In 1998, Karl E. Neupert of Consolidated Supply Co. in Portland, Oregon, Chairman of the Education: Our Pipeline to the Future Campaign, publicly launched the $10 million campaign for the Education Foundation.  Over the course of the next eight years, hundreds of contributions were received, culminating in a 2006 celebration that marked the achievement of the Campaign’s original goal.  In 2002, Karl Neupert passed away unexpectedly after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Shortly thereafter, the leaders of the Education Foundation renamed the Endowment Fund to bear his name, in honor of the zeal and commitment that Neupert brought to the effort. A copy of the original Case Statement is available for download (to come), citing the goals and objectives that formed the basis for the campaign’s origins.  The Education Foundation is grateful to the volunteers who comprised the original Campaign Advisory Board for their leadership and dedication to our Endowment's development. “We have heard what your needs are and have embarked on the greatest challenge ever undertaken by the ASA Education Foundation...  campaign to build a $10 million education endowment fund that will stand for generations to come.” KARL E. NEUPERT PERMANENCE The Endowment is designed to be a "permanently restricted fund."  That is, the original funds donated ($10 million) are maintained in investments that are called the "corpus," and they are never spent.  Only the earnings generated by the fund are available to invest in new program development.  It's important to note that the funds generated by the Endowment Fund are spent exclusively on program development expenses.  These funds are never used to pay for administrative or other expenses.  The operations budget of the Education Foundation counts on publication & program sales revenue, which is used to offset salaries and overhead & administrative expenses. GOVERNANCE & OVERSIGHT The Education Foundation is led by a Board of Trustees, consisting of a group of wholesalers and manufacturers, who oversee and lend leadership to the program development efforts of the Foundation staff.  The Endowment Investment Committee oversees the activities of the Fund Manager, providing guidance for the investments of the fund as well as conservative guidance regarding the expenditures that are approved each year. DONORS/DONATIONS Donors to the Endowment include manufacturers, wholesalers, independents reps and friends of the industry.  Those wishing to donate to the Karl E. Neupert Endowment Fund may download the Pledge/Donation form. PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE FUND (coming soon!) ORIGINAL ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN ADVISORY BOARD (1998-2000) Karl E. Neupert, Chairman Tom Bromley Inge Calderon Morris Cregger Charles Dowd Edward Felten Nick Giuffre John Heilstedt David Hickerson John Martin Janette Quinn Maura Wheeler 2009 ENDOWMENT INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Scott Weaver – CHAIRMAN APR Supply Co. Lebanon, PA Jeffrey Beall American Pipe & Supply Birmingham, AL Robert Bruce Consolidated Supply Co. Portland, OR Nick Giuffre Bradford White Amber, PA Mark Hanley Hajoca Corp. Conroe, TX Kent McKee Mueller Industries Memphis, TN Frank Nisonger Slakey Bros. Sacremento, CA Dennis Schweiger Kohler Company Kohler, WI