About The Andy Nowacki Memorial Scholarship Fund
Who We Are – Learn More About The Andy Nowacki Memorial Foundation
The Andy Nowacki Foundation was created by the family and friends of Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew W. Nowacki. “Ace”, who died by a roadside bomb on February 26, 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, while protecting a convoy.
After graduating from Brush High School in the Cleveland suburb of Lyndhurst in 1998, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve the following fall.
Community and Service to others were important to Andy, who also served as police officer in Grand River, about 25 miles northeast of Cleveland.
Colleagues commonly referred to Andy as an “ideal police officer.”
The Mission of the Foundation is to provide meaningful scholarships to those seeking to who serve their communities as peace officers, firefighters, EMTs, or nurses. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on a combination of community involvement, dedication to service, grade point average and strong moral character.
If you are a candidate who is committed to serving with love, compassion, and strength, please fill out the scholarship application.
est.
2005
Our Board of Directors
Brian Christopher Perry, Ph.D.
Brian Perry is currently employed as a principal scientist in the Analytical Services group within the Engineered Materials Group at Parker LORD Corporation.
He has worked in the analytical. group characterizing polymers, adhesives, and coatings for 33 years. He is a founding member of the Andy Nowacki Memorial Scholarship Foundation and is currently serving as the interim
co-president of the Any Nowacki Foundation. Brian also has been serving as president of the Cleveland section of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy since 2002.
Contact Information:
Education:
B.A. in Chemistry from the College of Wooster
M.S. and Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science & Engineering from Case Western Reserve University
Richard E. Jankura Jr. “Duke”
Duke Jankura is a retired Finance executive with diverse experience in the venture capital, financial
services, nonprofit management and family office industries. He was CFO and Senior Partner of Finance
for 20 years at JumpStart Inc., CFO of a regional family office and Controller at a KeyBank subsidiary.
He served in the United States Marine Corps for five years rising from a Private to First Lieutenant as a
Logistics/Embarkation Officer. His current nonprofit boards include serving as Treasurer of Growth
Opportunity Partners Inc., Treasurer of Meridian Sun Lodge #69 in Richfield, Ohio and board member of the Andy Nowacki Foundation.
Contact Information:
(216) 571-6646 (M)
Education & Certifications
Master of Business Administration – University of Hartford
Certified Economic Development Finance Professional
Ka-Pi Hoh, Ph.D.
Ka-Pi Hoh is currently a process mining business leader at The Lubrizol Corporation. At Lubrizol, she has held a variety of leadership positions involving research technology, commercial development, operations and resource management including expatriate assignments in the
United Kingdom and in China.
Ka-Pi graduated from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) with a B.S., M.S. and a Ph.D. in Macromolecular Engineering. She serves on several visiting committees/boards at CWRU and mentors female
students in STEM. She volunteers her time on other boards in the
community including chair of the board of directors for The Lakeland
Foundation at Lakeland Community College. She is a founding member
of the Andy Nowacki Memorial Scholarship Foundation and is serving as interim co-president of the Nowacki Foundation.
Contact Information:
Linda Cappelli-O’Brien
Linda Cappelli-O’Brien began her career as a caterer in 1976, gaining unparalleled experience in the special events space she has created a legacy here in Lake County. With a master’s degree in education from John Carroll University her desire for continued education and service has prompted her to be a dedicated supporter of those wanting to better themselves while serving their community. Now retired, Linda engages in several causes that bring so much joy to everyone in her community. Residing in Willoughby Hills with her husband Bill, she focuses on making the world a better place. As a founding member of the Andy Nowacki Foundation, she inspires service through her commitment to Andy’s legacy.
Patti Cannon Jannetti
Patti Cannon Jannetti is a retired Corporal from the Case Western Reserve University Police Department.
Patti quickly rose from an officer, to a field training officer (FTO), and finally to a corporal where she was
a shift supervisor. Patti specialized training the newer officers as well as teaching street survival and
self-defense tactics to civilians.
Patti, an Andy Nowacki Scholarship recipient, was appointed to The Andy Nowacki Foundation Board in
the fall of 2018. Patti is passionate about passing on the life and legacy of Andy Nowacki.
Dawn Cappelli
Dawn Cappelli graduated from Ursuline College with a Master of Arts in Educational Administration. While establishing herself as a respected educator and administrator she was able to share her passion for education with others. She has years of scholarship experience and believes there should always be a chance for a person to have the necessary tools to become the best version of themselves. Dawn is currently working as a Project Specialist within the Healthcare Sales Training Division for STERIS Corporation in Mentor. She helps educate and manage the training of sales representatives for both Canada and the United States. In addition to joining the Andy Nowacki Foundation as a board member in 2023, Dawn serves as the Vice President for the Lake County Visitor’s Bureau. A lifetime Lake County resident, she takes considerable pride in raising her three children at their home in Mentor.
Stephanie Boledovic
Stephanie Boledovic has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources (HR) and is currently employed as a Corporate HR Manager at Parker Hannifin. She was a 2016 recipient of the Employee Relations HR Award from ERC.
Stephanie has a heart for service that she credits to her grandfather who served in the US Air Force in WWII and her dad who served in the Marines in the Vietnam War. In addition to being a member of the Nowacki Foundation Board, she is a mentor with College Now as well as a volunteer for the Prayers From Maria Foundation and the Cats of Westwood Rescue.
Contact Information:
sboledovic@yahoo.com
Education and Certifications:
B.A. in Psychology from the University of Akron
Senior Professional in Human Resources
Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional
Brian P. Miller
Brian Miller served in the United States Marine Corps, Truck Company in Erie, PA beginning in
2001.
Brian served two combat deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003 and 2004).
During his time in the Marine Corps, Brian and Andy became close friends.
By educating those who look to receive scholarships from The Andy Nowacki Foundation and sharing Andy’s legacy with those around him, Brian looks to keeps Andy’s memory alive for generations to come.
Brian is the Assistant Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Erie VA Medical Center and joined the
Andy Nowacki Foundation Board in 2022.
Patrick Kilts
Patrick is a finance executive with over twenty years of experience in cost accounting, leading audits,
financial reporting, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic planning across the
manufacturing, private equity, and financial services industries. He has a proven track record of leading finance teams in fast-paced, dynamic environments, driving improvements in financial performance, and optimizing operational efficiencies.
Currently, Patrick serves as the Controller at Concord Road Equipment, where he manages finance operations for a $25 million heavy truck upfitter. His previous roles include positions as Corporate Controller at NSL Analytical Services, and Director of Treasury and Planning at MobilityWorks, where he led acquisition teams and managed Treasury operations.
He served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years as a Corporal and Tank Commander at Twentynine Palms, CA, and currently serves as Treasurer for the Andy Nowacki Foundation.
Contact Information:
pkilts@gmail.com
(216) 269-6049 (M)
Education & Certifications
MBA – Cleveland state University
BBA Finance – Cleveland State University