Meet the members that started it all and continue to keep Bulldog Nation Foundation to what it is today. To learn more about us and our cause, and know about any of our upcoming events, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please click on the members’ photos to learn more about them.
Board of Directors

Jonathan Feryance
Board of Director - President


Vincent Torossy
Board of Director - Vice President


Vincent currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Bulldog Nation Foundation (BNF). Vincent is currently employed with Loyola University Chicago, assisting with the management of university hosted conference events and hotel operations. Vincent’s professional background includes positions within commercial real estate management within the Chicago’s downtown loop, as well as university facilities management. Vincent currently resides in Wauconda, where he was raised and attended school, attending grades K-12, graduating in 2011. Vincent holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago, and is currently pursuing his MBA with a finance concentration from Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business. He is expected to graduate in May 2020. Vincent is currently serving a 4 year term as a D118 Board of Education member. Through his experiences as a student within the Wauconda School District, and the real work experience and knowledge gained since, he hopes to best serve the current and future students in which BNF attempts to benefit. Vincent takes great pride in being an active community member within the Wauconda School District and hopes to make a positive impact by instilling a sense of pride and community engagement within D118’s current and future high school students, while working along with other members of BNF and D118 communities to provide the necessary resources to make a difference.



Daniel J. Coles
Board of Director - Secretary
Dr. Daniel J. Coles is a founding member of the Bulldog Nation Foundation which was formed in 2011. He has been the Secretary of the BNF Board for the past three years and also serves as the liasion between the BNF and Wauconda High School. "The BNF has helped to provided much needed technology and learning materials for our classrooms at the high school through the grant awarding process." states Dr. Coles. "The BNF has served as the vehicle to help assist teachers with innovation in the classroom and to enhance an already great education at Wauconda High School".Dr. Coles has served as Superintendent of Schools for Wauconda CUSD 118 since July of 2004. Prior educational work experience includes Director of Human Resources, Principal of Cotton Creek School and Assistant Principal of Wauconda Middle School in Wauconda CUSD 118. Dr. Coles also served as a teacher and coach in both Palatine-Schaumburg Township High School District 211 and Schaumburg Elementary School District 54 after completing his Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University in 1987. He earned a Doctorate in Educational Administration in 2004 and a Master of Science in Educational Administration in 1994 both from Northern Illinois University. He has served as President of the Board of Control of the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus, the Executive Board of the Special Education District of Lake County and Lake Country Superintendents Association.He and his wife Ann enjoy spending time with their two children, Madelyn and Brian. Hobbies include reading, boating, fishing, camping and cycling.



William Harkin
Board of Director - Treasurer
William Harkin has been with Wauconda CUSD 118 since July of 1994. He has served the District as the Associate Superintendent – Business Services for nineteen years. Prior to his time in Wauconda, Bill served as Controller for CCSD 54 in Schaumburg for two years.Bill earned his Masters of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University in 1995. He also is a 1979 graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree. He also was awarded his certificate as a Certified Public Accountant in 1982.Bill serves as Chairman for both the Northern Illinois Health Insurance Program (NIHIP), and the Intergovernmental Utilities Purchasing Cooperative (IUPC). He is also a member of the Executive Board for the Collective Liability Insurance Cooperative (CLIC) serving over 170 school districts.Bill and his wife Susan are active with their six children. They enjoy traveling, cards, theater and working outside.

James Stolt
Board of Director Member


James Stolt is Vice President of Wells Fargo’s SBA Small Business Lending Group. James is responsible for SBA Lending in Illinois. He has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry and has specialized in SBA financing for the last 8 years. James holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. An active community member James is involved with local business associations, community college business seminar instruction, and is on the board of a local charitable organization. He is currently a member of MBBI, Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries. James Lives in Wauconda, Illinois with his wife and two children.

Paul Washburn
Board of Director Member


Paul Washburn is the Vice President of Finance for Acres Enterprises, the largest privately owned landscaper in Illinois. He has been with the company for over 18 years and has worked in Wauconda for his entire business career. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University and a MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. During his time in Wauconda, Paul has served as treasurer and president for the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce and currently is the Volunteer Chairman for the Wauconda Triathlon along with being a director for the Bulldog Nation Foundation. Paul lives in Lake Zurich, Illinois with his wife and two children.
Members At Large

Melissa Hayden



Melissa Hayden is the owner and founder of the Academy of Ballet Wauconda. The Academy of Ballet has been in Wauconda for the past 11 years. It brings professional instruction and performing opportunities to many community members. Melissa Hayden likes to be involved in the community’s continual growth and the academic success of its youth.

Erin Kafka

Erin Kafka has been a resident of Wauconda for 13 years. Erin is an elementary school teacher, with 20 years of experience.She also has a Masters Degree of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Erin and her husband Joe Kafka are the co-owners of Bulldogs Grill, Middleton's on Main, and The Green Goat, all located in downtown Wauconda. Erin and Joe have two children, Quinn and Ashleigh that attend Wauconda School District #118. Erin is an involved member of the Wauconda community, volunteering and participating in several events regularly throughout the year. Erin's goal and purpose for being on the Bulldog Nation Foundation is to help support Wauconda School District #118 staff, and provide opportunities for its teachers to enhance their daily teaching styles with up-to-date materials and experiences that contribute to the growth and academic success of District #118 students.



Crystal McClure

Crystal McClure is the President of Wauconda Community Bank a branch of Libertyville Bank & Trust Co. Crystal is responsible for day to day operations, commercial lending, Chief Consumer Credit Officer as well as overall adherence to policies, procedures and Regulatory compliance. She has more than 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. An active community member Crystal is involved with local non for profit organizations, serves as a Trustee for the Wauconda Fire Pension Board and volunteers for various community events within the Village of Wauconda. "As a former student of Wauconda High School, I was honored to accept the opportunity to participate in BNF. The foundation provides a wonderful platform to “give back”.

Jill Morino

Jill Morino has lived in Wauconda since 2008 and has been a BNF Member at Large since 2013. A vocal community proponent, Jill volunteers extensively at Robert Crown Elementary School and is an avid supporter of a variety of Wauconda businesses and organizations. A former public relations executive, Jill brings communications and planning expertise to BNF, including serving on the Dinner/Dance organizing committee and chairing the planning team for the new Trivia Night fundraising event. Prior to moving to Wauconda with her family, Jill lived and worked in Chicago and Milwaukee. She grew up and attended high school and college in Central Illinois, graduating with honors from Normal Community High School and with a BS from Illinois State University."I joined BNF because even though my kids are in grade school, I want to make sure the high school they will attend down the road can offer them the very best education and opportunities. I have been so impressed with all of the WHS students I've met through working with BNF and the PTO. But the best part of BNF is how our events bring the community together. There were close to 200 people at the Masquerade Ball and we were able to secure donations from almost 100 local businesses and residents! It's inspiring to see how much support Wauconda gives to its schools and students."



Michael Salisbury

Michael Salisbury is the Owner of Lake County Watersports and Wauconda Boat. Master Technician for both Mercury Marine and Bombardier. Michael is also very involved with the community. He is a Board member for Veterans R&R Veteran outreach program, a member of Wauconda Lions Club, Wauconda Moose Lodge and Wauconda Chamber of Commerce. Mike has been in BNF for two years. When asked why he joined Bulldog Nation Foundation, "I joined BNF because I believe I could be helpful to our cause in helping the school, teachers and students." When asked what advice he would give students, "I would tell students to focus on academics and be involved in your community as you grow into a young adult."

Glenn Starkey



Glenn Starkey is all about community involvement, from Star Charities, "where within a team we host numerous charity drives and events each year, including The Wauconda Bunny Hop and the Wauconda Turkey Trot." He also serve on the Wauconda Area Chamber Board of Directors as the president-elect. Glenn became a director of the Bulldog Nation Foundation when it was first formed, and assist in promotion of upcoming events including the newly launched Trivia Night, which will be a unique social fundraiser. Glenn sees BNF being a strategic benefit not only for the direct programs it raises funds for, but also for residents (and potential residents) considering Wauconda High School to know that there is an additional level of support for needs to be fulfilled. While attending Holy Cross High School on Chicago’s northwest side Glenn was able to get to know recent grads and was able to consider their advice on the different career paths one could take. His advice - "Be inquisitive, even investigative, as to how those in their mid-to-late twenties dealt with struggles and created their successes. The do’s and don’ts of those who have just recently transformed from student life to the working world can be made into a successful roadmap ahead."