About Conestoga Valley Education Foundation

Our Mission

To enrich the education, values and cultural experience of youth by extending their current education opportunities through creative and innovative programs.

To promote excellence by providing financial and human resources that encourage exploration and achievement by youth through the support of teachers, staff and community members.

Founded in 1991, the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation was formed to encourage creativity and educational excellence in the classrooms of the Conestoga Valley School District. Since its inception, CVEF has awarded more than $700,000 in grants to students, teachers and administrators to support innovative and creative projects that are not funded by school district tax dollars.

Foundation support comes from businesses, industries and private donors, including many CV faculty and staff members.

Board of Trustees

The Conestoga Valley Education Foundation's volunteer Board of Trustees is composed of community leaders who embrace the Foundation's mission and direct its activities. Every trustee has, since its founding, also supported CVEF with a financial contribution.

The Board of Trustees is committed to strong financial stewardship in support of its grant program and building its endowment. Trustees annually commit three-quarters of all funds raised to the Foundation's endowment, ensuring resources will be available in perpetuity for future generations of Conestoga Valley students. The remaining quarter, plus investment earnings, is used to fund its annual grant program. A committee of trustees reviews grant applications two times per year and determines which projects will be funded.

Trustees also serve on committees such as community relations, fund development and governance. Terms on the Board last four years, and many trustees serve multiple terms, including some who have served since the founding. The Board's year culminates with its annual President's Breakfast in the Spring.

CVEF activities are also supported by numerous volunteers, who serve on committees and assist in organizing Foundation events such as the Golf Classic and Derby Day.


Executive Director – Gerry Huesken

Gerry Huesken

Dr. Huesken spent most of his 38-year in education career serving the students at Conestoga Valley. He started in 1984 as the high school assistant principal and later served as junior high assistant principal, high school principal and assistant superintendent before taking on the role as superintendent in 1998. When he retired in June 2017, he assumed the role of Executive Director for the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation.

Dr. Huesken lives with his wife and daughter in East Lampeter Township. He has three children, two of whom are graduates of Conestoga Valley School District.

Board of Trustees

Susan C. Adams
Charter Member

Community Volunteer
CV Parent: '76, '78, '81, '86

Eric Bergstrom

Senior Consultant CCI Consulting
Faculty Member
The Graduate School at Penn State University
CV Class of 1975
CV Parent: '05, '08

John Bratton
CVEF Vice-President

Retired Teacher
Conestoga Valley High School

Darryl Breniser

Retired VP
M.H. Eby, Inc.
CV Class of 1963

Nicole Breczewski Castagna

Local Business Owner
Community Volunteer
CV Parent: '22, '24, '26

Stephen W. Cody
CVEF President

Attorney
Cody & Pfursich
CV Distinguished Alumnus
CV Class of 1976

James J. Cunningham, Jr.

Corporate and Business Development Manager
Robert E. Little, Inc.
CV Class of 1974

Samuel Dillman

Loan Officer
Ideal Mortgage Group
CV Class of 1995

James C. Dum
CVEF Treasurer

Accountant
Dum Accounting
Retired Teacher
Conestoga Valley High School

Liz Fulmer

Associate Pastor
Grandview Church Musician
CV Class of 2008

Jeff Hillen

Lift Incorporated
Sales Manager
CV Class of 2005

David T. Hornberger

Market President
Orrstown Bank
Past President & Treasurer CV School Board
CV Distinguished Alumnus
CV Athletic Hall of Fame
CV Class of 1982
CV Parent: '09

Amy Horst

Community Volunteer
CV Parent: '21, '23, '26

Daniel T. Massey

Principal CPA
The Walz Group
CV Class of 1998

Randall McCarty

Retired Principal
Smoketown Elementary School
CV Parent

Patricia McClune
CVEF Secretary

Retired Librarian
Conestoga Valley High School

Kevin M. Ressler

President and CEO
United Way of Lancaster County
Board Member: ASSETS, Everence FCU, Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA, Friends of Mennonite Theological College of East Africa
CV Distinguished Alumnus
CV Class of 2003

Michael Thornton

Executive Director
The Clark Associates Charitable Foundation
Retired Principal
Conestoga Valley High School
CV Parent: '14, '18

Kyle M. Wojciechowski

Sr. Director of Chronic Disease Management for Benecon/ConnectCare 3
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
CV Class of 2005


Non-Voting Members

Phyllis Heverly Flesher

Director of Administrative and Business Services
Conestoga Valley School District

Idette B. Groff

School Board Representative
CV Parent

Gerry Huesken, Ed.D.
CVEF Executive Director

Retired Superintendent
Conestoga Valley School District
CV Parent: '03, '09

Mardy McGaw

Teacher Representative
CV High School Librarian
Secondary Technology Integration Specialist

Katie Meier

Public Relations Director

Dave Zuilkoski, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Conestoga Valley School District
CV Parent

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