Tacoma Older LGBT Board of Directors and Advisory Board Members
An effective decision-making Board of Directors can strengthen a nonprofit organization in many different ways: perform the tasks of the organization, support the organization's work in the community, bring necessary resources, and help with fund raising. Many non-profit organizations have no paid staff, like Tacoma Older LGBT (TOLGBT) who depend upon the volunteer work of the board to sustain the organization. While appointment or election to a board is an honor, board members have important duties and responsibilities requiring time commitment, particular skills, talents and resources. Many thanks to the Tacoma Older LGBT Board of Directors for all your volunteer hours and all you do to support the community, the mission, and the vision of the organization. Board meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 5:30 - 7:00, at Pierce County Aids Foundation except for July and August when we take time off.
OPPORTUNITY: Tacoma Older LGBT is looking for board members. The board desires to have a balanced membership representative of the both the LGBT & the greater Pierce County population. While we encourage all interested parties to apply, the board is currently seeking representation from both LGBT Community and the African American, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, and ethnic/racial minority groups, persons employed by or having volunteer experience with a legal, accounting, non-profit organization, health care organization or aging and disability service organization.
Board of Directors |
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Tonya Ruckenbrod - President/Chair
Tonya Ruckenbrod (she/her) is a native of Washington and lives in Tacoma. Ms. Ruckenbrod
has over 12 years' experience working with older adults. Tonya's work experience
includes Social Services Director for skilled nursing facilities, Geriatric Care
Management, Social Services in assisted living and adult day health care centers.
Tonya currently works for MultiCare Health System as a Personal Health Care
Partner-Social Worker in the Patient Navigation and Care Transitions department.
From early on, Tonya has been passionate about aging issues and is specifically
committed to making a positive impact to the older LGBT community. Ms. Ruckenbrod
completed her MSW in 2003 from Eastern Washington University and her BA in sociology in 2001 from
University of Oregon. Tonya also holds a LICSW license as a licensed independent clinical social worker.
Tonya is a National Resource Center on LGBT Aging Volunteer Education Ambassador.
Contact Tonya at [email protected]
has over 12 years' experience working with older adults. Tonya's work experience
includes Social Services Director for skilled nursing facilities, Geriatric Care
Management, Social Services in assisted living and adult day health care centers.
Tonya currently works for MultiCare Health System as a Personal Health Care
Partner-Social Worker in the Patient Navigation and Care Transitions department.
From early on, Tonya has been passionate about aging issues and is specifically
committed to making a positive impact to the older LGBT community. Ms. Ruckenbrod
completed her MSW in 2003 from Eastern Washington University and her BA in sociology in 2001 from
University of Oregon. Tonya also holds a LICSW license as a licensed independent clinical social worker.
Tonya is a National Resource Center on LGBT Aging Volunteer Education Ambassador.
Contact Tonya at [email protected]
Patricia "Pat" McIntyre - Vice President/Co-Chair
Patricia McIntyre (she/her), a 3rd generation native Washingtonian, originally from
Kitsap County and long time Tacoma resident has spent more than 25 years
as a human resource professional with the U.S. Army and The Boeing Company
She has served on both local and national boards serving LGBT adults. In addition
to her role as co- founder and co-chair of Tacoma Older LGBT, she currently sits
on Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources Advisory Board,
and formerly locally as Treasurer, GenPride in Seattle; the Washington State
Council on Aging (WSCOA), City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission and national
committees LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN) Council, American Association on Aging.
Ms. McIntyre holds degrees in Business and Accounting from Pierce College, BA in Social Work from
Pacific Lutheran University, a Non-Profit Management Certificate from University of Washington/Tacoma and
a MS in Human Services with emphasis on Gerontology and LGBT aging. Pat is a National Resource Center
on LGBT Aging Volunteer Education Ambassador.
Contact Pat at [email protected]
Kitsap County and long time Tacoma resident has spent more than 25 years
as a human resource professional with the U.S. Army and The Boeing Company
She has served on both local and national boards serving LGBT adults. In addition
to her role as co- founder and co-chair of Tacoma Older LGBT, she currently sits
on Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources Advisory Board,
and formerly locally as Treasurer, GenPride in Seattle; the Washington State
Council on Aging (WSCOA), City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission and national
committees LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN) Council, American Association on Aging.
Ms. McIntyre holds degrees in Business and Accounting from Pierce College, BA in Social Work from
Pacific Lutheran University, a Non-Profit Management Certificate from University of Washington/Tacoma and
a MS in Human Services with emphasis on Gerontology and LGBT aging. Pat is a National Resource Center
on LGBT Aging Volunteer Education Ambassador.
Contact Pat at [email protected]
Chris Stover - Treasurer
Chris Stover (he/him) grew up in South King County and has called Tacoma his home
for over 20 years. He started college at Green River Community College and
finished with a BA in liberal arts (emphasis in Social Work) from The Evergreen State College
in 1993. Chris started his career in the social services in Olympia as a care giver
with Catholic Community Services for elderly, disabled, and people living with AIDS.
He then went on to work for a series of non-profits, providing direct assistance for
people with intellectual disabilities. Worked as a case manager at a community based
outpatient mental health clinic, a child and family counselor for families and children. For the last 17 years Chris
has been a case resource manager at DSHS coordinating a myriad of services and programs for people with
Intellectual Disabilities.
Chris’ interest in aging adults started when he began caregiving for his elderly father. He experienced the trials and
tribulation of caregiving as well as the emotions that come when dealing with an aging parent. He also feels the older
LGBT community is overlooked and not seen for the contributions and lessons they have to share.
Chris has been with his husband Mike for 24 years, 6 of which married. They have 2 cats and a faithful Jack Russell.
Chris enjoys spending time working in his flower beds, talking his dog for walks,shopping and traveling.
Contact Chris at [email protected]
for over 20 years. He started college at Green River Community College and
finished with a BA in liberal arts (emphasis in Social Work) from The Evergreen State College
in 1993. Chris started his career in the social services in Olympia as a care giver
with Catholic Community Services for elderly, disabled, and people living with AIDS.
He then went on to work for a series of non-profits, providing direct assistance for
people with intellectual disabilities. Worked as a case manager at a community based
outpatient mental health clinic, a child and family counselor for families and children. For the last 17 years Chris
has been a case resource manager at DSHS coordinating a myriad of services and programs for people with
Intellectual Disabilities.
Chris’ interest in aging adults started when he began caregiving for his elderly father. He experienced the trials and
tribulation of caregiving as well as the emotions that come when dealing with an aging parent. He also feels the older
LGBT community is overlooked and not seen for the contributions and lessons they have to share.
Chris has been with his husband Mike for 24 years, 6 of which married. They have 2 cats and a faithful Jack Russell.
Chris enjoys spending time working in his flower beds, talking his dog for walks,shopping and traveling.
Contact Chris at [email protected]
Nellis Kim
Nellis Kim (she/her) is a Program Specialist with Pierce County Human Services,
Aging and Disability Resources (ADR), the local Area Agency on Aging.
In her current role, Nellis has responsibility fora broad range of programs
that support healthy aging and aging in place for older adults and people
with disabilities who live in Pierce County. Previously, Nellis was the
Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Pierce County, and has also
worked locally in private geriatric care management.
Nellis received her B.A. in Social Work at the University of Washington and her M.S. in Social Work
with an emphasis in gerontology, public policy and program planning from Columbia University.
Nellis lives with her two wonder dogs Cooper and Merlin.
Aging and Disability Resources (ADR), the local Area Agency on Aging.
In her current role, Nellis has responsibility fora broad range of programs
that support healthy aging and aging in place for older adults and people
with disabilities who live in Pierce County. Previously, Nellis was the
Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Pierce County, and has also
worked locally in private geriatric care management.
Nellis received her B.A. in Social Work at the University of Washington and her M.S. in Social Work
with an emphasis in gerontology, public policy and program planning from Columbia University.
Nellis lives with her two wonder dogs Cooper and Merlin.
Troy Christensen
Troy is the recently appointed Executive Direct of Rainbow Center. He
landed in Tacoma when he served in the US Army at Fort Lewis in the
late 1980's, and has been part of the community ever since. Troy's
education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance and
graduate degrees in Counseling, Clinical Psychology and Health
Administration. He has worked primarily in behavioral health, social
services and social justice throughout his leadership career.
Most recently Troy decided to focus the remainder of his career directly on civil rights and social justice,
particularly for the LGBTQ community.
Troy is a jazz musician, an avid outdoors-man, and a lover of film. He and his husband, Randy, live in
the Southend District of Tacoma with their two dogs.
landed in Tacoma when he served in the US Army at Fort Lewis in the
late 1980's, and has been part of the community ever since. Troy's
education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance and
graduate degrees in Counseling, Clinical Psychology and Health
Administration. He has worked primarily in behavioral health, social
services and social justice throughout his leadership career.
Most recently Troy decided to focus the remainder of his career directly on civil rights and social justice,
particularly for the LGBTQ community.
Troy is a jazz musician, an avid outdoors-man, and a lover of film. He and his husband, Randy, live in
the Southend District of Tacoma with their two dogs.
David Strong
"I'm dedicated personally, pastorally, and professionally to working for equality for all people and housing for individuals and families and those affected by HIV/AIDS. " (Personal statement.)
David Strong is currently a Housing Program Manager for Wellsprings Family Services in Seattle, which provides services to homeless families in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Before this, he served as the Executive Director of AHAT Homecare (AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma) in Tacoma for 15 years and has worked in nonprofit organizations since 1994 in various capacities.
David serve on the PFLAG Washington State Council, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) Committee of the Washington State LGBT Commission, and have served on various boards for over 20 years. David also serves as an independent Catholic priest who embraces new thought spirituality and as Pastor of Spirit of Christ Community Church, incorporating African-American spirituality and inclusion in our community.
David enjoys urban hikes, cooking, reading on theology, racial justice, nonprofit work, and fiction.
David Strong is currently a Housing Program Manager for Wellsprings Family Services in Seattle, which provides services to homeless families in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Before this, he served as the Executive Director of AHAT Homecare (AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma) in Tacoma for 15 years and has worked in nonprofit organizations since 1994 in various capacities.
David serve on the PFLAG Washington State Council, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) Committee of the Washington State LGBT Commission, and have served on various boards for over 20 years. David also serves as an independent Catholic priest who embraces new thought spirituality and as Pastor of Spirit of Christ Community Church, incorporating African-American spirituality and inclusion in our community.
David enjoys urban hikes, cooking, reading on theology, racial justice, nonprofit work, and fiction.
Laura Brewer
Laura Brewer (she/her) is the Assistant to the CEO/ Office Manager at Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Serving AK, HI, ID, IN, KY, and WA. Prior to Planned Parenthood, Laura spent nearly eight years at the Tacoma Rainbow Center, filling a range of positions from Office Administrator to Interim Executive Director. Laura’s diverse earlier careers, including janitorial assistant, barista, wholesale import documentation, and more, have provided a range of skills that are surprisingly useful in her professional and personal life.
Laura currently lives in Tacoma, WA, on the unceded lands of the Puyallup Nation and she grew up in Palmer/Wasilla, AK. She attended Pacific Lutheran University and graduated in 2003 with a BA in History. Laura currently serves on the Board of Directors for Tacoma Older LGBT and the South Sound Women’s Leadership PAC. Previously she served on the board of Out in Front – Seattle. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her partner, Henry, and their two cats, Desmond & Elsa. She loves building with Legos, cross-stitching, and exploring Tacoma.
Laura currently lives in Tacoma, WA, on the unceded lands of the Puyallup Nation and she grew up in Palmer/Wasilla, AK. She attended Pacific Lutheran University and graduated in 2003 with a BA in History. Laura currently serves on the Board of Directors for Tacoma Older LGBT and the South Sound Women’s Leadership PAC. Previously she served on the board of Out in Front – Seattle. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her partner, Henry, and their two cats, Desmond & Elsa. She loves building with Legos, cross-stitching, and exploring Tacoma.
Advisory Boards - Members
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Advisory Board members are community members who are appointed based on their skills in certain areas or previously served as a TOLGBT Board member in good standing. These advisory members are invaluable as resources to the Board of Directors and their community.
Cheryl Cristello
Cheryl Cristello graduated from Oregon State University with BA and MS
degrees in Civil Engineering. She spent almost 40 years in the design and construction world, specializing in wastewater treatment. Now, VERY happily retired, Cheryl is a board member of the Pierce County Aging and Disability Advisory Board and Tacoma PFLAG. Cheryl, is a very out and proud transgender woman who didn’t transition until later in her life. Since her transition she has been actively engaged in the fight for trans equality. Currently, she and her husband Tom, live in Gig Harbor. Together, they have four adult children all living out of state. Cheryl’s interests include reading, photography, beading, and travel; she and her husband Tom, hope to visit and hike in every national park and monument in the US. Tisha Johnson
Tisha Johnson is a sports fanatic! She grew up along the beautiful coast of
Santa Barbara County in a little town best known for its flower fields, Lompoc, CA. She played softball, basketball, tennis, and soccer. Soccer, however, was her first love;she dreamed of marrying the Brazilian ”footballer” Pelé and still wears number 10 to this day. Her continuous passion of sports landed her a full scholarship to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield Connecticut for softball and basketball. After college, she moved back to California and became a Physical Therapy Assistant while simultaneously dabbling in the Food and Beverage industry. 15 years of these two unions, brought her to her dream job, becoming the General Manager of Catering operations at Staples Center. She had the honor of planning, designing, and coordinating the NBA All-Star game, the Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards, Emmy’s, People Choice Awards, NBA and NHL Playoffs, Pac-10 tournament, Espy’s Awards, Ice Skating World games, and the X-Games. This led her to becoming the Director of Premium Operations at Honda Center where she directed the management of restaurants, In-Seat services, Suites department and the Catering and Sales operations. In her spare time, Tisha served as a Board of Director member for Colors of Hope,a non-profit organization that provides services for patients and families of cancer victims. Tisha is now the best homemaker, plays women’s senior slow-pitch softball, does CrossFit and takes care of her mother full-time who has dementia. She is happily married to her amazing and beautiful wife Annamarie; they have a wonderful 24-year-old daughter, Dominique, who is a world traveler. Joseph "Kila" Chong
A native of Hawaii, Joseph "Kila" Chong was born and raised in Honolulu;
served in the US Navy aboard both an aircraft carrier and a submarine on which he was the lead electronics technician.He was employed in the engineering development and testing division of Boeing Aerospace during the Apollo “Man-On-The-Moon” project where he also ‘translated’ technical manuals into layman’s terms. Mr. Chong was an office manager and an offshore oil and gas production employee before becoming an inspector/chief inspector/specialist with the Federal Government’s Offshore Oil & Gas Program for 20 years. During that period, Kila and his partner, of 47 years (now spouse) Buddy Rau, moved from New Orleans to the Washington, DC area. After retiring from the Government, Kila became Director of Audits for an ISO 9000 registrar; a contract analyst with a “dotcom” company; and the executive assistant to the CFO of an airline company before moving to Norfolk, VA to “retire” once again. In Norfolk, Kila became the Executive Assistant to the Marketing Director of the largest distributor of free publications in the US; then Office Administrator for a non-profit organization. In addition, for 10 years, Kila served as President of the condo association and produced/distributed its newsletter. Since becoming a resident of Tacoma in 2013, Kila has volunteered at Rainbow Center and is on the Tacoma Older LGBT Board of of Directors. Contact Kila at [email protected] George "Buddy" Rau
Born and raised in New Orleans, LA; served in the US Army & Army Reserves. Buddy worked as a factory
representative at ITT Bell & Gossett and promoted up through the years to retire as a partner/stock owner/board member of the company. Buddy moved to northern Virginia with his partner, Kila Chong,where he volunteered at Wolftrap National Park for the Performing Arts for a year before being hired on as a paid staff member. Buddy also volunteered at the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in Washington, DC.He was also President of “Retired GALA North Virginia", a social organization for several years.Buddy and his partner moved west to Tacoma, WA, where he previously volunteered at the Tacoma Rainbow Center and currently volunteers at The LeMay-America's Car Museum. After serving as Treasurer for two years as a board member is now an advisory board member of Tacoma Older LGBT. |
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Susan "Susie" Guidetti
Susan Guidetti was born and raised in Washington State, She has lived and
worked in health care for over 20 years with aging and elderly population in the
Tacoma area as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Ms.Guidetti has spent nine
years with Multicare Health Systems and worked previously for Providence Elder
Place as well as various hospitals and nursing homes in the Seattle/Tacoma area.
Susie has seen elderly people thrive and yet has also seen people who live in
isolation, poverty, illness and with physical disability who do not have community
and who do not thrive. She is honored and humbled to hear their stories. It is
important to her that people who are elderly and marginalized such as the older
LGBT folks have a better quality of life and hopes she has assisted people in
adapting even a small part of their daily lives in order to live a better quality and
as independent a life as possible.
Susie had the privilege of growing up next door to her grandparents and watched them age; now as a
"boomer’ is experiencing her own aging parents, with her dad having dementia. The aging process is
complex. She plans to carry on her passion of working with older adults and contributing to the LGBT
community to provide support to aging individuals who have paved the way for the younger generations.
worked in health care for over 20 years with aging and elderly population in the
Tacoma area as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Ms.Guidetti has spent nine
years with Multicare Health Systems and worked previously for Providence Elder
Place as well as various hospitals and nursing homes in the Seattle/Tacoma area.
Susie has seen elderly people thrive and yet has also seen people who live in
isolation, poverty, illness and with physical disability who do not have community
and who do not thrive. She is honored and humbled to hear their stories. It is
important to her that people who are elderly and marginalized such as the older
LGBT folks have a better quality of life and hopes she has assisted people in
adapting even a small part of their daily lives in order to live a better quality and
as independent a life as possible.
Susie had the privilege of growing up next door to her grandparents and watched them age; now as a
"boomer’ is experiencing her own aging parents, with her dad having dementia. The aging process is
complex. She plans to carry on her passion of working with older adults and contributing to the LGBT
community to provide support to aging individuals who have paved the way for the younger generations.
Michael "Mike" Jarvis
Dr. Michael Jarvis grew up in Elma, WA., graduated from Elma High School,
Dartmouth College and the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Dr. Jarvis completed his Rehabilitation Medicine Residency in 1971. He had a
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation practice in Tacoma from 1973 to 2006,
starting the In-Patient Rehabilitation Service at St. Joseph Hospital in 1973
and later the Tacoma Chronic Pain Management Program. Dr. Jarvis worked
closely with social workers and psychologists as part of the Rehabilitation team,
in dealing with a mostly senior patient population. He is married to his partner of over 40 years,Craig Larson.
Contact Mike at [email protected]
Dartmouth College and the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Dr. Jarvis completed his Rehabilitation Medicine Residency in 1971. He had a
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation practice in Tacoma from 1973 to 2006,
starting the In-Patient Rehabilitation Service at St. Joseph Hospital in 1973
and later the Tacoma Chronic Pain Management Program. Dr. Jarvis worked
closely with social workers and psychologists as part of the Rehabilitation team,
in dealing with a mostly senior patient population. He is married to his partner of over 40 years,Craig Larson.
Contact Mike at [email protected]