Foundation Board of Directors
William Scalzo - President
My wife Virginia and I have lived in Gilbert for the past 25 years. During my career I have served in local government for thirty-seven years primarily as a director or manager. I have been on a variety of park and recreation boards and foundations for the past forty years. Most recently I served on a national parks’ foundation and the AZ State Parks Board. I retired as the Maricopa County Assistant County Manager a few years ago and have done some consulting since then. My wife and I are hikers and love to travel and attend sports events. We are active in our church, St Anne, and enjoy volunteering. Both of our children participate in parks activities where they live.
My wife Virginia and I have lived in Gilbert for the past 25 years. During my career I have served in local government for thirty-seven years primarily as a director or manager. I have been on a variety of park and recreation boards and foundations for the past forty years. Most recently I served on a national parks’ foundation and the AZ State Parks Board. I retired as the Maricopa County Assistant County Manager a few years ago and have done some consulting since then. My wife and I are hikers and love to travel and attend sports events. We are active in our church, St Anne, and enjoy volunteering. Both of our children participate in parks activities where they live.
Joanne McLaughlin - Vice President
Joanne is a Programs Assistant with the City of Phoenix, in the Equal Opportunity Department. She currently serves within the Contract Compliance Division where she works with construction contractors to ensure compliance with local and federal requirements for Small & Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs. She also develops
training courses in the areas of diversity, leadership and respect that she teaches throughout all departments
within the City. Joanne is a long time Arizona resident, having moved here as a child with her family to be
stationed at Luke AFB. She recently made Gilbert her home and is excited the serve her community.
Joanne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.
Joanne is a Programs Assistant with the City of Phoenix, in the Equal Opportunity Department. She currently serves within the Contract Compliance Division where she works with construction contractors to ensure compliance with local and federal requirements for Small & Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs. She also develops
training courses in the areas of diversity, leadership and respect that she teaches throughout all departments
within the City. Joanne is a long time Arizona resident, having moved here as a child with her family to be
stationed at Luke AFB. She recently made Gilbert her home and is excited the serve her community.
Joanne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.
John Christiansen - Treasurer
His late wife and him met in Heidelberg, Germany as members of the military. They left the service and eventually moved with their two boys to the valley in 1985. They later moved to Gilbert in 2006 and lost his wife to cancer in 2007. After 30 years working in IT he, changed careers to financial services. His current wife,
Deb (also a widow and also a veteran) and him moved back to Gilbert from Avondale in 2011. Their roots are
deep with family relationships in Gilbert and throughout the East Valley. He was in the Gilbert Chamber
of Commerce Leadership class 23 where he met several members of the Gilbert Parks and Rec Department.
Their very ambitious and successful class project involved considerable interaction with the Parks and Rec staff and jumped at the chance to join the board of the Gilbert Parks and Rec Foundation. He is excited to see what
we can do to add to the great work being done by the Parks and Rec department.
His late wife and him met in Heidelberg, Germany as members of the military. They left the service and eventually moved with their two boys to the valley in 1985. They later moved to Gilbert in 2006 and lost his wife to cancer in 2007. After 30 years working in IT he, changed careers to financial services. His current wife,
Deb (also a widow and also a veteran) and him moved back to Gilbert from Avondale in 2011. Their roots are
deep with family relationships in Gilbert and throughout the East Valley. He was in the Gilbert Chamber
of Commerce Leadership class 23 where he met several members of the Gilbert Parks and Rec Department.
Their very ambitious and successful class project involved considerable interaction with the Parks and Rec staff and jumped at the chance to join the board of the Gilbert Parks and Rec Foundation. He is excited to see what
we can do to add to the great work being done by the Parks and Rec department.
Jennifer Lauria - Secretary
Dr. Alan Mafara - Board Member
Alan was part of the Gilbert Leadership Class XXIII that built Gilbert's first disc golf course at
Freestone park. He is the owner of East Valley Animal Hospital and Anasazi Animal Clinic and
is passionate about giving back to his community and believes a vibrant Parks and Recreation system
will not only attract people to our community but keep them here. Alan also appreciates that there's
room for private sector involvement in public projects for the common good. Alan shares his home
with his wife Sharon, their 2 children who are 8 and 6, and a boxer -mix named Girlfriend.
Alan was part of the Gilbert Leadership Class XXIII that built Gilbert's first disc golf course at
Freestone park. He is the owner of East Valley Animal Hospital and Anasazi Animal Clinic and
is passionate about giving back to his community and believes a vibrant Parks and Recreation system
will not only attract people to our community but keep them here. Alan also appreciates that there's
room for private sector involvement in public projects for the common good. Alan shares his home
with his wife Sharon, their 2 children who are 8 and 6, and a boxer -mix named Girlfriend.
Renée Mesnik - Board Member
Renée serves as the Community Development Manager for the Communiversity at Queen Creek.
Renée’s experience in Educational leadership spans 20 years within PreK-12 and Higher Education systems. Renée is a Gilbert Leadership XXIV Class member and also serves on the Town of Gilbert Arts & Culture Board. She has lived in Gilbert for 13 years with her husband and two children and have enjoyed the many programs offered through the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department. Renée brings to the Board her expertise in team leadership, program development and management, grant writing, community outreach and event
coordination. Renee is currently completing a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership
and holds a Master’s in Education.
Renée serves as the Community Development Manager for the Communiversity at Queen Creek.
Renée’s experience in Educational leadership spans 20 years within PreK-12 and Higher Education systems. Renée is a Gilbert Leadership XXIV Class member and also serves on the Town of Gilbert Arts & Culture Board. She has lived in Gilbert for 13 years with her husband and two children and have enjoyed the many programs offered through the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department. Renée brings to the Board her expertise in team leadership, program development and management, grant writing, community outreach and event
coordination. Renee is currently completing a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership
and holds a Master’s in Education.
Lisa Marucci - Board Member
Lisa is an Ohio native, and has lived in Gilbert since 2013. While she is an educator with many years in the K-12 setting, she currently enjoys serving students at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She is passionate about volunteering and
giving back to her community. Lisa brings to the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Foundation experience with management and operation of business affairs along with fundraising. Her hobbies include decorating, gardening, exercising, and spending
as much time possible outdoors with family- her husband, two daughters, and soon to be son-in-law. Thus the perfect
incentive to become involved with the GPRF and its mission. Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree both from Youngstown State University.
Lisa is an Ohio native, and has lived in Gilbert since 2013. While she is an educator with many years in the K-12 setting, she currently enjoys serving students at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She is passionate about volunteering and
giving back to her community. Lisa brings to the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Foundation experience with management and operation of business affairs along with fundraising. Her hobbies include decorating, gardening, exercising, and spending
as much time possible outdoors with family- her husband, two daughters, and soon to be son-in-law. Thus the perfect
incentive to become involved with the GPRF and its mission. Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree both from Youngstown State University.
Peter Flocken - Board Member
Pete is a Program Manager for the Kyrene School District’s Community Education Department.
He has lived in Gilbert for the past 13 years with his wife and their two young children. Pete has been
recognized for his leadership in the community by the Governor’s Office for Youth and Families, the
Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence and the Kyrene Community Schools Foundation. He holds a Master’s
Degree in Public Administration and is passionate about experiential education, the maker movement and
youth/adult enrichment programming.
Pete is a Program Manager for the Kyrene School District’s Community Education Department.
He has lived in Gilbert for the past 13 years with his wife and their two young children. Pete has been
recognized for his leadership in the community by the Governor’s Office for Youth and Families, the
Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence and the Kyrene Community Schools Foundation. He holds a Master’s
Degree in Public Administration and is passionate about experiential education, the maker movement and
youth/adult enrichment programming.
Julissa Ricks - Board Member
Julissa has lived in Gilbert since 2001 with her husband Brian and their two sons Richey, a student at ASU
and Kobe, a student at U of A (house divided for sure!) Besides co-owning BriComp Computers, LLC, a Gilbert business
with her husband, she is a Coordinator at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. She volunteers as a phone coordinator for Mercy Gilbert and Chandler Regional Medical Centers "No One Dies Alone (NODA)" program and also volunteers at HD South, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum. She loves to read, play with her kitten Lady Chubbs,
watch crime shows and listens to podcasts. She enjoys spending time with her husband going to concerts, the theater, basketball and arena football games. Julissa holds two Bachelors, one in Graphic Design and another in
Business of Science in Management.
Julissa has lived in Gilbert since 2001 with her husband Brian and their two sons Richey, a student at ASU
and Kobe, a student at U of A (house divided for sure!) Besides co-owning BriComp Computers, LLC, a Gilbert business
with her husband, she is a Coordinator at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. She volunteers as a phone coordinator for Mercy Gilbert and Chandler Regional Medical Centers "No One Dies Alone (NODA)" program and also volunteers at HD South, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum. She loves to read, play with her kitten Lady Chubbs,
watch crime shows and listens to podcasts. She enjoys spending time with her husband going to concerts, the theater, basketball and arena football games. Julissa holds two Bachelors, one in Graphic Design and another in
Business of Science in Management.
Andrea Marrujo - Board Member
Andrea has lived in the East Valley since 2006, and is originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
She is has been married to her husband Carlos for 12 years and they have 3 children together; Lexi (11 yrs),
Aniyah (5 yrs) & Alijah (3 yrs). Andrea and her husband own a local heating and cooling company.
Her hobbies include spending quality time with her family, playing outdoor sports with her children,
traveling, spoiling her two nieces, attending concerts and local sporting events. Andrea holds a Bachelors Degree in Public Management and a Masters of Education in Human Relations degree. She has always
enrolled her kids in the various Gilbert Parks and Recreation programs and is excited to be giving
back to her community by working with the Foundation and being a part of their Mission.
Andrea has lived in the East Valley since 2006, and is originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico.
She is has been married to her husband Carlos for 12 years and they have 3 children together; Lexi (11 yrs),
Aniyah (5 yrs) & Alijah (3 yrs). Andrea and her husband own a local heating and cooling company.
Her hobbies include spending quality time with her family, playing outdoor sports with her children,
traveling, spoiling her two nieces, attending concerts and local sporting events. Andrea holds a Bachelors Degree in Public Management and a Masters of Education in Human Relations degree. She has always
enrolled her kids in the various Gilbert Parks and Recreation programs and is excited to be giving
back to her community by working with the Foundation and being a part of their Mission.
Tim Bernard - Board Member