VILLAGE COMMUNITY SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Senior Director of Quality for Aviation Technical Services
- Treasurer / Senior Director of Quality, Aviation Technical Services
- VCS Board of Directors As Treasurer
Jeff Cornell joined the VCS Board of Directors as Treasurer in May 2021. With a strategic mindset and professional background in aviation, he has been an incredible asset to VCS's leadership team where he has helped facilitate strategic financial goals and processes.
Jeff is a believer in the VCS mission.
"I really believe in the heroic work that VCS provides our community," he stated. "My goal is to help position VCS so that it can provide support for all folks in the community."
Jeff is currently the Senior Director of Quality for Aviation Technical Services. With more than three decades of professional experience, he holds an FAA A&P license as well as a degree from Cheyenne Aerotech.
When he's not spending quality time with his wonderful wife and three beautiful children, you can find Jeff on a river somewhere, fly fishing and enjoying life.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator / Village Music & Arts and Village Experience Learning Center
- VELC / Village Music & Arts Coordinator
Bringing more than 15 years of professional experience to her new position, Jessie Tear officially joined the management team at Village Community Services as its Village Experience Learning Center and Village Music & Arts Program Coordinator in November 2022.
In her new role, Jessie oversees all of VELC's program operations, supervision of volunteers and contractors, and outreach all while elevating VELC learning activities which are meant to help teach and grow life skills for its participants. As the new program director for Village Music & Arts, she also now manages the Voices of the Village member ensemble band, including oversight of the band's performance schedule, concerts, fundraising, public relations, and practices.
Prior to joining VCS, Jessie gained valuable experience and expertise in event production, public relations, marketing, booking, promotions, and volunteer management. She holds a bachelor's degree with a double major in Psychology and Spiritual Studies from Antioch University in Seattle.
In her free time, you can often find Jessie enjoying visual arts, primarily creating collage, drawing, painting, dancing, and singing; adventuring and traveling with friends; designing and organizing; and enjoying quality time with her family which includes her parents, sister and brother-in-law, and her four nieces and nephews.
If you have any questions about VCS or would like to learn more about how you can participate in an upcoming VELC or Voices of the Village event, please contact Jessie directly at jtear@villagecommunitysvcs.org.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
Joanie Pennington has been a VCS Board member since June 2017. She offers a wealth of professional experience and knowledge with particular expertise within the insurance, bookkeeping, and banking industries. As the Vice President of the Board, Joanie is valued for her dedication, volunteerism, and engagement with VCS's many activities and events.
Joanie was first introduced to VCS in 2015 when her sister, Carol, began utilizing the organization's Residential Supported Living services. As her sister's guardian, finding the right fit was paramount. "I remember moving [my sister] in as her new life began," adds Joanie. "I wanted the absolute best care for her, and it was obvious that VCS has fulfilled that." Joanie joined the VCS Board in 2017 in an effort to be an advocate for her sister and the other residents and staff.
Joanie has always felt that community service was important and has previously served as a Hospice volunteer; has served as Treasurer for her church as well as sitting on its Board of Education; and she has been a volunteer for ALS.
It is Joanie's hope to see VCS continue to grow and be successful, continuing to better serve its clients and bring awareness to the public of its wonderful services. It is her short-term goal to see VCS employ more people and to keep Voices of the Village going.
In her free-time, Joanie enjoys traveling, gardening, and reading. She has an older brother and sister, three adult children, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, eight grandchildren, and many relatives. She believes that family is everything and everything else is just everything else. "In my book, that says it all, and this includes the residents of VCS because they are like family to me."
After nearly a year in a Direct Support Professional role working directly with VCS clientele, Josh Bacon was appointed to the NW VISTAS Director role where he will work collaboratively with VCS and partner agencies to meet the goals of the NW VISTAs program. In doing so, Josh will be responsible for recruiting and overseeing the selection process of all new NW VISTAS and other team members with an overarching macro focus of mitigating the impact of poverty within our community.
Prior to joining VCS in the capacity of Direct Support Professional, Josh was an Aquatics Director. He maintains a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership.
In his free time, Josh enjoys playing video games and building and painting models. He is married to his wife, Caitlyn, and together, they share two cats, a ball python, and a blue tongued skink.
If you have any questions about the NW VISTAs program or would like to learn more about how you can participate as a work site or VISTA, please contact Josh directly at jbacon@villagecommunitysvcs.org.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Village Community Services Team
- Director of Employment Services
Kris Mecko has journeyed with VCS for over two decades, joining the Employment Services department in May 2000. Upon arrival, Kris held an Employment Specialist role where she worked cooperatively with clients and employers to find suitable job opportunities that would best elevate her clients, while providing on the job training, coaching, and support. Her success in this capacity made her a shoe-in for the Employment Services department manager position where she thrived and continued to grow VCS's offerings. Today, as VCS's Director of Employment Services, Kris is responsible for the department's overall quality assurance for both clients and team members, as well as for billing, accreditations, and contracts.
Pure enjoyment for her job, watching her clients grow, and working with a team of like-minded professionals has kept Kris comfortable and happy with VCS for 21 years. "I love seeing the growth in our clients as well as working with a great team that helps achieve that growth!"
In her free-time, you can find Kris spending time with her family, cooking, camping, or practicing photography. She resides with her husband and daughter.
If you have any questions about VCS or would like to learn more about our Employment Services programs, please contact Kris directly at kmecko@villagecommunitysvcs.org.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Village Community Services Team
- Executive Director of Program & Development
With more than three decades of professional experience, Michelle Dietz leads the way at Village Community Services as its Executive Director of Program & Development, a position she has held since January 2018. In partnership with VCS's Executive Director of Operations and Board of Directors, she is responsible for the organization's long-range strategic vision and the viability and stability of VCS's programs and services while providing day-to-day leadership, fiscal and operational management, ensuring public relations and social justice advocacy, and offering resource management that leverages strong relationships internally as well as with VCS's many community constituents.
Michelle joined VCS in 2007 in the capacity of Development Director/Development Executive after more than a decade of gaining related, valuable experience at Youthnet, a service-based non-profit providing growth opportunities and life skills for young adults in the foster care, juvenile justice, and alternative education systems. In her early career, Michelle served as a direct support professional, individual treatment aide, family preservation therapist, and program manager for programs serving adults and youth with developmental disabilities and mental health and/or behavioral challenges.
At VCS, Michelle worked alongside industry colleagues to secure a 23% rate increase to pay better wages and benefits throughout the supported-living industry in Washington State through legislative advocacy, including testifying to legislative committees in Olympia. Over her career, she has also raised millions of dollars in foundation and government grants, annual giving, and major gifts and bequests while overseeing a 3.5 to 4.5 million dollar annual budgets that employ 110+ staff and volunteers.
Michelle has spent countless hours and personal energy giving back to her community. She currently is an elected Board member for her local independent public radio station, 90.7 KSER.org, a position she has held since 2019. She served as a member of the Zonta Club of Everett for more than a decade, raising money and advocating for the empowerment of women, worldwide. Michelle and her team are active members of local Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Alliance Snohomish County; She is a former volunteer campaign executive for two area United Way locations; and a graduate of both Leadership Skagit and Leadership Snohomish. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Western Washington University's Fairhaven College and a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University's Institute of Public Service, where she was a Collins Leadership Fellow.
If you have any questions about VCS or would like to learn more about our programs and services, please contact Michelle directly at mdietz@villagecommunitysvcs.org.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Pharmacist and Certified Specialist in Poison Information for the Washington Poison Center
- President / Pharmacist, Washington Poison Center
Bringing with him over a decade of experience as a licensed pharmacist, Paul Cole is acutely aware of the importance for attention to detail, healthcare protocols, and service, making him an ideal addition to the VCS Board of Directors. As one of the Board's newest directors, having joined in the fall of 2021, Paul works collaboratively with fellow Board members to provide general oversight of VCS's operations, strategic direction, and community outreach.
Prior to joining the VCS Board, Paul had no affiliation with the organization. He had randomly come across the website and was immediately impressed with the VCS mission, with particular intrigue in the Village Music and Arts program. From there, he knew he wanted to get involved - and so, he did.
"I want to lend my healthcare and business knowledge and experience in whatever ways I can to benefit VCS," adds Paul.
Paul is currently a Pharmacist and Certified Specialist in Poison Information for the Washington Poison Center. He maintains a PharmD from University of Washington and is pursuing his Master of Business Administration from Eastern Washington University.
In his free-time, Paul enjoys working out, watching Seattle sports, and anything that involves food. He resides with his wife, Monica, and two dogs, Wallace and Piper.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Business Owner & Retired Burlington Northern Railroad / Ex - Officio ( Staff Positions )
Motivated by personal experience, Robert Stafford joined the VCS Board of Directors in July 2019 bringing with him more than four decades of professional management expertise and knowledge.
A New Jersey native, Bob spent nearly his entire professional career working with BNSF railroad with whom he traveled the country. He was eventually transferred by the railroad to the Pacific Northwest in January 2020 where he first became aware of VCS and its mission.
"I have one son who was in special education from age two until he graduated from high school," added Bob. "This is how I became involved with service agencies that serve people with disabilities."
Regardless of where the railroad had him living and working, which included 10 different states and British Columbia (Canada) during his tenure with BNSF, Bob always found a way to be an active community member. He served on the Boards for the Pueblo Locomotive and Rail Historical Society as well as a decade of service with Southern Colorado Disability Services.
Job Titles:
- Resource Development Director
Bringing with her more than two decades of professionally related experience in non-profit management and business development, Roula Roe joined the management team at Village Community Service as Resource Development Director in June 2023. In this capacity, she works as a member of the resource mobilization team for the implementation of the agency's resource development strategy, internal and external public relations, legislative advocacy, and other administrative functions related to public relations and outreach.
Over the years, Roula has spearheaded a broad spectrum of marketing and development campaigns working with several non-profit and for-profit entities to foster positive changes within an organization and its surrounding communities. For the past 20+ years, she has cultivated a culture of innovation to facilitate change and implement proven marketing and development systems delivering six-figure profits. For more than 15 of these years, Roula has worked within various educational, business, and non-profit sectors addressing socio-economic challenges with at-risk populations by solidifying key relationships to build awareness within local communities.
Roula attended Pitman Business College in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
In her free time, Roula can be found enjoying interior design and traveling. In the past, she has hiked the Great Wall of China, ocean kayaked three of the San Juan Islands on a 4-day excursion with her eldest sons, and RV'd for six weeks across 10 European countries. Roula also loves camping.
Roula enjoys a beautiful life with her husband of 25 years, Yul, and their two adult sons. She has family spread across the globe, including Sweden, Norway, Greece, and Canada. Roula speaks fluent Greek and some French and is currently a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.
If you have any questions about VCS or would like to learn more about how you can participate in an upcoming event, please contact Roula directly at rroe@villagecommunitysvcs.org.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Village Community Services Team
- Executive Director of Operations
Bringing with her more than 35 years of professional experience, Tami joined the VCS leadership team in May 2015 and currently serves as its Executive Director of Operations. In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of VCS's finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, facilities, corporate compliance, risk management, and administrative functions. In doing so, Tami provides detailed direction and oversight to the team as a hands-on leader, actively participating in the day-to-day operations in each of these areas.
Prior to her arrival at VCS, Tami earned valuable accounting and management experience at various area businesses, including Bayliner Marine and The Boeing Company.
Tami maintains a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance & Accounting from Central Washington University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.
In her free-time, Tami loves spending time with her husband, Jeffrey, of over 40 years as well as traveling, reading, and spending time at her cabin in Winthrop where she enjoys fishing, boating, and hiking.
If you have any questions about VCS or would like to learn more about our various services and programs, please contact Tami directly at twierman@villagecommunitysvcs.org.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Parent & Community Connections Coordinator, Arc of Snohomish County
- President of the VCS Board
Teresa "Teri" McKeehan became President of the VCS Board in November 2020 bringing with her more than five decades of professional experience. As a parent of a child living with severe autism, who is a participant in VCS's Residential Supported Living programming, she is able to offer a first-hand understanding of the complexities that parallel serving the VCS client population along with a deep appreciation and passion for the services being offered. In the capacity of Board President, Teri facilitates the Board's monthly meetings; ensures that all Board members are properly onboarded and provided with ongoing continued enrichment opportunities for training; provides the tools to ensure each Board member is capable of being successful in their respective roles; informs and leads the Board to approve and champion the strategic plan; and communicates with the Executive Directors to monitor the agency's effectiveness.