Board Members

Lionsgate Academy School Board Director Biographies

Ron Berger, Community Member, Chair
Ron Berger is the Chief Financial Officer of DCM Services, LLC.  He is responsible for the Company’s finance, accounting, human resources, compliance, and cash processing operations.  He has been with the Company since March 2007 and brings 30 years of finance and business experience to DCM.  Prior to DCM, Ron held senior finance roles at Allianz Life and Liberty Check Printers.  He was also a principal in an investment banking firm involved in directing M&A and structured finance projects.  He is a graduate of St. John’s University and holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

Joan M. Steinmann, Parent, Vice Chair
Joan Steinmann is Senior Counsel at H.B. Fuller Company, an attorney with more than 20 years’ experience and the parent of a student at Lionsgate among the group first enrolled at the time the school opened its doors in 2008.  Joan grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School, then practiced as a business litigator at two major law firms in Los Angeles.  In 2005, she and her family returned to Minnesota, where her son entered middle school.  Joan was elected to the Lionsgate School Board in May, 2010, on a platform of commitment to parental involvement in governance as critical to realizing Lionsgate’s mission.  As well as  leveraging parents’ rich knowledge and dedication, Joan’s agenda as a board member is to foster best practices in educating teenagers with autism spectrum disorders and to focus on sound decision-making and problem-solving.

Jonathan Scharlau, Community Member, Treasurer
Jonathan is a Principal and Investment Consultant at SilverOak Wealth Management LLC. He has over 16 years of investment management experience as both an analyst and portfolio manager with several major financial services organizations. He has extensive experience in the investment industry and has spent many years assisting both individuals and institutions in building effective portfolio strategies. In addition, Jonathan works with his clients in developing comprehensive financial plans that take into account items such as risk management, tax planning and estate planning.  Jonathan’s experience working with both individuals and institutions provides him a unique perspective. He brings his clients a unique depth of understanding regarding the financial markets and he works closely with them in defining and achieving their long-term goals.

Brandy Dougherty, M.A., Academic Director, Secretary
Brandy Dougherty is beginning her fourth year at Lionsgate Academy as the Academic Director.  She has been part of the Lionsgate staff since its first year, where she was the Lead Social Studies Instructor.  She was born and raised in Colorado and moved to Minnesota for her post-secondary education.  While attending Bemidji State University, she received a History and Political Science degree.  She furthered her education at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, where she received her Social Studies Education degree.  After teaching for three years in a small southwest Minnesota town, she moved to the St. Paul area and completed her Master of Arts degree in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Education from the University of St. Thomas.  Brandy was elected to the school board for the second time and brings with her dedication and commitment to the organization, vision and mission of the school.

Meta Pautsch, Art Teacher, Director
Meta Pautsch grew up on a hog farm just south of Gaylord, MN, a small farming community about 60 miles southwest of the Twin Cities.  She attended St. Cloud State University where she obtained her B.S. in Art Education with minors in Graphic Design and Creative Writing. Meta started her teaching career at LGA last year and currently leads the Art Department. Away from school she enjoys artistic endeavors, biking city trails, and cooking. She serves as a director on the school board representing teachers and other staff members, where her main focus is to remind ourselves why we are here–to do what is best for the students we serve. She is very dedicated to LGA and genuinely believes in the mission and in the school’s ability to give the students the tools they need to lead successful and happy lives outside of LGA. Meta is also involved with the fundraising committee, more specifically doing event planning and design work.

Bob Radspinner, B.A., Parent, Director
Bob Radspinner is originally from out west and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BA in social work, chemical dependency, and American Studies.  His interests include music performance and lutherie. Currently, Bob is working as a mental health case manager in St. Paul.  His son attends Lionsgate and which brought him to run for a position on the board where he is currently serving on the Governance and Transition Committees. Bob’s work during the last 24 years has primarily centered on preparing and supporting people with a variety of disabilities to live in community settings where they can grow and thrive as they work towards establishing more independent lives for themselves.

Margaret Fuller, Case Manager
Margaret Fuller has been a Special Education Case Manager at Lionsgate Academy since February 2010.  She studied Special Education at St. Cloud State University and is licensed in Developmental and Cognitive Disabilities.  Margaret was fortunate to have student-taught in South Africa and has a growing passion for traveling. What she loves most about working at Lionsgate is supporting the schools mission to help students reach their fullest potential as students today and adults tomorrow.  Her position as a staff member at Lionsgate provides her with many opportunities to collaborate with students, families, teachers, service providers, administrators, and outside agencies to provide the highest quality services for students.