SIERRA SERVICE PROJECT - Key Persons
Adam has a 24 year history with Sierra Service Project, stretching all the way back to his first year as a youth volunteer in Upper Lake, California in August of 2000, to five years as a summer staffer, and two as an adult volunteer. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from California State University, San Bernardino, and ten years of experience in nonprofit programming and fundraising.
Adam lives in East Sacramento with his wife Laureen, a fellow SSP veteran (they met as summer staff in 2007). They enjoy travelling, volunteering at their local church (Sacramento First UMC), and relaxing at home with their cat.
Brenda has been a long-time participant (both a teenager and an adult) and group liaison. Brenda began her SSP journey with San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church, continuing as an adult participant with Montclair UMC. Brenda is passionate about the work of SSP as a positive, life changing opportunity for participants to selflessly serve. Brenda is the Director of Administrative Services at UC Davis's Student Health Center.
Butch Henry has been a long-time volunteer at SSP's central office in Sacramento. His son is an SSP staff alumni, Greg Henry. Butch is very involved with his home church First United Methodist Church of Loomis and his son's farm in Placerville, Full Moon Farm. Butch has cycled 40 and 41 miles with the central team in honor of SSP's recent anniversaries. Thank you Butch!
Charlie Wingo has been a long-time volunteer at SSP's central office in Sacramento. Charlie has three adult children who all attended SSP during their teen years. He is very involved with his home church First United Methodist Church of Loomis. Charlie has cycled 40 and 41 miles with the central team in honor of SSP's recent anniversaries. Thank you Charlie!
Job Titles:
- Co - Convening Minister at Riverfront Church & Current Student at Wesley Theological Seminary
Job Titles:
- Adult Counselor With Camarillo United Methodist Church
- Vice Chair / Camarillo, CA
Chris is a long time adult counselor with Camarillo United Methodist Church and parent to two staff alumni.
"Getting to share SSP with my wife and our daughters has enriched our family. We have enjoyed serving together and my wife and I loved watching our daughters gain confidence when they served as volunteers and then as Construction Coordinators for SSP. Also, we own a Los Angeles-based construction services company that obtains permits and entitlements for our clients. I have been able to hire SSP staffers as employees of our company and they have been excellent, adding a positive energy and professionalism that's made our company better."
Job Titles:
- Chairman / West Covina, CA
Cindy's journey with SSP started as a family vacation. She and her husband have continued to volunteer as SSP counselors through Church of the Good Shepherd in Arcadia, CA. Cindy loves the can-do, open and loving spirit of SSP, and the collaboration, skills-building and learning explorations that the organization supports for so many. Cindy works in human resources for Tokio Marine HCC.
Job Titles:
- Co - Director of Recruitment at Wesley Theological Seminary
Job Titles:
- Recruiter at Wesley Theological Seminary
Emma Factora is a current senior at Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, California. She has volunteered with Sierra Service Project for more than 4 years! She is so excited for her second year on the board with Pravin and looking forward to welcoming Ian and Maggie <3
Job Titles:
- Secretary / Santa Monica, CA
- Senior Associate at KPMG
Greg is an Audit Senior Associate at KPMG in Los Angeles. He previously served as a youth volunteer with SSP in 2013 through 2015 with Church of the Good Shepherd UMC in Arcadia, CA.
Hank Smith joined the Wednesday morning volunteer crew in 2018. He is a Navy veteran and has lived all over the West Coast. Hank's specialty is welding, but he can make a wonderful sculpture out of wood with a chainsaw and chisel! Hank has attended SSP with his church, Point Pleasant United Methodist Church in Elk Grove, California. Thank you Hank!
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance & Administration
Jake Bailey has worked in the SSP office since February 2013. He received a Bachelor of Science in business with a focus in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in women's and gender studies with distinction from Sonoma State University. Jake attended SSP four times as a youth with the First United Methodist Church of Loomis, and volunteered for a week as a Staff-In-Training.
Job Titles:
- Director of Religious & Spiritual Life at University of the Pacific & SSP Board Alum
Maggie Gerlach is a junior in high school and has participated in SSP these last four summers with Rolling Hills UMC. This is her first year on board but second year with SSP's Youth Advisory Council. In addition to her passion for SSP, she enjoys reading, swimming, and baking.
Job Titles:
- Sacramento Program Manager
We welcomed Maximilian Rosa to the SSP team in 2023. Max's background is in implementing community empowerment initiatives and developing sustainability-focused service-learning projects for schools and nonprofits. He grew up in North Sacramento and has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from UC Santa Cruz .
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- SSP 's Executive Director, at 916 - 488 - 6441
Megan Taylor started as an intern in the SSP office in 2009. Since then she served as the Director of Programs, and transitioned into the Executive Director position in 2018.
Job Titles:
- SSP HQ Staff Member
- SSP Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Associate Distribution Engineer With the Engineers
Mike is an Associate Distribution Engineer with the Engineers and Scientists of California. He is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz holding a Bachelors degree in Legal Studies and Economics Combined. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked in the building trades. He was a youth recreation leader for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. He and his wife Amy have two sons. Mike is currently serving as the Second Vice-Chair of the Yolo County Workforce Innovation Board, a Delegate to the Sacramento Central Labor Council and the Green Party of the United States.
Job Titles:
- SSP HQ Staff Member
- SSP Board & Assistant Director of Recruitment at the DART Center
Job Titles:
- SSP HQ Staff Member
- SSP Program Manager & 2018 Leadership Academy Alum
Job Titles:
- SSP HQ Staff Member
- Director of Engagement & Impact
- SSP Director of Engagement & Impact
Veronica Russell has been with SSP HQ since 2014, though her SSP experience dates back to 2007, including youth volunteering, staff-in-training, and summer staff. She holds a B.A. in Interpersonal Communications and a minor in Religion from Pepperdine University. She is currently pursuing an M.S. in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.
Veronica enjoys travel, storytelling, languages, cooking, yoga, animals, and spending time outdoors. She is passionate about personality tests, the well-placed pun, and equitable youth and community development.
Job Titles:
- Supply Coordinator Randy Larson in Chiloquin