Mr. Kyle Buikema
I am looking forward to serving on the Timothy School Board because as a parent I want our children to have the best Christian education that we can provide. After attending and being part of Christian schools, I realize how important that is in developing you as a person, and how you choose to live your life for God. I would like to be a part of the Timothy board so I can use the talents that God has given me to serve our school as we move forward and face the challenges of the 21st century.
Most of my strengths come from the experience of running our family business of Ace Hardware stores. I started by sweeping up and stocking shelves at the age of 11 and have worked my way up to serving as president of our company for the last six years. I currently serve on five Ace Corporate committees, and was chairman for 12 years of the Chicago Northwest Advertising Group. In addition to running multiple stores, I also have experience in the real estate market, including buying, building, leasing and selling. I thoroughly enjoy working with people and would like to contribute where I can, based on my experiences.
The members of the Board have the responsibility to help students and teachers make the connections between learning in the classroom and serving God. In order to make this happen, we need to listen and provide support for our teachers, students, and parents. As a committee, we need to continue to work together to maintain the high standards that make Timothy Schools what they are today. None of this is possible without God in our lives to guide us as we make decisions that will affect our children.
I grew up in Wheaton where I lived with my parents and two brothers. While living there, I attended Wheaton Christian Reformed Church, Wheaton Christian Grammar School, and then on to Timothy for high school. After high school I attended College at Northwood Institute in Midland, Michigan, where I received my Associate of Arts Degree in Business Management. My education continued at Texas Christian University, where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing, with a minor in Speech Communication.
I met my wife Patty in the third grade at Wheaton Christian Grammar School, and we have been happily married now for 20 years. Patty is a graduate of Timothy and continues to be involved in school. She has served on the fashion show committee, the auction committee, been a Picture Lady and enjoys being a room mom. We have three children who attend Timothy. Brandon is a senior who enjoys basketball and track; Brittany is a sophomore and enjoys volleyball, basketball and track; and Bridgitt is in the 7th grade and loves band and guitar club with Mr. Gesch. I enjoy many sports including snow skiing, tennis, golf and boating. We live in Woodridge, and are members of the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church.