Executive Director
Elvia Torres, M.S., LMFT

Ms. Torres is a Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of professional and volunteer experience in working with vulnerable youth and families. She has served as Executive Director of SPIRITT since July 2010. Previously, Ms. Torres served as Associate and Clinical Director for SPIRITT (since 2002). She is a member of National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Pomona Valley Affiliate, Eastside Child Abuse Prevention Council, and the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE). Ms. Torres earned a Bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University and a Masters in Counseling from California State University, Los Angeles.

Controller
Mary Parra

Ms. Parra has been the Controller for SPIRITT Family Services since 1997. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day fiscal management agency wide, including planning, organizing, and administering operations of the accounting department and other business operations. Prior to joining SPIRITT, Ms. Parra served as a Senior Accountant for Nuñez and Associates, CPA's in Irvine. Ms. Parra received her Bachelor's degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

SPIRITT Board President
Roger Stoltenberg

Mr. Stoltenberg has served on SPIRITTs’ Board since 2000.  He served as a Training Officer in the Army Airborne Infantry and spent 30 years in sales and management in the corrugated packaging industry primarily with Georgia-Pacific.  He is a graduate of the University of Iowa. His second career was Director of Camping and Senior District Executive with the Los Angeles Council of Boy Scouts.  Mr. Stoltenberg has devoted 35 years to community organizations and the non-profit sector. In addition to his work with SPIRITT, he is the current Chair of the Leadership Board of Special Olympics San Gabriel Valley.

Board Vice President
Israel Cobos, M.S.

Israel Cobos is SPIRITT’s Board Vice President and has been a valued Board member since 2008.  He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston and his Master of Science in Human Development and Leadership from Murray State University.  Mr. Cobos has been certified as a Professional in Human Resources since 2008. He currently serves as a Senior Human Resources Manager for Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

Secretary
Diane Innes, M.S.

Ms. Innes has been a Board Member since 1999.  Currently, working for Pasadena Unified School District in special education, she is an Adjunct Professor in the special education credential programs at Whittier College and California State University, Los Angeles. Ms. Innes has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas, a Master of Science degree in Special Education and a Master of Science degree in School Counseling.  She is a member of the California Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Team.

Treasurer
Kevin L. Scherff, CPA

Kevin Scherff has served as a Board Member since 2006.  Mr. Scherff is a California CPA and he received his BS degree in Accounting and Finance from Southern Illinois University.  Mr. Scherff has held several diversified positions in finance since 1985; including, Controller for Nestle Ice Cream Division, Case-Swayne Company and American Brake Supply among others.  Currently, he is the CFO for Staub Metals Corporation.

Board Member
Rose Marie Gallegos, Esq., CFLS

Ms. Gallegos joined SPIRITT’s Board in 2009. She received her Law degree from Western State University, Fullerton.  She is a Family Law Specialist, certified by the California State Bar, and is deeply involved with her community and various Bar Associations. Ms. Gallegos is a former President of the Southeast District Bar Association - 2008 Attorney of the Year Award. She is the current Chair of Minors Council Family Law Executive Committee, LA County Bar. She retired as a U.S. Army Reserve Officer in military intelligence.

Board Member
Layla A. Avila, M.A.

Mrs. Avila has been a valued Board Member for SPIRITT since 2004.  She serves as Vice President to The New Teacher Project (TNTP), and a member of the Board of Trustees of the South Whittier School District in Whittier, California.  Mrs. Avila obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Columbia University in 1995 and her Master of Arts degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in 1997.  She has been recognized throughout the nation for her commitment to public education, including the 56th California Assembly District’s 2009 Woman of the Year Award in Education.

Board Member
Harold W. Schieve, CPA

Mr. Schieve joined SPIRITT’s Board in 2010.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from California State University, San Jose, and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1991.  He has held various positions in the Finance and Business field. In addition to contributing his time to SPIRITT, Mr. Schieve is an active participant in the Whittier Sunrise Rotary Club International and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Board Member
Raul Avila

Mr. Avila has been a Board Member since 2000. He is President of The Avfund Group specializing in Real Estate, Mortgage and Acquisitions. He attended Don Bosco Tech and California State University, Los Angeles. He has served as President of Belvedere Rotary Club, California Association of Mortgage Professionals and Board Member of East Los Angeles YMCA. He is a former Police Reserve Officer and City Commissioner for Whittier and Monterey Park as well as a Field Representative for Congressman Martinez.

Board Member
BaoKim Coleman, Ed.D., MBA

Dr. Coleman joined the SPIRITT Board in 2011.  As both a Business Administration Professor at Whittier College and Management Consultant, he brings his wealth of business knowledge to SPIRITT Family Services. Dr. Coleman has 18 plus years of corporate management experience, having spent the majority of his career in the Automotive and Healthcare industries working for Fortune 500 companies.