board of directors

Board of Directors

Jennifer Vertetis, President is the President & Executive Director of the Charles Lafitte Foundation (CLF). Prior to CLF, Jennifer was the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development & Vice President Project Management of Datek Online. Jennifer holds a Bachelor's degree from The University of San Diego and a Master's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she graduated summa cum laude. Jennifer, along with her husband Tom, is a proud parent of two students at APL.

Erin Brewer, Vice President is a co-founder of APL and original Secretary of the Board. Erin worked in Communications at Microsoft from 1992-2010 and currently does consulting work for the company. Prior to Microsoft, she worked at Ketchum Public Relations in Washington, DC. Erin has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English from the University of Virginia and is a proud parent of an APL student.

Matt Gordon, Treasurer is a co-founder of APL and original President of the Board. He is a Director of Acquisitions at Intellectual Ventures. Matt has almost 25 years of experience in high technology, including stints at Intel where he ran the Seattle Intel Capital office and at Microsoft as a Director of Business Development in the patent group. Matt, along with his wife Nancy, is a proud parent of an APL student.

Diana Kraemer Abson, M.D., Secretary is a physician and surgeon, holding advanced degrees in neurosurgical training from UCLA, Duke and Yale Universities. Her areas of interest are functional neurosurgery, neurobehavior and international neurosurgery outreach. Diana is a proud parent of an APL student.

Jennifer Fung, PhD is a project director in the Applied Research Unit at the University of Washington’s Haring Center for Research and Training in Education, and an instructor in the UW's Early Childhood Special Education master's program. Prior to her current position, Jennifer was a head teacher and autism specialist at the Experimental Education Unit and the owner of a behavioral and educational consulting company. Jennifer holds a Bachelor's and Master’s degree from the University of Washington, where she also recently earned her PhD.

Jon Gelsey is a director in the Corporate Development group at Microsoft, responsible for acquisitions and investments. Prior to Microsoft, Jon made startup company investments for Intel Capital, was a marketing executive at Mentor Graphics and had both marketing and CPU architect/designer roles at Convex Computer (acquired by HP). Jon was simultaneously awarded a BA in Liberal Arts, with minors in German and Philosophy, and a BS in Computer Engineering by the University of Texas at Austin.

Nancy Gordon is a co-founder of APL and the President and CEO of Lice Knowing You, Inc., Washington and Oregon's premier head lice removal company. Nancy is also the former Associate Director of the Anti-Defamation League's Central Pacific Region. Nancy holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a JD from the University of Denver College of Law. Nancy, along with her husband Matt, is a proud parent of an APL student.

Raquel Karls is the Chief People Officer for Coinstar, Inc., responsible for Human Resources. Prior to Coinstar, Raquel was a VP, Human Resources at Expedia, Inc, Starbucks Coffee Company and Pepsi Bottling Company. Raquel holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree from the University of Oregon and is a proud parent of an APL student.

Samia Mohazzabfar is a co-founder of APL and has served as the Fundraising Chair since the school’s inception. Samia is a native of Seattle and attended the University of Washington. Samia is a proud parent of an APL student.

Eugenio Pace is a Principal Lead Program Manager at Microsoft where he leads the team creating architecture guidance for professional software developers. Eugenio has held multiple engineering positions in the 11 years he has worked for Microsoft. He has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Instituto Tecnologico de Buenos Aires. Eugenio is a proud parent of an APL student.

Tom Vertetis is an attorney and partner at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC. Tom is a trial lawyer committed to assisting victims and those in need of help. He sits as a Board Member of the LAW FUND and is the President of the Pierce County Bar Foundation. Tom graduated with honors from the University of San Diego and earned his law degree from Villanova University School of Law. After completing a clerkship with the Honorable Jane B. Cantor of the New Jersey Superior Court, Tom served as a Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor. Tom, along with his wife Jennifer, is a proud parent of two students at APL.

Donating to APL

The Academy for Precision Learning has 501(c)(3) non-profit status under EIN #91-2143623. We accept donations to supplement tuition and operating expenses. Donations can be sent to our mailing address or made online via the button below.

Academy for Precision Learning
P.O. Box 51241
Seattle, WA 98115

APL wishes to thank the following for supporting the school:

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