2021/2022 Executive Board:
President – Anthony Porter
Anthony Porter is a civil service employee for the Department of the Navy. My background in federal security and human resource procedures allow me to improve quality, access, and achievement through my customer service and attention to detail. My career has bridged the worlds of nonprofit, private sector, and government policy development and management. I currently serves as President of the La Verne San Dimas Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors. I am also a member of the Duarte Elks Lodge, servicing neighboring cities along the foothills from Duarte to La Verne. Furthermore I am currently serve on a few PTA executive board and have held many different positions. I am honored to work with an outstanding group of people who are deeply committed to the mission of LVSDEF and the students, schools, and teachers in the Bonita Unified School District. I also love to spend time with my lovely wife Kristen and my three children.
Vice President – Brittany Allison
Brittany Allison graduated top of her class from the University of La Verne with a degree in education. She went on to work as a speech and debate teacher, while pursuing her masters in education. After teaching for four years, Brittany left the classroom to became a teacher to her most important students, her children. Brittany and her husband, Thomas Allison, are raising two powerful young children, one BUSD student and a future BUSD student. Along with Thomas, Brittany helped co-found Social Justice Advocacy Project, Inc. where she has managed operations. She enjoys guest lecturing at the University of La Verne, spending time at community events with her family, and seeks to pursue partnership and collaboration in every aspect of her work.
Secretary – Selina Garcia
Selina Garcia has lived in San Dimas for 13 years. I am married and have 5 children ranging in ages 21-5 years old. I have 17 years’ experience in medical billing, coding, and medical office management. I have served in positions as a clerical medical assistant, and medical records technician. In my free time you can find me on a hike with friends and family. My true passion is to advocate and to help the children and families in our community. I am able to do so with my “Yes”. I have been a PTA executive board member on many PTA’s in San Dimas and La Verne over the last 9 years. I have been active in many ministries in my local church, and have been part of the City of San Dimas Holiday Extravaganza. I started on the foundation as an advisory member. When the position for secretary needed to be filled I knew that it would be a great fit for me. I believe in this foundation and its focus on making the maximum positive effort for everyone in the BUSD.
Treasurer – Ann Sparks
Ann Sparks went to school at CSU Fullerton for her Certification in School Business Administration, BA in Business Administration / Accounting, and MBA in Finance. I have professional experience working for the Bonita USD as the Asst Superintendent Business Services for 16 years, Los Angeles Office of Education as the Asst Director of Accounting and Procurement for 6 years, and Rowland USD and Controller for 3 years. My volunteer positions have been with the LVSDEF as Board member and Treasurer for 11 years, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for CSUF as Treasurer for 2 years.
Board Members:
Sue Johnson
Sue is a retired elementary school teacher who fell in love with the La Verne/San Dimas Educational Foundation when my students were recipients of the Perseverance Awards. As I watched the families celebrate these students’ achievements, I realized I wanted to be a part of this group. I joined the Foundation in the mid 1980’s and became a board member soon after. I love working with the community, families, and school district to do what’s best for students. My favorite LVSDEF activities include the Perseverance and Act of Kindness Awards, Teacher Mini-Grants, and new wellness programs.
Nikki Diekmann
Michelle Riddell
Jody Grenier
Vicky Maliszewski
Charleen Mejia
I am happily married to my husband, Lawrence and together we have six children; ranging from 32 years old to 9 years old. I obtained my Bachelor Degrees from Cal Poly Pomona in Sociology and English with a minor in Criminal Justice. I am a retired Law Enforcement Officer, after 27 years with the California Department of Corrections, Division of Adult Parole Operations, as a Parole Agent III. Currently, I am the Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) Council President for Bonita District, overseeing 12 PTA’s schools within the district. I hold two different PTA Executive PTA Board positions for two different schools in our District, Treasurer at Fred Ekstrand elementary and Secretary at Lone Hill Middle School. In addition, I am a member of La Verne/San Dimas Soroptimist International, a Girl Scout Troop Leader and I coach basketball for the City of La Verne Recreational program.
Afshin Kaivan-Mehr
Dr. Afshin Kaivan-Mehr, DC, of Foothill Family Chiropractic, has been helping people heal and change their lives for more than 10 years. After enduring sports injuries playing semi-professional soccer in Canada, Dr. Mehr is a living testament to the benefits of chiropractic care. His personal experience healing from chiropractic is what made him vigorously pursue his calling to become a chiropractor. Specializing in sports injury, spinal decompression and laser therapy, Dr. Mehr believes that receiving the best chiropractic maintenance treatment is vital for maintaining good health and fitness. Dr. Mehr has served as CCA’s board treasurer as well as president, treasurer and board director of CCA’s San Gabriel Valley district. In addition, he has served on the board of the La Verne Chamber of Commerce. You will also find Dr. Mehr conducting sports physical assessments for local high school teams and serving as the team doctor. Outside of the office, Dr. Mehr loves spending his time with his wife, Nina and their two children.
Casey Cox
Casey has been working with youth & families for over 25 years. My experience has been rich and wonderful from running programs in partnership with BUSD staff -to- community youth sports organizations, -to- local churches and a diverse representation of local clubs and groups like the Rotary and Chamber of Commerce. I believe that change is best chosen and navigated rather than left to chance. Thus, I coach and lead people of all ages and stages to reach for better, every day of their life. I continue to serve and support the LVSD Education Foundation for this very reason – We are striving to increase student success and assisting them in discovering their purpose through their years in the BUSD!
Ron Serven
Ron Serven is a La Verne resident of 23 years and a husband of 36 year to my wife Daniella and dad to my 17 year old Anthony. I worked for the City of San Marino for 36 years and now I am semi-retired/repurposed and living the best life that I possibly can. I am a Certified Life/Health and Wellness Coach helping others to discover their purpose and to live the life that they are destined to live and the person they are destined to be. My sweet spot is my mindfulness and meditation practice that has allowed me to discover and live in the present moment and to consciously decide how I want to experience each moment as it unfolds and to inspire others to do the same knowing that the present moment is all that is real. I also have a deep passion for experiencing nature while truly understanding and learning from what is all around us and seeing the natural beauty that we can discover within. I joined LVSDEF to continue my efforts to help and serve others and to help create a legacy of wellness within the 2 communities. As a member I look to provide passion, vision, creativity, and support to all members of the foundation and remain committed to our children and the communities they live in. My coined mantra is “Know to Grow…Grow to Know” and it serves as a reminder on the life I am living!
Chuck Coyne
Charles ‘Chuck’ Coyne and his wife have lived in San Dimas since 1992. Our daughter attended and graduated from BUSD schools. I have been on the board of LVSDEF since 2003, serving multiple terms as President, and Vice President. I’ve also been involved in the planning and production of the foundation’s annual golf tournament since the first one in 2006. I have served as a Governing Board Member of the Bonita Unified School District since 2005, also having the positions of President and Vice President multiple times. My student-oriented advocacy in the district began when our daughter was in grade school, when I was active in the school’s PTA and School Site Council. I was on the Measure C Bond Committee, as well as the Measure C Bond Oversight Committee. In the years that our daughter played softball, I worked on the board of the San Dimas Youth Softball Association. I’ve been involved with McKinley Children’s Center in San Dimas since 2017. After graduation from California State University, Fullerton, in 1976, I worked in the magazine publishing industry, and currently operate a publishing and event production company based in San Dimas.
City Council Representatives:
San Dimas – Emmett Badar
La Verne – Kash Meshal
Members:
Derek Bahmanou
Greg Palatto
Ashwin Patel
Yvonne Pena
Marianne Brennecke
