Board Members and Staff

Chamber Board Members

Katherine Christensen

Board Chair

Company: Katherine Christensen & Associates, PRA Destination Management
Phone: (480) 893-6110
                        Web site: www.kc-a.com

Kathy has owned and operated two small businesses since 1991: KCA, which specialized in trade association management, meetings/events and public relations for various clientele and PRA, Destination Management ~ Arizona which handles event details for the fortune 1000 corporations that host their events in Arizona. She is a certified meeting/event planner as well as a certified destination management professional with the CMP and DMCP designations.  Her two teams are  involved in various community activities.

    
 Carola Tamarkin

Vice Chair

Carola was raised in Pacific Palisades, Calif. and came to Arizona to attend college.  She has been in Arizona since 1967 and upon graduation started working for Salt River Project. She recently retired from SRP after 35 years of service.  Carola is a member of Valley Leadership, the Citizens Committee reviewing the issues around the South Mountain Freeway and a member of the Fiesta Bowl volunteer organization.

Pam Hahn

Treasurer

Company: in Demand arts
Phone: (480) 704-1232
Web site: www.indemandarts.com

Pam managed to successfully work in the health insurance field for 15 years before realizing a lifelong dream to be an artist. Now she completely enjoys her graphic design business, also keeping busy as a professional harpist and bead artist.

Charles P. Thompson

Company: Workforce Experts
Phone: (480) 496-6662
Web site: www.workforceexperts.com

Charles P. Thompson is the President of WORKFORCE EXPERTS a Human Resources Consulting firm providing services to a broad spectrum of clients, from a few employees to international companies. He has more than 30 years experience in the Human Resources Field. His career includes 23 years with major corporations including; AlliedSignal, Dial Corporation and Reynolds Metals Company. Chuck has been a private consultant since 1996. He received his Master of Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University and his BS in Education from Central Michigan University.

Stan Pelcher

Company: Pelcher Insurance
Phone: (480) 704-8699
Web site: www.pelcherinsurance.com

Born and raised in Simsbury, Connecticut, Stan has had a variety of careers ranging from high school teacher, to collegiate basketball coach to working in the insurance industry. He is the owner of Pelcher Insurance, where he and his wife, Kris offer a full range of life, health, dental and retirement products for businesses and individuals.

Dr. Cheryl Crutcher

Company: South Mountain Community College
Phone: (480) 659-3071
Web site: www.southmountaincc.edu

Dr. Cheryl Crutcher is an Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for South Mountain Community College; as well as the Director of the SMCC Ahwatukee campus (housed at Horizon Commuity Learning Center) and is Director of Community Education for the college. She is involved with many national programs for women and is co-founder & co-chair of the Women's Mentoring Program for the Maricopa County Community College District. Cheryl and her husband Jim have lived in Ahwatukee for over 15 years. She has been a resident of the Valley since 1972 and received all of her degrees from ASU.

Dr. Kimberly Larsen

Company: Health Solutions Wellness Center
Phone: (480) 753-5999
Web site: drlarsen.chiroweb.com

Dr. Kimberly Larsen owns and practives at Health Solutions Wellness Center with her husband Dr. Nels Larsen. Their office provides Chiropractic, Massage, Rehab, Custom Orthotics and Nutrition Services. Dr. Kimberly has been practicing Chiropractic since 1999. She holds a Master Degree in Sport Injury Management, allowing her and her husband to treat a wide range of conditions. Dr. Kimberly also has her BS in Nutrition and started her career in the health care industry as a registered Dietitian.

Renie Scibona

Company: Ahwatukee Foothills News
Phone: (480) 898-7900
Web site: www.ahwatukee.com

Renie Scibona is the Publisher of the Ahwatukee Foothills News as well as two other community publications. The Ahwatukee Foothills News is dedicated to the Ahwatukee Community by providing coverage of local people, local education, local government and local businesses. Prior to coming to Freedom Communication, parent company for AFN,
Renie was employed with Independent Newspapers and Western Newspapers. All organizations consisted of weekly community publications. Renie is a native of Arizona and knows how important a community newspaper is to connect residents with their community and strives to do just that with her publications.

Patty Durant

Company: Westland Title Agency
Phone:(602) 749-7129
Web site: www.westlandtitleaz.com

Patty Durant and her family have lived in Arizona for twenty two years. Though the title industry is officially her third career, Patty feels she has found her niche at Westland Title. Patty and her husband, Scott, have two children and enjoy the outdoors, family walks, and bike rides. The Durants enjoy traveling throughout the Southwest.

Mark Deitchman

Company: R.P. Ryan Insurance
Phone:  480-704-1331
Web site:  www.rpryan.com

Mark has been in the insurance industry since 1988. He has worked for Fireman's Fund Insurance, Allied Insurance and in 2005 joined R.P. Ryan Insurance, a full service independent insurance agency. He specializes in property and liability insurance for individuals and businesses that are tailored to the specific needs of the client.

Dawna Gascoigne

Company: AmTrust Bank
Phone:  480-704-1288
Web site:  www.amtrust.com

Dawna Gascoigne is the Branch Sales Manager with AmTrust Bank.  She has over 22 years of banking experience all of which has been in Arizona.  She is an Arizona native and resided in the Ahwatukee community for over 3 years. 

Greg Furseth

Company:  Northern Trust
Phone:  480-883-6805
Web site:  www.northernturst.com

Greg Furseth is the Senior Trust Officer for Northern Trust NA.  He has been with Northern Trust for 21 years.  Greg is a member of ASU Dean's Copuncil of 100, and ASU's President's Club.  Although a Washington State native, he has lived in Ahwatukee for 16 years with his wife and two children.  Greg has been involved with such organizations as The United Way and Junior Achievement before joining the Chamber Board.  Greg is also almost a black belft in Kempo Karate.