About the Commissioners of the CCoA

Constance P. Chang

Ms. Chang, of Oakland, is currently a teacher in the University of Berkeley Early Childhood Educational Program. She has served over 25 years on the Asian Health Services Board of Directors. Ms. Chang is currently a trustee on the East Bay Zoological Society.

Lily Lee Chen

Ms. Chen, of Glendale, was Mayor for the City of Monterey Park for two years and served as Children Services Administrator and Program Administrator for the Los Angeles County Department of Family and Children Services. She established and directed the Los Angeles County Asian/Pacific Human Services Program and is a former commissioner to the California World Trade Commission. Ms. Chen was appointed by President Carter to the National Council on Adult Education and was the presidential appointee to the Advisory Committee on the Rights and Responsibilities of Women. She is the former National President of the Organization of Chinese American Women, a board member of the National Immigration Forum, and is now an active member of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.

James L. Davis

Mr. Davis, of Eureka, is a professional Forester and retired as Forest Supervisor of the Six Rivers National Forest after serving 37 years with the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture. He has been active in senior affairs since 1999, serving on the Board of Directors of the non-profit Area 1 Agency on Aging serving Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. He was President of the Board for two years. Mr. Davis is active in the community being affiliated with the Eureka Rotary Club and is a past president of that club, active with the College of the Redwoods serving since 1984 as President of the College Foundation. He is currently on his 28th year on the Natural Resources Advisory Board at Santa Rosa Junior College and a past member and President of the Board of Trustees of the Clarke Memorial Museum. Mr. Davis' public service also includes 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserve retiring as a Colonel.

Michael "Mike" A. DeNunzio

Mr. DeNunzio, of San Francisco, is Chairman of Development Services Group, consultants to nonprofit organizations. He has guided projects for health care, education, and social services throughout the USA and in Canada. Clients include On Lok Senior Services and The Little Sisters of the Poor. Mr. DeNunzio has served as a San Francisco Commissioner on Aging and Adult Services and on the Mayor's Committee to End Chronic Homeless. He served as Chairman of the San Francisco Republican Party from 2002 through 2006. Mr. DeNunzio is a board member of The Handicapables, The Columbus Day Committee, The Fitschen Trust for Seniors, the USF Hospitality Management Program and the American Institute for Ethics. He is a graduate of St. Francis Prep, Brooklyn, N.Y. and St. John's University, Queens, N.Y. He taught law and economics on the secondary level and served six years as a Personnel Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Celia J. Esquivel

Ms. Esquivel, of Sacramento, is an Associate State Director with AARP. She has been involved in the aging field and worked with AARP members since 1988. In her current position, she has been working with government agencies and community organizations on issues that impact seniors and their quality of life. Ms. Esquivel is responsible for AARP strategies, activities, issues and volunteers in 22 counties of Northern California. She is president of her company, Cataneo Interiors Feng Shui Consultants, and is an active member of the Sacramento Italian Group, Parliamo. Ms. Esquivel is fluent in Spanish, and is a graduate of Santa Clara University with degrees in Italian and French, with extensive fieldwork in European History and Political Science. She was a Governor's delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging in Washington D.C.

Shannon Glavaz

Ms. Glavaz, of Alta Loma, has served elderly citizens for many years as a Public Health Nurse and a Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse (CWOCN). She has extensive experience in Hospice, Home Health, Rehabilitation, and Case Management Nursing. In her role as a nurse, Ms. Glavaz has dedicated her efforts to improving the lives of the geriatric patient population of California. She earned her Associates Degree in Nursing from Chaffey College, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Phoenix, and her CWOCN Certificate from the New Mexico School of ET Nursing. Ms. Glavaz was awarded her Public Health Nursing Certificate in 1996. She is an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Ms. Glavaz has served as Secretary and Advisor for the United Ostomy Association, Pomona-Ontario Chapter.

Erica T. Goode

Dr. Goode, of San Francisco, is a clinic physician at CPMC's Institute for Health & Healing. The clinic serves a wide variety of patients with eating disorders, cancer, cardiovascular problems, stress-related injuries, and psychological issues - all seeking alternative care, including nutrition, as an adjunct to Western medicine. She previously worked as a public health nutritionist in a Washington D.C. neighborhood health center, in classrooms with elementary school children, doing home visits and in-service training with the Visiting Nurses Association, and consultant on nutrition services at Lorton Prison, Lorton, VA. Dr. Goode holds a medical degree and an MPH degree in nutrition from UCSF, and a BS degree from UC-Berkeley. A native of California, she was active in the Clinton campaign, attended nutrition meetings regarding the Clinton Plan for Universal Health Care, and served as a delegate to the 1995 and 2005 White House Conferences on Aging. Dr. Goode is also teaching medical students and residents at UCSF and CPMC respectively, and is a volunteer at a nutrition project for teen girls at Walden House, San Francisco.

Karen Josephson

Dr. Karen Josephson of Long Beach is a board certified internist and geriatrician. She has a bachelor of arts in political science from State University of New York at Binghamton, medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, completed a residency in internal medicine and her first year of geriatric Fellowship at Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, and the second year of geriatric Fellowship at the University of Hawaii. She was an assistant professor of internal medicine and geriatric medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine for 12 years. She was then employed by a large medical group in private practice for two years and is now in solo practice. She is the owner of Sage Healthcare Inc., which provides concierge medicine. She also serves on the board of the St. Barnabas Senior Center and was nominated by the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council of Los Angeles County to the California Commission on Aging.

Henry "Hank" Lacayo

Mr. Lacayo, of Newbury Park, has been an active community volunteer since his retirement in 1986 as the National Director of UAW's political and legislative department. He has enjoyed a distinguished career as a representative from the UAW for the past 49 years and is a recognized national labor leader in the American political scene. He currently is serving a second term as State President of the Congress of California Seniors. Mr. Lacayo serves as advisor to the National Association for the Hispanic Elderly and as a coordinator for the Southern California UAW Retiree Council. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Ventura County Community Foundation, the Ventura County American Red Cross, El Concilio del Condado de Ventura and El Centrito de La Colonia in Oxnard. Mr. Lacayo also serves as a member of the Community Advisory Board for Cal State University at Channel Islands (CSUCI). He is a founder and National President Emeritus for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and founder and past chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute. Born in Los Angeles, California, and a former member of the executive committee of the U.S. Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Mr. Lacayo is also a veteran of the USAF and lifetime member of the American Legion.

Richard Lundin

Dr. Lundin, of Benicia, is a retired educator from the Vallejo School District and a former professor at Golden Gate University, Chapman University, and National University. He earned a master's degree in business administration from Golden Gate University and a doctor of Education from LaSalle University. Since retirement, Dr. Lundin has become involved in senior programs including the California Senior Legislature. He is the former Chair of Area 28 Agency on Aging Advisory Council. Dr. Lundin completed 38 years of military service, retiring with the rank of Brevet Brigadier General. Currently, he serves as a United States Army Reserve Ambassador to California.

Sharon Monck

Ms. Monck, of Rio Vista, is the Executive Director at Sunrise Assisted Living of Danville, an assisted living/memory care community. She has held this position since 2005. She has previously served as the Executive Director of Prestige Assisted Living of Oroville, Vice President of RealCare (in-home care and facility placement agency), and Assistant Administrator at the Peg Taylor Center for Adult Day Health Care, Chico. Ms. Monck holds a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Administrator certification. She is a current member of the Napa-Solano Counties Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and a two-term member of the California Senior Legislature.

Cheryl Phillips

Dr. Phillips, of Carmichael, is the Chief Medical Officer at On Lok Lifeways, a program of all inclusive care (PACE) for the elderly in San Francisco. She is the past President of the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) and is currently on the Board of Directors for the American Geriatrics Society. Dr. Phillips has served on multiple national boards and advisory groups for chronic care including the National Chronic Care Consortium Executive Committee, the Long Term Care Workgroup for EHR in LTC lead by ACHA, the CMS Technical Expert Panel on Quality Indicators in Long Term Care, and the American Case Management Association. She developed a risk screening and care coordination program for high-risk elders and those with advanced chronic diseases. Dr. Phillips is the Geriatric Education Coordinator for the Sutter Family Practice residency program and directs a long-term care clinical tract for the resident physicians. She completed her family practice residency and geriatric fellowship at the University of California, Davis, where she currently holds a faculty appointment as Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Practice. Dr. Phillips was a Governor's delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging in Washington D.C.

Jon Pynoos

Dr. Pynoos, of Beverly Hills, is a professor of Gerontology, Public Policy, and Urban Planning at the Audrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, as well as Director of the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification. He has spent most of his career researching, writing, and advising the government and private sector regarding the improvement of housing for the elderly. Before moving to the University of Southern California, Dr. Pynoos was the Director of an Area Agency on Aging and Home Care in Massachusetts that provided a wide range of services to older persons. He was nominated by the Area Agency Aging Council of Los Angeles County. Dr. Pynoos was awarded both Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellowships. He earned a bachelor of arts degree, a M.C.P. in urban planning, and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Carlos Rodriguez

Mr. Rodriguez, of Victorville, is currently employed as Deputy Executive Officer and Director of Public Affairs for the Building Industry Association (BIA) Baldy View Chapter, based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He possesses a broad range of professional experience including working in the private sector as a senior executive at a statewide public relations firm. Mr. Rodriguez also worked as a communications consultant in the California State Senate. In addition to his experience working in the California Legislature, Rodriguez has served as a key advisor to political campaigns at the city, county, state and federal levels. His professional experience also includes a position as an adjunct faculty member at California State University, Fullerton and Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. In recognition of his leadership, the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce awarded Mr. Rodriguez the "2006 Corporate Advocate of the Year". Mr. Rodriguez graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Masters of Arts degree and earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from California State University, San Bernardino.

Thomas Rowe

Mr. Rowe, of Eureka, has been a small business owner and practicing attorney in rural Northwestern California since 1990. This practice includes planning and administration of estates and trusts, conservatorships, general business and organizational matters for closely held and non-profit enterprises and taxation. Mr. Rowe received a bachelor of arts degree from University of California at Santa Cruz and his juris doctor from Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. He has been a Director for the Area 1 Agency on Aging since 2002, a member of Humboldt State University President's Advisory Board since 2002, and is an occasional pro bono advisor and speaker for charitable and community organizations.

Andrew E. Scharlach

Dr. Scharlach, of Alamo, brings to the position 30 years of experience in planning, providing, and evaluating services for older adults. As Director of the Center for the Advanced Study of Aging Services at the University of California, Berkeley, he has examined innovative approaches to meeting the needs of the elderly in areas such as caregiver support, long-term care financing, and care management. Dr. Scharlach has authored three books and numerous articles on issues relating to gerontology. He serves on the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics, the Gerontological Society of America, the American Society on Aging, and the Association for Gerontology in Social Work Education. Dr. Scharlach earned a master of science degree from Boston University and a doctorate degree from Stanford University.

Havard L. Staggs

Mr. Staggs, of Jackson, is the Past President of the Area Agency on Aging Council of California (TACC) which promotes communication and collaboration between the 33 Area Agency Advisory Councils and actively advocates on issues of concern to seniors throughout the state; a member and former Chair of the Area 12 Agency on Aging Advisory Council; and a member of the Amador County Commission on Aging. He retired from a career as a business executive in 1999. During his military service as an officer in the U.S. Navy, he was designated Qualified for Command of Submarines. Mr. Staggs received a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.

Donna Ueland

Donna Ueland, of Fresno, has served as the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Fresno County since 2000. Previously, Ms. Ueland was the Manager of Volunteer Services for Deaconess Billings Clinic, a regional multi-disciplinary hospital in Billings, Montana. In her 20 years of volunteer management she has continuously sought ways to creatively engage older adults in volunteer work. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Volunteer Centers of California, the Fresno Citizen Corps Council and is a member of the Points of Light Foundation. She has a BA degree in Psychology from Montana State University.

Leah Wyman

Ms. Wyman, of Long Beach, earned her Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and her master of arts in Communication Studies from San Diego State University. She is the past Chair of the Conference on Ageism Committee for Women in Film, the Industry Coalition for Age Equity in Media, and the Women's Division of the Harvard University Generations Policy Project. She has served on the Boards of the National Women's Political Caucus, the National Organization for Women, and the Los Angeles Women's Appointment Collaboration. Ms. Wyman currently works for the American Jewish Committee as the Assistant Director of the Orange County chapter. Past positions include serving as a Trainer and Supervisor for the Iraqi National Assembly Election Out of Country Voting Program, a consultant on slavery and human trafficking for the City of Los Angeles, and a Press Secretary to a member of Los Angeles City Council. She has taught Communication Studies at California State University, Long Beach and San Diego State University. Ms. Wyman was selected to be a delegate at the 2005 White House Conference on Aging by the White House Conference on Aging Policy Committee.

Benny Y. Yee

Mr. Yee, of San Francisco, is a past Chairman of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency Commission and still serves as one of the commissioners. He is also a past Chairman of the California Contractors State License Board and served on the Board for more than a decade. Mr. Yee has been the past President and is now an active Director in the Sunset Merchant & Professional Association in San Francisco and also serves as Co-Chair of the Chinatown Neighborhood Association. He currently serves on the Merit Selection Panel of the U.S. District Court. Mr. Yee has been a real estate broker and developer in the greater Bay Area for more than 35 years.