Board of Directors

Doug Wells

Doug Wells has more than 40 years of experience as a public school teacher and administrator. Toward the end of his career he directed the alternative educational programs and also taught at the University of Redlands (CA). Doug is an innovator and he loves pulling ideas and people together. The Foundation has greatly benefitted under his leadership, and his strong vision and hard work bodes well for its future success.

Even though the bulk of his career was in the public education arena, Doug maintained close ties with the Adventist education system. He says, “There has never been a doubt in my mind that Christian schools are where our students receive the best training for life and a preparation for the eternal life to follow.” His service as a member of church school boards made him painfully aware of the huge financial strain that families face when endeavoring to keep their students in “our” schools. Thus, when asked to serve on the FoundationONE board, there was no hesitation—he saw it as an opportunity to pay forward some of the assistance he, himself, received as a UCA student.

208-762-3119

Jaclin Smith

Jaclin Smith brings to the FoundationONE board a wealth of experience in business. She has been working the past 50 years in developing and operating senior health care facilities. She has served on three academy boards (Auburn, Mt. Ellis and UCA) and two terms on the Walla Walla College Board.

The third generation of the Smith family is now attending UCA. Jaclin prays daily for her grandchildren, that they will come away with the same beliefs and life-long friendships that she gained during her academy career.

Call Jaclin Smith

Dana Downing, CPA

Dana Downing, CPA, attended Upper Columbia Academy 1983-1984 and graduated from Georgia Cumberland Academy in 1985. Dana has owned her accounting firm for 12 years and specializes primarily in individual and business income taxes. She also serves on the board of a Private Grantmaking Foundation.

Dana, who is serving as the FoundationONE treasurer, enjoys spending time with her husband Jake, and their one year old chocolate Labrador, JB. Dana also enjoys taking care of her chickens and is working at becoming a successful beekeeper.

Linda Klinger, Secretary/Executive Director

Linda Klinger has been raising philanthropic dollars for good causes for more than 20 years. Prior to joining FoundationONE (January 1, 2013), Linda worked eleven years building up the philanthropic potential for Gem State Academy. During her years at GSA, annual giving increased from $125,000/year to over $700,000/year.

Adventist secondary education in a boarding school environment is Linda’s passion. She attributes much of her success in life to the mentoring she received at Adelphian Academy (Michigan). Her more recent interactions with Gem State Academy students have confirmed her conviction that the boarding school experience still holds great value. “It is a great place to grow, make friends, and discover God’s purpose.”

509-939-1716

Lori Hermanson

Lori Hermanson, a 1990 UCA graduate, is a strong promoter of Adventist education. She has served multiple terms on the Palisades Christian Academy board as well as on their Development and Building committees.
Lori has worked in the electric and natural gas utility industry for over two decades in varied roles including accounting, conservation, strategy and data science & predictive analytics. She graduated from Walla Walla University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration concentrating in Accounting and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University in 1999.
Lori and her husband, Mike, have teenage twin sons, Alex and Matt, who are very active in school, church and sports. Lori enjoys hiking, skiing, gardening, mountain biking, traveling and any time with her family.
509-951-3813

Brent Featherston

Brent Featherston is a 5th generation Adventist, a 1983 UCA graduate, and an ardent supporter of Adventist education. He has served several terms on the Sandpoint Junior Academy board where his wife, Robyn (Cawdery) Featherston, ’82, is currently serving as head teacher (grades 5-8). Brent is proud to join with the other FoundationONE visionaries who want to secure Adventist education at UCA for future generations.

Brent has been a partner of Featherston Law Firm for over 20 years. He graduated in 1988, cum laude, from Walla Walla University with a Bachelor of Arts in history, with honors in general studies and a minor in business administration. He earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law in 1992.

Brent and Robyn have two children: Conner (UCA class of 2013) and Micaela (UCA class of 2015). In his free time, Brent enjoys fishing, hunting and anything outdoors with family.

208-290-5417

Mike Stratte

Mike Stratte is a 2007 UCA graduate and a grateful recipient of a FoundationONE scholarship. A 2013 graduate of Walla Walla University (B.S. in Aviation Management), Mike enjoys flying the Boeing 737 for Delta Air Lines. In 2019, he started a real estate development and leasing company with his brother (also a UCA graduate), and they are building and leasing multi-family units near Spokane, WA.

Mike has experienced how a great education can literally give one wings, and is passionate about building a strong endowment fund with FoundationONE to help other UCA students in perpetuity. Mike, his wife Alyson, and their son Theo live near Spokane, WA.

Mindy Weber, President

Mindy is a 1985 graduate of UCA and a 1990 graduate of Andrews University (M.S. in Physical Therapy). She has more than 20 years of experience working as a Physical Therapist, Medical Practice Consultant and Office Administrator. In February, 2013 Mindy, her husband and another partner, fulfilled a long-time dream—the opening of a new assisted living community, The Renaissance at Coeur d’Alene. As executive director of the facility Mindy is working to provide impeccable care and highest quality service.

Mindy believes that everyone should have the opportunity of a Christian education. Mindy and her husband, Fred, have two sons, Eric and Jacob.

208-661-0475

Keith Wilkens, MD, MPH

Keith has a passion for Adventist education and a belief that finding Jesus early, and discovering his many faces through K-12 years, prepares a person for a balanced life of service in the Master's footsteps. Keith's wife, Joyce, and their three children, all graduates of UCA, are close reminders of the invaluable experience one is blessed with from their years there. Keith has been involved with the Upper Columbia Conference Board of Education and has chaired the steering committee at Palisades Christian Academy in Spokane. He has served the Spokane community as a family physician since 1985 and been involved in the challenges of a changing healthcare environment. Keith is proud to join this board of individuals working hard to make the UCA experience affordable for every student who wants to be there.

509-294-1226