Special Olympics Arizona is led by dedicated staff with various backgrounds. Their goal is to provide athletes with opportunities, promote awareness, and provide support to the community.
Board of Directors
Casey Strunk | Strunk Insurance Group, Inc.
Open Position | Vice Chair
Greg Geist | BMO Harris Bank N.A. | Treasurer
Todd Jones | Snell & Wilmer| Secretary
Dr. Rena Szabo | Banner Medical Group | Vice President of Health Programs
Open Position | Executive Committee Member at Large
David Funkhouser III | Spencer Fane LLP | Engagement Committee Chair
DéMario Vaughn | Mercy Care
Denise Hardin | State Farm Insurance
Phil Calihan III | Leclair Calihan
Isabel Camacho | SOAZ Athlete
Mike Dellosa | Arizona Diamondbacks
Jason Ferentheil | UPS
Jeremiah Foster | Resolute Commercial
Ben Goetter | Mortensen
Tom Hatten | Mountainside Fitness
Trisha Larson | Morgan Stanley
Amy Chriswell Pawlowski | UnitedHealth Group, United HealthCare
Asst. Chief Dave Ramer | Chandler Police Department
Barry Saunders | Community Leader
Mark Witthar | Sanderson Ford
Erin Carr-Jordan, Ph.D. | Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability
Ryan Duncan | Nathan & Associates, Inc.
Anita Helt | ABC 15
Christi Lundeen | Mercy Care Plan
Curtis McKenna | Fox 10
Jeff Moloznik | RED Development
Tom O’Malley | JDM Partners, LLC
Sheila Schmidt | Meridian Property Company
Rudy Sleiman | Deloitte
James Stover | Cenpatico Integrated Care
Melinda Pachtner | Marriot International
Jim Pitman | Phoenix Suns
Dr. Michael Warren | Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry
Special Olympics of Arizona Staff
Jamie Heckerman
President and CEO
Lisa Ball
River Area Director
Ryan Betcher
Regional Area Director
Rubett Garcia
Mountain Area Director
Holly Thompson
Coronado Area Director
Thomas Miranda
Palo Verde Area Director
Nick Staloch
Four Peaks Area Director
Curt Giplin
Coaches' Development & Monument Area Director
Len Gutman
Chief Development & Marketing Officer
Mike Burnett
Director of Law Enforcement Torch Run
Joe Curran
Development Coordinator, Law Enforcement Torch Run
Nyssa Miccio
Area Development Director
Brenna O'Brien
Senior Development Coordinator
Keri Cordon
Grants Coordinator
Meghan Mullin
Volunteer Coordinator
Tarren Kramer
Development Specialist
Doug Taylor
Chief Financial Officer
Mary Christensen
Finance Manager
Lori Ramsey
Executive Assistant
Atheana Lizarraga
Administrative Assistant
Tiffany Kepney
Data Entry Coordinator
Shelby Evenson
Director of Program Operations
Laura Forsell
Vice President, Programs & Operations
Amanda Metcalf, MPH
Director of Support Programs
Seamus O'Brennan
Assets Manager
Shae Knowlton
Unified Champion Schools Coordinator
Gianna Zola
Senior Coordinator Health & Advocacy
Hannah Stewart
Programs Assistant
Katie DeVenuto, MS
AIA Unified Sports Coordinator
Robyn Simpson
Programs Specialist
Ronny Jones
Programs Assistant
Digital Production – Hector Gonzalez
Volunteer Management – Zane Winston
Regional Programs – Sylvester Howard III
UCS/Esports – Jameson Gorman
Sex Education & Health Relationships – Rachel Gallagher
Health & Advocacy Intern – Rachel Stearns
