Arly Kruse Educational Foundation
All children are gifted and can succeed, given help and individual attention.
Board Member Biographies
Jack Kruse
Chair and Founder of the Arly Kruse Educational Foundation
Jack Kruse and his wife, Arly Kruse were a dynamic team. They supported each other’s careers while raising their three children, and in honor of Arly’s 40 years of passion and dedicated service to learners in the Boulder, Colorado area, Jack committed to continue the work and Arly’s legacy by creating the AKEF. He is committed to matching every gift given to the organization.
While Jack’s early real estate career focused on residential sales where he was the top producer for a local company, he earned his designation in 1982 as a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) from the National Association of Realtors. This prestigious designation has been given to only three percent of commercial real estate professionals in the nation. It represents more than 240 hours of arduous study, a comprehensive exam, and proven sales experience. Jack is an acknowledged expert in the commercial investment arena. Jack joined The Colorado Group of Boulder, Colorado in 1987. For the past few decades, he focused on developing and managing buildings and retail centers. Jack gradually moved into the investment field, with transactions involving apartment complexes, office buildings, commercial property, and industrial land.
He has served on the Board of the Boulder Board of Realtors in addition to his role as Chair of the Arly Kruse Educational Foundation.
If Jack is not at work, he’s likely at a favorite Colorado fishing spot or camping in the mountains.
Kylie Inglee
Secretary of the Board
Kylie is the only beloved daughter of Jack and Arly Kruse and she serves as an officer on the Board of the Arly Kruse Educational Foundation while balancing a major role with Imprint Events Group. With Kylie’s Colorado State University Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Marketing and related support services, she is a highly analytical and skilled business professional with solid and progressive experience in diverse areas of corporate and association event planning, program management, client satisfaction and retention. She has proven results in sales positions while balancing multiple departments and personalities.
Kylie has an extensive background in offering exemplary client and member services, making certain that every experience is beneficial and positive. She is known for her enthusiastic attitude, the ability to motivate productivity in others, and she serves as a key team member by bringing an exciting energy to every situation that engages and invites participation. Her specialties include: Event Design, Marketing and Production, Sales Leadership, and Management. As the National Director of Accounts for Imprint Events Groups, Kylie’s focus is on the cultivation of client relationships, continued coaching and the mentoring of her talented team.
Kylie is a mother of two children and she enjoys health and wellness with an extensive background in yoga instruction.
Jason Kruse
Jason is the eldest son of Jack and Arly Kruse and a committed member of the Board of Directors of the Arly Kruse Educational Foundation. Studying finance and real estate, Jason earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in 1994. Jason immediately began working in real estate while continuing his education, specializing in real estate. He earned the Certified Commercial Investment Member (“CCIM”) designation in 1999. Only 6 percent of realtors who have earned the CCIM designation. Jason joined The Colorado Group, Inc., in 1999, after spending three years with Boulder County’s largest commercial developer, during which time his responsibilities included commercial real estate leasing, sales, and property management. In 2002, Jason became an owner of The Colorado Group, Inc., and has served as the Managing Broker since 2005. Jason is an expert in commercial real estate. He is a published writer in his field, and he is recognized and has served as an expert witness in court.
Jason is a proud member of the Boulder Flatirons Rotary (2005-present), named, “DMCAR-Denver Metro Commercial Association of Realtors Heavy Hitter” (2004, 2010, and 2012), Past President, Commercial Brokers of Boulder (2006), member of the Board of Directors, The Colorado Group, Inc., and he is a graduate of Longmont Leadership and the Boulder Chamber of Commerce CEO Exchange.
Jason lives in Longmont with his wife, son, and daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching soccer teams, fly fishing, fly tying and cheering on the Denver Broncos and Colorado State football teams.
Ryan Kruse
Ryan is the second eldest son of Jack and Arly Kruse, and he is a committed member of the Board of The Arly Kruse Educational Foundation. Ryan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Colorado State University. He joined Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Advisor immediately after graduating from Colorado State University in December of 1996. Like his mother, Ryan is committed to serving his clients, business owners and successful professionals. Ryan enjoys helping to identify and prioritize the values that individuals bring to the table in relationship to the financial choices they make. He relies not only on his own experience and expertise, but also on the knowledge and strength of a team of professionals. Together, they provide the guidance clients need to start down the path to financial security. He is proud to help people achieve a secure financial future.
Ryan lives in Fort Collins, Colorado and enjoys spending his time with two daughters as well as immersing himself in the outdoors by fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking, etc. He is also an avid Colorado sports fan.
Barb Puzio
A long time Boulder resident, Barb Puzio received her Masters in Education from Regis University. She served the Boulder Valley School District as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Bear Creek Elementary for 33-years prior to retirement. During that time, Barb served on various committees for the school, as well as district wide. She was awarded the Impact on Education Award and touched the lives of many, many students who passed through her classroom.
In addition to being an advocate of learning and leadership, Barb is an avid CU fan, the mother to two wonderful children and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and her husband, Jake.
Marilyn Jerde
Marilyn Jerde has extensive experience in public education. She has a 30-year record of achievement in teaching, coaching, and leading school change. Her experiences included being an elementary classroom teacher, a professional developer, literacy coordinator, an elementary principal, a university adjunct professor and a director of schools. She is recognized as an innovative and visionary leader. As a former elementary principal, Mrs. Jerde built a team of highly effective teacher leaders and successfully raised her school to a high performance school.
Mrs. Jerde has served in numerous roles in the Adams County Twelve School district located in Thornton Colorado. She was most recently, Executive Director of Elementary Schools. During her five years in that role, Mrs. Jerde managed the elementary schools and worked directly with principals and assistant principals to improve instructional leadership skills and build highly effective organizations. She worked with principals to collect and analyze data to develop action plans that significantly improved student achievement. Mrs. Jerde earned the CCIRA Colorado Outstanding Administrator Award in Reading in 2004.