Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, MEF values the direction given by community leaders to ensure MEF’s mission is consistent and vibrant. Leveraging philanthropic contributions, strategic advocacy, and personal networks, MEF board members drive our strategic vision. They are catalysts and change agents for innovation, educational advancement, and community support within Murray and the state of Utah.
Meet our Amazing Board.
MEF is fortunate to have the talents of so many dedicated, innovative, and passionate board members.
Blake Voorhees
Board Chair
Blake Voorhees graduated from Murray High School in 2003. Blake is currently an attorney and shareholder at the law firm Ray Quinney & Nebeker, where he focuses his practice on estate planning and administration, business formation and planning, mergers & acquisitions, nonprofit organizations, and taxation. Blake and his wife, Amy (who also graduated from MHS), moved back to Murray in 2014. They have four children – three of them currently attending MCSD schools. Blake has served on the MEF Board since 2016.
Jeanette Bowen
Vice Chair/Golf Committee Co-Chair
Jeannette Bowen has been serving on the MEF Board of Directors for the last five years and is currently serving as Vice-Chair. She also serves in the Murray City School District as the Region 19 PTA Director and has been serving in various PTA positions for the last 12 years.
Natalie Day
Golf Committee Co-Chair
AnnMarie Nielson has been with the MCSD for 15 years – the first nine years as a Para Educator at Horizon Elementary. Currently working at the MCSD for the last six years as the District Secretary. Started in 2009 on the MEF Pinnacle Board, Basket Committee. Currently the Pinnacle Gala Chair for the last nine years. She has served many years as PTA President, various PTA positions, and many times as a room mom. She’s a mother of two and her kids are MHS graduates.
Maren Patterson
Pinnacle Assistant Chair
Maren Patterson is a Murray parent with two children in Murray schools. She served on the Region 19 PTA for 4 years, including Region Director in 2022-23. She has volunteered in other capacities in Murray, including serving in various PTA positions such as Reflections Chair, Treasurer, Horizon PTA President, School Community Councils, and being a Family Mentor for Catholic Community Services. She has also served on the Murray City Planning Commission from 2016 and is presently the commission Chair. Maren is currently assisting the Pinnacle Gala committee, but will serve as the Chair for it beginning 2024.
Spencer Olsen
MHS Alumni Association
Spencer Olsen is the president and founder of the Murray High Alumni Association since 2018. He is a graduate of Murray High, class of 2009, and enjoys taking advantage of any opportunity to give back to Murray.
Belinda Johnson
Board Member
Belinda Johnson is a former member of the Murray City School District Board of Education, and has been serving continuously on the MEF board for many years. She holds a degree in secondary education and has been engaged in a wide range of other non-profit and advocacy work in the community and state.
Doug Perry
MEF Executive Director
MCSD Communications Officer
Doug Perry has 26 years of professional marketing, communications, and public relations experience in the government and non-profit sectors. He has worked for Murray City School District since 2020 and provides staff-level support and leadership of MEF as part of his MCSD Communications Officer role.
Richard Habel
Financial
Richard Habel grew up and currently lives in Murray with his wife and four kids. He graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in Finance. He currently works for Investment Management Consultants, where he advises executives of public companies and business executives. Currently, he serves on the board of the Murray Education Foundation, where he is passionate about supporting and improving children’s education.
District Administration
Jill Weight
MCSD Board Member
Jill Weight was elected to the Murray City Board of Education in 2022, representing Precinct 3 (northeast Murray). Jill has made a lifelong commitment to education, working in schools and privately as an administrator, teacher, and currently as a tutor.
Jennifer Covington
MCSD Superintendent
Jennifer Covington began working for the Murray City School District in 1994 as a business and information technology teacher at Murray High School. Along the way she has served as assistant principal and principal at Hillcrest Junior High School, and since 2017 has served as Superintendent of MCSD.
Richard Reese
MCSD Business Manager
Richard Reese, CPA, has over 30 years of experience in school finance in addition to several years of experience in private industry. He has worked for Murray City School District as the Business Administrator since January 2011.