About Us

The North Ed Foundation was founded in 2023 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The purpose of the Foundation is to connect the generosity of the community with students served by Northwest Education Services in ways that support their areas of need, growth, education and career goals.

North Ed Foundation Guiding Principles

Opportunity:  All students deserve the opportunity to pursue their educational and employment goals, regardless of  their personal or family financial status.

Commitment:  As a difference-maker for students, the Foundation is committed to conducting our work with urgency, accountability, and with continual improvement of our practice to help clear the path for individuals to achieve their goals.

Community:  Helping students reach their goals impacts our entire community and enriches all who contribute to their success. Therefore, we seek collaboration and involvement from community partners in our work.

Inspiration:  Our work inspires students to believe that their dreams really can come true.

North Ed Foundation Board Members

Patrick Lamb, President
Patrick Lamb attended Central Michigan University earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He attended Olivet College to receive his teaching certificate and began teaching at Lake Leelanau St. Mary. Mr. Lamb then moved to Northport Public School, serving as Principal from 2001-2004. During this time, he received his Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University. In 2004, Pat became Assistant Principal at Northwest Education Services Career Tech and was hired as Principal in 2010. In July, 2019, Mr. Lamb was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Career & Technical Education and Community Outreach. Pat has served on numerous boards including Children and Family Services, Northwest Michigan Skilled Trades Foundation, and the Networks Northwest Executive Committee. Mr. Lamb has been an integral part of the North Ed Foundation, serving as Board President since its inception. Mr. Lamb resides in Suttons Bay with his three daughters.

Sue Zell, Vice President

Sue Zell graduated from Western Michigan University in 1971 with a secondary teaching certificate in English, Communication, and Driver Education. She then earned Advanced Degrees in Reading, Special Education (1990), and School Administration (1994) from Oakland University. During her 46 years in education, Sue taught special education, reading, English, drama, driver education, and spent time as an adjunct professor for Grand Valley State University at Traverse City’s University Center. She also served as an elementary principal in Dryden, Michigan and Traverse City and was the Early Childhood Supervisor for TBAISD (now Northwest Education Services) from 2001-2005. Sue resides in Traverse City and enjoys substitute “principal-ing” for TCAPS, reading to students, traveling the world, junk shopping, and spending time with her son and her two granddaughters.

Kevin Gay, Treasurer

Kevin Gay was a lifelong Midland resident and community member until his retirement as Partner and CFO from Three Rivers Corporation in 2015 when he and his wife Sharron relocated to Northern Michigan. While in Midland, Kevin served on many boards and councils as either treasurer or president. These included the Midland Area Community Foundation, the Arnold Center, the Midland County Chamber of Commerce, and the Midland County Housing Commission. Kevin and Sharron’s three adult sons include an accountant, a high school science teacher, and a welding engineer. Kevin’s commitment to education and career development led him to serve on the North Ed Foundation Board starting in 2023. In Kevin’s downtime, you can find him working in the woodshop, tending the garden and orchard, catching a few fish, spending time with his grandkids, or teeing off on the course.

Kris Wendland, Secretary

Kris Wendland earned her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in Special Education for students with Emotional Impairments.  She began her teaching career in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and earned a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities from Central Michigan University. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and became a Licensed Professional Counselor.  Kris and her husband moved to Traverse City in 1990 where Kris worked for Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (now Northwest Education Services) for 29 years. She served for 10 years as a teacher at New Campus (Creekside), 4 years as a teacher consultant, and 15 years as counselor at the Career-Tech Center, retiring in 2019 after 40 wonderful years in education.  Kris is actively involved in church committees and music ministry.  She enjoys hiking, kayaking and rowing.  Kris and her husband have two sons and two grandchildren.

Karmin Olds, Director

Karmin Olds is a longtime resident of Northwest Michigan having moved to Traverse City in 1985. She is a member of the graduating class of 1992 from Traverse City Senior High School. She attended Central Michigan University and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with teaching certifications in Spanish and Biology in 1997. While teaching at Kalkaska High School, Karmin earned her Master of Arts in School Counseling from Western Michigan University in 2003. After devoting several years to mothering four young children, Karmin returned to education in 2012 to teach one more year before accepting a position as school counselor at Kalkaska High School in 2013. Since 2019, Karmin has served as a school counselor at Northwest Education Services Career Tech. She resides with her husband and children in Williamsburg.

Lisa Thomas, Director

Lisa Thomas received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University in 1991. Over the past 33 years, Lisa has worked in both the child welfare field and in higher education. She has worked for Child and Family Services and Bethany Christian Services in both foster care and adoption. In 2011, Lisa began working for Northwestern Michigan College in the Student Life Office, and she was promoted to Dean of Students at the college in 2016. She has served on the Child and Family Services Board of Directors, NW Michigan Infant Mental Health Board, and, beginning in 2023, serves on the Northwest Education Board. Lisa and her husband reside in Traverse City and are the proud foster and adoptive parents of four children.

Nick Ceglarek, Ed.D., Director

Dr. Nicholas Ceglarek studied mathematics, statistics and psychology at Grand Valley State University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education in 1996. Upon graduation, Dr. Ceglarek began his career at Rockford Public Schools as a mathematics and AP calculus teacher.  While teaching, he graduated from Grand Valley State University with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and later received his Doctor of Education degree from Eastern Michigan University.  With 29 years of experience and 22 as superintendent, Dr. Ceglarek is passionate about ensuring every student has a pathway for a meaningful life. In July 2018 Dr. Ceglarek was appointed superintendent for Northwest Education Services. He resides in Traverse City with his wife and has two sons.

Northwest Education Services

Partnering to ensure every learner will have pathways to a meaningful life is a vision Northwest Education Services (North Ed) aims to share with its community. Spanning a geographical area of roughly 2,166 square miles, North Ed serves 16 public school districts, 6 public school academies and 12 private schools in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.

The career and technical education center provides training to over 1,200 high school juniors and seniors in more than 20 career fields using the latest technology and state-of-the-art equipment. North Ed Career Tech takes great pride in preparing students for immediate job placement, postsecondary education or military service.

Special education services support approximately 3,500 students, providing assessment, specialized consultation, direct services, and center-based programming to enhance student growth, independence and vocational skills that help every student reach their full potential.

While northwest Michigan is rich in scenic beauty and natural resources, over 40% of the students we serve live in poverty. As these students work toward their dreams, they often face significant financial challenges. Will you partner with us?