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
Jennifer currently works for the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Department where she oversees the operations for the Southeast Regional Library, Riparian Preserve, Volunteer program and various agreements and contracts for the Town. She has been with the Foundation since its inception in 2015. Jen relocated to Arizona from Connecticut in 2014 and is the proud (and busy) mom of 3 boys, many pets and husband Tom.
Jennifer currently works for the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Department where she oversees the operations for the Southeast Regional Library, Riparian Preserve, Volunteer program and various agreements and contracts for the Town. She has been with the Foundation since its inception in 2015. Jen relocated to Arizona from Connecticut in 2014 and is the proud (and busy) mom of 3 boys, many pets and husband Tom.
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 is currently an Adjunct Professor for the Maricopa County Community College District teaching courses in English Composition and English as a Second Language. She has lived in Gilbert for 16 years with her family and is also a Gilbert Leadership Class XXIV Alumnus. Renée’s experience in Educational leadership spans 24 years within PreK-12, Higher Education and Non-profit organizations. Renée brings expertise in team leadership, program development and management, volunteer recruitment, 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 is currently an Adjunct Professor for the Maricopa County Community College District teaching courses in English Composition and English as a Second Language. She has lived in Gilbert for 16 years with her family and is also a Gilbert Leadership Class XXIV Alumnus. Renée’s experience in Educational leadership spans 24 years within PreK-12, Higher Education and Non-profit organizations. Renée brings expertise in team leadership, program development and management, volunteer recruitment, 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.
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.
James Walker - Board Member
James Walker moved to Arizona in 2006 from Chicago, Illinois. He studied Communication at ASU where he received a Bachelor’s Degree from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. Later, he earned Master’s Degrees from ASU and NAU in Education and Educational Leadership respectively. He is currently preparing to defend a dissertation on school funding issues to complete a Doctorate Degree in Education in 2020 from NAU. For the past 11 years he has been an educator and leader in the public school system and currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Higley High School. James is active in the community where he was a member of Gilbert Leadership Class XXVI, sits on the Parks and Rec Foundation Board, serves as the Board Secretary of the Gilbert Sister Cities, and has participated in the Gilbert Citizens Police Academy. He has lived in Gilbert since 2016 with his wife and two young boys.
James Walker moved to Arizona in 2006 from Chicago, Illinois. He studied Communication at ASU where he received a Bachelor’s Degree from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. Later, he earned Master’s Degrees from ASU and NAU in Education and Educational Leadership respectively. He is currently preparing to defend a dissertation on school funding issues to complete a Doctorate Degree in Education in 2020 from NAU. For the past 11 years he has been an educator and leader in the public school system and currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Higley High School. James is active in the community where he was a member of Gilbert Leadership Class XXVI, sits on the Parks and Rec Foundation Board, serves as the Board Secretary of the Gilbert Sister Cities, and has participated in the Gilbert Citizens Police Academy. He has lived in Gilbert since 2016 with his wife and two young boys.
Joshua Barton - Board Member