For Bur Zeratsky, supporting Moraine Park is more than philanthropy. It is about honoring family, strengthening community and creating opportunity where it matters most.
A district board member at Moraine Park Technical College and president of National Rivet Manufacturing Company, Zeratsky is serving his third term on the College’s board. As a fourth-generation business owner, he leads a company approaching 100 years in operation.
His connection to Moraine Park extends far beyond professional partnerships or board service. It is rooted in a family legacy that helped shape the Moraine Park Foundation in its earliest days.
“My father served on the board in the 1970s, right at the time the foundation was being established,” Zeratsky said. “It was important to him, and I believe he was instrumental in its creation.”
Continuing that legacy is both humbling and deeply personal.
“I didn’t fully understand what it meant when I was younger,” he said. “But now, the more I engage with the College and see the foundation that was laid by those who came before us, the more meaningful it becomes. I know my father would be proud, and I’m honored to continue that work.”
Zeratsky attended Green Lake Public Schools before earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Regis College in Denver. After graduation, he returned home to join the family business, starting in sales and marketing. In 2006, he transitioned fully into National Rivet, where he now serves as president and board chair.
About 20 years ago, National Rivet partnered with Moraine Park to support a joint labor-management program that provided leadership training for employees in a unionized manufacturing environment.
“That really reignited something for me,” Zeratsky said. “It reminded me of what Moraine Park could do, not just for individuals, but for businesses and communities.”
That partnership eventually led to an invitation to serve on the College’s board as an employer representative, helping ensure programs remain aligned with evolving workforce needs.
Giving to the Moraine Park Foundation, Zeratsky said, is one of the most meaningful ways he and his wife, Kelly, support that mission.
“Oftentimes, we hear directly from students who have benefited from the foundation, and those stories can be very emotional,” he said. “You see how that support made a real difference—giving someone a lift they might not have had otherwise. In a region that depends on manufacturing, the trades and technical skills, the foundation helps fill a critical gap by supporting students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to succeed. That support doesn’t just change individual lives; it strengthens our communities and our workforce.”
As the Moraine Park Foundation marks 50 years of supporting students, Zeratsky reflects on the generations impacted by that commitment.
“Fifty years is remarkable,” he said. “Think about how many students, and even families across generations, have benefited. Our communities are better because Moraine Park and its foundation exist.”
Looking ahead, he hopes the foundation continues to expand its reach and impact.
“There’s nothing more powerful than local support,” he said. “When communities invest in education, they’re not just helping one person, they’re changing lives for generations.”
Celebrating 50 Years of the Foundation
As the Moraine Park Foundation celebrates 50 years, it honors a legacy built on generosity and purpose. For five decades, donors have helped remove barriers, open doors and empower students to pursue hands-on education and meaningful careers. Your Generosity. Our Mission. Empowering Students for 50 Years.
