About the Foundation Board of Directors

 Debbie Tilsworth is a lifelong Alaskan who received degrees from UAF in education and English. She served as executive director of United Way of the Tanana Valley, and later, as executive vice president of the Riverboat Discovery. She is retired and does her best to keep up with her energetic Border Collie puppy and two Maine Coon cats. She loves photography, particularly portrait photography. Her mother lived at the Pioneer Home for three years, sparking Debbie’s lifelong friendships with other residents and a deep interest in its welfare.
 

 Cheryl Berrong was  born in Ft. Yukon, Territory of Alaska, and raised in mining camps in the 40-mile mining district.

School was started in Tok Junction and completed in Olympia, WA.  She began a career in the travel industry in 1966 at

Boeing Field, moved back to Anchorage, and then to Fairbanks. After 30 years of service with Alaska Airlines, she retired

as the Customer Service Manager,  She went back to work for UAF- Geophysical Institute at the Poker Flat Research Range and retired from UAF after 10 years.

From the first grade to the present, she has followed her artistic calling.  The paint brush is always moving.  Cheryl is a signature Member of the Alaska Watercolor Society, a past President of the Fairbanks Watercolor Society, a lifetime member of Pioneer Women’s Igloo #8, a member of Fairbanks Elks Lodge #1551, a Board Member for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, and a Master Gardiner.

Cheryl enjoys hiking, biking, traveling, and of course, painting.  She has lived in Fairbanks since 1969k currently resides 20 miles north of Fairbanks.

 Beth Grey is a lifelong Alaskan with ties to the visitor industry, public education, and most recently, the nonprofit sector. As the Program Coordinator for the Aging and Disability Resource Center for the Northern Region of Alaska (ADRC North) and the Veteran Directed Care Program (VDCP North), Beth enjoys working with people in the Interior and Arctic regions of the state, often in places she is happy to have called home at one time or another. In her free time, she enjoys sharing a good cup of coffee with her husband Jim, laughing at her dogs' antics, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Beth cares deeply about our elders, and is proud to serve on the Board of Directors to support the Pioneer Home and its residents. 

  Robert (Rob) Everts was born and raised in Fairbanks and earned his BS in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1984. He began his career working at Everts Air Fuel, and later acquired his own business Tatonduk Outfitters Limited in 1993. Tatonduk, which includes Everts Air Cargo and Everts Air Alaska, employs over 350 people across Alaska and the Lower 48. The company also provides On Demand Charter services in the North, Central and South America.

As CEO, President, and active Captain for Everts, Rob’s focus is meeting the transportation needs of Alaska and its remote communities. Rob and Paula Bettano Everts are married and have two daughters. He prioritizes creating memories with family and friends through outdoor adventures in Alaska. Raised by Alaskan Pioneers Cliff and Betty, Rob values the connections he has made with elders throughout Alaska, including many who once lived at the Pioneers as well as those who currently call it home.

 I started in banking working at Bank of The North data processing center in Anchorage in 1979, I took a few years off to have my kids.  I have worked in the operations as a teller, assistant manager, manager, business development officer, and human resources for the last nine years. I work at Mt. McKinley Bank and love it.

I love to camp, kayak and spend time with my family. I have 2 children Jason Cevasco and Jenelle Dooley, 4 grandchildren (3 boys and 1 girl) Bo, Tyson, Branden, & Reagan. Have always had a our older generation, I could sit and listen to the stories they share for hours.

  Heather Ferguson is a dedicated REALTOR®️ with Century 21 Gold Rush from Fairbanks, Alaska, known for her straightforward, honest approach with a touch of humor that endears her to her clients and colleagues alike. With over 27 years of experience in real estate and a deep commitment to her community, she also serves as a passionate board member of Fairbanks Pioneers Home Foundation (FPHF).

Her journey in community service is marked by significant achievements, including her role in founding the Fairbanks Children’s Museum, a local chapter of 100 Golden Heart Women, and over 22 years of service with the Greater Fairbanks Board of REALTORS®️ to name a couple. She brings this same energy and dedication to Pioneers Home Foundation.

As a mother of two adult children, Heather understands the importance of family and community.Heather's work is driven by her belief in creating a warm, and fun environment for her community, family and loved ones can thrive with a sprinkle of humor and joy to brighten the day..

Using her extensive network in Fairbanks, she helps the foundation expand its reach and impact. Her goal is to see PHF continue to grow as a beacon of support and joy for the elderly at the Fairbanks Pioneer Home.

 Howard (Howie) Thies was born in Fairbanks Alaska and has always been involved in community service. Howie has served on many boards, including: Chamber of Commerce ,  Fairbanks City Council, Fairbanks School Board , Fairbanks Rotary Club President, Top of World , Golf Tourneys ,Chamber Duck Race , and of course  Arctic Man. He has been a member of the Fairbanks Pioneers Foundation Board of Directors since inception, and is a past President. Being of member of Pioneers board has been a pleasure. Married to Andrea Thies for 40 years, who operates Sunshine Travel, and has a son John who has many businesses in Fairbanks. LOVE LIVIN IN FAIRBANKS

Randy Weaver was born and raised in Fairbanks. He graduated from UAF with a degree in accounting and had a long career in accounting related roles for a local CPA firm, the University of Alaska and Denali State Bank. He currently serves as a director for Denali State Bank and Denali Bancorporation. 

Randy and his wife Tammi have two kids living in Arizona, and they enjoy traveling frequently to Arizona to visit

the kids and two granddaughters (and squeeze in some golf as time allows).

Randy has served in leadership roles for his church and several nonprofits over the years and continues

to look for ways to give back to the community.

  Alaska became my home when at the age of eighteen I arrived here on a Pan Am jet from the Southside of Chicago. I was enrolled in the University of Alaska, graduated, and began my teaching career with two years in Homer and than returned to Fairbanks. I taught in several different elementary schools and Lathrop. I retired in 2000 and became a dilettante. 


I met my husband, Robert, in 1973. We were married for forty seven years and and had two children, Robert and Mary. Robert died in 2021.


Along the way, Robert and I built several homes, one off Dalton trail and the rest in downtown Fairbanks. Apple trees and cherry trees were part of the landscaping along with sweet peas and Robert’s garden.


The Pioneer Home was always something that was “out there” and a comforting entity that would be there when needed. I was asked to join the Foundation by Celeste Hansen and I was pleased to join this group of generous, interesting and involved Fairbanksans.

 Tim Satre, a third generation Alaskan, was born in Juneau before we achieved statehood.  His grandparents came North in the early 1900's at the beginning of the goldrush and decided to stay.  His Mother was born in Cordova and his father in Flat, and after marrying in Anchorage during WWII, they moved to Juneau where they raised four children.  

Tim is the youngest, and after graduating from high school joined his three older siblings at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA) in 1974.  During college he worked for Pan Am as campus representative and continued with them full time until they ceased service to Fairbanks.  The following day he was hired by Alaska Airlines and worked for them until retirement forty-five years later.  Since then, he has enjoyed Summers in Fairbanks and traveling to warmer climates in the Winter.  

He has been on the Board of Directors of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival since 2017 and is pleased to serve on the Fairbanks Pioneer Home Foundation Board.  His paternal grandparents spent their final years at the original Pioneer Home in Sitka.