Bobby Hawk, Ph.D. (c)
President and CEO
Jeff Siems, B.S.
Secretary/Treasurer
April Agate, M.Ed.
Executive Director
Danica Fuimaono, Ed.D.
Director of Student/Diversity Services
Cara Harker, M.A.
High School Teacher
Angela Schmitt, M.Ed.
Career and Innovation Center Counselor
Kerri Edwards, M.Ed.
Elementary School Principal
The EPIC Foundation seeks to Engage in Partnerships that Impact our Community.
The EPIC Foundation board is comprised of educators and business leaders who seek to make a greater impact in the community.
Please consider donating to the EPIC Foundation.
The EPIC Foundation has provided school supplies to ALL kindergarteners in the Blue Springs School District since 2016.
Multiple grants have been given by The EPIC Foundation to teachers at elementary schools to help aid in purchasing classroom supplies.
The EPIC Foundation has provided school supplies for the early childhood students at Liggett Trail since 2016.
The EPIC Foundation has been the event sponsor for the annual Eyes Right Here fundraiser. Eyes Right Here is a non profit that provides items to educators who serve autistic children.
The EPIC Foundation has provided grants so students could have off sight learning experiences and provided funds to purchase yearbooks for each student.
The EPIC Foundation has awarded scholarships (75 scholarships this past year) since 2019 to graduating seniors from the Blue Springs School District.
The EPIC Foundation has supported various projects including the purchase of balance bicycles for a local elementary PE program, money to help provide a green space in an elementary school courtyard, and supporting a student to attend the national spelling bee in Washington D.C.
Bobby serves as the President and CEO of the EPIC Foundation.
Bobby loves supporting public education and serves as a member of the Blue Springs Board of Education. Bobby also serves on several national boards and is also a part of his local rotary club.
Bobby holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership (graduating December 2023) from Northwest University, along with two Master’s degrees in the areas of organizational leadership and leadership theory. Bobby is also a certified professional coach and leads EPIC Strategies with a focus on coaching and consulting.
Bobby is a husband, father, and a gifted communicator. Bobby also travels to Israel, Turkey and Greece to teach on ancient cultures and historical texts.
Jeff serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the EPIC Foundation.
Jeff is passionate about supporting our community by bridging the gap between residents of our community, local businesses, and our local school district. He believes these connections build better opportunities and add a strong foundation for the children of our community.
In addition to serving on the EPIC Foundation Board, Jeff serves as the Vice-President of the Blue Springs Board of Education, Vice President of Pawportunities Animal Welfare Services, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the America’s Educational Foundation, Represents the 10 midwestern states as a Director on the Marine Retailer’s Association of the Americas Board of Directors, and serves as the President of the Kansas City Dealer’s Association.
Jeff holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Iowa State University in Horticulture and Golf Course Business Management.
For the past 20 years Jeff has owned and operated Blue Springs Marine and has grown his business, and is now honored on the list of Top 100 Marine Dealers in North America for the past 8 years.
In his free time he loves to get back to his roots and work on lawn and landscape hobbies around his acreage.
April serves as the Executive Director of the EPIC Foundation.
April is devoted to helping educators, students, schools, and people with disabilities. She believes connecting with the community and making local partnerships is crucial to the foundation’s work and will ultimately better our community.
In addition to serving on the EPIC Foundation Board, April currently serves on several other boards: the Blue Springs School District, Job One, and Eyes Right Here.
April holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from William Wood’s University and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Benedictine College with an additional certificate in Middle School Science.
For 11 years April taught middle school science. She has also served as a teaching and learning consultant and is currently an adjunct professor, teaching future teachers, at Graceland University’s Independence, Missouri campus.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and socializing with friends.
Danica serves as a Board Member of the EPIC Foundation.
Danica values the importance of connecting to build the bridge between need and support. She believes this is done through relationships, partnerships and community connections which aligns well with the foundation’s work.
Danica has had previous board experiences in Blue Springs Rotary and the starting of her own nonprofit to prevent human trafficking. She currently serves on the board for Drumm Farm in addition to the EPIC Foundation board.
Danica holds four college degrees. B.S.E. in Secondary Education, MSE in Special Education, Ed. Specialist in Administration and Superintendency and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She holds certificates in the areas of Trauma Informed, Olweus, The Framework of Understanding Poverty, and DEI from Cornell. In 2018, Danica was awarded an honorary chapter FFA (Future Farmers of America) Degree from BSSD FFA. In 2019, she was named as one of the “Women of Distinction” honorees from The Examiner. Danica facilitates trainings for the Blue Springs School District, Blue Springs Police Department, local businesses, and Universities.
Danica is entering her 21st year in the Blue Springs School District and is currently the Director of Student and Diversity Services
Danica enjoys spending time making memories with family and friends.
Cara serves as a Board Member of the EPIC Foundation.
Cara is dedicated to public education and firmly believes it has the power to change lives and improve communities. To that end, she believes education must be a partnership among schools, families, and the community, and her work with the EPIC Foundation is grounded in these beliefs.
Cara brings 25 years of experience as a public education classroom teacher to this board. She holds a Master’s of Liberal Arts in History from Baker University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from UMKC. She also earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In Fall 2023, she began her Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership through the University of Central Missouri. She currently teaches Social Studies at Blue Springs High School, where she also coaches Scholar Bowl and works with the Real World Learning committee.
Angela serves as a Board Member of the EPIC Foundation.
Angela is passionate about helping students find their passion and guiding them to become productive and successful citizens.
She believes in meeting students where they are and working on real world solutions to their struggles while celebrating their successes.
In addition to serving on the EPIC Foundation Board, Angela serves as secretary of the SEBC (Stars Explosion Booster Club) board at Ronda’s Elite and CJ Dance Crew.
Angela holds a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from Emporia State University, a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Emporia State University, and an additional certificate in school counseling.
For the past 21 years, Angela has worked as a school counselor in the Blue Springs School District. She has worked at both the middle and high school levels. She is currently the counselor at the Career Innovation Center.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and supporting her daughters in all their athletic and academic endeavors.
Kerri serves as a Board Member of the EPIC Foundation.
Kerri has a dedication of services to others, from inspiring students, to leading educators. She has a passion for promoting a positive attitude toward learning and academic achievement.
Kerri holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Administration from the University of Central Missouri and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Central
Missouri.
Kerri is entering her 23rd year in education. She was recently awarded the 2023 Distinguished Principals award in recognition of outstanding leadership and performance in the Kansas City Region. Kerri is in her 7th year as Principal at William Yates Elementary. Prior to the principalship, Kerri was a Special education teacher, Special Education Process Coordinator, Administrative Intern, and an Assistant Principal. She loves being out and about with her family. On any given night you can find them on a soccer field in the metro with her youngest son while her oldest daughter is attending the University of Missouri.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.