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Officers:
Donald Neal
George Ortega
Kristin Mills
Richard Perry
Jose Oliva

Board Members:
Ricardo Benitez
Cheri Blose
Deidre Campbell-Jones
Edward Campos
Laurie Fadness
Ann Job
Brianne King
Sherry Lincoln
Derek Martin
Judi Neal
Rubi Ramirez
Chris Shows
Roy Smith

Diane Valencia

Board Photos courtesy of Voila Photography

 

 

Name:

Donald Neal

Role: President
Representing: Educational Institutions
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Don
Bio: I believe strongly in leadership, leadership development, and developing and working with our youth. I am a homeowner, and my wife, Judith, and I have been residents since 2006 and we have tried hard to become activists in our community. I believe it is an honor and a privilege to be a member of this council and represent my community. To lead, is to serve.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, graduating Cum Laude (3.5 GPA) from California State University-Dominguez Hills. I have been a mathematics teacher in LAUSD for 19 years and a football coach for 22 years. I have taught everything from Algebra I to AP Calculus. I currently teach mathematics at Sylmar HS. I am a member of the Business & Technical Education Academy, and also work with the Solar & Wind Academy.
 
As a football coach, I spent 10 years in Junior College football. I was lucky enough to have coached at Dorsey HS when we won the Los Angeles 4A City Championship in 1989, and again in 1991. Keyshawn Johnson (USC-Jets-Bucs-Cowboys-Panthers) and Karim Abdul-Jabbar (UCLA-Dolphins) were members of those teams. Current Chicago Bear WR, Rashied Davis, played on my West LA College football team. Currently coaching football at Valley College.
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George Ortega

Role: Vice President Administration
Co-Chair, Land Use Committee
Representing: Recreation / Open Space
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email George
Bio: I have a BS Degree in Civil Engineering and have worked 22 years in the City of Burbank Public Works Dept: 4 years with Sanitary Engineering, 10 years with Permits, 8 years with Traffic Engineering.
Goals: My goals are to lend some expertise to the board about improving infrastructure, advocate improving and increasing parks and recreational facilities and being a voice of deliberation and reason. Specially working on improving bus stops in our community.  
Name:

Kristin Mills

 
Role: Vice President Communications
Co-Chair, Outreach Committee
Representing: Renters
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Kristin
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Name:

Richard Perry

Role: Treasurer
Chair, Budget Committee
Representing: Retail
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Richard
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Name:

Jose Oliva

 
Role: Public Relations Coordinator
Representing: Community Based Organizations
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Jose
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Name:

Ricardo Benitez

Role: Board Member
Representing: At Large
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Ricardo
Bio: As an immigrant I came to the United States from El Salvador about 34 years ago. In 1990 I got a license as a plumber and electrical contractor. Since then I have been living in California. As a board member I see myself helping a lot of families in their need in my community.
Goals: My goal is to be active in community groups, help with public services, fight to protect hard working families, protect family values, morals, and principles, improve quality of life in my community, improve education for our children.  
Name:

Cheri Blose

Role: Co-Chair, Equestrian Committee
Representing: Equestrian
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Cheri 
Bio: I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. I moved to Sylmar in 1978, after living in Central California for 8 years.

After moving here I quickly fell in love with the rural Sylmar area; it reminded me of the Valley of many years ago. I loved the fact that kids could ride their horses down the street; while we where able to leave the doors and windows open so we could listen to the chickens and burros that our neighbors had in their yards.

We joined Equestrian Trails Inc., (ETI) Corral 12 in 1990. At the time we joined ETI Corral 12, they were actively fighting the development that was slated to go into Wilson Canyon. As I was eager to join in with their effort, we went door to door to inform our neighbors of this development. They successfully stopped it! The Santa Monica Conservancy purchased this beautiful land and declared it open space, hence known as Wilson Canyon Park. This experience was a powerful reminder that a small group of dedicated people can make a difference.

I have worked as a property supervisor for apartment complexes for the last 33 years. I was on the formation board that first helped to established the SNC and have served on the Land Use committee since its inception and am also co-chairperson of the Equestrian committee.
 
Goals: It is my goal to help Sylmar retain its heritage and rural lifestyle, I watched ranches in the Valley fall to huge apartment & Condo complexes and shopping centers and while we need this development and growth, I feel it is important to help to maintain a portion of the valley as a rural reminder of our past and have tried hard to work with the committee toward smart development for our area.  
Name:

Min. Deidre Campbell-Jones

Role: Co-Chair, Outreach Committee
Representing: Faith-Based Organizations
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Deidre
Bio: My husband and I live in Sylmar. I am a licensed minister, instructor at UUC Bible College & Seminary, Publisher and Author. I have a Bachelors in Religious Education, am a certified Christian Life Coach and will complete my Masters in 2012. I began ministry work in 1987 and in 1990 formed what became Destination Christian Services, Inc. We educate and empower minorities, women and youth to find their God-given purposes and live abundantly.
 
Goals: To help bridge communication gaps between political, religious and community leaders, as well with Sylmar citizens of every age, ethnicity and denomination.
 
 
Name:

Edward Campos

 
Role: Board Member
Representing: Industrial
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Edward
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Name:

Laurie Fadness

 
Role: Co-Chair, Equestrian Committee
Representing: Retail
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Laurie
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Name:

Ann Job

 
Role: Board Member
Representing: Senior
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Ann
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Brianne King

 
Role: Board Member
Representing: At Large
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Brianne
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Name:

Sherry Lincoln

Role: Board Member
Representing: At Large
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Sherry
Bio: Sherry Felice Lincoln has lived in Southern California since September 1, 1960, the San Fernando Valley since September, 1966, and Sylmar since March 10th, 1979. She raised her children in Sylmar, and as a substitute teacher has worked in virtually all of the elementary schools in the San Fernando Valley. She volunteers with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, C.E.R.T., the Linus Project, Sylmar Relay For Life, for her religious group, and Sylmar Neighborhood Council. In the past, she worked with 5 PTA's, YWCA's Women's group, and as scorekeeper on several children's sports teams. She considers it an honor to work with Sylmar Neighborhood Council.
Goals: Sherry hopes to help to coordinate information between groups so that the SNC calendar reflects the schedule of Sylmar activities, and to help to establish a community center in Sylmar.  
Name:

Derek Martin

Role: Chair, Bylaws Committee
Representing: Home / Condo Owner
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Derek
Bio: I grew up in Reseda, a paper boy, Eagle Scout and then graduated from Cleveland High School. I joined the U.S. Navy and saw the world. Shirley and I were married in 1975, have three adult children all graduates of Sylmar High School, college, and now professionals. I have degrees from Valley College, California Baptist University, and a Master’s degree in MTF from Azusa Pacific University. I was ordained a Baptist Minister in 1986 and work with young married couples. We have been home owners in Sylmar since 1987.

I served on the Site Council at Harding Elementary school. I served on the SIBL board of directors for 11 years at the time we moved SIBL from the LAMC site to it current location. After 21 years in the business world I joined LAUSD in 1999. After teaching and counseling Special Education students, I am currently serving the community as the Career Counselor at Sylmar High School. The past three years it has been my honor to serve as Chairman of the Sylmar High School Site Council.

Goals: I see an opportunity to use my time and talents to serve the Sylmar community. To help fact find, put together presentations and assimilate information to the Sylmar Community to enhance understanding of what is happening in our community.  
Name:

Judi Neal

 
Role: Board Member
Representing: Home / Condo Owner
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Judi
Bio:  
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Name:

Rubi Ramirez

 
Role: Board Member
Representing: Youth
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Rubi
Bio: I was born in the city of Sylmar, but lived most of my life in North Hollywood. I recently moved here to Sylmar with my family in 2008, so this shall be my fourth year living in Sylmar. Here in Sylmar is where my interest for helping the community grew. I currently attend Sylmar High School, where I am part of the Magnet Program.
Goals: I want to use my interpersonal communication skills to create a bridge between pre-teens/ teenagers and the community. Showing them that being involved with the community isn't hard and that it's a fun learning experience.  
Name:

Chris Shows

Role: Chair, Government Affairs, Public Safety and Services Committee
Representing: Renters
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Chris
Bio: I have lived in Sylmar for over 30+ years. Played at baseball at S.I B.L. Went to Olive Vista Jr. High and Sylmar High. I have lived here and have seen the good and bad times.  
Goals: To work with the community. Help with public services, fight to protect hard working families, protect family values, morals, and principles, improve quality of life in my community, improve education for our children  
Name:

Roy Smith

Role: Co-Chair, Land Use Committee
Representing: Home / Condo Owner
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Roy
Bio: My family moved to Sylmar in 1977 from Sun Valley. As a youth I played baseball at Sylmar and El Cariso Park. I attended Sylmar Elementary, Olive Vista Jr. High and Sylmar high. I enrolled in Ameritech College in 1992. And then received my Diploma and received special recognition for Academic Achievement. I also attended Mission College for Accounting in 2000.
Met my wife Cindy at Olive Vista Jr. High School. I have been a long time Sylmarian and have seen a lot of changes in this community the good and the bad. In all this time I have learned that if you don’t get involved the bad doesn’t change without good people making the difference. I have been active in this community for the last 10 years trying to make Sylmar a better place for all of us.
 
Goals: My goal is to unite us with Truth and Personal Responsibly and to empower each stakeholder in making the difference in our community for the improvement in quality of life for the young and old alike.  
Name:

Diane Valencia

 
Role: Co-Chair, Outreach Committee
Representing: Home / Condo Owner
Term Ends: August 2014
Contact: Email Diane
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Name:

Open

 
Role: Board Member
Representing: Community-Based Organizations
Term Ends: August 2014
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Name:

Open

 
Role: Board Member
Representing: Retail
Term Ends: August 2014
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Board Member List