Thomas Krause, President
Tom Krause, Ph.D. (Psychology) is the former chairman and co-founder of BST. For the past 30 years, he has been interested in leadership, culture, and organizational safety. In the last ten years, Dr. Krause has focused on coaching senior executive leaders. He holds a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College and is serving on its Board of Governors.
Cathryn Krause, Treasurer and Secretary
Cathryn Krause was BST’s Chief Financial Officer for more than 20 years and brings her seasoned experience to this endeavor. In addition, she is actively involved in charitable activities, including great books and liberal education pursuits through The Agora Foundation, St. John’s College, and Thomas Aquinas College.
Andrew Gilman, Executive Director
Andrew Gilman brings 25 years of experience in marketing, organizational functioning, and team leadership to the Foundation. He is a founding parent and former Board President of Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education and formerly the Director of Admissions and Outreach for Oak Grove School. Andy also serves on the boards of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Ojai Storytelling Festival.
Karl Haigler, Board Member
Karl Haigler has more than forty years of experience in workforce development, education, and human resources consulting and is a nationally-recognized expert in workplace and adult literacy. At the federal level (1985-1988), Karl served on the U.S. Secretary of Education’s senior staff as Director of the Adult Literacy Initiative and Director of Adult Education. From 1988 to 1991, Karl served as Special Advisor to Mississippi’s Governor on literacy and workforce development issues.
Rae Nelson, Board Member
Rae Nelson has held leadership positions in the public, private, and not-for profit sectors. These include serving at the White House as Associate Director for Education Policy and as Executive Director of the Center for Workforce Preparation, a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For the last twenty years, she has consulted with organizations to help ensure workers have the competencies they need to fulfill their potential.
Barry Rabe, Board Member
Barry Rabe is a seasoned contract management consultant, expert witness, community volunteer, and former English teacher. Barry brings his legal and organizational experience, as well as his love for learning and language to this endeavor, leading several seminar series.
David Appleby, Board Member
David Appleby, Ph.D. received his master’s degree and a doctorate in medieval history, focusing in his studies on the medieval Fathers of the Church, and has been a tutor at Thomas Aquinas College sine 2003. He has published numerous articles and leads many Agora seminar series.
Carl Bobkoski, Board Member
Carl Bobkoski is a business leader and teacher, and brings his long-time experience with the Great Books and the liberal arts to this endeavor. Carl leads online series for the foundation and brings his experience on organizational functioning and communications.