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Board Chair Legacy Gallery
40 years of leadership guiding Children’s Fund’s mission to change the trajectory of children’s lives.
History Top
Foundational Leadership
Foundational Leadership
1987 - 1996
Jack H. Brown
1987 - 1988, 1992 - 1993
"Our dream for Children's Fund was to reach out to children at risk. With the blessings of Our 'Maker' we continue to reach."
Gene Wood
1988 - 1990
"These were years of development for Children's Fund, the board, new partnerships, and the services provided for our at-risk children."
Dale Evans
1988 - 1991, Honorary Chair
"When asked to be an ambassador and speak on behalf of Children's Fund she said, 'Just give me a station wagon and a driver and I'll go wherever you want.'"
Matt Jordan
1990 - 1991, 1993 - 1996
"In 1993, we reached a milestone when we raised over one million dollars. It was an affirmation of how a shared vision to help children inspires people to stretch."
A. Gary Anderson
1991 - 1993
Gary's leadership legacy is seen today in the standards he set for giving, involvement by community leaders, and the organization's ability to meet any challenge.
Expansion Era
Expansion Era
1996 - 2006
Vaughn Bryan
1996 - 1997
"A landmark year, it was the first time we served over 35,000 children."
Lee R. Redmond III
1997 - 1998
"The need for a centralized assessment center for abused children was identified and we initiated a capital campaign to raise the funds for the building."
Jacob Ziedman
1998 - 1999
Under his leadership, a building was purchased and the renovations began to create a state-of-the-art and one-of-a-kind assessment center in San Bernardino County.
Mark A. Ostoich
1999 - 2000
"A crowning achievement for our Board, the County, and many donors, the Children's Fund Assessment Center serving abused children, officially opened October 1, 1999."
Douglas R. McAdam
2000 - 2001
"We were able to reach a major milestone by raising more than two million dollars in cash and in-kind support to address the needs of those we are privileged to serve."
William H. Meyer
2001 - 2002
"We extended our proactive "safety net" in our community for the homeless, disenfranchised, and needy."
Robert J. Kain
2002 - 2003
"Children should know someone cares about them. Our holiday gift distribution is one way we make this impact, and our results far surpassed any other year to date."
Joseph P. Barr
2003 - 2004
"The needs of many children were fulfilled with over $300,000 raised at the AGA Memorial Golf Classic and the dedicated support of our auxiliaries, donors, and County partners."
Dave Harris
2004 - 2005
"One of our most valuable assets is the children. It is our responsibility to invest in their worth by providing comfort, hope, and inspiration. We did this for many."
Dianne Crowther
2005 - 2006
First woman Chairman of the Board, 33,000 children served, 65,000 gifts at Christmas, Golf tournament raised $360,000, saved $1 million used during the economic downturn.
Program Growth
Program Growth
2006 - 2015
Bill Nietschmann
2006 - 2007
"We extended our reach to the children by initiating physical outreach to the High Desert and endowing scholarships to foster youth at CSUSB, 4 Community Colleges, and Cal Poly."
Russell Moore
2007 - 2008
"We served a record number of children with emergent needs and services, including those who were victims of the local wildfires in October 2007."
Peter J. Pitassi
2008 - 2009
"Even during such a challenging economic climate, our Board remained focused upon the Children's Fund mission. People dedicated to helping at-risk children are always inspiring."
Bob Balzar
2009 - 2010
"Refocused strategic objectives placed Children's Fund on a modernized organizational path to effectively serve generations of lives both now & in the future."
Debbie L. Brown
2010 - 2011
"This was a year of introspection, renewal, restructuring, transition, and relocation. Together, Children's Fund and the County aligned with a new vision."
Laurie McCoy
2011 - 2012
"Cup a dandelion in your hands, close your eyes, blow the spores away. Make a wish and believe they will grow one day."
Steve PonTell
2012 - 2013
"If we know what the need is, we can find the resources to meet the need."
Vicente Wright
2013 - 2014
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
Lee A. Jackman
2014 - 2015
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Systems of Impact
Systems of Impact
2015 - 2024
Neal Waner
2015 - 2018
"Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved."
Gary Ovitt
2018 - 2021
"Let us reach out to the children. Let us do whatever we can to support their fight to rise above their pain and suffering."
- Nelson Mandela
Kristin Pierce
2022 - 2024
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
- Dr. Seuss
Present Day
Present Day
2024 - Present
Fred Just
2025 - Present
“I’m proud to support a mission dedicated to giving children hope, opportunity, and a brighter future.”
Continuing a 40-year legacy of leadership and impact.
For four decades, dedicated leadership has helped shape brighter futures for children across our community.
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