Merrell Wilson —
President
Merrell O. Wilson has years of experience involved in community outreach, mentoring, and leadership development for youth. He has over thirty years of Information Technology management experience in the manufacturing and health industry. Twenty in the United States Naval Reserves and California Army National Guard. He retired as a Master Sergeant. Merrell has an AS Degree from Vincennes University.
Chris Young —
Vice President
Chris Young is a highly diversified Information Technology (IT) professional with 25+ years of experience. He has operated an IT consulting firm for more than 15 years with clientele across public and private industries. Chris is presently a Principal Consultant for a major public sector consulting firm. He is passionate about equipping the next generation of IT professionals and has taught at the collegiate level since 1999. Chris’ philanthropic pursuits have included serving as board chair of a non-profit that teaches healthy relationship skills to high school students and mentoring young males.
Dr. Ollie R. Mack, Jr., JD, MD —
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Mack received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Millikin University, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri, School of Law, and a Medical Doctorate from Drexel University, College of Medicine, with a specialty in Psychiatry. Dr. Mack has devoted over fifty years to working with individuals and organizations to promote humanity's welfare. Dr. Mack is President of Mack and Associates, a medical/legal consulting firm.
Michael Pipin —
Recording Secretary
Mr. Papin was employed by the State of California for 34 years in the CA Department of Social Services, where most recently, he served as Policy Chief in the CalFresh (formerly Food Stamp) Program. He received a M.A. degree from Texas A&M University.
Although now retired, Michael remains active in the community by volunteering at a food bank, a homeless ministry, and as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. His philosophy is “life is a journey, not a destination!”
George Wells —
Board Member
As a Board Member of the Striving for Achievement Foundation, I am deeply committed to developing academic, leadership, and life skills within community youth. I have more than forty years of leadership within the military and private sectors.
Tony Anderson entered the field of developmental services in 1987 and began his career as direct support professional. He has served as a social worker and later became the Executive Director of a community
non-profit that served over 120 people with developmental disabilities. He worked in the leadership for the Napa County Department
of Health and Human Services and was appointed Deputy Director for Governor Gray Davis, responsible for Policy, Planning, and Governmental Relations for the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities. He joined The Arc California in 2003 and served as Executive Director and principal lobbyist for the association. In this capacity, he served on numerous state and national boards and commissions and was the national President for the executive directors of the association. In 2017 he became the Executive Director of Valley Mountain Regional Center serving 18,000 people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families in Amador, Calaveras, San Joaguin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Counties.
Tony received his BA in Research Psychology and an MA in Organizational Development from Sonoma State University. He completed his master's practicum at Stanford University and received certification in Executive Leadership from the University of Southern California while an official of the State.
Tony Anderson —
Board Member
Teresa Anderson —
Board Member
Teresa Anderson is the Executive Director for the California Policy Center for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CPCIDD). Prior to joining CPCIDD she was the Public Policy Director for The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy California Collaboration. Over the last 20 years Teresa has worked on a wide variety of issues that impact the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community including but not limited to prenatal exposures to alcohol, drugs, and environmental toxins, access to services, research on poverty among people with IDD, health advocacy for people with IDD, awareness and prevention of sexual assault in the IDD community, and criminal justice issues within the IDD community.
Teresa also has extensive legislative and regulatory experience related to disability policy, health care policy, and workforce issues, with much of her efforts focused on increasing access to services, health care services for vulnerable populations, and the need to expand the workforce.
She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Sacramento State University, a Masters Degree in Public Health from Drexel University, and a Juris Doctorate from Lincoln Law School in Sacramento.
Jess Borjon —
Board Member
Jesus ‘Jess’ Borjon is a recently retired educator who served 35 years in public education - nine as a high school teacher and twenty-six as a school administrator. Jess received his BA and California Teaching Credential from Cal State Sacramento in 1986. He received his MA in Education Leadership and Administrative Services credential from Santa Clara University in 1996. Throughout his career Jess strived to empower students through various pathways, including but not limited to coaching, club advising and community service. He has a firm belief that all young people have the potential to accomplish great things if provided the guidance and support to fulfill their potential. Most recently Jess was instrumental in supporting and increasing equity and diversity for all students in the Roseville Joint Union High School District in his role as Deputy Superintendent and Interim Superintendent. Jess is committed to expanding opportunities for all students and ensuring their futures are represented by a diverse and inclusive community.