Foundation Officers And Advisors

Doug LaViolette, Brian’s Dad, Foundation President

The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation began with the life of a remarkable young man.

After losing his 15-year-old son, Brian, in a swimming accident, Doug and his family made a promise that Brian’s kindness, character, and love of learning would continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

That promise became a reality when the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation was founded on August 17, 1992. More than three decades later, that promise continues to change lives.

For over 30 years, Doug has served as the Foundation’s biggest cheerleader and volunteer. What began as one family’s way of honoring Brian’s memory has grown into an internationally recognized scholarship organization that has awarded more than 1,200 scholarships while building meaningful relationships throughout Northeastern Wisconsin and, more recently, around the world through its innovative Legacy Watch Program.

Professionally, Doug is President of The LaViolette Group, a marketing firm he founded in 2000 after decades as the owner of Executive Office Interiors in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Throughout his career, he has believed that the greatest measure of success is helping others succeed.

Over the years, Doug has dedicated countless hours to community service. He has volunteered with organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, the Allouez Optimist Club, and Junior Achievement; served as Commander of American Legion Post 74 in Oconto; and is a Past Master of Pine Lodge No. 188. Today, he serves on the Board of Directors of The Automobile Gallery and Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats.

In recent years, Doug has developed a passion for horology through a shared interest he and Brian both enjoyed, discovering that watches tell far more than time. Through the Foundation’s Legacy Watch Program, collectors, brands, and enthusiasts from around the world have joined Brian’s story, helping transform timepieces into educational opportunities for future generations.

When he isn’t working on behalf of the Foundation, Doug and his wife, Renee, find their greatest joy in spending time with their daughter, Kim, son-in-law, Isaiah, and grandson, Walker, in Asheville, North Carolina. Family has always been at the heart of everything they do.

Doug often says that while Brian inspired the Foundation, its greatest legacy is the thousands of generous donors, volunteers, scholarship recipients, and friends who have embraced its mission. Together, they continue proving that one young life can change countless others.

 

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

From the very beginning, Renee has been the quiet strength behind the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. While she has never sought the public spotlight, she has  unwavering love for Brian, steadfast support of Doug and their daughter, Kim, and deep commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

For more than three decades, Renee has worn dozens of hats. She has helped manage the Foundation’s checkbook, and helped with the details of special events. Most importantly, she has shared her down-to-earth common sense.

Together, Doug and Renee, alongside their daughter, Kim, have worked side by side to honor Brian’s life by creating opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams.

When she isn’t volunteering with the Foundation, Renee treasures spending time with friends and family, especially visiting their daughter Kim, son-in-law Isaiah, and grandson Walker, in Asheville, North Carolina. She also enjoys knitting & taking 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!

 

KRISTIN KREUSER, BRIAN’S COUSIN, FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kristin joined the Foundation as Associate Director in 2024 after teaching language arts for 28 years at Preble High School, and has now stepped into the role of Executive Director. An Oconto native, she earned her undergraduate degree at St. Norbert College and her master’s degree from Lesley University.  

As Brian’s cousin, she has been involved with the Foundation for the past 31 years through volunteer work.  She is looking forward to continuing to support the Foundation in her new role.

Kristin and her husband live in Green Bay with their two adult children, Sydney and Michael. In addition to working for the Foundation, she also works as a curriculum designer and editor for UNYTUS. During her free time she volunteers as an usher at the Weidner Center and has a love of travel, books, puzzles, and time spent with family. 

Kim LaViolette mosteller, Brian’s Sister, FORMER 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 was the Foundation’s first full-time employee after 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 seven-year old son.

Foundation Board Of Directors

Foundation Board of Advisors

Ty Alexander, Photographer | Watch Community Advocate

Ty Alexander is a highly respected photographer and storyteller within the global watch community, known for his ability to capture not only the beauty and character of a timepiece, but also the people and stories behind it.

Ty was introduced to us by Adam Funk in 2022, and what began as an introduction quickly became a friendship that has continued to grow. Over the past four years, Ty has generously shared his time, talent, creativity, and voice to help tell Brian’s story and introduce the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation to people throughout the worldwide watch community.

Ty has also personally supported Brian’s legacy by generously donating watches to both our Foundation auctions and our Legacy Watch program. Equally important, he has donated his professional time and talent to photograph many of the watches generously given to the Foundation, helping us present each piece in a way that honors both the watch and the generosity behind the gift. His photographs have become an important part of how we share these watches with others and tell the stories connected to them.

Ty has a remarkable gift for bringing people together. Through his photography, relationships, and passion for watches, he has helped create a bridge between Brian’s story and a community of people who may never have otherwise known about Brian or the Foundation. He understands that watches are about far more than what is worn on the wrist. They carry memories, stories, connections, and, in Brian’s case, a journey that continues more than three decades after his passing.

Ty’s impact on the Foundation has been generous and deeply personal. He has never simply asked, “What can I do?” He has looked for ways to help, and then followed through.

We are honored to have Ty now serving as a member of the Brian LaViolette Foundation Board of Advisors. His role will be to help us continue building meaningful relationships within the watch community, while helping share Brian’s story and the Foundation’s mission not only throughout Green Bay, but across the global watch community.

We are incredibly grateful for the friendship, passion, generosity, and heart Ty has brought to Brian’s Foundation.


Adam Funk, Owner, Diamonds & Gold

For more than four decades, Diamonds & Gold has been a cherished part of the Green Bay community. Founded in 1977 by Jack and Gracie Boyce, the family-owned business was passed to their daughter, Christine, in 1996 before moving to Bellevue in 2004. In 2023, Adam Funk proudly took ownership of Diamonds & Gold, continuing a tradition built on trust, knowledge, personal service, and a genuine love for the jewelry profession.

Adam’s commitment to excellence is reflected in Diamonds & Gold’s affiliations with the American Gem Society, Gemological Institute of America, Jewelers of America, Wisconsin Jewelers Association, and the Bellevue Business & Professional Association. As an accredited gem laboratory, Diamonds & Gold also provides professional grading, identification, and appraisal services for precious gems and jewelry.

But for the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, Adam has become much more than a respected Green Bay business owner.

Since meeting Adam, we have watched his passion for Brian’s story and the Foundation grow into something truly special. He has opened doors, introduced us to people throughout the watch community, shared Brian’s story, and continually looked for ways to help the Foundation reach new audiences. 

Adam has also generously donated watches to both our Legacy Watch program and Foundation auctions, helping transform his passion for watches into opportunities to support scholarships and Brian’s continuing legacy.

His generosity of time, ideas, friendship, and personal connections has helped carry Brian’s story far beyond Green Bay.

Adam has become an important part of our journey, and we are grateful to now have him serving as a member of the Brian LaViolette Foundation Board of Advisors. His mission is simple but meaningful, to help us share Brian’s story and the Foundation’s work throughout the watch community and around the world, while helping create opportunities for future generations of students.

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 be a GuideStar Platinum Transparent Charity.

This highest level of recognition demonstrates our deep commitment to fiscal responsibility, trustworthiness, and maximum impact.