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Denver Public Schools Foundation Names New Board Members

Tom Gamel and Jeff Ross join board

DENVER, Feb. 26, 2009 – The Denver Public Schools (DPS) Foundation has named two new individuals to its board of directors: Tom Gamel and Jeff Ross.

Tom Gamel is chairman of Rockmont Capital Partners, Ltd., an investment and management company. Gamel also is the major owner and chairman of Timpte Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of hopper semi-trailers. Gamel has a wide range of prior experience as a community leader, including previously serving as a trustee of the Denver Zoo, chairman of Colorado’s Ocean Journey, a trustee of the Denver Boy Scouts and a board member of Metro State College Foundation. He holds a degree from the University of Notre Dame. Gamel is a native of Denver, with four children and nine grandchildren.

Jeff Ross is the president and CEO of Ross Aviation. Over the past 16 years, he has led the acquisition and successful operation of a total of 14 Fixed Base Operators including Scottsdale AirCenter, Denver AirCenter, Miami Executive Aviation and five Fixed Based Operators in the Hawaiian Islands. Ross also is a managing partner of CapEx, L.P., a $60 million mezzanine and equity fund based in Denver. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. He previously was chairman of the Webb-Warring Board of Trustees, an officer of the Country Club Historic Neighborhood Board, and a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. He is currently a board member of Alliance for Choice in Education.

"Jeff and Tom bring to our board tremendous management and financial skill, as well as a passion for improving public education,” said Kristin Richardson, chair of the Board of Directors of the Denver Public Schools Foundation. “We are honored to have them help lead our efforts to transform DPS into the best urban school district in the country.”

The DPS Foundation funds strategic programs within the school district designed to improve student achievement. These programs include principal leadership development, resources for classrooms and teachers, and after-school and summer programs.

About the Denver Public Schools Foundation

The DPS Foundation raises funds in support of the district’s ambitious education reform plan to improve student achievement. The DPS Foundation supports programs such as principal leadership development, resources for teachers and classrooms, and after-school and summer enrichment programs. Our vision is a community dedicated to making DPS the leading big-city school district in the country, where all students receive a first-rate education and graduate with the knowledge, talent, and confidence to become future leaders. For more information, visit www.dpsfoundation.org.

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Denver Public Schools Foundation Contact:

Natalie Wilkins

Communications Director

nwilkins@dpsfoundation.org

720-423-3877