Jay Thompson Named President of African Violet Foundation; Founder Staci Wright Steps into Vice President Role
Jay Thompson was voted in as The African Violet Foundation (AVF) Board of Directors’s new president Wednesday, March 26, at their quarterly meeting. Thompson is filling the vacancy created by founder and former president Staci Wright’s recent resignation.
Staci Wright and her husband Roger founded The African Violet Foundation (AVF) in the fall of 2006. She has served as president since. She will remain active in the foundation and was elected vice president at the same meeting.
“It was a hard decision to step down after more than 18 years at the helm. It was something I had been giving deep thought to for a long time. Life throws a lot of changes at you in 18 years, and it felt like I not only had too many irons in the fire, but because of that, AVF needed some new energy and a fresh face,” Staci Wright said. “I’m confident that Jay is the right person for the job at this time and will do an excellent job.”
Thompson is not actually new to AVF. He has served on the board since 2018, and had held the office of vice president since the resignation of original board member Sarah Cochran two years ago.
Thompson stated, “I am honored to be elected to the role of president of AVF. I am passionate about helping others and try to live a life of service to others. AVF is an outstanding organization that exemplifies and shares the values of selfless service.”
At the same quarterly board meeting, Treasurer Sage Ghent also resigned. Her resignation was accepted, and board member J.J. Greiner was voted in to fill that vacancy. Sage Ghent has served as treasurer since 2017 and will remain on the board.
The board welcomed Brandon Stuhr of Van Buren County to the AVF Board of Directors. Stuhr, originally from Sigourney, is the 7-12 principal at Van Buren Community School District. He has served in the position for three years. Prior to that, he taught high school math at Cardinal Community School District. He is an avid outdoorsman. Recently, he became engaged to Annie Ehlts.
The board has also welcomed Seth Talbot to the AVF Board of the Directors. Talbot is an assistant vice president of compliance at Cambridge Investment Research and has worked with Cambridge since 2008. Prior to moving to Fairfield in 2020, Talbot commuted to Fairfield from Washington County. Talbot currently serves as a board director for the Cambridge Foundation, the vice president of the board for the Iowa advocacy/protection group Disability Rights Iowa and is a member of the local Kiwanis Club. Talbot’'s wife, Amber, is the director of the non-profit animal shelter in Washington County. The Talbots have two boys in the Fairfield Community School District; Avery is in second grade and Tristen is in fifth grade.
The new nine-member board is now made up of Thompson, Staci Wright, Greiner, Secretary Katie Ghent, Sage Ghent, Roger Wright, Shawn Dorman, Stuhr and Talbot.
AVF operates The African Violet Boutique located at 54 S. B Street in Fairfield. Students and families who reside in Jefferson, Keokuk and Van Buren counties and who are in need of clothing can shop there at no cost. The boutique provides gently used clothing, shoes, coats and other apparel items. Also available are blankets and new underwear and socks. Current hours are Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon.
Additionally, the foundation funds and carries out an annual Christmas project that provides Christmas gifts to approximately 500 students enrolled in the Fairfield, Pekin and Van Buren middle and high schools. AVF does not currently assist with paying bills or monetary needs.
