Meet Our Board Members and Staff

BOARD PRESIDENT

Dr. John is an expert in Optimal Performance Training. He also offers Neuro-Leadership training, which utilizes brain science to enhance leadership skills. Additionally, he serves as an Abundance Mentor for high-performance executives, sales teams, athletes, and organizations.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Russell G. Albright has over 40 years of legal experience and is licensed to practice law in both California and Oklahoma. His firm, Albright Law, focuses on representing non-profit organizations, business entities, and entrepreneurs. They assist with both the formation and ongoing legal compliance of these entities. Estate planning is another area of particular expertise for the firm.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Melissa Hoffman's love of sport began at an early age when she first competed in wheelchair track and field events while still in grade school. This passion for sport was reignited when she was introduced to wheelchair tennis in 2014. Since then, she has competed regularly in tennis tournaments across the country, most recently achieving a semi-finalist finish in singles and a finalist finish in doubles at the San Diego District Championships. Melissa is dedicated to fostering sport as a way for athletes of all abilities to realize their deepest potential and meaningfully connect with others in their pursuit of excellence.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tami, a local business owner with her husband Andy, has a special needs daughter named Tali. Tali works with Tami to ensure she gets to her activities. Tami also serves as the Vice President of the TCGNOrg in Palm Springs, her neighborhood.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sam served as President and CEO of a human resources and employee relations consulting firm. The firm provided professional services to client organizations across various industries, including education, finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.

Sam's extensive community involvement includes work with organizations such as the New York/Long Island American Jewish Committee, the L.I. Congressional Committee, Dowling College, the American Bankers Association, the Greater Westbury Arts Council, the Coachella Valley Jewish Family Service, the Joslyn Center, the Desert AIDS Project, the Mental Health Task Force, and the College of the Desert.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

William Rogers was diagnosed in his 20s with late onset type 1 diabetes. In 2003, he lost vision in his left eye and now has minimal vision in his right eye. In 2016, he became a kidney/pancreas transplant recipient and is also a right leg below the knee amputee. Will has brothers and sisters who love cycling and make it possible for him to feel free.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jordi Sabaté-Llorca, an Orthotist/Prosthetist serving the Coachella Valley since 2019, works with a variety of patients experiencing limb loss, physical disabilities, and other mobility impairments. He holds a master's degree from Loma Linda University and is a Southern California native.

BOARD SECRETARY

Oanh "Kim" Vuong was born in Vietnam in 1974 and came to the U.S. in 1980. Since childhood, cerebral palsy has presented challenges for Kim in many everyday activities, from walking on the beach to speaking to a group. Nevertheless, she earned a degree in women's studies from Santa Ana College and embarked on a career helping other people with disabilities lead fuller lives. For the past nine years, Kim has worked at the Tichenor Clinic in Long Beach, co-developing life skills classes for teenagers with disabilities. She also is a member of the city of Long Beach's Citizen Advisory Commission on disabilities, where she has advocated for installing beach mats to enable disabled residents to use the city's beaches. In 2021, she received the Disabled Resources Center's Jerry Stein Memorial Independent Living Award, recognizing volunteer and professional achievement and promoting disability awareness.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jamie Barton is a former corporate executive in the entertainment industry. She is also the former Owner/Chief Instructor of Fem Defend Personal Safety Training for Women & Girls, a passion project which began in the mid 80’s, where she instructed private and group classes. Jamie held valuable “Lunch & Learns,” and instructed for the YWCA, the Girl Scouts, and for the Burbank Unified School District. She has helped agencies and non-profits, such as the L.A. Food Bank, the Los Angeles Downtown Women’s Shelter, and the Renal Support Network. Jamie served as a member of the Management Board for the Strong Women Alliance, and was a Board Member and Vocational Speaker Chair for the American Business Women’s Association. Jamie holds a graduate certificate from the Burbank Police Department’s Community Academy and, fun fact, she was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune and The Price Is Right.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Leslie Deason, Vice President and General Manager for the Berger Foundation Iceplex, Acrisure Arena, and Coachella Valley Firebirds, is responsible for developing strategies, executing programs, and supervising all management at the Iceplex.

Deason has leveraged her 30 years of experience in sports and entertainment, managing and consulting for multiple facilities across the country and internationally. She has also directed and coached hockey and elite figure skaters, achieving certifications as a PSA Triple Master rated coach, Level VI International figure skating coach, and USFS technical specialist. Utilizing this expertise, she has implemented numerous events across the country, including USA hockey tournaments, US Figure Skating National and International championships, Ice Shows, and Special Olympics Winter Games.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Courtney Doussett provides leadership for Norco College as the Dean of Instruction, overseeing the School of Natural Sciences, Health & Kinesiology, and the School of Math, Engineering, Computer Science & Game Development.

Dr. Doussett holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology from California Baptist University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from California State University at San Bernardino.

She brings 13 years of experience in the community college classroom to the table. Previously, as a professor of Kinesiology at College of the Desert, she served as Department Chair, Outcomes & Assessment Chair, and a Curriculum Committee member. Notably, she played a key role in developing the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at the college.

Prior to Norco College, Dr. Doussett served as the Dean of Health Science & Education at College of the Desert and Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics at Santa Ana College.

Her passion for adapted sports and recreation stems from her early work at College of the Desert, where she met Mike. She has since expanded this passion by hosting an adaptive sports fair at Santa Ana College and a Boccia tournament.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Steve Ellyson, a Baltimore native and National Merit Scholar, earned his Ph.D. in Social Psychology at 24. After a successful teaching career across the US, he 'unretired' to join the faculty at CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus. A lifelong volunteer, Steve's passion for service extends from tutoring underprivileged youth to officiating high-level basketball games and supporting various Coachella Valley organizations.

ADVISORY BOARD

Wes Hall has worked with non-profits since 1990, starting out at the YMCA. He advanced to director at YMCA of the Triangle Area, where he developed Aquatic and Operation Guidelines. He retired from full-time work to pursue adaptive sports. He started as a volunteer kayak instructor at Bridge II Sports progressing to Director of Programs. Wes has worked on the American Canoe Association’s committee to develop their Advance Communication Endorsement to train instructors how to teach people with visual, hearing, and speech impediments.

ADVISORY BOARD

James McRitchie retired after decades of regulating industry as an executive at Cal/EPA. Since 1995, he has helped make companies more responsible and democratic using the proxy power of shareholders. Jim has testified before the SEC and other government bodies and is a frequent commentator on corporate governance in the financial press.

ADVISORY BOARD

Jim Rothblatt has worked in the field of prevention education and student support services for 42 years. He is a consultant and the owner of Redleaf Resources, which provides the Brief Risk Reduction Interview and Intervention Model, Student Assistance Program, training and technical assistance to school and mental health systems. He is a Vietnam War veteran and helped develop and provide PTSD and disability support services for Coachella Valley veterans and their families. He is at his best when hiking or riding his bicycle.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/FOUNDER

Michael brings more than 35 years of experience in the non-profit and municipal sectors to his role as Executive Director. He began his journey working with people with disability in 2009 when he lived in India and then Nepal through 2016. Michael has coached wheelchair bball at the collegiate level at the University of Arizona, where he was an assistant coach with the women’s team. He has also coached youth and adults. Michael is a Level II Certified Archery instructor and coaches boccia, tennis, pickleball and numerous other adapted sports. He possesses an MBA and an MA in Sociology.

BOOK KEEPER

Heather earned her accounting degree from California State University, Fresno. She has worked in the public and non-profit sectors and has volunteered at several Desert Sands Unified School District schools, including Palm Desert High School, since 2009. She started working for SoCal Adaptive Sports in November 2022.

PROGRAM MANAGER/COACH

Joe earned his BA from Jackson State University, where he majored in Mass Communication. Joe is an avid fan of all sports, whether coaching, playing, or watching. He has been involved with some type of team sport since the age of 6. His background includes coaching girls travel fast-pitch softball, high school softball, and travel basketball. Joe is comfortable coaching athletes of all abilities. His love of coaching allows him to teach life lessons through sports.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

My name is Tyler and I grew up surfing. That has been my favorite thing to do. I really enjoy being around the water. I also like to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy learning about new hobbies and other people’s interests. My favorite movie of all time is The Sandlot.

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Karla, a dreamer, pursued her education in the US with resilience, earning a BA in Art Practice from UC Berkeley. She actively participated in undocumented programs, navigating the challenges of being an undocumented student while excelling academically despite having no citizenship. Her firsthand experiences in these programs deepened her understanding of the importance of inclusivity and equity in education. Her alignment with the mission of SoCal Adaptive Sports showcases her dedication to breaking barriers and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.