The Chapter Board
The Board of Directors is comprised of elected officials who govern the organization through policy, fiduciary oversight, legal compliance, and ethical standards.
Kyla Cole
President
Kyla is the AVP of Default Administration at Midwest Loan Services. She became involved at LBFE to serve the elderly in our area. As chair of the vision committee, she is integral in researching and reviewing potential LBFE program expansion opportunities in surrounding counties, including her hometown of Ontonagon. Kyla is also a licensed funeral director and when she’s not working or volunteering, she enjoys working in her yard, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with her husband, two dogs, and three cats.
Jeff Veum
Vice President
Jeff previously worked in human resources and nonprofit program management. Understanding the labor involved in prepping for the winter, he started by delivering firewood to elders and then helping to cut and split wood in preparation for delivery. He participates on the property committee which oversaw the purchase and development of our woodlot, the building of our first firewood shed, and an office remodel. In retirement he enjoys hiking, bicycling, hunting for fungi, and encouraging the spread of milkweed.
Michelle Kovachich
Secretary
Michelle is a former U.S. Army captain with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. She worked for LBFE as the medical transportation coordinator before becoming a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with healthcare experience from serving as a Vet Center readjustment counselor and a clinical social worker for the VA medical center. Her love for her grandparents gave her a sincere interest in the aging population and volunteers with LBFE by delivering meals for the major holidays. She enjoys physical fitness, specifically CrossFit and local running events.
Theresa Cherubini
Theresa is a retired Registered Nurse Manager of an Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit. After retirement, she wished to continue helping people at LBFE where she brings fifty years of health care experience. Cooking is one of her hobbies and she prepares and shares meals with our volunteers and elderly friends at our holiday meals. Her other hobbies include singing, reading with a book club, volunteering, and traveling.
Kyle Kumpula
Treasurer
Kyle is the Customer Service Supervisor for IncredibleBank. His experience in building strong client relationships and fostering trust aligns with LBFE mission to provide companionship and elder support. His leadership and financial management will contribute to LBFE growth and community impact. Having grown up in the Copper Country, he wants to give back to the community in a meaningful way. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, hanging out at the lake, and watching football.
Kim Dunnebacke
Kim is a Michigan Tech engineering alum and is the Cost Estimation Manager/Project Manager at L’Anse Manufacturing. Contributing her education and skills to the success of LBFE is important to her as her own family has benefited from LBFE services. She enjoys supporting and learning from the elderly community who have a wealth of experiences to share. In addition to serving on the board, she and her husband deliver meals on the holidays. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, reading, outdoor and fitness activities.
Syd Faassen
Syd is a former special education teacher. Born and raised in Lead, SD, a gold mining town, she is all too familiar with the impact on a community, particularly the elderly, when the industry stops. At LBFE she ensures our board is made up of qualified individuals who bring diverse experience to the organization. She assists at fundraising events like the annual pancake breakfast. She enjoys reading, getting together with friends, quilting, playing the piano, traveling if it takes her to the people she loves, and playing with her grandchildren.
Cindy Hinkel
Cindy is retired after 34 years in healthcare, with the last 28 of those as a physical therapist assistant. She looks forward to addressing the needs of elderly people in our community by bringing compassionate interactions and developing friendships to decrease the loneliness they experience. In her retirement, she volunteers to drive veterans to the regional medical facility. She enjoys cooking, baking, quilting, camping, kayaking, and listening to audiobooks. She adopted a rescue pup and is training him to be the best pup he can be.
Ruth Robb
Ruth has retired after 52 years of teaching math and continues to substitute teach at Marquette and Negaunee High Schools. She volunteers at LBFE holiday meals and small group activities. When she's not volunteering, she enjoys playing pickleball, hiking, biking, as well as designing and making greeting cards.
Stephen Sabatini
Steve retired from Bradford Dimension Specialty in Bradford, Pennsylvania as General Manager. He brings 35 years of experience in fiscal responsibility and community involvement to LBFE. He was integral in the expansion of LBFE to Marquette County, and his goal is to help with the continued expansion of services in our five-county service area. He enjoys golfing and staying involved in his home communities by volunteering at a church thrift store and 4th of July celebrations.
Bryant Weathers
Bryant serves as the Director for Charitable Gift Planning at Michigan Tech and works with a team of front-line fundraisers to bring in major and planned gifts to the university. His experience in fundraising will help LBFE achieve sustained growth and opportunities to impact our community in greater ways through philanthropy. Community is important to him as we live in a rural area, particularly impacting isolated elderly residents. Bryant is a silent sport enthusiast, ranging from running, hiking, biking, and skiing. He is involved in his church and group ministries. He’s an avid podcast and audiobook listener and enjoys time spent with his family.