Arica Reed - President
Arica moved back to Arizona from Kansas City, MO in 2016. She studied Political Science and Anthropology at the University of Arizona where she earned her Bachelor's degree. She is currently a Certified Fraud Examiner and Transaction Consultant for a national consulting firm. She also teaches English as a Second Language. Arica enjoys serving the community including regularly volunteering with Produce on Wheels, Feed my Starving Children, St. Mary's Food Bank, Living Word Bible Church where she is a member and her children's Parent Teacher Organizations where she served for two years on the board. She is a former military spouse and served for three years as Ombudman Assembly Chair for the Submarine Base in Kingsbay, GA. Arica and her family have spent many hours enjoying the various Parks and Recreation facilities and programs in Gilbert. She hopes to help provide the same opportunities for families in the future to continue enjoying the same programs and more. In her free time, she also enjoys traveling, hiking and camping with her family.
Arica moved back to Arizona from Kansas City, MO in 2016. She studied Political Science and Anthropology at the University of Arizona where she earned her Bachelor's degree. She is currently a Certified Fraud Examiner and Transaction Consultant for a national consulting firm. She also teaches English as a Second Language. Arica enjoys serving the community including regularly volunteering with Produce on Wheels, Feed my Starving Children, St. Mary's Food Bank, Living Word Bible Church where she is a member and her children's Parent Teacher Organizations where she served for two years on the board. She is a former military spouse and served for three years as Ombudman Assembly Chair for the Submarine Base in Kingsbay, GA. Arica and her family have spent many hours enjoying the various Parks and Recreation facilities and programs in Gilbert. She hopes to help provide the same opportunities for families in the future to continue enjoying the same programs and more. In her free time, she also enjoys traveling, hiking and camping with her family.
Mike Holste - Vice President
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.
Jeff Hamilton - Secretary
William Scalzo - Board Member
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.
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.
Diane Wilson - Board Member
Paul Gonzales - Board Member
Skyler Roussel - Board Member