Our Team

• Board of Directors
• Staff Management Team
• Leadership Committee
• 211 Coalition

Board of Directors

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Staff Management Team

John Ohanian, Chief Executive Officer
With a collaborative spirit, Mr. Ohanian brings strong experience in business, nonprofit management, and fundraising to his position as Chief Executive Officer of 211 San Diego. Mr. Ohanian began as CEO of 211 San Diego in September 2007, just three weeks prior to Firestorm2007. Since that time, Mr. Ohanian has led the 211 California effort to bring recognition and support of a 211 statewide plan from the California Public Utilities Commission and other State governmententities. Locally, Mr. Ohanian has been working with the cities of San Diego County to financially support 211. To date, more than 13 of the cities have engaged in 211 support. He has also created strong partnerships with top community organizations like Qualcomm Incorporated and Cox Communications.

Mr. Ohanian is a graduate of the University of San Diego and earned his CPA while working at KPMG Peat Marwick in San Diego. Previous to his appointment as CEO of 211 San Diego, Mr. Ohanian worked at the Alzheimer's Association - San Diego/Imperial Chapter, serving as the Vice President of Finance, Operations and Planned Giving. Before joining the Alzheimer's Association, Mr. Ohanian worked with the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation in several capacities, including Systems Consultant and Associate Director. Mr. Ohanian is a member of California Alliance of Information and Referral Services (CAIRS), the 211 California Leadership Team, and the Community Health Improvement Partners Board of Directors.

Mona Freels, Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Freels joined 211 San Diego after nine years of service with the San Diego/ImperialCounties Chapter of the American Red Cross where she held several key management positions, most recently the Preparedness Manager. Prior to working for the Red Cross, Ms. Freels held the positions of Accounting Manager and Data Manager for an Insurance Brokerage Firm. Ms. Freels brings experience with emergency call centers as well as disaster relief. Ms. Freels is no stranger to 211 San Diego; she has been on the Steering Committee since its inception. Her responsibilities at 211 San Diego include resource development and business innovation with a main focus in building partnerships with nonprofit, government, and corporate entities that create long-term and sustainable funding for211. Ms. Freels represents 211 on the Regional Taskforce on the Homeless Board of Directors, the Meeting of the Minds Steering Committee, the Veterans and Families Form of San Diego Committee, and the SNS Planning Committee. She is a dedicated member of the Chula Vista Kiwanis and the Eastlake Community Church.

Thomas Bennett, Disaster Coordinator
Mr. Bennett joined 211 San Diego as a disaster volunteer in June 2008 and has recently joined the team as the Disaster Coordinator.  As the Disaster Coordinator he is responsible for maintaining and expanding 211’s robust disaster response capabilities to address the community’s ever changing needs in disaster response information management.  Mr. Bennett retired from the Sheriff’s Department in December 2007 after 30 years of service.  A native of San Diego, he is married and a father of two.  Mr. Bennett has continued his community service following retirement by volunteering with 211 San Diego prior to his current position with the agency, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and the Alzheimer’s Association.  He is an adjunct instructor at the Regional Public Safety Center at Miramar College and is a project assistant with San Diego County Emergency Medical Services.  His experience and training in disaster management is diverse and extensive. 

Brandon Dotts, CIRS, Service Delivery Manager
Mr. Dotts joined 211 San Diego after two years as the Call Center Manager for 211 Orange County.  Prior to that,Mr. Dotts held the position of Database Manager for 211 Santa Barbara.  With over four years experience with Southern California 211 systems,Mr. Dotts brings in-depth and hands-on experience of the general and overall duties, and is looking to enhance the efficiency of 211 San Diego by studying and analyzing the current system, then recommending and implementing changes.  In addition, his duties at 211 San Diego include upgrading the current website search features to increase its user-friendly interface, and overseeing the development and improvement of the technological infrastructure to enhance 211 San Diego's ability to remain fully operable during and after potential disasters.

Claire Oksayan, Project Manager
Ms. Oksayan brings more than eight years of expertise in project managing and executive assisting to 211 San Diego. She is responsible for managing, tracking and assisting in the implementation of all projects of 211. Originally brought on board as the Executive Assistant to the CEO, Ms. Oksayan has extensive experience in executive administration activities including managing all human resources and financial components of 211, as well as playing an integral role in managing the CEO and the agency’s daily operations. Prior to working with 211 San Diego, Ms. Oksayan worked as Executive Assistant for Carmel Applied Technologies, Inc (CATI), a flight simulation software company located in Monterey, CA. Ms. Oksayan moved to San Diego in 1998, and graduated with honors from Mira Costa College where she received an Associate in Arts in Dance and Performing Arts. She is currently a board member of the Stella Nova Dance Company where she lends her financial and management experience to the mission of the organization.

Aidee Roman, CRS, Resource Center Team Lead
Ms. Roman joined 211 San Diego in June 2006 as a Resource Specialist after holding a position as an administrative assistant for the Resource Center. Before working at 211, Ms. Roman held several key temporary positions that have supplemented her experience with research, databases, and computer software applications. Her responsibilities as a Resource Specialist include the management of the resources listed in the 211 San Diego Resource Database and serving as the staff lead responsible for managing the Annual Survey of the Database, which includes updating more 1,000 agencies yearly. She is also responsible for updating and managing the HIV/AIDS focus page which includes a downloadable HIV/AIDS Resource Directory that is updated quarterly and attending community outreach events. Ms. Roman is also an active volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sister program and recently became a member of the Young Professionals Committee.

JT Simkins, Information and Technology Manager
Mr. Simkins has been with 211 San Diego since 1998. From 1998 until 2003 he served as the Associate Director of the Resource Center where his roles included maintenance of the Health & Human Services Resource Database, management of the Inform San Diego website, development and production of Directions, and other print products. Since 2003, Mr. Simkins has managed the InformationTechnology (IT) Department. His primary functions include (ongoing) development and maintenance of the IT infrastructure including both data and telephony systems, website support, data reporting and facility management. Mr. Simkins worked with the State of Utah as the Access Utah Network Manager from 1994 to 1998.

Meg Storer, Quality Assurance Manager
Ms. Storer joined 211 San Diego in 2003 after four years of service with the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) of Washington D.C. Ms. Storer simultaneously served as both the Communications Coordinator and the State Government Affairs Coordinator working with leadership staff to advocate for Federal legislation relating to the organization's mission. Prior to working with AF&PA, Ms. Storer held an executive assistant position in the Public Relations and Communications Department at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Her responsibilities at 211 include managing the organization's marketing and communications component,grant administration and reporting, and working with the CEO and COO in identifying business and resource developmentopportunities. Ms. Storer has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Journalism with an emphasis in Print Media and a minor in Ethnic Studies from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. She also has a Masters of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego, and serves as the Co-Chair of the University of San Diego's Nonprofit Leadership and Management Program Alumni Association.

Maria Valdivia, Office Coordinator
Ms. Valdivia comes to 211 with a wealth of phone center and administrative experience. Originally brought on board to 211 San Diego as an Information & Referral Specialist, she moved to Office Coordinator after showing exceptional management of phone center projects and tasks. Prior to working with 211 San Diego, Maria worked as an customer service agent with SDG&E , Cox Communications and AT&T. Her main responsibilities at 211 are assisting in the managing of everyday administrative office operations, including scheduling meetings, managing 211’s volunteer program, and assisting in managing the financial and human resources components of the agency.

William York, Service Design Manager 

Mr. York joined 211 San Diego as a disaster volunteer during Firestorm 2007, helping 211 staff connect San Diegans to critical response and recovery information. In December following the disaster, he was brought on board as an Information and Referral Specialist and now serves as 211's Service Design Manager.

Mr. York is instrumental in working with 211’s Service Delivery Team to design and build new projects and programs, as well as train staff on new and existing protocols within our agency. This includes developing training curriculums that will be used by our front line staff in disseminating information to our clients and customers.

Currently, Mr. York is the key 211 staff person responsible for managing the Food Stamps/SNAP outreach contract for San Diego, and throughout California training staff from other 211s on the importance of screening and promoting Food Stamps/SNAP to 211 clients.

Mr. York has spent extensive time training and networking with other Food Stamp experts both in San Diego and statewide. This includes training with California Association of Food Banks and monthly meetings with the Food Stamp Task Force in San Diego. Through these trainings and meetings Bill constantly strives to find ways to improve the Food Stamp Program. Through Bill’s advocacy of the Food Stamp Program, he brings awareness to everyone he comes in contact with. This awareness has proven valuable to the Food Stamp Program and can be seen through the increase in food stamp referrals given by 211 San Diego. In fiscal year 2008-09, 211 San Diego referred 9,283 possibly eligible clients to the food stamp program in San Diego County. This is compared to 4,005 clients the previous fiscal year. Already in Quarter 1 of fiscal year 2009-10, 211 San Diego has referred 4,307 clients to the food stamp program and we expect this number to be over 15,000 by the end of the year.

Mr. York is also a member of the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS) Disaster Response Team and the CDC’s- Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC ) Training team. CERC provides information that allows an individual, stakeholders, or an entire community to make the best possible decisions during a crisis emergency about their well being, and communicate those decisions, within nearly impossible time constraints, and ultimately, to accept the imperfect nature of choices as the situation evolves. 

As a member of the AIRS National Disaster Response Team, Mr. York is one of a handful of trained professionals across the nation who can establish or supplement a call center during times of disaster and provide training to the field during non-disaster times to help agencies being overwhelmed in times of public crisis.

Prior to his time with 211, Mr. York worked for more than eight years with American Express in their customer service, concierge, and fraud departments. He is also a past member of the Board of Directors of the AIDS Project in Portland, Maine and is also a current member of American Society for Training & Development. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Georgia.

Leadership Committee

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211 Coalition

Michael Bardin, Scripps Health
James Beaubeaux, San Diego County Medical Society
Peggy Beers, Mental Health Association of San Diego
Erika Black, Supervisor Pam Slater's Office
Leslie Bojorquez, Home Instead Senior Care of East County
Carol Bos, Sharp HealthCare
Susanne Boston, HHSA - Public Health Services
Jean Bruni, Employers Legal Advisors of California
Karen Butler, San Diego Police Department
Linda Cannon, County Mental Health Services
Anna Cardenas, YMCA Childcare Resource Services
Rob Carley, Area Board 13, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Sue Carter, Volunteer San Diego
Jeff Clellen, Aging and Independence Services
Shirley Cole, North County Lifeline
Terry Cunningham, County Office of AIDS Coordination
Angie DeVoss, Consultant
Missy Donnelly, Consultant
Lynn Eldred, First 5 Commission of San Diego
Mona Freels, 211 San Diego
Kristin Garrett, Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP)
Claudia Gastelum, Reach Out Project
Roben Gerson, San Diego Public Library
Stephanie Giola, Supervisor Ron Roberts' Office
Terri Gomez, County Kids Health Assurance Network
Mary Jo Grubbs, Community Volunteer
Anna Hennessy, Aging and Independence Services
Catherine Hill, League of California Cities - San Diego
Maleka Hurley, Community Health Improvement Partners
Susan Infantino, City of San Diego - Fire Communications
Barbara Jimenez, County Community Action Partnership
Mary Joyce, United Behavioral Health, Access and Crisis Line
Anna Knuth, San Diego Police Department
Joan Landguth, University of California San Diego
Deborah Lester, Regional Task Force on the Homeless
Debbie Macdonald, YMCA Chidcare Resource Services
Randall Marks, The First 5 Commission of San Diego
Debbie Marshall, Area Board 13, State Council on Developmental Disabilities
Jeannine Nash, Meals-On-Wheels Greater San Diego
Carol Neidenberg, Consumer Center for Health Education and Advocacy
Kathy Patoff, Union Bank of San Diego
Mitchell Perey, Dignified Living Choices, Inc.
Dan Petro, San Diego Police Department
Stasia Place, San Diego County Office of Emergency Services
Tracy Ream, Neighborhood Healthcare
Bettie Reinhardt, NAMI San Diego
Connie Roberts, Institute for Collaborative Partnerships
Vanessa Rodriguez, Center for Community Solutions
Rene Santiago, Health and Human Services Agency
George Scolari, Community Health Group
Shreya Shah, Community Health Improvement Partners
Meg Storer, 211 San Diego
Diane Strum, Kaiser Permanente, 211 Coalition Chair
Anne Stundahl, Information and Referral Network
Scott Suckow, Mental Health America of San Diego County
Verna Tabor, Center for Community Solutions
Sharyn Tolle, Consultant
Ofelia Valdez-Najar, Health and Human Services Agency
Jerry VanLeeuwen, City of Escondido
Milton J. Webb, County Office of AIDS Coordination
Charles Wyborney, San Diego Public Library
Judith Yates, Healthcare Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties