Leadership

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LEADERSHIP

Jay Slauter, Executive Director

Jay Slauter joined TYD in 2002 as a Youth Opportunity (YO) program coordinator, quickly advancing to Director of Alternative Education, School Counselor and Assistant Principal. For the past six years he has served as the principal of Alternative Computerized Education (ACE) Charter High School. Before relocating to Tucson in 2002, Mr. Slauter worked in transportation as marketing manager for Southwest Airlines and vice president for Customer Sales/Service with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. He also owned a travel agency in Durango, CO. He earned a second masters degree in counseling from Adams State University before becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor and working as a therapist in the behavioral health field. He also served as project director for a U.S. Department of Labor, Welfare-to-Work program in Cortez, CO for three years.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

H. Mike Majean, President

Mike is a retired high school teacher and counselor, community college teacher and administrator who has spent his career working with youth to help them reach their education goals.

"My involvement on the Board began through working with TYD placements as a counselor. I wanted to be more involved with this successful program."

Lynda Adams, Treasurer

Lynda has served as Education director of Alternative Ed program at TYD 1990-1997; ACHS 1996-97 and three terms as TYD’s Board President. Linda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Colorado College and a Master’s Degree in Education from Chapman University. Lynda has been a Docent at the Arizona Desert Museum since 1997, a representative to ASDM Board of Trustees 2011-13; member Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents/Volunteers; Delta Gamma Fraternity; PEO;

"I am a strong proponent of the work that TYD does to encourage and facilitate education and work skills for disadvantaged and/or disaffected youth in our community. It is invigorating being part of an organization that is both deeply involved in the issues youth face in our community and innovative in its approach to solving these issues."

Lawrence T. Lucero, Secretary

Larry is the Senior Director of Government Relations and Economic Development at Tucson Electric Power Co. A former TYD Summer Youth Counselor, Larry is also a member of the Chicanos Por La Causa Southeast Advisory Board, the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance, the Tucson Metro Chamber and Industry Board of Directors, the City of Tucson Industrial Development Authority, the Arizona Mexico Commission and the Arizona Tax Research Association.

"My training in Education and my career experience in Government, Economic Development, and employment and training has revealed how much we must do to prepare today's youth for tomorrow's career opportunities. My and our responsibility is to help youth as much as possible to reach their potential."

Kirt Gardner

Kirt is a retired business manager, having spent over thirty years with Corning Inc. and 10 years with NovaNET Learning - a 9-12 computer-based distance learning program. Kirt is currently President of Imago Dei Board, a grades 5-8 private school for 80 lunch-program children.

"I have been on the TYD Board for more than 15 years. This is an exceptional 9-12 school-to-work program for children, many of whom would need a second chance."

Robert C. Wortman, Ph.D.

A former Director of Summer Youth Employment Programs, Robert is an Associate Professor of Practice teaching Language and Socio-cultural Studies at the University of Arizona. He is also on the Board of Directors for Tucson Area Reading Council and Arizona Reading Association.

Marissa Amezcua

Marissa serves as Case Manager at the Southwest Key Programs and is responsible for reunifying youth with their families. She holds an Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Pima Community College and a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in Leadership Studies & Practice from the University of Arizona.. Marissa also completed Arizona’s Science, Engineering and Math Scholars Program (ASEMS). She was nominated in 2014 for the Pima County Workforce Investment Board Youth Council’s Outstanding Youth award. In 2017, she received the Arizona’s Science, Engineering and Math Scholars Certificate of Achievement from the University of Arizona. She also participated in the 2017 Arizona Undergraduate Student Research Symposium for the presentation, “The Scientific Power of Meditation on Stress” and received a Certificate of Achievement from Pima Community College.

“I joined TYD’s After- School & Summer work program in 2011, and built a strong relationship with TYD staff and was encouraged to be a part of the leadership team and the change the organization is creating. My passion is to find ways to improve educational outcomes for underrepresented populations and promote early literacy practice and readiness in education.”

William Spalding (TYD Board only)

Biography coming soon...

View Board of Director Governance requirements
as required by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools

• • • JOIN THE BOARD • • •

If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors, or to access Board Policies,
contact TYD's administrative office at (520) 623-5843 or by email.