Robert Burns, President
Robert is a successful entrepreneur in the health and fitness industry and has owned Shape-Up Fitness Center since 1982. He has served as Chair and President of the American Heart Association in Orange County and currently serves as Chair-elect for the University of California, Irvine, Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine (SSCIM). He also served as President of The Urantia Book Fellowship. Robert brings leadership and fundraising skills, non-profit Board experience and a desire to expand world literacy to save the minds and spirits of children trapped in ignorance and poverty. As president, he schedules and chairs Board meetings and presides at the AGM. He oversees compliance regulations, website content, and leads in the planning of fundraising strategies. Robert resides with his wife in Irvine, California..

Geri Johnson, Secretary
Geri is the Director of the Early Childhood Center at the Singapore American School. A mother, grandmother, educator, administrator and global citizen, she is a champion for children of all ages. Raised and educated in Hawaii, she specializes in speech-language pathology and English language instruction. Having worked with students from preschool to college age, in Hawaii, Arizona, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, her passions include early education, language development and literacy. In January 2009 and March 2010 Geri visited the Free Schools in Bihar and subsequently raised considerable awareness and financial support. Her knowledge and experience in the field gives her counsel to the Board significant weight. As secretary, she is responsible for communication with Board members, maintaining the minute book and replying to correspondence from donors. Geri is a US citizen that presently resides in Singapore and makes regular visits to the U.S.

John Tennant, Treasurer
John is an electrical engineer and businessman, having worked most of his life in the car rental business. He was partner and Financial Vice President for a large Thrifty Car Rental franchise before retiring in 2002. As a Canadian, John has dual citizenship, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1999. John is the treasurer of FSWL-USA and is responsible for the legal filings, formulating budgets and forecasts, banking, receiving and receipting donations, and maintaining our online data base. He resides with his wife in San Mateo, California.

Directors at Large

Susan Cook
Susan is a Project Manager, currently managing a number of projects within a large corporation. Her responsibilities include mentoring, monitoring and bringing teams together to solve complex problems. She is the Manager of the Foxhall Endowment Fund (Kansas City Community Foundation), and is on the Board of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN). Her volunteer work has included chairing several International conferences. Her role is particularly valued as the documentary team leader for the production of a documentary film on FreeSchools World Literacy in India in 2010. As secretary, she is responsible for communication with Board members, maintaining the minute book and replying to correspondence from donors. Susan resides in Smithville, Missouri.

Michelle Klimesh
Michelle Klimesh is owner and president of Diablo Gymnastics School in San Ramon, California. Her passion for the support, encouragement, and development of children stems from parenthood and decades of involvement with young athletes. Michelle is president of Diablo Gymnastics Foundation, former president of the Golden Gate Circle for Readers of the Urantia Book, and President of The Urantia Book Fellowship. Michelle’s enthusiasm and professional/client network bring valuable opportunities for fundraising. She resides with her husband in Danville, California.

Dr. John Lange
John Lange is an urologist who practices in Fort Smith, Arkansas. For many years Dr. Lange served on the executive committee of the Urantia Book Fellowship. In 2007 and 2010, Dr. Lange travelled to India to visit the FreeSchools and has been an active supporter and fund raiser for FreeSchools World Literacy.

Rajiv Lochan
Rajiv is Director of Development for St. Joseph’s Prep School, a family owned secondary school in Patna, Bihar, India. While a private facility, this school educates a number of poor children who could otherwise not attend school. By training, he is an engineer and economist (Bachelors in Chemical Engineering, Masters in Industrial Technology & Masters in Economics) and worked in the U.S. until 1989. In his personal and professional life, Rajiv has always put children first and dreams of rescuing orphans and sponsoring their education to the maximum of their capacities. Rajiv is a U.S. citizen, world traveled, with extensive knowledge of the language, poverty, cultural norms, and challenges that face FreeSchools in India. His wide network of contacts is important for fundraising and his counsel is invaluable. Rajiv travels back and forth from India to the U.S.

Bruce Wenger
Bruce has been in construction management for 25 years and currently works as Project Manager in commercial construction. He is founding member and active supporter of The Grand Canyon Society of Urantia Book Readers (GCS) – a charitable organization that promotes spiritual growth, social service and scientific awareness. Deeply impressed with the value of the services provided by FreeSchools World Literacy (FSWL), he has been a financial supporter since its founding in Canada. His fundraising, contract administration and profit/loss skills are an important asset to help keep FreeSchools fiscally responsible. Bruce resides with his wife in Phoenix, Arizona.