 |
|
To read a staff member's bio, click on their name below Bruce Weiss, David Arzola, Jeff Berry, Bill Farrand, Brad McLaughlin, Rhett Lindsay, Joe Benjamin, Kevin Bernal, Anthony Galloway, Jennifer Grimes, Lorraine Hayes, Brian Johnson, Juan José López, Bradley Mazzie, Jason McVicker, Billy Minshall, Charlotte Moore, Jessie Mott, Sue Saltmarsh, James Spiven, CADC Louis Spraggins, Enid Vázquez, Paul Wiemerslage, |
Contact Information Bruce Weiss, Executive Director Recipient of the 2006 Capital Pride Hero Award honoring LGBT leaders, Weiss has provided leadership to the HIV/AIDS community in Washington, D.C. for more than a decade. He served for several years as the Executive Director of SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Action League), overseeing major growth in their programs, staffing, and funding. He later became the Director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern Virginia, a community health clinic focused on HIV and LGBT health care. Most recently, he was Director of Community Health at D.C.’s Whitman-Walker Clinic. Weiss has an exceptional knowledge of fundraising, board development, and programmatic activities, and holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, and a graduate certificate in non-profit management from Georgetown University. “I feel very fortunate to be joining such a vibrant organization; Chicago is a great city and the TPAN staff, board of directors, and volunteers inspired me with their energy and passion the moment I walked through the front door. It is a remarkable organization providing important HIV prevention and care services.” David Arzola, Director of Finance and Operations David joined TPAN July 2009, coming from a consulting position at the Alliance of Chicago Community Health Services, LLC. Prior to that he was the Controller at Howard Brown Health Center for 8 ½ years working in all aspects of Finance for the center. He also held the position of Accountant for the Make A Wish Foundation of Northern Illinois for 3 ½ years. He recently received the “Friend for Life” award from Howard Brown Health Center at their 2009 Gala. David is excited for the future of TPAN and looks forward to helping with the continued success of TPAN’s amazing work and programs. Jeff Berry, Director of Publications Jeff has been a member of TPAN since 1990 and began working as a volunteer in July of 1992. He joined the staff in November of that year as production assistant for Positively Aware magazine. He went on to oversee advertising and distribution of Positively Aware, and served as webmaster for the agency’s website for five years. He was appointed Interim Editor of Positively Aware in September 2004, and promoted to Director of Publications and Editor of Positively Aware in April of 2005. He was the first recipient of the TPAN Award of Excellence in 2003. Jeff moved to Chicago in 1981 from his hometown of Ada, Michigan, outside of Grand Rapids. Working many years in Chicago as a club DJ, he was awarded Gay Chicago’s DJ of the Year in 1990. He attended Michigan State University, and received a B.A. in 1991 from Columbia College, Chicago. Jeff is an active member of the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC) and currently co-chair of ATAC’s Drug Development Committee. He is a speaker and presenter for various community educational forums and panels. He has contributed to several other HIV-related publications and websites, including The Body. Jeff tested positive in 1989, and credits his continued good health to his family, Stephen, his partner in life, friends, working at TPAN, and a sense of humor. Bill Farrand, Director of Client Services Bill joined TPAN in January of 2007, coming from an executive position with a large regional financial institution. At TPAN, he has held the positions of Service Directory Coordinator, Prevention Manager, Director of Programs, and Interim Executive Director and has written for Positively Aware. A native of Springfield, IL, he lived in New York City and San Francisco before settling in Chicago in 1998. Here he has been active with the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, where he served as a board member and treasurer in 2002-2003, as well as with Windy City Performing Arts and the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association. Bill holds B.F.A. in Drama from Illinois Wesleyan University and an M.A. in Community Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. Brad McLaughlin, Director of Development Brad joined TPAN officially in October 2008, after serving in the capacity of Development consultant prior to that. He’s been involved in not-for-profit management since 2000, and has worked in the areas of board development and fundraising with Boards of Directors in many types of non-profit ventures. Brad also has more than 25 years of management and marketing experience in the Fortune 500 environment. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Marketing and Management. In his professional career, Brad has lived in New York City, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Portland. He loves Chicago the most and hopes never to leave. Why does he work at TPAN? His passion for the organization comes not only from the commitment to being alive evinced by TPAN clients, but also from staff, many of whom are HIV-positive themselves, delivering unparalleled compassionate care to others. Rhett Lindsay, Associate Director of Communications and Special Events Rhett Lindsay came to Chicago in 2000 after graduating with a Bachelors degree in Public Relations from West Virginia University. Since his arrival in the Windy City, he has served as trade show coordinator for H.H. Backer Associates, Inc., account executive for Publicis Dialog, and coordinator of orientation programs Columbia College Chicago. Rhett joined TPAN in August 2006, just four weeks before the Aware Affair Gala, a fitting initiation into TPAN’s Development Department. In addition to planning and executing TPAN’s fundraising events, Rhett served for two years as Director of Chicago’s award-winning Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps, a campy, all-male, rifle precision drill troupe that performs, often in drag, for Chicago’s LGBT events (www.rotcchicago.org). You might recognize his unique name from the book/movie “Gone With The Wind” character Rhett Butler. His first name, Ashley, is also derived from another male character in the book, Ashley Wilkes. His family, friends and co-workers call him Rhett, Ashley, Ashley Rhett, or Scarlett. Joe Benjamin, Psychosocial Coordinator Joe has been working in HIV services for six years, beginning as an HIV case manager and eventually becoming a peer counselor for clients on such topics as treatment adherence, sexual risk reduction, disclosure, and overall coping with HIV. He has facilitated several education groups for people recently diagnosed with HIV and has experience in behavioral research related to HIV, having worked on a CDC study looking at the effectiveness of peer counseling on medication adherence and overall health maintenance. His counseling and group facilitation experience moved him to the training field where, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health, he helped develop and facilitate trainings on Prevention for Positives across the state of Illinois. His passion, helping people live well with HIV, has led him to his current role as TPAN’s Psychosocial Coordinator. Kevin Bernal, Medical Case Manager Kevin relocated to Chicago from California in 1989 after being transferred by a large telecommunications company. After working in the finance department there for about 10 years he decided to start playing music for a living and became a DJ here in Chicago playing at a few of the popular nightclubs. Kevin joined TPAN in February 2007 as a Prevention Outreach worker and is currently the Medical Case Manager. He hopes that his experience and his support will encourage others in his community to get tested regularly, to know their HIV status, and to give those that do test positive assistance and hope for a healthy future. Anthony Galloway, Prevention Coordinator Anthony, a native of East St. Louis, IL served as President of St. Louis Black Pride from 2003-2006, Vice President for Pride St. Louis, 2007, and is a long-time advocate for sexual minorities and people of color. He is passionate about his work in the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In 2004, at the age of 23, Anthony was nationally recognized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, for creating change in his community. This was one of his proudest moments. Anthony has worked in sexual health and HIV education for nine years, working for Blacks Assisting Blacks Against AIDS and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region. He credits both organizations with being a part of his professional growth. In October of 2007, Anthony decided to leave St. Louis to pursue a new life in Chicago. He is ecstatic about his new role at TPAN and looks forward to the possibilities. Anthony is also a crazy Janet Jackson fan. Jennifer Grimes, Evaluations & Outcomes Manager Jennie joined TPAN in the summer of 2006 having been involved in HIV activities since 1995. Jennie has worked in a variety of HIV medical, policy, and volunteer settings across the country, including Los Angeles, New York City, Washington D.C., and Denver. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Race & Ethnic Studies from the University of Redlands, in southern California, in 2002 and later received her Master's in Sociology with an emphasis in health care disparities from DePaul University in 2003. In her free time, Jennie enjoys walking her miniature dachshund named Weiner, participating in civil disobedience and HIV advocacy, watching sports and running. Since joining TPAN, Jennie has held the positions of Psychosocial Coordinator, Buddy Program Coordinator, Data Evaluations Coordinator and Client Services Manager. Lorraine Hayes, Supportive Services Case Manager After being raised in Evanston, IL, Lorraine moved to Washington, D.C. to attend college at Howard University. After graduation, she relocated to Los Angeles and worked in development for several film production companies including Diana Ross’ Anaid Films and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment. In 2002, Lorraine moved back to the Chicago area to complete her Master’s Degree in Community Counseling at Northeastern Illinois University. She has been active in Chicago’s HIV community for several years, having done volunteer work for BeHIV and AIDS Foundation of Chicago. In August 2009, Lorraine joined TPAN as the Supportive Services Case Manager and is also working as a group and individual counselor for the POWER Department’s Holistic Health Recovery Program. Brian Johnson, Directory, Distribution and Data Coordinator. Brian coordinates the distribution of Positively Aware magazine and the Annual Drug Guide and is responsible for compiling the listings in the annual Illinois HIV Services Directory. In 2008 he joined TPAN serving as Facilities Coordinator. He is very excited to be taking on this new role, and he is thrilled to be part of an agency, and its publications, that has the power to inform and inspire so many people. Juan José López, Prevention Outreach Juan José López graduated cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University in May 2008 with a B.A. in Social Work. José, as he likes to be called, first came to TPAN as an intern in August 2007 and, enjoying himself so much, decided to work at TPAN. José began his HIV/AIDS career working for Minority Outreach Intervention Project as an outreach worker in 2000 and 2001, then becoming a group facilitator in 2002. Much of José’s experience comes from volunteering. José has and continues to volunteer at various organizations such as Horizons, Howard Brown, A.L.M.A., El Valor, Project Vida, University of Illinois at Chicago, and George Washington University in Washington D.C. These volunteer experiences range from tutoring children in math to participating in and conducting research projects. And yes, Jose even has volunteered at TPAN. Jose is currently an active member of the Northside Health Coalition and the HIV Prevention Planning Group. In addition to his work and volunteer experiences, José is bi-lingual, speaking both English and Spanish. José also knows sign-language and will be entering a program to become certified as a sign-language interpreter. Bradley Mazzie, Website Administrator Brad came to TPAN through Loyola University's community based Work Study program. He is currently a full-time student at Loyola working on his degree in Social Psychology with a Minor in Business Management. After graduation he expects to pursue a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Brad's technical experience comes from years of working independently as a website designer/administrator for other non-profit organizations and small businesses here in Chicago and in the Los Angeles area. He also gained a great deal of valuable GLBT Community experience from years of working as General Manager and professional DJ at a local nightclub. Jason McVicker, Clinical Supervisor Jason is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and registered dual disorder professional with more than 15 years of experience in a variety of settings. He is the former Director of Mental Health Services at Center on Halsted, the largest LGBT community center in the Midwest. He worked previously as Program Supervisor at Chicago House and School for Social Service Administration. He is a former Master Practitioner Instructor at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration (SSA), where he also earned his MSW degree. Jason currently serves as a Core Field Consultant for the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is a member of the advisory board for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology's Latino Studies Program. He is an adjunct faculty member at Jane Addams School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago and SSA. He maintains a clinical and consulting practice in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Billy Minshall, Treatment Education Coordinator Billy began as a volunteer with TPAN in the fall of 2005. During this time, he attended TEAM (Treatment Education Adherence Management), TPAN’s intensive week-long HIV course. Upon completion, he worked briefly in distribution for Positively Aware before taking a job as a Health Educator at Cook County Jail, where he worked for nearly two years. He has happily returned to TPAN to work in treatment education with people whom he considers to be extended family. In addition to his TEAM duties, Billy writes a blog (BillyBlog) at positivelyaware.com and is a freelance columnist for Gay Chicago magazine. Diagnosed positive in 1996, Billy is no stranger to the daily challenges of being an HIV survivor. Through compassion and personal experience, he hopes to eradicate some of the stigma that continues to surround HIV. Charlotte Moore, POWER Program Manager Charlotte has been in social services for over 19 years, with the bulk of her work in substance abuse treatment and mental health. She has spent the last three years teaching Master’s level students in the Counseling Program at Argosy University. She obtained her Master’s in Counseling from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, where she is currently completing her dissertation for a Doctoral degree in Counseling Supervision and Education. Charlotte is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Addictions Counselor and holds several other specialty certifications in substance abuse and mental health treatment. She joined TPAN in May of 2009 and is very happy to be working here and helping the substance abuse program to exceed its expectations. Jessie Mott, Advertising and Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator Jessie joined TPAN’s Development and Publications teams in October 2009, bringing a range of experience in non-profit resource development, including foundation and corporate giving, grant-writing and special events. Jessie has held various Development positions at organizations such as BEHIV, in Chicago, and Urban Pathways, Inc., in New York City. Originally from New York, Jessie moved to Chicago in 2006 and pursued an MFA at Northwestern University in the department of Art Theory & Practice. She holds an undergraduate degree from New York University in Studio Art and Psychology. Sue Saltmarsh, Editorial Assistant Before working in the HIV/AIDS field, Sue experienced non-profit life in the Arts. (Her parents still wonder why she can’t seem to find a job that pays well.) Since coming to Chicago in 1980 to attend the DePaul/Goodman School of Drama, she has worked costuming film, theatre, opera, and dance. For nine years, she toured the globe as the first Wardrobe Supervisor for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. For those who believe that “life on tour” is a glamorous adventure, she rolls her eyes. After several unsatisfactory personal experiences with allopathic medicine, she combined her spiritual quest with a growing interest in herbal and natural healing and, in 1991, migrated to New Mexico to attend the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. Upon her certification as a clinical herbalist, she returned to Chicago and worked for three years as an herbalist at the AIDS Alternative Health Project and from 1993 - 2005 as herbalist, energy worker and ear candler at Project Vida. Sue began a new chapter in her job life, coming to TPAN in 2004, first as an Administrative Assistant, then Office Manager/Executive Assistant and then as Project Manager, coordinating the expansion of TPAN into the new space at 5541 Broadway. Always an avid reader and writer, Sue is now thrilled to have moved from the facilities/operations side of TPAN to work as Editorial Assistant for Positively Aware, where she can allow her alter-ego, The Word Nazi, to assist her as she searches relentlessly for misplaced apostrophes and less-than-perfect syntax in the articles published in PA. She is also learning (in her 50’s) to navigate the inscrutable world of cyberspace, compiling the weekly E-updates and posting long-winded (but hopefully entertaining and/or thought-provoking) entries on her blog (under EarthMother) at www.positivelyaware.com. James Spiven, CADC, POWER Group Facilitator James Spiven is an Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). James was born and raised in the small town of Warren, Ohio. He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School, and went on to attend Kent State University, Kent Ohio, and Central State University in Wilberforce Ohio, where he starred in baseball. James had further aspirations as a ball player until his addictive lifestyle took control of his life. After struggling with his addiction for the better part of his adult life, James finally eaned on his religios faith and determination to turn his life around. James has been working in the field of Mental Health, and Substance Abuse for 10 years, first for the Ohio Mental Health and Retardation Board, as Project Coordinator of Outreach Program. Later James relocated to Chicago, were he began working at Haymarket Center. There he received his certification as an alcohol and drug counselor. James is currently in the last year of his work toward achieving a BA degree. Louis Spraggins, Treatment Education Coordinator Louis, born and raised in Chicago, has been working diligently in the HIV/AIDS struggle since 1993 when he was first recruited as a Youth Case Manager for African American pregnant and/or parenting teens in Chicago’s south side community. In this role, and many others since, Louis has shared information in workshops at grammar and high schools, churches, street corners anywhere else he could reach people at risk for HIV infection or already infected and trying to navigate through unfamiliar and often uncomfortable territory. Louis learned of his HIV-positive status in 2001, but didn’t allow it to stop or slow his efforts. If anything, this new awareness pushed him to work harder. In May of 2003, Louis moved into more direct care as a Preventive Health Consultant. As such, he provided intensive client-centered counseling, case management, and education for HIV-infected and affected young African American men who have sex with other men throughout the south and west side communities of Chicago. From 2003 to 2005, Louis attended the African American HIV University at the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, where he feels he gained “extensive knowledge in the science of HIV and how to better share this knowledge with others, especially black folks.” Louis is a welcome addition to TPAN’s staff, the TEAM Program and the Pfizer ConnectHIV Project. Enid Vázquez, Associate Editor Enid Vázquez is associate editor of Positively Aware. She is HIV-negative and a single mom to a cuddly orange purr ball who walked in off the street, Marmalade. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Paul Wiemerslage, LSW, Medical Case Manager A Chicago native, Paul has been involved in the HIV community and LGBTQ activism since the early 90s. He received his Bachelors degree in Theatre Arts at Eastern Illinois University, and spent time performing in and around Chicago. You may remember him from such plays as “Cannibal Cheerleaders on Crack,” and such short films as “Doggnapp'd.” After realizing he enjoyed such things as food and money, he decided upon a career change. He is a graduate of the Jane Addams College of Social Work at UIC, where he received his Masters degree with an emphasis on mental health. He spent his internships providing case management and psychotherapy services at Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House, and the Howard Brown Health Center. Paul is truly excited to be a part of TPAN, and is pleased to be able to continue his dedication to the HIV and LGBTQ communities. Paul is owned by a spoiled rotten rat terrier named Rory, and is obsessed with lousy movies. Do not get him started talking about “The Giant Claw” or anything featuring zombies. Derek Worley, Education Manager Derek came to Chicago from New York City in 1996, where he made his living in the New York theatre. In NYC, he was actively involved with GMHC and various other political and community organizations. Upon arriving in Chicago, and wanting to leave the theatrical industry, he began volunteering for TPAN in his spare time. Derek was impressed by the organization's ability to serve diverse populations of the community and still retain the feeling of a true “grass-roots” organization. With his first staff position he created a “back-to-work” program to place HIV-positive people in jobs with HIV-sensitive companies. He has since worked as a hotline counselor, testing coordinator, and. is currently the TEAM Manager, coordinating all educational efforts. |
|
|
