About - Board of Directors
The Center's Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.
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Richard M. Valdez is a partner of the law firm of Sandler, Lasry, Laube, Byer & Valdez LLP, where he is involved in civil litigation, handling a wide variety of business and commercial disputes. A San Diego native, he served on the board of directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and is a former member of the San Diego County Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee. He is a former board member of The Access Center of San Diego, Inc., having served as board president for three years for that disability-related non-profit corporation. He is also an instructor and a former member of the advisory committee for the University of San Diego Paralegal Program, where he teaches legal research and writing. Valdez received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego, and his law degree from the University of San Diego, School of Law. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
| VICE-CHAIR |
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Kevin Tilden is the vice president of external affairs for American Water, Western Region. A resident of San Diego since 1993, he has been active in many non-profit and political causes. He has served as vice president of Diversionary Theatre, chair of the successful Toni Atkins Campaign for City Council in 2000 and 2004, and chair of Bonnie Dumanis' successful race for District Attorney. Tilden is currently a board member of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, California Water Association and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. He is an appointee to the Board of San Diego's Convention Center Corporation, where he served as chair in 2006, and also serves on the Board of Directors of San Diego Theatres, the Advocacy Council for the California Chamber of Commerce and has been appointed to the Chula Vista Performing Arts Task Force. Tilden has been honored for his professional work and community service by the Public Relations Society of American, the International Association of Business Communicators, the San Diego Democratic Club, San Diego LGBT Pride and was named one of the "50 People to Watch" by San Diego Magazine. He received his B.A. from the University of Washington and his MBA from Pepperdine University. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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| SECRETARY |
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Matthew J. Doherty has an extensive background in non-profit housing and the management of social service programs. He has worked previously for the San Diego Housing Commission and the King County Housing Authority in Seattle, and is currently Director of the National Resource Center for the Corporation for Supportive Housing, leading CSH's efforts to develop technical assistance materials, training curricula, and other tools to assist organizations to create new supportive housing opportunities for persons who are homeless, adults with disabilities, seniors, families and youth. In his role, he provides consulting services to diverse organizations and provides trainings to audiences drawn from throughout the United States. Doherty holds a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Washington, Seattle. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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| EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER-AT-LARGE |
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Dale Kelly Bankhead is the committee consultant for City Councilmember Toni Atkins for the Council's Budget and Finance Committee. She is the former campaign manager for Equality for All, a leading coalition of LGBT and civil rights organizations coming together to defend California's progressive domestic partnerships laws and defeat anti-marriage measures, and previously served as the public affairs director of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. Her background includes a broad array of public interest, advocacy and political positions. Prior to joining the ACLU, she was a legislative aide with the California State Assembly in Sacramento. She has held several volunteer leadership positions in community organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the Rancho de los Penasquitos Town Council and has won numerous awards for community service. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and also attended the University of Miami School of Law for two years. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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| EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER-AT-LARGE |
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Sid Voorakkara is a program officer with the California Endowment, and has served as a consultant for such organizations as California Consumers United and Californians for Tax Fairness. He previously served as a field director for the United Nations Foundation and as a communications advisor for Congressman Richard Gephardt. Since relocating to San Diego in 2004, Voorakkara has been active in working to end marriage discrimination in California, and currently serves as co-chair of San Diegans Against Marriage Discrimination. Voorakkara earned his bachelor's degree in government from New York University. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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| PAST-CHAIRS |
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Robert H. Gleason is currently the Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of Evans Hotels, where he is responsible for all finance, accounting, tax, audit, information technology, and legal issues. Evans Hotels owns and operates hospitality and commercial properties in San Diego, including The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla as well as the Bahia Resort Hotel and the Catamaran Resort Hotel on Mission Bay. A long-time San Diegan, Robert also serves as Vice Chair of the City of San Diego's Funds Commission, as Vice President of Development for The Globe Theatres, and as a member of U.S. Bank's San Diego County Board of Directors. He received an A.B. in Economics from Princeton University and a J.D. summa cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law. He joined the Board in August 2001. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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Ben Gomez served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Desert Storm. He was also part of United Nations' humanitarian efforts during the Bosnian conflict during his 11 years in the service. He is a member and supporter of the Stonewall Citizens' Patrol, Momentum San Diego, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and American Veterans for Equal Rights. Gomez became a paralegal in 1998 and previous served in that capacity in the U.S. Attorney's office in San Diego . He lives in San Diego with his partner of nearly 10 years, Jeffrey Redondo. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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Dr. Robert Hirsch is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, practicing in the LGBT community for the past 20 years. In addition to his psychotherapy practice, he has provided supervision and consultation to graduate students and post-graduates seeking licensure. Hirsch has been an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Psychology, teaching at the graduate level, and has conducted therapeutic and growth-oriented workshops in the community, focusing on relationships, intimacy, aging and coping with HIV. He has also trained and developed a background in personal coaching, which serves as an adjunct to his psychotherapy work. Active in community organizations and support systems, he serves on several boards and volunteers his clinical expertise. Hirsch now enjoys a second profession as a writer, with a recently completed novel awaiting publication. |
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John Laird first became involved in the San Diego LGBT community as a volunteer for “The Gay Center” in 1981; and became involved in The Imperial Court de San Diego in 1982, and again in 1990. In 1992, he was elected as “Grey Wolf Emperor XXI.” John's service to the community personally and through the Imperial Court de San Diego and Temple Emanu-El includes the Lesbian Health Project “Pink Ribbon Campaign”, the chair or co-chair position of the community Toys for Kids, the Nicky Award Board of Governors, the AIDS Memorial Task Force, the Grocery Hearts Food Pantry, the San Diego Rescue Mission Women and Children's Center, The Storefront, Standdown for Vietnam Veterans, The Interfaith Shelter Project, and many others. He was also instrumental in having Temple Emanu-El be the first Jewish organization to march in San Diego's Pride Parade. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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Bob Nelson is the founder and president of Bob Nelson Associates, an advertising and public relations firm. Bob is Secretary-Treasurer for both the San Diego Convention Center Corporation Board of Directors and the San Diego Civic Theater. He served as an advisor for Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins’ transition team, and was a member of former Mayor Murphy’s LGBT Advisory Committee. He serves on the San Diego County District Attorney’s Community Advisory Board and helped develop the District Attorney's Citizens Academy. In 1994 Nelson was appointed by President Clinton to the U.S. Competiveness Policy Council. Bob is a member of the Greater San Diego Business Association, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. He lives in San Diego with his Domestic Partner, Murray Olson.
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Mary L. Stockton is a Financial Services Representative with New York Life Insurance Company, and has worked in financial services industry for more than a decade.Stockton is a member of the Diversionary Theatre Board of Directors, and previously served on the board of Stepping Stone, including two years as vice-chair. Mary brings more than two decades of experience in business, fundraising and community relations. Stockton is a graduate of Boston University, Stockton lives in the North Park area of San Diego. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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Joel Valenzuela is the Manager of Business and Trade Development for the Port of San Diego. A 16-year resident of San Diego, Joel has been a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Mama's Kitchen and Rolling Readers and has served on the Board of AIDS Walk San Diego. Joel holds a BA in Economics from UCSD and two Masters degrees (Public Administration and Business Administration) from SDSU. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
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Andrea Villa joins The Center board with an impressive background in social and community involvement. Andrea is currently serving on the board of the San Diego Democratic Club. She served on the board of San Diego LGBT Pride for six years and was co-chair for three years and the board of Labrys Productions, a Lesbian Theatre Company. She is a Human Factors Engineer at QUALCOMM Inc. Previously, Andrea worked for Cykic Software. Andrea joined the Board in December, 2004. Photography provided courtesy of Stan Lawrence Photography |
| In
Memoriam |
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David H. Birnbaum was an extraordinary human being who touched the lives and hearts of all of The Center's staff, board, volunteers, clients and donors. Indeed, there are few in our community who David's warmth and generosity did not touch. The passing of his booming voice, his boundless enthusiasm, his strident support of families with LGBT sons and daughters, and his enormous love for the youth in our community will be a great loss. He and his wife, Deena, have been among our community's greatest allies, staunchest defenders, and most willing supporters.
David was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Prior to retirement, he was a Senior Vice President with Bank America Business Credit. For the past five years, David has served on the board of PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gays) as Support/Outreach Chair. Thousands of San Diego parents and youth have spoken to David as he offered hope, encouragement and resources for them. None will forget his warmth or kindness. David also served on the board of Ohr Shalom Synagogue. He was an active volunteer speaker for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an Ambassador for City of Hope Medical Center, and a member of the Cancer Society's Action Network. He was a graduate of Queens College of the City University of New York. David joined The Center's Board of Director's in June 2001 and quickly became an active, energizing voice, advocating tirelessly for the LGBT community. |
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We remember and honor Ernest Green, who served on the Board from 1998 until his death on January 22, 2000. He co-chaired the Special Events Committee and was a member of the Public Relations Committee. Ernie was a lifetime title-holder in the Imperial Court. Over the years, he headed up numerous fund raisers benefiting many non-profit organizations, including The Center, and was co-chair of the Live and Let Live Alano Club from 1994 to 1997. He was a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor with Mental Health Systems in San Diego. Ernie and his work in the community will not be forgotten. |
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Lovel Waiters joined The Center board with an extensive understanding of non-profit organizations, and experienced knowledge regarding the importance of collaborative community organizing. Lovel had previously served as co-chair of the Ebony Pride Board of Directors, and had been an active volunteer with several San Diego area organizations, including Rolling Readers, the St. Vincent de Paul Center and READ San Diego. She had also been a volunteer with The Center’s Women’s Resource Center, including facilitating the women’s writing group.
Waiters was honored for her community service with Ebony Pride, and was named Woman of the Year by the National Council of Negro Women. |
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