Patterson School Foundation Board of Trustees
| Janet H. Spoon, President, Treasurer | ||
| Danny Seaver, Board Chair, Chair Finance Committee | ||
| Kitty Gurkin Rosati, Heir Board Member, Chair Organic Farming Committee | ||
| William Compton, Chair Land Use Committee | ||
| Joanie Salerno Guglielmi , Secretary, Chair Capital Campaign Committee | ||
| Lisa Hartley, Chair Alumni Committee & Facilities Committee | ||
| Dawn Turner, Ex Officio |
Kitty Gurkin Rosati, Chair Organic Farming Committee
A New York Times bestselling author, Kitty has specialized in the prevention and reversal of heart disease and other chronic diseases, with over 13 years of professional experience with cardiac and drug rehabilitation. Her work experiences also include teaching nutrition to dental students at U.N.C. at Chapel Hill, to IBM executives in the NC Research Triangle, and to patients in private practice.
After years in cardiac rehabilitation, she published her successful consulting nutrition efforts in implementing a reversal cardiac diet in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. She is a Registered Dietitian involved in preventing and reversing heart disease through the healing of not only the physical but of the emotional and spiritual self as well.
Kitty is the author of the books: Heal Your Heart: The New Rice Diet Program for Reversing Heart Disease Through Nutrition, Exercise, and Spiritual Renewal; The Rice Diet Cookbook; The Rice Diet Renewal; and along with Dr. Robert Rosati is a co-author of The Rice Diet Solution. She served as Nutrition Director of the Rice Diet Program for 20 years. She is the heir board member of the Patterson School Foundation and chair of the Organic Farming Committee.
Janet H. Spoon, Chair Alumni/History, Corresponding Sec.
Having earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Greensboro College, Janet H. Spoon joined The Patterson School academic community in 1983 as a Language Therapist, Dorm Parent, and Organist. Since then she has worn many hats, including Librarian, Alumni Director, Interim Headmistress, and Assistant Head. She joined the PSF Board in 2002 and has been an active member ever since.
Patterson also attracted Janet because of her love of open space, the old buildings and history, and the opportunity to serve through the Chapel program. Her loyalty to Patterson has been continuous through good times and hard times, often serving gratis, earning her a 2003 NC Award for Outstanding Public Service.
She has a longtime special interest in horticulture, which has grown to include agriculture for the purpose of providing healthy foods. It is her dream that Patterson will increasingly grow as a center of healthy, sustainable agriculture, teaching others as well as growing foods. Included in this dream is preserving the history and legacy of the School and of Samuel Legerwood Patterson, keeping the alumni informed and involved in current affairs, opening the Suzanne Morgan Library to the local community of Happy Valley, and seeing the campus develop into beautiful gardens.
Besides horticulture, history, and nutrition, Janet loves studying birds and wildflowers, researching family genealogy, practicing photography, and spending time with her family and her five cats. Though Patterson occupies much of Janet’s time, she is an active member of First United Methodist Church of Lenoir, NC, serving in the Chancel Choir and as Librarian.
Danny Seaver, Board Chair, Chair of Finance Committee
Growing up in Kingsport, Tennessee, Danny first came to Patterson School with his father for reunions and to attend camp, then later as a student in 1969. Danny earned his Eagle Scout Rank in 1969 and is a graduate of The Patterson School (class of ’72). His father, Bill (class of ’48), and twin brothers, Wendell, and Randell (class of ’75) are also alumni. Seaver holds degrees from Appalachian State University, Lenoir-Rhyne College, and the University of Georgia. Danny is a retired Mathematics Teacher, having taught in Caldwell County and Hickory City Schools as well as an adjunct professor at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and Appalachian State University. He was an NC nominee for a national Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in 1991 and 1992. He served as an Advisor to successful Key Clubs at West Caldwell and Hickory High Schools for many years.
Seaver has worked with children and young men and women throughout his career and life through Boy Scouts, Big Brother Big Sister, Cub Scouts, and currently serves Kiwanis Club of Hickory’s Board of Directors and Bethlehem Lions Club as Vice-President. Danny has served several terms as a member of the Patterson School Board of Trustees, serving as Chairman for seven of those years. He also served on the Hickory Public Schools Board of Education for 8 years and Vice Chairman for 4. Danny is a Lifetime Member of Lions Club International, Carolinas District Key Club Honorary Member, and Distinguished Kiwanian. Seaver also has served Ward 3 on the Hickory City Council since 1998, 3 terms as Mayor Pro Tempore, and currently serves on the Western Piedmont Sister Cities Association. Danny is married to the former Elaine Dula of Yadkin Valley. They have three children and one grandchild.
William Compton, Chair Land Use Committee
William Compton attended the Patterson School from 1968 -1973. After graduation, he earned his Associate of Arts Degree from Mitchell Community College and later a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UNC-Charlotte. Since graduating from the Patterson School, William has been active in the Alumni Association and the Patterson School Board of Directors. He brings his knowledge of the School and its history to his work as a board member for the Foundation. In Mooresville, William has volunteered for the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Velodrome, Habitat for Humanity, the Summer Olympics, Urban Ministry, and Crime Stoppers.
Joanie Salerno Guglielmi, Chair Capital Campaign Committee
Born and raised in Chicago, her eclectic career began in Human Resources with W.W. Grainger, Inc. During that period, she discovered a passion for community service and began an extensive volunteer commitment with the Easter Seal Society of Metro Chicago, which later led to full time employment with the organization. Her experience there focused on special event planning, corporate sponsor acquisition, marketing and management and telethon/video production.
Growing professionally she became VP of Development for the National Easter Seal Society, directing and coordinating development consultation and training services in all aspects of fundraising, marketing and public relations to 200 local Easter Seal affiliates nationwide. She served as staff liaison to national board and management committees.
Marriage brought a move to Richmond, VA. There she accepted an opportunity with a local health club to create a fitness program for children 6 months to 12 years, providing a wide variety of 25 weekly classes and activities. She actively marketed the programs to the community and trained and managed all needed staff.
In 2001 she began a journey into interior design, building a successful business with Southern Living at Home and becoming certified and accredited in home staging and redesign.
Joanie’s commitment to her community has remained strong. She has taught preschool choir at her church for 12 years. Served as an executive member as well as President of PTO boards of 3 Iredell Statesville schools and currently serves on the Executive Board of Most Valuable Kids Charlotte and is a member of the local Be The Miracle chapter. She is a board member of the Patterson School Foundation and serves as chair of the Fundraising Committee.