Press Release: Three New Members To The Board of Trustees

CONTACT: Kristie McCaw, Director of Marketing and Communication
The Leelanau School
kmccaw@leelanau.org
231-334-5831

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2020

The Leelanau School Announces the Addition of Three New Members to its Board of Trustees

Glen Arbor, MI

The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor Michigan is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Trustees.

Peter Claybaker

Peter holds both a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and worked in machine design for many years. He got his start with a group doing groundbreaking research and development but eventually moved into designing and building custom manufacturing machinery as part owner in a small business.  Along the way, earning five patents for his work. After moving to Marquette, Michigan, Peter turned his hobby of bread baking, into a full-time business. He created and successfully ran Marquette Baking Company for 10 years before selling the business to the current owners.

Peter and his wife, Dr. Kelley Mahar, have two sons, Emmett who attends The Leelanau School and Simon who attends Marquette Area Public Schools. Peter’s interest in boarding schools, and in particular, The Leelanau School began when it became clear that Emmett needed something other than the local public schools to succeed.  Leelanau is the second boarding school his family has tried, so they feel they have some experience in seeing the advantages and disadvantages in different approaches. Peter is excited to help The Leelanau School continue its excellent approach to education.

Peter is active in outdoor sports — mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, camping, etc.  And enjoys playing mandolin, violin, and a little piano.

Armen Vartian

Armen is a former Leelanau parent and lawyer from Bloomington, Indiana who specializes in legal matters relating to the art and collectibles industry and has represented auction houses, galleries, collectors, investors, museums, artists, and institutions throughout the U.S. and abroad since 1981. He and his wife Candice Foss are the proud parents of Leelanau alumnus Eliot Vartian-Foss ’18.

Armen says: “During Eliot’s time at The Leelanau School I was so impressed by the wealth of knowledge and the teaching prowess of Leelanau’s faculty, as well as, of course, the incredible campus along beautiful Lake Michigan.  Candice and I enjoy being at Leelanau School whenever we can, and are excited to see how our small contributions have made such a big difference there. The Leelanau School was so important to our family that I was happy to say yes when asked to serve The Leelanau School as a Trustee.”

Norm Wheeler

Norm is a long-time resident of Empire, Michigan who taught Science and English for 32 years at The Leelanau School. He still serves as the school’s Director of the Lanphier Observatory, hosting public stargazing two nights a week in the summer on Sleeping Bear Bay. He is also the co-founder and continuing host of the Beach Bards Bonfire, a gathering for by heart poetry, storytelling, and music on Friday nights in high summer at The Leelanau School Beach.

Norm is married to Mimi Wheeler, founder of Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. Together they have two grown children, both of whom attended The Leelanau School for highschool, and four grandchildren. Norm’s son Jacob is the founding editor of the Glen Arbor Sun newspaper, and his daughter Julia works for the Danish International Studies program at the University of Minnesota. A true renaissance man, Norm plays music locally and continues to support the arts in many ways including as one of the people who helped build the first stage behind the Lake St. Studio for the first season of the regionally beloved Manitou Music Festival many years ago.