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Board of Directors
Benefactors of Red Rock State Park |
Jim Charest
Chair
Jim worked in the Aerospace Industry for 40 years in progressive leadership and engineering positions, primarily in Facility Management and has traveled extensively worldwide in this role until he retired in 2013. His Degree is in Electrical Engineering. Jim is a volunteer at Red Rock State Park and was Arizona State Parks Volunteer of the year in 2016. Jim has also volunteered as a Treasurer and Case Worker for the Society of St Vincent de Paul .
Chair
Jim worked in the Aerospace Industry for 40 years in progressive leadership and engineering positions, primarily in Facility Management and has traveled extensively worldwide in this role until he retired in 2013. His Degree is in Electrical Engineering. Jim is a volunteer at Red Rock State Park and was Arizona State Parks Volunteer of the year in 2016. Jim has also volunteered as a Treasurer and Case Worker for the Society of St Vincent de Paul .
Allyson Homes,
Co-Chair
Allyson retired following many years as an educator in various learning applications. She is currently a Commissioner with the City of Sedona Historical Preservation Commission and serves on the Coconino County Resource Advisory Committee, US Department of Agriculture. Allyson has a deep commitment to education in the outdoors and its vital role in forming well rounded scientifically minded students. She is a volunteer teacher in the School Connections Program.
Co-Chair
Allyson retired following many years as an educator in various learning applications. She is currently a Commissioner with the City of Sedona Historical Preservation Commission and serves on the Coconino County Resource Advisory Committee, US Department of Agriculture. Allyson has a deep commitment to education in the outdoors and its vital role in forming well rounded scientifically minded students. She is a volunteer teacher in the School Connections Program.
Lynn Zonakis
Treasurer
Lynn has a BA in Psychology and a BSN in Nursing. After working 7 years in clinical care, she moved into the corporate world, getting the opportunity to use both her clinical and business skills. After moving through a number of leadership positions she served the last 12 years of her career as Managing Director Health Strategy & Benefits at Delta Air Lines. In retirement, she serves on the Board of League of Women Voters and the Sedona Fire District PPRS local board, is a volunteer and Secretary of Friends of the Forest, and is on the advisory board of Northern Arizona Healthcare. She loves the outdoors, reading and travel.
Treasurer
Lynn has a BA in Psychology and a BSN in Nursing. After working 7 years in clinical care, she moved into the corporate world, getting the opportunity to use both her clinical and business skills. After moving through a number of leadership positions she served the last 12 years of her career as Managing Director Health Strategy & Benefits at Delta Air Lines. In retirement, she serves on the Board of League of Women Voters and the Sedona Fire District PPRS local board, is a volunteer and Secretary of Friends of the Forest, and is on the advisory board of Northern Arizona Healthcare. She loves the outdoors, reading and travel.
Craig Swanson
Recording Secretary
Craig earned an MA in Theatre and Drama from Indiana University. To earn a living, he then learned computer programming, and enjoyed a 35- year career in IT, culminating as Project Manager for implementations of Data Warehouses for State Medicaid Agencies. In 2005 he and his wife purchased a retirement home in the Village of Oak Creek, gradually spending increasing time in the Sedona area prior to moving here permanently in 2015. Craig currently serves as the President of Friends of the Forest, and volunteers as a docent at Heritage Sites. He also serves on the Board of Keep Sedona Beautiful.
Recording Secretary
Craig earned an MA in Theatre and Drama from Indiana University. To earn a living, he then learned computer programming, and enjoyed a 35- year career in IT, culminating as Project Manager for implementations of Data Warehouses for State Medicaid Agencies. In 2005 he and his wife purchased a retirement home in the Village of Oak Creek, gradually spending increasing time in the Sedona area prior to moving here permanently in 2015. Craig currently serves as the President of Friends of the Forest, and volunteers as a docent at Heritage Sites. He also serves on the Board of Keep Sedona Beautiful.
Ellie Debo
Born in LaJolla CA. Dad was Marine fighter pilot. Moved from one end of the country to the other every 2 years until high school. Lived in So Oregon. Ran and taught a pre-school /kindergarten for 30 yrs. until retirement in 2008. Moved to AZ in 2010. Volunteer at the Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Festival, assist with AARP tax prep for seniors, neighborhood Welcome Committee, Green Bag program for VV Food Share, member of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, Volunteer at Slide Rock State Park and teach with the School Connections Program at Red Rock State Park. Love to hike, Jeep, travel, raft, photography and spending lots of time with kids and grand kids!
Born in LaJolla CA. Dad was Marine fighter pilot. Moved from one end of the country to the other every 2 years until high school. Lived in So Oregon. Ran and taught a pre-school /kindergarten for 30 yrs. until retirement in 2008. Moved to AZ in 2010. Volunteer at the Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Festival, assist with AARP tax prep for seniors, neighborhood Welcome Committee, Green Bag program for VV Food Share, member of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center, Volunteer at Slide Rock State Park and teach with the School Connections Program at Red Rock State Park. Love to hike, Jeep, travel, raft, photography and spending lots of time with kids and grand kids!
Scott Springett
Volunteer Liaison
Scott is retired from the City of San Diego where he dedicated his career to public service as a Fire Fighter and EMT. He joined the Benefactors in 2015, with a love for nature and commitment to environmental education. Scott is a volunteer naturalist hike leader at the Park and is passionate about the School Connection Program..
Volunteer Liaison
Scott is retired from the City of San Diego where he dedicated his career to public service as a Fire Fighter and EMT. He joined the Benefactors in 2015, with a love for nature and commitment to environmental education. Scott is a volunteer naturalist hike leader at the Park and is passionate about the School Connection Program..
Fritz DeBo,
Fritz is retired from his long career in education both as a classroom teacher and as an administrator. In addition to his Master's Degree in Education, Fritz completed a certificate in Administration. He enjoys working with the students, seeing their eyes light up, and hearing their excitement in learning new ideas. Fritz is a volunteer teacher in the School Connection Program and a naturalist hike leader at the Park, and also volunteers with the Sedona International Film Festival, Verde Valley Archeology Center, Toy’s for Tot’s, Slide Rock State Park, and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
Fritz is retired from his long career in education both as a classroom teacher and as an administrator. In addition to his Master's Degree in Education, Fritz completed a certificate in Administration. He enjoys working with the students, seeing their eyes light up, and hearing their excitement in learning new ideas. Fritz is a volunteer teacher in the School Connection Program and a naturalist hike leader at the Park, and also volunteers with the Sedona International Film Festival, Verde Valley Archeology Center, Toy’s for Tot’s, Slide Rock State Park, and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
Miilie Leenhouts
Millie was Vice-Chair of the community group who wrote the 1992 Red Rock – Dry Creek Community Plan that was adopted by Yavapai County. During the 1980's she served on the Board of the Sedona Arts Center and is presently an Advisory Board member. Millie continues to serve on multiple Boards in the local region.
Millie was Vice-Chair of the community group who wrote the 1992 Red Rock – Dry Creek Community Plan that was adopted by Yavapai County. During the 1980's she served on the Board of the Sedona Arts Center and is presently an Advisory Board member. Millie continues to serve on multiple Boards in the local region.
Andrea Christelle
Andrea Christelle has a PhD in philosophy from Tulane University, and has been nationally and locally recognized for philosophical programming and civic engagement. She is the founder of Sedona Philosophy, She also founded and for five years directed Philosophy in the Public Interest at Northern Arizona University. She currently serves on the boards of the Public Philosophy Journal, SOPHIA (Society of Philosophers in America), and Sedona XYZ. She has previously served on the boards of the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley, the Sedona International Film Festival, and the Verde Valley Forum.
Andrea Christelle has a PhD in philosophy from Tulane University, and has been nationally and locally recognized for philosophical programming and civic engagement. She is the founder of Sedona Philosophy, She also founded and for five years directed Philosophy in the Public Interest at Northern Arizona University. She currently serves on the boards of the Public Philosophy Journal, SOPHIA (Society of Philosophers in America), and Sedona XYZ. She has previously served on the boards of the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley, the Sedona International Film Festival, and the Verde Valley Forum.
Angela LeFevre, BS
Angela’s Bachelor’s Degree in Economics focused on International Relations. She has actively worked as a Supervisor in the Yavapai County Juvenile Probation program, and volunteers for the Arizona Kids Saves Program. Her activism includes several local agencies focused on natural resource protection. Angela was on the Board of Keep Sedona Beautiful, and in 2014 was elected to the Sedona City Council.
Angela’s Bachelor’s Degree in Economics focused on International Relations. She has actively worked as a Supervisor in the Yavapai County Juvenile Probation program, and volunteers for the Arizona Kids Saves Program. Her activism includes several local agencies focused on natural resource protection. Angela was on the Board of Keep Sedona Beautiful, and in 2014 was elected to the Sedona City Council.
Jack Hagerman
Leon (Jack)son Hagerman Jr. served in the US Navy from 5/1969-5/1973 and was honorably discharged as a E5 Petty Officer. I worked for the State of California from 9/1973 until 5/2004. I started as a Boiler operator and ended my career as The Correctional Plant Manager II at the California Institution for men in Chino, California. In 2004 moved to Michigan and worked for 5 years at the Sparrow Clinton Hospital as the Plant Operation Director. We moved to Arizona in 5/2012 we have lived in the Sedona Shadows Community since 7/2012. Began volunteering at the Park in 2012 and have been an active volunteer since then.
Leon (Jack)son Hagerman Jr. served in the US Navy from 5/1969-5/1973 and was honorably discharged as a E5 Petty Officer. I worked for the State of California from 9/1973 until 5/2004. I started as a Boiler operator and ended my career as The Correctional Plant Manager II at the California Institution for men in Chino, California. In 2004 moved to Michigan and worked for 5 years at the Sparrow Clinton Hospital as the Plant Operation Director. We moved to Arizona in 5/2012 we have lived in the Sedona Shadows Community since 7/2012. Began volunteering at the Park in 2012 and have been an active volunteer since then.
Birgit Loewenstein
Birgit Rose Loewenstein is retired from a career as research scientist in cell physiology at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, in Florida, from 1971 to 1995 and then at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. In 2000 she and her husband Werner Loewenstein moved to sedona. Birgit has been active with and on the Board of several local organizations, including Keep Sedona Beautiful, the Red Rock Rural Community Association, the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park, Save Our Ancient Redrocks and Chamber Music Sedona. Her favorite pastimes are trail running and backpacking in the beautiful canyons of Arizona and Utah.
Birgit Rose Loewenstein is retired from a career as research scientist in cell physiology at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, in Florida, from 1971 to 1995 and then at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. In 2000 she and her husband Werner Loewenstein moved to sedona. Birgit has been active with and on the Board of several local organizations, including Keep Sedona Beautiful, the Red Rock Rural Community Association, the Benefactors of Red Rock State Park, Save Our Ancient Redrocks and Chamber Music Sedona. Her favorite pastimes are trail running and backpacking in the beautiful canyons of Arizona and Utah.