The Weld RE-4 School District will hold elections for four Board of Education positions on November’s ballot.

Candidates include:

Director District A

• Raymond Ruth — The Vice President of Global Product Technical Support for Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Ruth leads the Global Technical Team. Prior to Beckman, he spent 15 years with Hach and served in the U.S. Air Force. Ruth earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Northern Colorado and an MBA from Regis University. He was appointed to the Weld RE-4 Board of Education in 2023, and has previous experience serving the community as a coach and on Greeley’s Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee. Ruth is a parent to two students in the district.

Director District B

• Karen Trusler — Trusler served for 20 years as superintendent and a teacher in the Weld RE-4 School District. After retiring from the district, she served as interim superintendent of the RE-5J Johnstown-Milliken School District. In addition to her professional roles, Trusler has served on the boards of the Weld Food Bank, Poudre Learning Center, RE-4 Education Foundation, Community Grief Center, Rocky Mountain Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA), and Women’s Fund of Weld County.

Director District D

• Mark A. Leach — Leach began his professional career as a biomedical engineer in the U.S. Army. Following his years of service, Leach held roles with NASA and several healthcare organizations. He earned a bachelor and master’s of science from Tarleton State University in Texas and East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, respectively. Leach has lived in Windsor since 2014. He is a parent of a student in the district and a volunteer coach in the community

• Patrick Miller — Miller is the Finance Director for Danaher Corporation. Prior to working for Danaher, he has held various finance-related positions for Hach, American Midstream, and BHP Billiton. He earned a bachelor’s from Pacific Lutheran and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Miller was appointed to the Weld RE-4 Board of Education in 2022 and has served on boards for Bagdad, Ariz., the Unified School District, and Challis, Idaho Joint School District. Miller has two children in Weld RE-4 schools and is a regular school volunteer.

Director District E 

• Jennifer Hansen — Hansen has worked in the Weld RE-4 School District in a variety of capacities, including as a paraprofessional, and substitute teacher. In addition to professional work experiences, Hansen has served on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She currently serves on the Water Valley Master Association HOA Board. Hansen has lived in the Windsor-Severance community for more than 20 years, and is a parent volunteer at schools in the district.

• Helen “Kathy” Ulrich — Ulrich is a retired educator with 38 years of foreign language teaching experience. She taught at District 6 in Greeley, as well as at the University of Northern Colorado. Ulrich has lived, studied, and taught in several foreign countries.

For more information on the Board of Education and its election, visit the School Board page or email engage@weldre4.org.