Staff
Tim Bates is the Interim Director at Duluth Folk School. Tim has been woodworking most of his life, from handing tools to his dad when a tot, to building houses. His love for woodworking has taken him in many directions, including the joy of using a good tool in a proper way to get a job done. He has been teaching a variety of subjects, mostly outdoor education, for over 25 years.
Tim is also co-founder of the Duluth Folk School and played a major part of the renovation of our Superior Street facility.
Lindsey Brockman is the Office Manager at the Duluth Folk School. She grew up in a small town in Northern Minnesota and was always busy with art and craft projects. She has continued that love of the handmade and shares that tradition with her children and husband now. She has a background in Sociology, Psychology and has prior involvement connecting community members with services. She has experience operating a small handmade business and loves to learn new crafts to add to her collection of handmade knowledge. Lindsey enjoys painting, gardening, and spending time outdoors.
Devan Burnett is our enthusiastic on-staff instructor at the Duluth Folk School. Devan, who lives in Duluth with his partner Rachel and their two adorable cats, brings a unique and inviting blend of skills to our community. His expertise ranges from hand woodworking and sewing to electronics and softgood design, allowing him to teach traditional techniques with a delightful modern twist. In his classes, you’ll find a harmonious blend of different materials, tools, and skills that inspire creativity and innovation.
Devan’s passion for the craft traditions of Eastern Europe adds an exciting dimension to his teaching. He’s eager to share his discoveries and weave this rich knowledge into his classes. Join Devan for a truly inspiring and enriching experience!
Board of Directors
Viola Clark, Chair
Executive Committee
First term expires December 31, 2025
Kathryn Fifield, Vice Chair
Executive Committee, Governance Committee
First term expires December 31, 2025
Carmel DeMaioribus, Treasurer/Founder
Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Infrastructure/Facility Committee, Events & Community Building Committee
First term expires December 31, 2024
Elden Lindamood, Secretary
Executive Committee, Fundraising Committee, Infrastructure/Facility Committee
First term expires December 31, 2026
Sumair Sheikh
Infrastructure/Facility Committee
First term expires December 31, 2023
Zach Sullivan
Events & Community Building Committee
First term expires December 31, 2026
Ron Yardley
Fundraising Committee
First term expires December 31, 2026
Haley Diem
Events Committee
First term expires December 31, 2026
Brent Chouanard-Nguyen
Events Committee
First term expires December 31, 2026
Mark Lavalier
Infrastructure/Facility Committee
First term expires February 2027