The Board
Jim McHaney – Chairman
Jim was born in Lovell Wyoming. He moved to Arizona in 1966. From 1969, through 1970, he served with the U.S. Army as a Radio-teletype operator stationed in Viet Nam. During this time he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal during hostile actions and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
In 1976, Jim began work as a biomedical engineer for a start-up biomedical device company making vascular graft implants. As the company grew, so did Jim’s responsibilities, Jim was Production Manager, Manager of Quality Assurance, and Director of Regulatory Affairs. Jim holds a patent for a carbon-lined PTFE vascular graft both in the US and Europe. By the time he retired at age 52, the company had grown to a 90 plus million dollar a year business.
Jim and his wife Jill operate Mariposa Limousine, Inc. a family owned business. Mariposa Limousine, Inc. gives back to the community through gift certificates for charity events. Jim and Jill also volunteer their time for many charity events annually.
Jim maintains a website for his military unit, the 183rd Aviation Company. He also serves on the Reunion Committee for the 183rd Aviation Company and has been the webmaster. Jim is President of the 183rd Aviation Compnay and the First Vice-President of Vietnam Veterans, Chapter 432.
Jill McHaney – Vice-Chairman
Jill attended the University of Arizona, received her BA in Elementary Education in 1970 and MA in Elementary Education in 1974 from Arizona State University. She taught in Texas and Arizona, was Adjunct Faculty in Reading Education at Arizona State University, a Migrant Program Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education and Director of Federal Projects and Grant writer for a local school district. During her tenure, the number of grants received by the school district grew from 5 to 26. Jill was responsible for managing the grants and accompanying budgets totaling $5M.
During her career in Education, Jill won two, first place Arizona Golden Bell awards for innovative education programs in 1982 and 1983 and was a semi-finalist for Arizona Teacher of the year in 1984. Additionally, in 1993, Jill received a Governor’s Recognition Award for the Migrant Education Team, Arizona Department of Education. Jill has presented at local, state and national reading conferences in Arizona, Texas, Montana, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Wyoming, Nevada and Oregon as well as international reading conferences in Australia and England. Jill is listed in Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who of Women Executives.
Currently, she and her husband Jim operate Mariposa Limousine, Inc., a family owned business. Continuing to “make a positive difference in people’s lives”, Mariposa Limousine, Inc. donates gift certificates for silent and live auction items at charity events. Additionally, Jill and Jim volunteer time for many charity events annually.
Ron Baker - Chairman of Special Events
Ron Baker is the owner of R.B. Consulting which facilitates over 15 events annually and is an equity owner of Solutions in Marketing. Ron is presently the Executive Sales Consultant for the following Companies: Co-Sav, Professional Golf Events, Vensure Employer Services, and Executive Financial Services. Ron retired from American Express after 30 years as a Vice President and Director in the Corporate Services Organization. In that capacity, he facilitated and produced over 100 Corporate Events for Fortune 500 Companies and Suppliers.
Ron is the Chairman of the Friends of Jo Foundation. Ron has served on numerous other charitable committees and boards such as the Sonlit Foundation, American Hospice Foundation, Alzheimer’s Celebrity Golf Classic, Phoenix Chapter of Autism Society, Pro Players Classic, Legends Prostate Cancer Projects, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Victims Rights, AZ Myeloma Foundation, Tailgaters YMCA Golf Classic, Tee Off for Teens, and past President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association Executive Committee and was the Tournament Director of the Jeff Feagles Celebrity Golf Classic for 10 years.
Ron has two daughters and one son, who was a 2005 Ping All American College golfer and is presently playing on the Pro Mini Tour Circuit.
Nancy Hollingsworth - Secretary
Nancy Hollingsworth is a Provider Relations Coordinator for Hospice of Arizona where she has been employed for over 8 years. Nancy retired from American Express after 20 years as an Account Manager working with Fortune 500 Companies. Nancy was involved in the event planning and multi-media process with extensive trade show experience, graphic design and publications for over 10 years with American Express.
Nancy is Vice-Chairman for the Friends of Jo Foundation and has served on numerous other charities for: Sonlit Foundation; American Hospice Foundation; Alzheimer's Celebrity Golf Classic; Phoenix Chapter of Autism Society; Pro Players Claccic; Legends Prostate CancerProjects; Victim Rights; AZ Myeloma Foundation; Tailgaters YMCA Golf Classic; and Tee Off for Teens.
Nancy has two sons who both graduated from Brophy College Preparatory. She continues to work closely with her fiancée in facilitating over 15 events annually to help raise contributions for local charities. Nancy presently lives in Glendale and is a native Arizonan.
Paige Barnes is currently an independent contractor with Echo Bravo Industries. Prior to her tenure with Echo Bravo Industries, Paige was an Account Executive with Independent Producers of America, LLC, representing America’s Business Benefits Association, a not-for-profit organization which specializes in group-rated health/life insurance for individuals, families, and self-employed and small business owners. Being of service to other self-employed business owners, like herself, is her greatest reward. “Being able to assist someone in protecting their assets instead of their aspirin, should an accident or critical illness occur, is a challenge and a privilege. When I help someone ensure the continuity of their business, through adequate protection, when a major medical event happens, then I have done my job and been of service to my clients.”
Prior to her tenure with IPA and Abba, Paige was Account Manager On-Site at Prudential Relocation for MBM Moving Systems, an agent of American Van Lines, handling local, interstate and professional/corporate relocations. Paige was also Manager of Creative Home Fabrics, a 60-year, family owned, retail fabric store with locations in both Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. Before that, as an Executive Assistant and Recruiting Coordinator for Phoenix Salon Associates, LLC, Paige recruited candidates from local cosmetology schools while maintaining effective office protocols and processes for the company Vice-President.
Earlier in her career, as Director of Commissions and International Manager of Commissions for two different Network Marketing Companies, Paige was responsible for the accurate payment of over $30 million per month in commissions to company distributors, reducing the error rate to .5% in the first six months. Paige also opened nine of the eleven international offices, which required becoming fluent in several languages and relocating to Canada for a time and then to Europe for two years, predominantly in Italy, Belgium, England, Netherlands, Germany, and France.
Additional forays into the retail industry and computer software development have provided Paige with a variety of interests and multi-industry perspectives, including training and public speaking both in the US and abroad.
Paige has attended Scottsdale Community College, the University of Arizona, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, and the University of Phoenix. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Paige is an avid artist, creating her own line of jewelry and framed art, along with being a published writer of several articles and short stories. Paige resides in a 50-year old home in Scottsdale, Arizona, in which she is pleased to experience the adventure of consistent and on-going remodeling.
V Desi Barela Sr.
V. Desi Barela, Sr. is the Founder of Synergy Mobile Auto established in 1998. Prior to establishing Synergy Mobile Auto, Desi was General of Operations for Frontier Automotive from 1992 to 1998 and Master of Operations for Precision Auto from 1987 to 1992. From 1982 to 1987 he was a Master Technician for Automotive Consultant, Inc.
Desi graduated from the Universal Technical Institute Honors Program in 1993. Desi was named to the Arizona Republic First Team for the All Arizona and captain of Camelback High School Baseball Team. In the 1976 State finals for track and field he was the first runner up. He is a coach for the Phoenix Youth Baseball T Program and participates in the official referee program.
Desi believes in serving the valley and making a difference in his community. He has been an ordained minister since 2008. He also volunteers at: St Jerome Catholic Church since 1997; Hospice of Arizona since 2003; Phoenix Youth at Risk Mentor Pals program since 2007; East valley Child Crisis Center since 2001; and has been a Santa Fe Elementary school aide since 2003. Desi is also a Peoria High School FBLA Program Judge and Advisor and a Phoenix neighborhood patrol officer and block watch member. Desi proudly serves as a Board Member for the AZ Eagles who raise over $100,000 dollars annually for charities serving the less fortunate. A PSI Mens Leadership Graduate, Desi has been a PSI World Camp Choice counselor since 2006. A world traveler he is committed to world peace.
Rick Deloney Rick Deloney is the Founder and Managing Partner of West Windsor, LLC, a business consulting company that helps businesses leverage their core competencies to achieve their growth objectives and deliver outstanding customer satisfaction. West Windsor, LLC is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to establishing West Windsor, Rick was Senior Vice President of Business Development for TechTeam Government Solutions, Inc. in Chantilly, Virginia. From December 2005 through September 2007 he was responsible for all facets of business development, including the identification and acquisition of new business, sales operations, and marketing. During this period, TechTeam Government Solutions grew from $47M in annual revenue to $87M. Before joining TechTeam, Rick held the position of Vice President, Department of Defense (DOD) Sales and Corporate Business Development at GTSI. Under his direction, he led a $600M sales organization and the company was awarded over $730 million in new contracts. His position previous to GTSI was as a Senior Vice President/General Manager for NCI Information Systems, Inc., providing line management in support of global DOD customers. In this capacity, he led a $41 million, 400-person business unit, and managed multi-year contracts valued at $320 million. He has also held key senior management positions at Computer Sciences Corporation and COMSAT Corporation. Additionally, Rick spent over 21 years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Colonel. He served at all command levels, plus served in the White House. In his White House assignment, he directed the daily worldwide information technology services for the President of the United States, senior White House Staff, National Security Advisor, and other senior government officials. Rick received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama and holds a Master of Science diploma in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. He also attended the Executive Development Program at the Goizuetta Business School, Emory University and earned a Certificate of Information Technology Management, from Georgia Tech. Rick is Chairman of the Board for Saddleback Communications in Scottsdale, Arizona; a Board Member for Brekford International in Hanover, Maryland; and he serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council, Arizona State University, School of Global Management and Leadership. John Gillam Ric has been extremely active in the community in both his role with Casino Arizona and on a personal level. Some of the efforts he’s been involved with include the Care Partnership, the Leukemia Society, the Council on Compulsive Gaming and a number of events and activities inside the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Kelly Wynn is in retail sales. Prior to that Kelly was the Phoenix Area Sales Representative for Reindl Power Boats. When Kelly relocated to Arizona in 2004, she was the Regional Director of Security from 2004-2008 for a Phoenix area company. Kelly worked as an emergency medical technician and a firefighter for the Falkville Alabama Fire Department for 6 years. Kelly was named rookie of the year with in 1997 and was the first Tri-certified female in the department’s history.
John A Gillam presently is Procurement Manager for Specialty Companies. John is from Montreal, Canada and has been residing in Glendale for the past 10 years.
John has served previously as Co-Chair for the Sonlit Foundation for 7 years where he worked diligently to assist funding for over 5 different Charities. Always proactive John givies his time and expertise to Non Profit Organizations. Hi is an artisan and an inventor. John has one daughter living in Canada.
Fawnda Brunner
Fawnda is currently in retail sales.
Kelly Wynn
Kelly has been doing wildlife education for 20+ years which includes education in schools, events, festivals, and media. Kelly started with several small rescue groups and joined North Alabama Wildlife in 1996. While Kelly was on the Board of Directors for North Alabama Wildlife, she established new protocols and improved protocols for animal safety with several county departments in Alabama. Kelly was the hotline director and served as the fundraising lead for North Alabama Wildlife. Kelly currently has multiple roles in faciliting various charity, fundraising and community benefit events.
