labor of love.  It’s her annual cookie bake which brings close family and friends from as far away as Seattle to De Pere every December where they continue their long time family tradition of baking, decorating, and distributing over 35 varieties of holiday cookies. Last year’s count topping 660 dozen!

 

Kim LaViolette mosteller, Brian’s Sister, Foundation Executive Director

After 14 years of volunteering her time, Kim became Executive Director in May of 2006. Her love for Brian, her passion for what Brian’s Foundation does, and her experience as Community Director with the March of Dimes Foundation in western North Carolina made her a perfect choice to help further the Foundation’s mission. Kim is the Foundation’s first full-time employee since it was created in 1992.

Kim has lived in Asheville, North Carolina since 2004. She has a great love of the outdoors, creative arts, cherishes time with friends and family, and serves on the Asheville Grown Business Alliance steering committee.

Kim and her husband, Isaiah, enjoy spending time with their six-year old son..

Kristin Kreuser, BRIAN’S COUSIN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

An Oconto native, Kristin earned her undergraduate degree at St. Norbert College and her master’s degree from Lesley University. She spent 28 years teaching language arts at Preble High School before resigning earlier this year.  

Kristin is Brian’s cousin and has been involved with the Foundation for the past 31 years by volunteering and attending all events.  She is looking forward to supporting the Foundation in her new role as the Associate Director.

Kristin and her husband live in Green Bay with their two adult children, Sydney and Michael. She has a love of travel, books, puzzles, and time spent with family. 

Foundation Board Of Directors

Friends of the Foundation

Past Advisory Board Members

  • Steve Albers

  • Ron Anderson

  • William Challoner

  • Rick Chernick

  • Ken Ciak

  • Stan Clark

  • Kristin Coleman

  • Scott Crevier

  • Casey Cuene

  • Jere Dhein

  • Shanna Ellsworth

  • Sue Green

  • Sarah Hasselback

  • Rick Haendel

  • Nancy Hayes

  • Janice Hirth

  • Paul Hoffman

  • Denis Hogan

  • Kate Hogan

  • Julie Hoerth

  • John Inzeo

  • Arni Jacobson

  • Jane Jadin

  • Kim Klein Dorchester

  • David Konrath

  • Jim Kneeland

  • Ohelo Kaopio

  • Kathy Lochner

  • Don Meneffee

  • Jerry Miller

  • Joe Murphy

  • Sheri Prosser

  • Jim Robinson

  • Bob Rupp

  • Jennifer Simonar

  • Linda Somerville

  • Ken Stumpf

  • Randy Sutton

  • Chris Vanderlinden

  • Marc VanElls

  • Don Vercautern

  • Carol VanVreede

  • Tracy Weyers

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation is proud to have received the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator. 

This four-star rating designates Brian’s Foundation as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that our organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.