Jennifer Bowman, Chairman, CEO at Illada, LLC

Jennifer Bowman currently serves as a contractor for the Office of the Chief Information Officer for the United States Department of Agriculture.  She has been with the USDA for the past 8 years and has worked on many enterprise information technology application deployments like HSPD-12 and ICAM.  In 2009, Jennifer founded Illada, LLC with business partner Peter Cox.  Illada strives to improve and enrich the lives and prosperity of individuals, businesses and communities through innovative and sustainable technology solutions. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Regis University, Denver and is a native of Fort Collins, CO.

Joseph Davis, Secretary, Attorney at Sherman and Howard

Joe Davis is an attorney at Sherman & Howard L.L.C., a Denver-based law firm.  He is an associate in the Business Department, and his practice is focused in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial finance, and general corporate and securities work.  Joe also provides advice to non-profit organizations regarding governance, compliance, and policy development.  Joe holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Colorado State University.

Ken John, Executive Director/Founder of Homeless Gear

Ken John was co-owner and served as President of Promats, Inc. for 20 years until selling the company in January 2008 to “retire.”  In May of 2008 he founded Homeless Gear and serves as the full time “volunteer” Executive Director.  He has also been active on the Homeless Day Services and Overflow Night Shelter committees.  Ken graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business (marketing concentration) and a Masters in Business Administration.  He and his wife Nancy live in Fort Collins and have two children.

Teresa Kaufman, Treasurer, Associate at Dryg & Associates, CPAs, P.C.

Teresa is a CPA with eleven years of experience in public accounting specializing in individual, partnership and corporate taxation as well as tax and retirement planning.  She was on the board of directors of Partnership for Sustainability prior to happily accepting her board position with Homeless Gear.  Teresa is currently an associate at Dryg & Associates, CPAs P.C. where she prepares and also reviews complex tax returns.  Teresa enjoys spending time with her two beautiful teenage daughters. Teresa currently serves as the Treasurer of Hand Up. 

Mary Alice McComb, Vice-Chair, Professional Licensed Psychologist

Mary Alice has been in private practice for many years. Her areas of competency are forensic/violence evaluation, behavioral medicine, workplace and systems consultation, and disability adaptation. She still works part time. She comes from a family tradition of community activism. Her most recent involvements include Concerned Larimer, Pathways Past Poverty, Network of Spiritual Progressives, Homeless Day Services, Network of Northern Colorado Social Legislation, United Way Public Policy, Interfaith Immigrant Rights Coalition and Homeless Gear. She has a B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. She has lived in Fort Collins since 1969.

Sister Mary Alice Murphy, Founder, Hand Up

Sister Mary Alice Murphy, MSW, has worked in the Fort Collins Community as an advocate for the homeless for over twenty-five years.  She came to the community as Director for Catholic Charities Northern.  With the aid of numerous people in Fort Collins the Mission, a shelter for the Homeless was built.  Seeing that the homeless needed affordable housing, with a dynamic Board of Directors, Care Housing was started and now serves over two hundred low income families with safe and attractive affordable housing.  Realizing that a small infusion of cash at a critical time in a families’ life could keep a family from becoming homeless, Homelessness Prevention Initiative was started through the help of United Way, local Churches, dedicated volunteers and public and private funding.  Because there was no daytime shelter for the homeless in the city dedicated volunteers with staffing from Catholic Charities and assistance from a local church a winter day shelter was started and staff for two years.  That program through a coalition of The Murphy Center for Hope, Catholic Charities, United Way and dedicated volunteers are promoting a Homeless Day Services Initiative which will provide shelter and services for the homeless year round.

Andrew Troccoli, Environmental Health & Safety Manager

Andrew Troccoli is currently the Risk and Environmental Affairs Manager for New Belgium Brewing Company, Inc. Andrew has worked for NBB for thirteen years. Andrew has previously worked in the microelectronics-manufacturing, construction and wholesale/distribution. Andrew has also provided companies with consultation and training in the areas of occupational safety and health, environmental health and production management. Andrew Troccoli is a founding member of Hand Up, Inc. and a current board member.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health from Colorado State University. Andrew holds the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) designation from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management. He is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, the National Fire Protection Association and a member of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers.

Megan Jacobson, Lead Executive Administrator, OtterBox

Megan Jacobson is the Lead Executive Administrator at OtterBox and a Lead Ambassador for OtterCares (the philanthropic arm of OtterBox). She began working there in mid-2010. She graduated with honors from The University of Phoenix with her Bachelors of Science in Human Services Management. Megan was part of the first, original Homeless Gear Outreach team and continues to volunteer on outreach shifts. She has volunteered weekly as a night intake volunteer at Catholic Charities since January 2010, in addition to teachinga monthly Conflict Management class at Catholic Charities. Megan has also served as a committee chair for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and volunteers during the holidays with the Salvation Army.