Fresno Regional Foundation

Meet our board

The Fresno Regional Foundation board of directors, a distinguished group of civic leaders, represents the diverse public interests in the San Joaquin Valley region. As individuals, they give unselfishly of their own time and expertise without compensation. Together, they help to identify emerging issues and ensure that the Foundation’s programs are both effective and accountable.

Involved community leaders

William Lucido, Chair

Bill and Betsy Lucido have been blessed with four beautiful daughters and eight grandchildren. They agree, “the Central Valley has been a great place to raise a family,” and have always been involved in their faith community and the community at large. Bill graduated from Fresno State University, Fresno and served his country for 30 years in the California Air National Guard/United States Air Force. For the past decade, Bill has served as the development director and the communications director for the Diocese of Fresno. Bill’s goal in serving on the Fresno Regional Foundation board is to promote philanthropy in the Central Valley.

Fausto Hinojosa, CPA, CFE, Secretary

Fausto has worked professionally in the accounting field since graduating from California State University, Fresno in 1990. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1994 and a shareholder with Price, Paige & Company in 1997. He is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and currently directs all audit and forensic consulting engagements for Price, Paige & Company. His practice is limited to nonprofit and governmental auditing, and to fraud investigation and litigation support services. In addition, Fausto is an adjunct professor at Fresno Pacific University and teaches the Principles of Auditing course. Fausto's areas of audit expertise include: promises to give for major fundraising campaigns, grant and contract administration/compliance, computer-based financial systems, and internal controls. Fausto is a frequent lecturer to the California Society of CPAs and other professional organizations, business and civic groups on preventative fraud measures, the application of current audit and accounting pronouncements, and the unique audit requirements for federal award programs under the Single Audit Act.

Don Schafer

A native, life-time resident of Fresno, Don graduated from CSU Fresno and the Graduate School for Savings and Loans at Indiana University. For more than twenty years he was an executive in the savings and loan industry and was president of Financial Savings from 1985 to 1990. A successful entrepreneur, he is currently vice president of MJ Construction, vice president of Mission Homes, vice president of Adobe Financial Corporation and president of Schafer Associates. Mr. Schafer is a self-avowed philanthropist whose principals of social entrepreneurship reflect not only his business success, but his generosity. His numerous community service activities include volunteer work with CSUF, Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Alice have two children.

Desa C. Belyea

A native of Fresno, Desa Belyea has spent most of her career in the newspaper business beginning with her first job at age 16 as a reporter for the Sanger Herald during summer vacation. After graduating from CSU, Fresno, she moved to San Francisco to do public relations for CARE (Cooperative for American Remittances to Everywhere). She returned to Fresno to assume responsibility for the Women's Section of The Fresno Bee and was instrumental in realigning The Bee's resources to better serve the diverse population and changing demographics of the region. She was the first woman to hold the position of assistant managing editor at The Bee and was responsible for the newsroom's strategic planning. In 1995, Desa and her husband, the late George Belyea, established the George and Desa Belyea Charitable Trust to be administrated through the Fresno Regional Foundation, "because Fresno had been good to us and we wanted to do something good for Fresno." Now retired, Desa divides her time between Fresno and San Francisco.

Angie Cisneros

Angie has a long and distinguished career in public service. She received an associate's degree in liberal arts from Fresno City College and a B.A. and a M.S.W. from CSU Fresno, where she served as the Coordinator of the Office of Reentry Programs until her retirement in 2002.  She has previously served on the Boards of the Fresno Zoological Society, Central California Blood Center, and the Fresno Metropolitan Projects Authority.  She has received numerous honors including Top Professional Woman of the Year, Outstanding Service to the Community by the CA Attorney General, and two Distinguished Alumnus Awards from Fresno City College and the Community Colleges League of California.  There are few segments of our community who have not benefited from Angie’s commitment to serving the people of Fresno.

Walter Cucuk

As a civic leader, Mr. Cucuk has served on many boards and contributed his time, talent and treasure to this community. He has been a commissioner of the California Air National Guard and the Selective Service System since 1992. As former president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, he continues to serve on that board of directors. He has been president or chair of the following organizations: Sanger Lions Club, Sanger Unified School District board of trustees, Fresno County Planning Commission and the Fresno County and City Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Council. Walt has dedicated time to the Fresno District Fair and as a Little League baseball coach. Mr. Cucuk was recently elected to his second term of office on the Fresno Regional Foundation board of directors.

Joan Eaton

A fourth generation Fresnan, Joan is proud to be carrying on the Guarantee tradition started by her grandfather in 1919. Joan is owner/broker of Guarantee Real Estate and Home Loans, along with her husband and business partner, Paul Gibson. These companies employ over 500 associates and staff in 16 offices, providing real estate services to homeowners throughout the central San Joaquin Valley. Joan was away from Fresno for several years earning a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.A. and M.B.A. from UCLA. She and Paul returned to Fresno to start a family, which now includes three lovely daughters. In addition to her board position with Fresno Regional Foundation, Joan has served as a trustee for St. Agnes Medical Center, a director of the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County, trustee emeritus of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum, and she currently serves on the board of the Great Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.

James Hallowell

James learned early in life the value of philanthropy through his father’s example of generosity and concern for others. A lifetime resident of the San Joaquin Valley, James graduated from Clovis High School and CSU Fresno. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Coke for 50 years. They worked hard to raise a family and build a business, the Hallowell Chevrolet Company. Together they dedicated years of service and financial support to many organizations that serve the betterment of the community. As leading philanthropists in our region, Coke and James continue their good works and set a standard for philanthropic giving that inspire others to do likewise.

Hon. Brad R. Hill

Judge Hill received a B.S. in business administration, an M.B.A from CSU Fresno and his J.D. degree from University of California, Hastings College of Law. He specialized in civil litigation with McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte & Carruth before his appointment to the Municipal Court in 1991 by Governor Deukmejian. This was followed by the appointment to the Superior Court in 1998 by Governor Wilson, and in 2006 Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Judge Hill to the Court of Appeals, Fifth Appellate District. Judge Hill's service includes work with the following: Judicial Council of California, California Facilities Transitional Task Force, California Judicial Education Program, Fresno County Court Facilities Foundation board of directors, California Judge's Association and Hastings College of Law Alumni board of directors.

Jeanette Ishii

Jeanette Ishii serves as the Economic Development Coordinator for the County of Fresno. She is responsible for economic development throughout the county working with the Cities, the Economic Development Corporation, the Workforce Investment Board and other stakeholders. She is also responsible for Managing the Fresno County Regional Enterprise Zone which covers 14 cities providing tax credits and other incentives for businesses.

Prior to assuming her new responsibilities, Jeanette served as Assistant County Administrative Officer for the County of Fresno for five years. She was responsible for operations and legislation for the County. Jeanette has also served as the Executive Director of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno and the Director of Development for the College of Social Sciences at the University. In her work at the Maddy Institute she worked with the Great Valley Center to cosponsor the Great Valley Leadership Institute. Jeanette's passion for business played an important part in her life as she served as the President and owner of San Joaquin Valley Farms, Inc.

On a personal level, Jeanette is happily married to the Honorable Anthony W. Ishii, Chief Judge of the United States District Court, Eastern District, California. Together they have one son, Michael Ishii. Michael is a student at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jeff Jaech, Esq.,

Jeff Jaech brings to the Foundation his many years of experience as a trusts and estates attorney with Fresno’s Baker, Manock & Jensen, PC, where he is also the managing partner. Jeff serves as a member of the executive committee of the California State Bar’s Trusts & Estates Section. He recently completed a 13-year term on the board of Fresno Area Crime Stoppers, including about four years as chair. Jeff is married to Rebecca, and they have two sons and a daughter.

William M. Lyles, Emeritus Member

Recognized as a leader in the building industry, William Lyles is a pillar in the Central Valley. Bill has served in many local, state, and national organizations. He has been on local boards, including Fresno Regional Foundation, the National Association of General Contractors, Fresno Economic Development Corp, California State Chamber of Commerce, Valley Public Television, California State University, Fresno Foundation, and many others.

Bill has been a strong voice for educational institutions in the region, such as California State University, Fresno, the San Joaquin College of Law, community colleges, and public schools. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and served in the U.S. Navy Civilian Engineering Corps.

Chris Rogers, Emeritus Member

Chris has a distinguished record of community service, including her years as a board member of Fresno Regional Foundation, where she presided as chairman of the board in 1985. In recognition of her immense contribution to philanthropy, Chris is the first member to be elected as an emeritus board member. She has a lifetime of good works, including: president, Junior League of Fresno; president, San Joaquin Valley Town Hall; board member, Association for Mentally Retarded; board member, United Way of Fresno; president, Holiday Guild, Valley Children’s Hospital. A native of Madera, Chris received both her B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University. She has been married to William Rogers for 52 years and they have two children and three grandchildren.

Morton G. Rosenstein, Emeritus Member

Dr. Rosenstein is a retired OB/GYN who practiced for 40 years in Fresno. Since his retirement, Mort served as Interim Executive Director at the Fresno Regional Foundation and served three terms as Board Chair. Additionally, he was on our 2008 Grants Committee and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Committee. Mort served on the Fresno County Grand Jury and was Foreman. He has served on many local boards, including Focus Forward and Exceptional Parents Unlimited.

Mort was the recipient of the 2009 Floyd Poore Memorial Award from Comprehensive Youth Services and is a recognized leader in the Central Valley. Mort trained at Fresno County General Hospital, is a Fellow of the Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is also a Diplomate of the College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Ray Steele, Jr.

Ray retired as publisher of The Fresno Bee after working 45 years in the media business. Ray grew up in Fresno County and received his bachelor of arts degree from California State University, Fresno. He was recognized by the University in 2005 as its outstanding alumnus of the College of Arts and Humanities and was the first inductee into the Mass Communication and Journalism Department's Hall of Fame. Ray serves on the board of directors of the Fresno State Foundation and two privately held companies. He has served on boards of various community organizations, including the Fresno Greater Area Chamber of Commerce, the Fresno Business Council and the Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County. He and his wife, Mary Lou, have two grown daughters and five grandchildren, all of whom live in the Fresno area.

Mariam Stepanian

Mariam is president and general manager for Valley Public Radio. She was born in Selma, raised in Fresno, and graduated from California State University, Fresno. Mariam began her career writing grants for the Marjoree Mason Center, and in 1980, began her tenure at Valley Public Radio (VPR) where she worked as development director and station manager before she became president and general manager.

Mariam was honored to be invited to join the Foundation’s board of directors. “Never before have I connected with so many interesting and interested individuals. I have watched this foundation for years, and I believe what once was a small quiet community foundation is now ready to become a vital resource for the community. Fresno Regional Foundation, like VPR, is about changing the quality of life. These things appeal to my heart and intellect.”

When Mariam wants to have fun, she enjoys hot-air ballooning, entertaining, gardening and sharing time with her family. Sometimes, you can even see her on the back of her husband’s Harley.

Arthur N. Wint, J.D.

Arthur is a professor of criminology and coordinator of the peace and conflict studies program at CSU Fresno. He received his doctor of jurisprudence at the University of Washington, School of Law and a B.A. from Washington State University. Professor Wint serves on the board of the Fresno Victim Offenders Reconciliation Program (VORP) and is a VORP mediator. In addition has served on the Ethics Committee of the Children’s Hospital Central California and the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Commission. He is currently serving as visiting scholar at the Fresno Pacific University Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies. In his commitment to public service, he also served for five years as a Fresno Police Department chaplain. 

O. James Woodward III, Emeritus Member

The second trustee to be elevated to board member emeritus, James follows in the footsteps of his father who was a founding board member of Fresno Regional Foundation. Currently a counsel with Baker, Manock, & Jensen, Attorneys at Law, James received his B.A. at the University of California, Berkeley, an M.B.A. from Stanford University and his J.D. from University of California School of Law. A long-time community activist and philanthropist, James serves on many boards including CSU Fresno Foundation, Fresno Historical Society and Saint Agnes Medical Center Foundation. James served as a captain in the U. S. Army and artillery. He and his wife, Judith, have four children.

Dewey Slater

Dewey was born and raised in Fresno and he and his brother are the third generation owners of the Slater Furniture Company. Owning and operating a family business has allowed him to continue a family tradition of community involvement. His father Gerald served on the first Fresno Regional Foundation board. He has had the opportunity to serve in leadership positions in many local business and charitable organizations. He has also had a long and active membership in the Rotary Club of Fresno and Temple Beth Israel serving as president of both. Dewey graduated from Fresno High School and received a BS in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. He is married to the former Marie Campopiano and they have two grown children.

 

Neighborhood Market Program

Volunteers help supervise the children as clients visit the Community Food Bank’s Neighborhood Market program. This food distribution program delivers fresh produce and other healthy staples to destitute areas of Fresno, Madera and Kings Counties. Since its launch in March 2008, the program has distributed more than 1 million pounds of food in more than 30 locations. Thank you to the Fresno Regional Foundation for awarding a $10,000 human services grant to support this important work!

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