Foundation Leaders
The Foundation has five directors and an advisory support group:
Directors
President – Patricia Reis
Pat lives in downtown Chicago and is retired from Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, IL, where she was director of public relations. She is a free lance writer (usually on environmental issues) and a volunteer TreeKeeper in Chicago, where she takes care of trees in downtown Grant Park. Always community-minded, Pat has been an active leader in many urban organizations and even co-founded a group called Women in Management in the late ‘70’s. She has four children and eight grandchildren.

Vice President-Ron Kirts
Ron Kirts is a longtime Ste. Marie resident and former owner of Alblinger and Kirts. Kirts grew up in Ste. Marie and has only lived outside the town while in the military for two years. He is a former president of the Village Board and is very active in St. Mary’s Parish. Though retired, he still maintains an active electrical consulting business. He and his wife Carolyn have four children and seven grandchildren.

Treasurer – Maxine Calvert
Maxine is retired from The Peoples State Bank, Newton, IL, where she served as Trust Officer for 11 years.  Prior to that, she was a CPA and Partner of the regional accounting firm of Kemper CPA Group.  She now resides in Ste. Marie, spending her time in activities concerning the beautification/preservation of Ste. Marie and the care and welfare of the cat population. 

Secretary – Mike Hartrich
Mike is retired from Newton Community High School (NCHS) where he was athletic director. Hartrich grew up in Ste. Marie but has lived in Newton for many years with his wife Teresa (two children, four grandchildren).  Hartrich had a long career in education – he taught junior high English for nine years at Newton Junior High School and at West Junior High before moving on to NCHS where he taught English and American History for 29 years. He has also coached basketball, baseball and track. Though retired, he works part time at Hartrich Meats, Ste. Marie, with his brothers and also coaches cross country and track for NCHS.

Annette Hahn Kirts
Annette has lived in Sainte Marie all her life. She is the Village Clerk and works for the Jasper County Schools as a secretary. As a member of the Dorothy Hahn family, Annette takes an active role in village activities and events. She and her daughter Bridget organized the very successful 2009 Fun Run/Walk for the Foundation. She has two daughters and one grandchild.