Board of Directors

The WestCare Leadership Team is committed to continuing the vision of uplifting the human spirit throughout each and every WestCare location. Through the governance of the Board of Directors and guidance of the Senior Staff, WestCare Foundation has grown into an organization in 17 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Dominican Republic, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Board of Directors

James (Jim) L. Wadhams

Chair

Jim Wadhams, attorney, primarily practices in insurance regulation, state taxation and government relations. He had an extensive career in government service in the states of Nebraska and Nevada prior to first joining the Jones Vargas firm in 1981. While serving as General Counsel for the Nebraska Department of Insurance from 1974 to 1975, Jim was responsible for direct communication with Nebraska's legislators on insurance regulatory matters. He participated with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in developing national model laws for claims practices, holding companies and title insurance. Following the next four years of public service in Nevada, Jim served as Deputy Attorney General representing the Division of Insurance, Insurance Commissioner, and Director of Commerce. While serving in these positions from 1978 through 1981, Jim overhauled the auto insurance laws, created an agency to collect unclaimed financial property and set up the state's first industrial development bond program. Since leaving government service in 1981, Jim has been active in representing individuals and businesses before the Insurance Commissioner and other state licensing officials. In the area of public finance, Jim qualified Jones Vargas as the first Nevada based law firm to be listed as qualified bond counsel. In addition to being certified as an expert in several federal and state courts, Jim has also been asked to serve on numerous governmental advisory panels. He currently is on the Property and Casualty Advisory Committee, the Life and Health Advisory Committee, the Institutional Review Board, the Title Insurance Advisory Committee and is Chairman of the Board of the Nevada Captive Insurance Association. Jim graduated from Stanford University in 1968 and The University of Nebraska School of Law in 1972. He is married to Colleen and has 5 children, Jesse, Nate, Katie, Jimmy and Danny. His hobbies include hunting, golfing, skiing and handball.

William (Bill) Ekstrom, Jr.

Vice Chair, West Region

Bill Ekstrom was born and raised in Arizona and accomplished his law degree 1973. Three years later he was offered and accepted a position with the Deputy County Attorney's office in Kingman AZ. In 1979, he was appointed to the position of Mohave County Attorney and was re-elected for six terms of office. During his last term in office, he served as the Vice Chair for the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney's Advisory Council. Bill was instrumental in beginnings victim's programs in Mohave County and in the adoption of the Victim's Bill of Rights for the State of Arizona. Over the years, Bill has been active in many professional and civic activities. In 2012 the Mohave County Bar Association presented him with the Frank X. Gordon Award for outstanding achievement in the practice of law. Bill currently is the Chair of the WestCare Arizona Board of Directors and a member of the Community Action Council. Bill has been married 25 years to his wife Dianne, and has had the joy of raising Hillary and Haydon.

Thomas (Tom) J. Walsh, II

Vice Chair, East Region

Tom Walsh received his Juris Doctor Degree Cum Laude from Stetson University College of Law in 1985. Over the course of his career, Mr. Walsh has served as Court Council for the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida. As Court Council he assisted the Judiciary with program and policy issues; was Court Liaison with the Bar and agencies; served as a Hearing Officer, Arbitrator and Staff Attorney Supervisor. He was in private practice from 1994 to 2004 as a litigator in family and civil law matters. While in private practice, he was an Adjunct Professor teaching Business Law and Legal Research and Writing. In 2004, he joined the legal staff as Assistant General Counsel for the Florida State Agency for Healthcare Administration and continues to manage and litigate facilities regulations actions and serve as an informal hearing officer. Over the course of his legal career he has been a guest lecturer at his alma mater and mediator. Mr. Walsh has served on the WestCare Foundation Board of Directors since 2004.

Dr. Mary A.Y Okada

Vice Chair, Islands Region

Dr. Mary Ann Young Okada, Ed. D., the first female president of Guam Community College, took the helm of office as President/CEO on June 18, 2007. Prior to serving as President/CEO, Dr. Okada held positions as Vice President of Financial Affairs, Controller, and General Accounting Supervisor at GCC. She has been instrumental in having the college receive, for 11 consecutive fiscal years, a qualified status as a low risk auditee, with no questionable costs or unresolved prior year audit findings. Over the years, Guam Community College has consistently been commended in the private and public sectors as one of the best financially managed organizations in the entire Government of Guam system. Dr. Okada aggressively advocates for the development and growth of career and technical education and training for Guam and the neighboring islands of Micronesia. Dr. Okada received a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix in May 2009, a Master of Science in Public Administration from the University of Guam in 1997, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Management from the University of Guam in 1988.

Doris Hope Michaux

Treasurer

Doris Hope Michaux began and finished her career in the field of social services, realizing early in her professional career that her talents and love was in providing services either directly or through others. Her managerial career began in Merced, California. When her husband in the Air Force was transferred to England, she became a volunteer on base and provided services to military dependents. Upon her return to the states, she was a manager in the Child Welfare Division in Rapid City, South Dakota. When her husband retired, she returned to Madera, California where she ran their Children’s and Adult Services. She continued to progress in the field and retired as the Assistant Director of Fresno County’s Department of Social Services. In this role, she became the only African American responsible for a large agency in the state of California. Due to her expertise, she was sought after by the California State Department of Social Services, the San Mateo Department of Social Services and the San Francisco Department of Children’s Services. Doris has served on WestCare’s Board of Directors for over forty-eight years, including thirty years representing WestCare California and sixteen years representing WestCare Georgia. She currently serves as Treasurer.

Judge Peter Szegedy-Maszak

Peter B. Szegedy-Maszak, Esquire, is a retired appellate administrative law judge. In a legal career of over thirty years, he practiced law in senior positions in both the public and private legal sectors, including service as a trial-level administrative law judge, senior legislative counsel to a former DC Mayor, senior staff attorney in the Office of the DC Corporation Counsel (now Office of the DC Attorney General), General Counsel to a variety of DC administrative agencies and Special Counsel to the Real Estate Group at the national law firm of Arnold & Porter. He has served on the faculty at the American University in Washington, DC, and Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His work on behalf of veterans includes both his service as Chairman of the Board of the Family Alliance for Veterans of America (FAVA), a multi-service organization operated by WestCare Foundation, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the WestCare Foundation and its Veterans Committee. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his public service.

William (Bill) J. Baird, III

Chair, WestCare Kentucky, Inc.; Vice Chair, WestCare Tennessee, Inc.

Bill's practice is focused on Civil Litigation, Insurance Defense and General Practice. Bill is a graduate of the University of Pikeville (1966) where he received his B.S. Degree. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 1969. He was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1969. Bill served two years as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pikeville where he serves as Vice Chair of the Board. He also serves as ·Chair of the Board of Directors for WestCare Kentucky. He serves as an Elder and teacher in his church. Bill is very active in the community. He received the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Award for Civic Contribution in 1983; the Kiwanis Citizen of the Year in I987; the Kentucky Fellowship of Christian Athlete's Volunteer of the Year in 1991; the University of Pikeville Alumni of the Year in I 995; the Rotary's Volunteer of the Year in 1996; the American College of Physicians Community Service Award in 1997. In 2005 Bill was the recipient of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill is a member of the Pike County and Kentucky Bar Associations. Bill and his wife Kaye have three married daughters and nine grandchildren.

Stewart Blanton

Chair, WestCare Texas, Inc.

Stewart Blanton is an executive coach with experience leading diverse teams in the hospitality, food, and retail industries. He has been recognized for his creativity, along with his leadership and management of operations with private entities specializing in scratch-made meals as well as corporate food purveyors such as ARAMARK, Marriott, Sodexo, and others. He has also served as a corporate trainer for the Veterans Canteen Services, a division of the Department of Veteran Affairs. Stewart earned his bachelor's in Business Administration from Austin College. He has been certified as a ServSafe Proctor and received an Executive Coaching certification from the CaPP Institute.

Stewart is an avid supporter of community-wide organizations in San Antonio, TX. He serves on the board of directors for the Ella Austin Community Center. He is also involved with the THRU Project where he was selected as Mentor of the Year, and is a Big Mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, where he was a recipient of the James L. Blair award, and the Family of the Year award by the United Way.

Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho

Vice Chair, WestCare Pacific Islands, Inc.

Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho is the Commissioner of Education and Superintendent of the Public School System for the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. He served as Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success at the University of Guam and was the executive director for the UOG AmeriCorps Volunteer Center. A steadfast community partner, he also serves as a board member of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council and is the former chair of the stakeholders subcommittee for Guam’s State Longitudinal Data System governance grant. In addition, he is an ambassador to the Service-to-School Veterans program and is a member of the Rotary eClub of Pago Bay, Guam. Lawrence is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 21 years of active duty service. He is a recipient of two Bronze Star medals, Combat Action Badge, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, and five Army Meritorious Service medals among numerous other military awards and decorations. He has held a number of command and staff positions at the company, battalion, and brigade level, to include a previous role as Battalion Commander of the 53rd Movement Control Battalion at Fort Eustis, VA and as Professor of Military Science and Leadership at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Lawrence was born and raised on Saipan, CNMI. He is an alum of the University of Guam (BS, 1997), received graduate degrees from University of Louisville (MA, 2018); Duquesne University (MA, 2007); U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (MMAS, 2009), and Drexel University (EdD, 2019). With family roots in Saipan, he and his wife, Gina Ann have three children and two grandkids.

Senator Spencer Coggs

Chair, WestCare Wisconsin, Inc.

Sen. Spencer Coggs, a former city health officer, postal worker and industrial printer, serves on the Wisconsin State Senate representing District 6 on Milwaukee's northwest side where he has been a lifelong resident. Coggs received degrees from Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. First elected to the Assembly in 1982 and running unopposed since 1986, Sen. Coggs is known as a leader in education, health care, labor relations, and criminal justice issues. He currently serves on the Senate Committees on Labor, Public Safety, and Urban Affairs, Insurance and Housing, Transportation and Elections, Education Communications Board and the Milwaukee Child Welfare Council. He is also Vice-Chair of the State Tribal Relations Committee. Sen. Coggs is a member of the State Childhood Lead Elimination Task Force sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. He established Wisconsin's first Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Abatement Program, the state's aggressive stance against lead paint poisoning affecting children. Coggs is also author of Total Prescription, or T-Rx, which would provide prescription drug discounts to approximately 1.1 million uninsured residents in Wisconsin. The program was later adopted by Gov. Doyle and named Badger Rx. Coggs serves as Vice-Chairman of the State Tribal Relations Committee and has authored several pieces of legislation relating to the interaction between the state and Indian tribes. He is also the former Chairman of the Business Opportunity Advisory Commission, and the former Chairman of the Governor's Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in Wisconsin's Criminal Justice System. Coggs sits on numerous state and local boards and committees. He is Chairman of the Board of Milwaukee Health Services Inc., one of the largest non-profit health organizations in the state, which operates the Isaac Coggs Community Health Center, and the Martin Luther King Heritage Health Center.

Debra DeBerry

Vice Chair, WestCare Georgia, Inc.

Debra E. DeBerry hails from New York City with over 25 years of experience and service in the public sector. Prior to working in the government sector, DeBerry worked at General Motors for 20 years. DeBerry began her municipal career with the Watershed Management Department for the City of Atlanta as an Environmental Compliance Engineer. Her primary responsibility was protecting the community by ensuring that hazardous material disposal met the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. She also worked in the Office of Community Affairs where addressing the needs and concerns of the community were primary functions. During her time in the Office of Community Affairs, DeBerry was tasked with comforting those experiencing loss as she did during the Atlanta Financial District Shootings. DeBerry also worked briefly in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office before her career in DeKalb County commenced in 2003 as Chief Deputy Clerk of Superior Court. In her current position as Clerk of Superior Court, DeBerry manages one hundred and six (106) employees who provide services to the citizens of the county, and she also manages an annual departmental budget of over $7 million. Since coming to DeKalb County, DeBerry has overseen the DeKalb County Jury Commission, served on the DeKalb County Juvenile Court Citizen Review Panel, was appointed to the Global Advisory Committee (GAC) reporting to United States Attorney General Eric Holder, served on the AIDS/HIV Task Force, and has been a volunteer and contributor for Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Initiative. Ms. DeBerry has also as a member of the Operations Staff for the 1996 Olympic Games and was a Goodwill Ambassador to Black College Spring Break students. DeBerry is an active member and former board member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) as well as a member and third year Mentor for the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). She served as a community liaison and advisor for WestCare Georgia since 2009, and in 2023 was named to the WestCare Board of Directors. She has also worked diligently with the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative.

Ashanti Hamilton

Vice Chair, WestCare Wisconsin, Inc.

Ashanti Hamilton is a public servant, lawyer, and educator who has dedicated his career to improving the lives of Milwaukee residents. Hamilton was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Riverside High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. He earned a full scholarship to Marquette University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in English. He then worked as a teacher at his alma mater, Riverside, and at the Milwaukee Academy of Science. Hamilton decided to pursue a law degree at Texas Southern University, where he graduated with honors. He returned to Milwaukee and worked as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, where he provided legal services to low-income clients. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Cardinal Stritch University. In 2004, Hamilton ran for the Milwaukee Common Council and won the seat for District 1, which covers the northwest side of the city. He was re-elected four times, and in 2016, he was elected by his peers as the president of the council. As a council member and president, Hamilton championed issues such as economic development, public safety, affordable housing, youth empowerment, and racial equity. He also led several initiatives, such as the Milwaukee Promise Zone, the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative, and the Black Male Achievement Advisory Council. In 2022, Hamilton resigned from the council to accept the position of director of the Office of Violence Prevention, a newly created agency that reports directly to the mayor. The office oversees the implementation of the Blueprint for Peace, a comprehensive plan to address the root causes and effects of violence in Milwaukee. The office also coordinates various programs and partnerships, such as 414LIFE, Trauma Response Initiative, Community Navigators, and Safe Zones. Hamilton has received numerous awards and recognitions for his leadership and service, such as the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award, the Milwaukee Community Journal Difference Maker Award, and the Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award.

John C. Jeppsen

Chair, WestCare Nevada, Inc.

John C. Jeppsen, attorney at Greenberg Traurig, focuses his practice on corporate and securities law, public offerings and private placements, mergers and acquisitions, and other sophisticated finance transactions. John regularly advises public companies on Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting obligations including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, stock exchange listing rules and corporate governance matters. Besides serving on the Board for WestCare Nevada, John is a member of the American Bar Association, Clark County Bar Association, and the State Bar of both Nevada and Utah. John was listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, for 2012-2013, and was recognized in "Nevada Legal Elite," Nevada Business magazine, 2009. He received his J.D. from the University of Utah-College of Law, 1991, his M.B.A. from the University of Utah, 1987, and his B.S. from Brigham Young University, 1986.

John E. Lee

Chair, WestCare Washington

John E. Lee, a Vietnam War veteran and retired Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army, was appointed director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs on November 1, 2005, by Governor Christine Gregoire. As agency director, his responsibilities include advocacy and outreach for the state’s more than 670,000 veterans and their families, as well as overseeing three veterans homes throughout the state. A native of West Virginia, Lee entered the U.S. Army in 1968, and spent the next 21 years serving in the Army’s Infantry. He served in the Republic of Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, Drill Sergeant, Fort Jackson, SC, First Sergeant in the 3-60th Infantry (Berlin Brigade), and multiple assignments as Command Sergeant Major. He finished his Army career as the Command Sergeant Major of the 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, retiring in 1990. After completing his military service, Lee entered the public sector, joining WDVA as an administrative assistant. In 1994 he was appointed as the agency Deputy Director and has served with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs for a total of 21 years. He holds three degrees, including a Masters in Health Administration. He has served on the Army Chief of Staff Retiree Council, he is the cochairman for the Fort Lewis Retiree Council, and is a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled Veterans of American, and the Association of the United States Army. Mr. Lee and his wife Tammy reside in Olympia. They have 2 adult sons, 4 grandsons, and one granddaughter.

Dr. Gary LeRoy

Chair, WestCare Ohio, Inc.

Dr. Gary Leroy is a family physician, educator, and leader who has devoted his career to serving the community of Dayton, Ohio. A native Daytonian, Leroy attended Colonel White High School, received his undergraduate (1982) and M.D. (1988) degrees from Wright State University, completed his residency at Miami Valley Hospital, and completed a fellowship at Michigan State University in 1992. He an associate professor of Family Medicine at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, and served as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions for 14 years (2008-2022). In addition, Dr. LeRoy is a practicing part time physician at Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton, and served as medical director at the East Dayton Health Center from 1998-2008. Dr. Leroy is currently the Senior Vice President of Diplomate Experience at the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), where he oversees the certification and continuing education of family physicians across the country. He is also a former president and board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the largest medical specialty organization in the U.S.

Dr. LeRoy’s major affiliations include serving on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dayton Levitt Pavilion, East End Community Center, WestCare Ohio, and The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. He is also a past board chair of The Dayton Foundation, and Hospice of Dayton. He is the Chief Medical Consultant for the City of Dayton Schools. He is also an active member of the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (Past President), and the Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society.

Dr. LeRoy is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Golden Key Honor Society-Wright State University Chapter. He has been recognized as one of America’s 50 Most Positive Physicians. Also, as the Miami Valley Family Physician of the Year, and the National Registry of Who’s Who in America. Dr. LeRoy received the Wright State University Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, the Dean’s Awarded to the Outstanding medical school graduate, a Certificate of Recognition-Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate, the American Association of Medical Colleges Humanism in Medicine Award, the Outstanding Volunteerism Award from Reach Out of Montgomery County, the Humanism in Medicine Award-Gem City Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Society, Dayton’s Top Ten African American Male Award, the National Council of Community and Justice Humanism Award, the American Medical Student Association Golden Apple Teaching Excellence Award, Greater Dayton African American Skyscraper Recognition, and both the Educator of the Year and Philanthropist of the Year awards from the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. LeRoy is also the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Award winner for African American (non-fiction) for his book Quotes From The Edge of Nowhere (2020), a collection of inspirational and motivational quotes.

Mark Mendiola

Secretary, WestCare Pacific Islands, Inc.

Vice Chair, WestCare Nevada, Inc.

Jean and Herb Tobman arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada from New Jersey in 1952, with their two small children. They were like so many others searching for the new west, new ideas, a new future, and Las Vegas welcomed them and many others. The new future included establishing a family furniture store on Main Street. The Tobman Family flourished, becoming part of the community. Their four children, like many others road their bikes to school, horses throughout the desert area and made life-long friends. Important to the family was service to their community and over 40 years ago the Tobman family assisted in establishing WestCare. Marilyn married John Moran in 1970 and they continued her family's passionate commitment to WestCare. Today, she servers on the State and National Boards of WestCare Foundation. She and her entire family continue to support WestCares mission of "Uplifting the Human Spirit". Marilyn is a well know supporter of all things Nevada. Her many years of community service has also included a Mayoral Appointment to the City Planning Commission following in her father's footsteps. During her 10 years on the commission, the commission adopted the Southwest Development Plan for Southern Nevada. When not working in the family transportation business, Western Cab Company, or supporting an important cause, you will find Marilyn and her husband John traveling and enjoying the great outdoors with their children and seven grand children.

Meet Marilyn Moran

Jeannette Quintanilla

Chair, WestCare Pacific Islands, Inc.

Jeannette M.N. Quintanilla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement from California State University, Long Beach in 1992, and her Masters of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of Guam in 1998.

Ms. Quintanilla began her career as a Juvenile Probation Officer, was promoted through the ranks, and served as the Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator for over twelve years, supervising probation officers, juvenile trackers, and treatment providers. She was later assigned to the Pre-trial Services Office and Adult Probation Office, the latter of which where she served as a Senior Probation Officer assigned to the Adult Probation Office for the Judiciary of Guam. Ms. Quintanilla is an Adjunct Instructor at the Guam Community College and has also taught at the University of Guam.

Ms. Quintanilla has been a Member of WestCare Pacific Islands Community Action Council since 2009. She has volunteered and served on several Boards and Committees, such as the JDC/Guam Chamber of Commerce Planning Committee, Guam's Red Ribbon Week Planning Committee, Micronesia Youth Services Network Board, Guam Behavioral Health, and Wellness Center (PEACE) Board, Guam Department of Education School Health Curriculum Committee, and Guam System of Care Committee. In the village community, she has been an active member of the Chalan Pago-Ordot Municipal Planning Council since 2009 and continues to commit to volunteering in the planning and implementation of capital outlay projects and supporting other projects to promote good health and wellness and strengthen the community.

Rick Ramsay

Chair, WestCare Florida, Inc.

Richard A. "Rick" Ramsay's strong desire to serve his community led him to attend the Florida Keys Institute of Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Academy class of 1987. Upon graduation Rick began his career with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office as a road patrol deputy. In 2004 he was promoted to the rank of Colonel – Undersheriff of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. While Colonel Ramsay has commanded many areas of the department during his career, he has also continued his education during that time. He attended the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy and the Southern Police Institute's Command Officers Development Course. He has also been trained in Line Supervision, Middle Management, and Crisis Management. Colonel Rick Ramsay has worked in virtually every area of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office during his almost 25 years of employment, demonstrating integrity, vision and leadership. He remains dedicated to using his skills, knowledge, and honesty for the betterment of his community.

Sammuel Sanes

Chair, Guara Bi, Inc.

Sammuel Sanes was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to St. Croix when he was two years old. Before graduating from Central High School, he was a member of the Boy Scouts, Explorers, Sea Scouts and Junior ROTC. Upon finishing school, he joined the U.S. Navy and traveled the world. After five years serving his country, he received an honorable discharge and returned to St. Croix, going to work as a civilian employee of the Navy's underwater tracking range. But after a couple of years, he realized he wanted more out of life, and to get it, he had to go back to school. He earned an associate degree in legal studies, then a bachelor's in public administration, then a master's in education. That led to his work as a manager for V.I. Behavioral Services, working with troubled youths. In 2009, he was elected Senator representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he served until 2019. Sammuel currently holds the position of Administrator in the cabinet of Governor Albert Bryan, Jr.

Jack Scharrett

Vice Chair, WestCare Minnesota, Inc.

Jack Sharrett is a proven professional and leader with a strong background in organizational leadership, strategic planning & marketing, change management, financial modeling and business development. He has worked domestically and internationally in a variety of roles from leadership in high pressure situations to business consultant during demanding times; from coach and mentor in successful businesses to change agent within resistant organizational cultures. Scharrett is a strong communicator and effective problem solver with an entrepreneurial mindset. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy (U.S.M.A.), West Point, NY June 1991, and he received a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Dec 2007. He currently serves as Manager, Business Development for ATK, Inc, where his job is to establish and coordinate business development activities for Integrated Weapons Systems for use by the US Army, US Special Operations Command, and other DOD customers. Scharrett is responsible for helping begin VICTRI, a one-of-a-kind business center providing holistic assistance to Veteran entrepreneurs, and he holds the title of Lieutenant Colonel, Commander, Strategic & Operational Planner, United States Army Reserves.

Dr. Toussaint M. Streat

Chair, WestCare California, Inc.

Vice Chair, WestCare Ohio, Inc.

Chair, WestCare Fitzhouse Enterprises, Inc.

Russell Swain is the President of GLB Insurance Group of Nevada. According to Russ, the insurance business just runs in the family. He grew up learning about insurance and the surety business from his father, Russell E. (Rusty) Swain, and was given the chance to officially join the business in 1979, when he joined George L. Brown Insurance Insurance Agency just after graduating from high school. He joined the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company as an underwriter trainee in 1981 and worked for the FFIC until 1983. Swain returned to GLB to work with his father, and he became a principal of the firm five years later in 1988. Swain became company president in 2002 and has continued to lead the agency to additional years of steady growth and a notable reputation. Swain assisted personally in the successful merger of both the Holmes Insurance group in 2000 with GLB and Atkin & Prater Insurance in 2004, which formed our current operation known now as "GLB INSURANCE GROUP OF NEVADA" founded by George L. Brown in 1941. Swain obtained his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 1997. A respected member of the insurance field, Swain served as President of the Independent Agents of Southern Nevada from 1990-91 and served as the State President of the NIIA from 2007-08, along with many other committee and service commitments in his industry. In his free time, Swain enjoys hiking, snow skiing, boating, motorcycles, bird hunting, ATV's, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Eugene (Gene) P. Walker

Emeritus

Dr. Eugene 'Gene' P. Walker represents District 9, DeKalb County Board of Education. He is a native of Thomaston, Georgia and has been a resident of DeKalb County since 1969. Dr. Walker received his Ph.D. in History from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, in 1978; a Certificate in Southern History from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1968, a Masters of Arts Degree in History at Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, in 1969; and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science at Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia, in 1958. In addition, Dr. Walker was honored with the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship at Duke University, and the Experienced Teacher Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins University. In the area of public service, Dr. Walker was elected State Senator for the 43rd Georgia Senatorial District. During that time, Dr. Walker served on the following state Senate Committees: Banking and Financial Institutions, Governmental Operations, Urban and County Affairs. Dr. Eugene Walker was the first person of color to hold the position of Majority Whip of the Georgia State Senate and also served as Chairman of the Georgia Reapportionment Committee, which is assigned once every 10 years to provide equity, fairness and projections of the State of Georgia constituency. In January 1995, Dr. Eugene Walker was appointed by Governor Zell Miller and approved by the Board of Department of Juvenile Justice as the Commissioner. He served in this capacity until April 1999 when Governor Roy Barnes appointed him to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, until December 31, 2006. Dr. Walker also belongs to and holds office in various criminal justice professional organizations, including the American Correctional Association, the Georgia Correctional Association, the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, the Parole Association of Georgia and the American Probation and Parole Association. From 2001-2009, Dr. Walker served as chairman of the Development Authority of DeKalb County, the Private Hospital Authority of DeKalb County and the Senior Residential Care Authority of DeKalb County.

Meet Dr. Eugene P. Walker

Antavius Weems

Chair, WestCare Georgia, Inc.

Attorney Weems is an Atlanta native, having graduated from G.W. Carver High School. He also earned his B.A. and Masters Degree in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law. Antavius M. Weems is managing partner of The Weems Firm, P.C., an Atlanta, Georgia based law firm bearing his name. Mr. Weems provides a variety of services with a focus on entertainment, family, and advocacy. Mr. Weems is regularly called on to comment as a legal analyst and has appeared on various major networks including ABC, CBS, FOX, and various radio programs such as V103 and WAOK. Mr. Weems has also frequently appeared in WEtv show, “Braxton Family Values” as the Braxton family Attorney. Attorney Weems has also sat as a Child Advocate Attorney with Fulton County, focusing in the area of deprivation and neglect, representing the best interest of the children that came before the court. He was an attorney with the City of Atlanta, representing the City in criminal preliminary hearings and trials. He also served as the liaison for the City Solicitor to the State Legislature, focusing on legislation that impacted the City’s legal standing in the criminal area.

Attorney Weems speaks across the country discussing diversity in the field of law and has been the recipient for various awards and honored by various publications, such as a Proclamation from the City of East Point where he serves as the First African American General Solicitor of the city and “Who’s Who” and the Fulton County Daily Report where he was named one of the “Top 40 Lawyers in Georgia.” Mr. Weems has also been named one of the “Nations Best Advocates” and a “Super Lawyer” in (2005, 2008, 2010). Attorney Weems was also selected by the National Bar Association and IMPACT as one of the “Nation’s Best Advocates; Top 40 Lawyers Under 40”. He has also been awarded a personal day, March 26th “Weems Day”, from his alma mater Michigan State University College of Law.

Attorney Weems is immensely passionate about the youth and is a leader in the community. He served as Co-Chair of the Young Lawyer Division (YLD) Judicial Liaison Committee of the State Bar of Georgia, involved in the Minorities in the Profession Committee of the YLD section the State Bar of Georgia, member of the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Georgia Alliance of African American Attorneys and Gate City Bar Association. He has served as the ninth President of The Georgia Alliance of African American Attorneys; one of the largest Bar Associations in the State. He also served as Board President of Keeping My Kids, Inc. Attorney Weems is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

David E. Youngquist

Chair, WestCare Minnesota, Inc.

David Youngquist, a 1966 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at WestPoint and a Vietnam Veteran. Mr. Youngquist served in the 25th Infantry Division from 1968-1969 as a qualified U.S. Paratrooper and Ranger. Following his military service, David received his MBA at the University of Minnesota and served as the CEO of Meyers, a large publishing, advertising and print organization. His duty to fellow servicemen and servicewomen continues and is evident in his unceasing yearning to provide quality services to those who have served this great country.

Board of Directors