Skip to main content

Featured Alumni

[accordion-item title=”Gretchen Knoblock”]
Gretchen Knoblock
Graduation Year – 1982
Current Residence: Traverse City
Hometown: Wilmette, IL
Number of Years Spent at Leelanau: 2
Colleges Attended and Degrees Received
Degree in Interior Design from Purdue University, School of Engineering and Technology
Career Summary
Interior Designer
Personal Info – Family, Hobbies & Interests
Photography, painting, hiking, tennis, birding
Favorite Leelanau Memory
Wow…that’s a tough one, as there are so many. Of course all my wonderful, lifelong friendships made with people that share a special bond and experience like no other. But my most vivid memory was the drive up the main road on the first day. I was scared and nervous. I still remember what I was wearing, right down to my shoes. Some seniors were there checking us in and pointing us to the dorms, and as scared as I was, I think I also knew that this was going be the best experience of my life. The next year, I asked to be on that welcoming committee because I wanted to be that person who could help the new kids feel ok, and more at ease.

Favorite place was a large pine on the beach, surrounded by juniper. Laura Cox and I figured out a way through the dense shrub to a clearing at the base of the tree. It was a secret little spot we’d go to talk about things; life, boys, struggles, plan our futures, we’d cry and giggle and it was a safe, special spot. And of course, the Crystal River…always a favorite.

Describe the impact that the Leelanau School had on your life:
These days, I’m motivated by simple pleasures (hiking, sitting on the beach reading a book, riding my bike to breakfast, and full appreciation of the great outdoors), the uncomplicated quality of life that comes from living in a small but vibrant town and my work. I get to be my own boss doing exactly what I always wanted to do….that’s plenty worth getting up every day for!

Describe Proudest Accomplishment:
Finally earning my college degree.

Anything else you would like to share?
Mrs. Evans, my art history teacher was the first person to plant the seed and got me really interested in art and architecture and Mun also got me interested in architecture. He’d take us on field trips to study barns…I complained all the way, but it stuck with me anyway. From Leelanau, I went to Ball State to study interior design but didn’t finish. I went back to college at 39 years old to finally get my design degree.[/accordion-item]

[accordion-item title=”Asaf Fulk”]
Asaf Fulk
Graduation Year – 2000
Current Residence: Orange County, California
Hometown: Olympia Fields, Illinois
Number of Years Spent at Leelanau: 2
Colleges Attended and Degrees Received
Denison University, B.A. Computer Science, Minor Economics
Career Summary
Asaf Fulks is a world renowned music producer, sound engineer, educator, entrepreneur and business owner. He discovered his passion for music production during his college years. While studying Computer Science and Economics at Denison University in Ohio, he also spent time recording and producing in his dorm room. After graduating in 2004, he moved to his family in Hollywood and eventually relocated to Orange County to work for a book publisher. His boss recognized his passion for music and encouraged him to set up a studio in his unused office space. With minimal gear and few contacts Asaf set up shop and The OC Recording Company opened its doors in 2005.

Asaf’s first client D1, a rapper from Boston, was also new to OC, and together they completed projects with well-known rappers AZ and Royce D’59. Asaf helped D1 secure a record deal. It was a great start!

Word of Asaf’s talent spread and soon he was booked weeks in advance with a range of projects, from solo artists to full bands. He poured his earnings back into studio improvements and expansions. In 2007, he produced musicforte.com’s song of the year for the Medallions, several of his artists won OCMA awards and he was featured in The OC Weekly. His first compilation album won him the title “Timbaland of the west coast.” By West Coast performer magazine.

Asaf continued to develop as a music producer and engineer. He composed scores for award winning films, radio shows and produced for platinum and Grammy winning artists Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Tyga, Kendrick Lamar and others. Asaf’s third compilation album released in 2011, featured the hit song “Breakoutâ„¢ by My Hero, which become the theme song for The LA Clippers and St. Louis Cardinals. The song was also featured on ESPN Capital One Bowl, Showtime’s The Franchise and Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club.

Asaf became a Grammy voting member; Avid Pro Tools / Waves certified and received his US Patent for Microphone Stand Technology. He is an AES member and Waves Mercury featured user. In 2012 The OC Recording Company won The OC Weekly’s Best of Award–Best Recording Studio in Orange County!

Asaf authored the book The Studio: Audio Engineering and Music Production Techniques. In 2013, after years of experience, he opened The OC Recording School: Audio Engineering and music Production Certificate Program, accredited by the NPSAG for The OC Recording School.

Starting with a dream with focus and persistent dedication, Asaf built not only a state-of the art recording studio, but a world-wide reputation for the mastery of his craft. He is also known as an inspiring mentor and for his calming demeanor, friendliness and professionalism. His goal is to continue to produce cutting edge music, develop innovative studio technology, provide clients with the high quality recording at affordable rates, and help our students succeed in the world of Audio Engineering and Music Production.

In 2014, Asaf mixed and mastered three #1 hit records: “Your Turn” and “Before You Go” by Common Kings and “Flava” by Tenelle.

Personal Info – Family, Hobbies & Interests
You can find me in the studio!

Favorite Leelanau Memory:
I first attended Leelanau during the summer school program. It’s so beautiful up there in the summer by the lake with so many biological resources to learn from. So many great memories, friends and faculty. I really enjoyed the sports programs as well. It’s funny cause in the Kindle dorm room we would have competitions with our stereo systems. Many of my bad lyric rap CD’s were confiscated lol, now I’m in the music business and always try to keep my records clean, but keep my bass knockin!

Describe the impact that the Leelanau School had on your life:
I would not be where I am today with Leelanau. I made a huge impact on my life. My first two years of public high school my grades were terrible and I was unmotivated. Leelanau made it fun for me to learn again, I excelled academically and got into a great college. Thank you Leelanau!!!

Describe Proudest Accomplishment:
Becoming class president, making straight A’s.

Anything else you would like to share?
I wrote a song about my Leelanau experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYruEu_mpVI

“[/accordion-item]

[accordion-item title=”Geno Kral”]
Geno Kral
Graduation Year – 2000
Current Residence: St.Thomas U.S.V.I
Hometown: St.Thomas U.S.V.I
Number of Years Spent at Leelanau – 3
Colleges Attended and Degrees Received
Great Lakes Maritime Academy and NMC in Traverse City
Career Summary
CEO at Subbase Drydock a family bussiness we haul out and repair various vessels. I am fortunate to work with my parents, cousin and best friend and fellow alum Mike Conway

Personal Info – Family, Hobbies & Interests
I have a beautiful wife Heather, and two wonderful children Gavin 6 and Gemma 8 months old. I love spending time with my family. I deep sea fish as much as I can. Surf, scuba, and go on family hikes.

Favorite Leelanau Memory
My favorite Leelanau moment was…there are so many but I would have to say the wonderful relationships I have gained not only with fellow alums but the faculty as well.

Describe the impact that the Leelanau School had on your life.
Leelanau helped prepare me for life.

Describe Proudest Accomplishment
My children…

“[/accordion-item]

[accordion-item title=”William Cole”]
William E. Cole
Graduation Year – 1961
Current Residence – The Villages, Fla
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Number of Years Spent at Leelanau – 2
Colleges Attended and Degrees Received
Ohio State BS 1964
Career Summary
Pilot/Navy Pilot/United Air Lines Corporate Pilot Owned and Operated Appraisal Company with 54 Employees
Personal Info – Family, Hobbies & Interests
Golf-Golf-Golf

Describe the impact that the Leelanau School had on your life.
Taught me how to Study and got me through College

Describe Proudest Accomplishment
My First Carrier Landing
[/accordion-item]

[accordion-item title=”Lisa DeBoard Boyer”]
Graduation Year – 1970
Current Residence: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Hometown: Rochester Hills
Number of Years Spent at Leelanau – 2
Colleges Attended and Degrees Received
Western Mich. University BBA
Oakland University MBA

Personal Info – Family, Hobbies & Interests
Retired married to William Boyer Sr. retired lawyer, We live La Quinta, Ca and Rochester Hills Michigan.
Have three children and 4 grandchildren. Hobbies: Golf, art, gardening.

Describe the impact that the Leelanau School had on your life.
Loved the school enjoyed field hockey and snow skiing.
.[/accordion-item]