Eastmont Community Center - Serving the Community Since 1967

Eastmont's Board of Directors is comprised of dedicated professionals who donate their time, talent and fundraising skills to effectively oversee the operation of Eastmont Community Center and the administration of Eastmont's programs by dedicated staff members.

	Benjamin Cárdenas, President was born in East Los Angeles in 1979. At age five, his family moved to Michoacan, Mexico to resettle in his parent’s country of origin. Benjamin was raised in Mexico until the age of thirteen. After eight years, Benjamin found himself, once again, in East Los Angeles as an English as a Second Language student at Griffith Middle School. From his experiences at Griffith Middle School and later at Garfield High School, Benjamin learned first-hand the struggles faced by recent immigrants to this country and the challenges for our youth within the educational system. Despite the obstacles he faced, Benjamin graduated Garfield High School as a high achieving student and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Upon graduating in 2002, Benjamin married his college sweetheart Mirna Cárdenas, and moved to our nation’s capital (Washington, D.C.) to participate in the prestigious Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Public Policy Fellowship. As a CHCI Fellow, Benjamin worked in the office of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. From his experiences in the United States House of Representatives, Benjamin was reassured that through political involvement he could help others in his community to overcome obstacles as he did. After completing the 9 month Fellowship program, Benjamin returned to his home town as a Field Representative for Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (38th Congressional District). Today, Benjamin is the District Director for Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano. He serves as the Vice President for the East Los Angeles Residents Association, President of the Southern Region CHCI Alumni Association and has recently joined the Eastmont Community Center Board of Directors. He and his wife are proud parents of a beautiful 4 year old daughter, Alondra Dulcinea with another baby on the way.
	Gustavo V. Camacho, Vice President
	Donald Reisinger, Treasurer
	Dr. Richard Kurrasch, Secretary
	Maria Elena Alvarez
	Mary Kay Backstrom
	Jefferson Beeker Born and raised in Washington, D.C. Jefferson grew up with a keen interest in theatre and government, as well as a passion for American History. His family traces at least five generations as members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jefferson recently began his second year at the First Christian Church of North Hollywood, California as a Licensed Minister. He has been assisting in the Sunday worship services as well as in the planning of additional programs and ministries. One area of ministry that is currently being developed is a Healing Ministry and with that the addition of a Wednesday evening Prayer, Meditation and Healing Service, now in its second year. Working with the children's programs, as well as with the seniors, has been especially meaningful. He plans to continue his seminary education toward future ordination.
	Frances De Baca
	Ana Maria Garcia
	Elisa Gonzalez
	Oscar Gonzales
	Evelyn Gutierrez Ms. Gutierrez, a member of the Eastmont Board of Directors since 1987, was recently appointed to the County of Los Angeles Quality and Productivity Commission as a County Commisioner by Supervisor Gloria Molina. A retired County of Los Angeles executive with over 35 years of public sector expertise in strategic planning, public sector policy, resource management, fiscal management, grant writing and administration, charitable giving, fundraising and marketing, she currently provides pro-bono non-profit consulting, event planning, communication and fundraising services to the County Library Foundation, Eastmont Community Center and Los Amigos of the East Los Angeles Library as a Board member or Board liaison.
	Linda Houston Linda attends First Christian Church in Torrance and is currently serving on the deaconate and as Worship Chair. She has been active in local, regional and national programs that promote and support non profits. Linda is a registered nurse who has worked in Hospice for over 20 years. She is married to Roy Houston, a marine biologist and enjoys traveling and scuba diving with him. They have four children and two grandchildren.
	Jerry L. Jackson With over 30 years in entertainment, marketing and new media, Jerry comes to the board through his involvement as an Elder at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of North Hollywood. An award-winning writer, producer and director, in 1993 he co-founded Water's Edge Communications which is a full service marketing and brand positioning company, specializing in new media. Jerry is an active member of the Writer's Guild of America where he was a founding member of the New Media Committee, the Writers Education Committee and currently chairs the New Members Committee. He helped design the first New Media curriculum for UCLA Extension, has served as a judge for many film & new media festivals and since 1999 has been a member of the Executive Committee of the City of the Angels Film Festival.
	Larry S. Knupp I was born and raised in Whittier, and went to local schools, graduating from Whittier High. Then on to Pomona College, where I got a B.A. in History in 1961. Next I went to University of California Law School (Boalt Hall, Berkeley), where I received a J.D. degree in 1964. I practiced law in Whittier for ten years, and was appointed Commissioner of the Whittier Municipal Court in 1975, and elected Judge in 1988. I spent 25 years in the Whittier Municipal Court (1975-2000) and then was transferred to the Superior Court in Norwalk, where I ran a felony criminal calendar court until retirement at the end of 2006. I am a life-long member of First Christian Church in Whittier, and met my wife there at a youth dance in 1956. Jacque and I have two adult children and an eleven-year old grand-daughter who has lived with us since she was one. I have served, and still serve, on several Boards of Directors of non-profit corporations. I look forward to a long association with Eastmont.
	Al Lopez
	Lary Row Lary is a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has served in a variety of positions in the local church, including Sunday school teacher, youth sponsor, deacon, elder, trustee, treasurer, and choir director. In the Pacific Southwest Region, he served as one of the chairpersons for Miracle Day in 2004 coordinating all aspects of the event and coordinating the youth mission activities for the ICYF Chapman gathering in 2008. Lary is retired from Verizon where he worked for 37 years. The majority of his work experience was as a supervisor in a toll center. He attended Cal State University Long Beach, majoring in mathematics. In his spare time, Lary enjoys golf, and is a member of a championship traveling softball team.
	Daniel Rodriguez
	Thomas Siegmeth Thomas has served as a Board member at Eastmont for the last 5 years in which he has held the offices of Board President, Treasurer, as well as chairing the annual fundraiser. Thomas has worked in the public health field since 1996 and holds a Master's degree in Public Health from Loma Linda University. With more than 12 years in public health, he has had the opportunity to explore health care systems in India, Mexico, and Guatemala. During the last 7 1/2 years, Thomas has developed Health Education & Cultural and Linguistics' programs at AltaMed Health Services and currently serves as the Director of Wellness & Cultural Competency Programs, Center Director of the East LA Area Health Education Center, as well as serving as a consultant to the Los Angeles County of Education. In May 1998, he joined the US Peace Corps in which he worked as a Health Educator serving rural communities and schools of Totonicapan, Guatemala as part of a joint program with Loma Linda University returning to the US in September 2000. He continues to dedicate his time to assist underserved communities utilizing his bilingual skills within AltaMed's Healthcare system as well as serving on Eastmont Community Center's Board serving East Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
	Paul Turner Paul Turner is the Regional Manager for Citi Community Relations in Southern California. Paul manages the myriad of programs and initiatives Citi undertakes with its strategic and community partners throughout Southern California. Paul formalizes Citi’s linkages to community-based non-profits to support Community Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Financial Education and other areas, ensuring that Citi remains a good community partner and outstanding corporate citizen. Paul was previously the Senior Program Manager for The Greenlining Institute, a non-profit multi-ethnic public policy center based in Berkeley, CA. While at Greenlining, Paul established the Claiming Our Democracy Program, a program designed to include minority and low-income community voices in the debate for campaign finance and election reform to bolster civil and voting rights. Paul has been very active in The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) locally, regionally and nationally. He served as a Global Advocate Volunteer with Global Ministries in South Africa and Swaziland. He was the past Co-Director of Urban Ministries for the Pacific Southwest Region, and currently serves on the diaconate at Abundant Life Christian Church in Los Angeles, CA. Paul studied economic policy in the Washington Semester Program at American University in Washington, DC.. He received his B.A. in Political Economy from Bethany College and an M.S. in Global Economic Development from Eastern College.