Board of Director Profiles

Laurie Ender, President, joined the Santa Clarita City Council in April 2008, and was recently the Mayor for the City of Santa Clarita. She served as Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commissioner for 5 years and as its Chair during 2006-2007. Prior to entering public service, she was a top producer for “Entertainment Tonight” and “Access Hollywood.” An active volunteer, Laurie served as President of the SCV Council PTA and serves on the City’s Blue Ribbon Task Force. She is also a Board Member of the SCV YMCA and serves on the Advisory Board for the Child & Family Center. Laurie received her Bachelors Degree in Broadcasting & Sociology from Pepperdine University. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nancy Taylor, Secretary, is the former Director, Corporate Risk Management for Affinity Group, Inc. She has been a Board member with Kiwanis and the Chamber of Commerce and held leadership roles with the San Fernando Valley United Way and YWCA. Nancy received her Bachelors Degree from California State University- Northridge.
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Doug Lessard, Treasurer

Melissa Gasca, Public Relations Chair, serves as a Business Associate for LTC Performance Strategies, Inc. and a Board Member for the Santa Clarita Community Development Corporation. Melissa is widely recognized for her prior role as a Staff Writer for The Signal, specifically the weekly Faith Column and Features Section. A Graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Melissa is a tireless advocate for homeless individuals in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Gail Ortiz, City of Santa Clarita's Communications Manager, a position she has held since 1990. Gail is responsible for the City's marketing, advertising, publications relations, community relations, graphic design, audio/video and social media efforts. She is a member of CAPIO (California Association of Public Information Officers) and also of 3CMA (City/County Marketing Association). Over her 30 year career, Gail has been honored with numerous awards for innovation and creativity in communications.

Pastor John Shaver, Faith Community Chair, serves as Lead Pastor for the Valencia United Methodist Church. A recognized “bridge-builder, he has ministered in inner city, rural and suburban settings. John received his Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, his Bachelors Degree from North Carolina State University and has been working on a Masters Degree in Social Work. John currently serves on the board for Project Chacocente and has served on boards for the United Methodist Church, foster care and inner city children’s boards, and other national/ regional agencies.

Reverend David Vernon, Day Center Chair, is the CEO/ Owner of Data Microimaging Company. An Ordained Minister of the Church of Nazarene, he sits on the Board of Directors for Channel Islands Chrysalis. He also serves as a chaplain for 2 local for-profit companies and provides chaplain services for local non-profit Prayer Angels for the Military. David received his Master Degree in Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and has been actively involved in serving the homeless in Santa Clarita for many years.

Rabbi Mark Blazer, Community Faith Leader, serves as spiritual leader for Temple Beth Ami and is the founder of the Albert Einstein Academy, a charter school in the Santa Clarita Valley. Rabbi Blazer is also directing the establishment of the Southern California Center for Jewish Life. He serves as chaplain for the LA County Sheriff’s Department and has served as chaplain for the California Department of Corrections. Rabbi Blazer is a graduate of the University of California-San Diego and received his rabbinic ordination from the Academy of Jewish Religion.

Tim Davis, Community Partner, serves as Founding President & Executive Director of the Santa Clarita Community Development Corporation, overseeing both the Santa Clarita and Sylmar Winter Shelters. Tim’s distinguished military career includes leadership roles in the U.S., Asia Pacific and Europe. After retiring from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel, he held roles as President and General Manager for 3 Electronic Defense Companies. He is a graduate of Capital University and received a Master of Divinity from the University of the South. Tim has been a champion for the homeless in the Santa Clarita Valley for more than fifteen years.

Jim Mulholland, IT Director, currently serves as consultant for Amgen Corp. in their Clinical Analytics Group.  Jim was previously Vice President of Information Technology for Creativity, Inc. and is also the Founder/President of Application Design Technologies Consultancy. Jim has been an Educator in various capacities (Junior Achievement, SCVi Charter School) and is a Reader at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. He received his MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University and earned his California Teaching Credential in Mathematics from the University of LaVerne.

Edward (Ed) Bolden, Jr., Nonprofit Community Liaison, is President of Andel Engineering Company and Chairman of the Board of the Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers. Ed has served as President of the SCV Rotary, President of the Boy’s Club, Governor of Rotary District 5260, Board Member of the Westminster Gardens Presbyterian Retirement Center, Charter Board of Governors for the Santa Clarita Valley YMCA and member of the Initial Board & Chair of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. He also serves as an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Newhall.

Bill Lively, Esq., serves as Legal Advisor for Family Promise of SCV. Bill was voted “Best Attorney” from 2004-2007 by Santa Clarita Valley Living Magazine & “Lawyer of the Year” in 2006 by the Santa Clarita Bar Association. A recipient of the Mildred Hutchison Award from the L.A. District of the UMC, Bill has served as a Judge Pro Tem, Board President and Director for the Plaza Community Center, President of the Santa Clarita Bar Association, Santa Clarita Arts Council, Vice President and Legal Counsel for Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce, and two terms as Lay Leader of the Santa Clarita United Methodist Church.

Kathleen Brown, Congregational Liaison, is a seasoned educator, currently teaching 6^th grade for Mitchell Elementary School. She received her MA in Education from University of Laverne, holds a Bachelors Degree in English, and is a graduate of the Ahimsa Institute (Gandhi Studies). Kathy is a Social Justice Ministry Teacher, a San Fernando Regional Peace & Justice Ministry member, lector, and Youth Ministry and Confirmation facilitator. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.