The Guidance Center Welcomes Five New Members to Its Board of Directors

LONG BEACH, Calif. – May 8, 2017 – The Guidance Center announces the growth of its Board of Directors with the addition of five new members: Steven Neal, Kris Allen, Betsy Snare, James Walsh, and Jerry Wilson.

As a nonprofit headquartered in Long Beach, The Guidance Center provides comprehensive mental health services to more than 3,000 children and parents in three clinics, local schools, and co-located partnerships throughout greater Long Beach, Compton, Lynwood, Paramount, San Pedro, and Avalon on Catalina Island. Founded in 1946, The Guidance Center is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of visionary and influential leaders from various segments of the communities The Guidance Center serves.

“We are pleased to welcome these five individuals to our Board of Directors,” said Eric Adler, Esq., chair of The Guidance Center’s Board of Directors and partner at Magee & Adler. “Their connections to the community and experience in their respective industries will be invaluable as we guide and support The Guidance Center’s important mission of leading children and families struggling with mental illness and abuse toward positive and productive futures.”

Steven Neal is a minister, activist, and policy-maker. He currently serves as the civic engagement advocate for Molina Healthcare, establishing and building strong relationships between Molina Healthcare and the community by engaging residents and raising awareness of healthcare issues and resources available to address those issues. From 2010-2014, Neal represented North Long Beach as a 9th District City Councilmember, focusing efforts on economic and social issues affecting families and neighborhoods.

“As a community advocate, I’ve seen first-hand the challenges our families face, particularly homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health,” said Neal. “Early intervention and preventative services are so important to making a difference in the lives of families and our youth. I am honored to join The Guidance Center’s Board of Directors because as an agency they are doing just that by working in our schools and throughout our community.”

Kris Allen is vice president and senior bank manager of First Bank Bixby Knolls Branch in Long Beach, and is a former board member of The Jackie Robinson YMCA in San Diego. Allen has made his mark in the community with a strong background and passion for giving back by actively volunteering with Junior Achievement for nine years, and Habitat for Humanity for nearly 17 years.

Betsy Snare recently retired after serving 25 years as a healthcare account executive with Siemens Medical Solutions, working with different healthcare organizations to improve patient care and business operations. She is passionate about supporting the Long Beach community and raising awareness of the importance of children’s mental health. As an equestrian, Snare has also volunteered with children’s horse therapy organizations.

James Walsh, a Long Beach resident of 46 years, served as a federal prosecutor in Washington D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles for 43 years before retiring recently. Before law school, Walsh graduated from Rutgers University and served in the U.S. Navy for seven years.

Jerry Wilson is currently a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice, specializing in grief and loss. He is also the clinical director of New Hope Grief Support Community in Long Beach, and on the Board of Directors for The Gestalt Therapy Institute in Los Angeles. A former educator, Wilson has lived in Long Beach for more than 30 years.

“We have an incredible Board of Directors, and I’m thrilled that these dynamic community members have joined,” said Patricia Costales, LCSW, CEO of The Guidance Center. “I’m looking forward to working with them all as The Guidance Center continues to anticipate the needs of the community and offer programs to meet them.”

The 2016-2017 Guidance Center Board of Directors includes: Chair, Eric Adler, partner, Magee & Adler, APC; Vice Chair, Ana Perez, real estate consultant; Secretary, Susan Cooper, accountant, Cooper Tax Services; Kris Allen, vice president and senior bank manager of First Bank Bixby Knolls Branch; Frank Baker, editor, The Associated Press; Tiffany Brown, EdD, assistant superintendent, School Support Services, Long Beach Unified School District; Joanna Exacoustos, language arts consultant; Nancy Foster, mental health advocate; Luis Maimoni, MS, marriage and family therapist intern; Elaine Marks, retired, LA County Probation Department; Mike Nelson, senior managing director, CBRE Consulting; Steven Neal, civic engagement advocate, Molina Healthcare; Ahmed Saafir, administrator/owner, Orange Community Care, Inc.; Tim Sailor, principal, Navigo Consulting Group; Betsy Snare, retired healthcare account executive, Siemens Medical Solutions; Jim Walsh, attorney; and Jerry Wilson, LMFT, therapist.

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About The Guidance Center

Established in 1946, The Guidance Center provides comprehensive mental health treatment to more than 3,000 children and families in the communities of Long Beach, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, San Pedro and Avalon annually. The Guidance Center offers individual, group and family therapy, crisis intervention, case management, community education and outreach, and intensive mental health treatment. Headquartered in Long Beach, The Guidance Center also has clinics in Compton and San Pedro. For more information on The Guidance Center, please visit www.tgclb.org.