UCP's Board

UCP'S BOARD

UCP's Board of Directors is made up of a diverse and dedicated group of individuals. Some utilize UCP's services or are parents of people who utilize UCP's services. Others experience cerebral palsy or another disability. Many come to us as leaders in the business and non-profit community.

Each member has been selected because they share a passion for our mission and values. They also have the skills, time and integrity necessary to support our work, and to serve as a representative for the organization in the broader community.

PRESIDENT: JERRY HOFFERT

Jerald Hoffert joined the UCP Board in 2014. He has worked in the intellectual/developmental disabilities services industry in a financial role for two decades. He has been the Chief Finance Officer for Albertina Kerr Centers since 2006; Albertina Kerr is non-profit social services organization that provides many services similar to that of UCP. Jerry has a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Linfield College, and a Master of Business Administration degree from George Fox University.

Jerry has been a very active member of UCP’s Board, serving as Treasurer and Chairperson of Finance Committee. He currently serves on both the Finance and Investment Committees, and is also the Board President Elect.

Jerry says that he loves UCP's mission, its history and reputation in the community, and the valuable services it provides to its customers. He also admires UCP’s employees for their hard work and commitment to fulfilling our mission.

He finds the Friends Breakfast particularly meaningful each year, because the event tells the story of what UCP does (and of the lives that UCP touches) in a way that is sincere and uplifting.

VICE PRESIDENT: LORI BEIGHT, JD

Lori joined the UCP board in 2016 at the invitation of Michael Steen. They share a passion for service, a commitment to preserving the dignity and rights of people and families who experience disabilities.

What Lori loves most about UCP is that “it functions as an extended family community.” Lori also loves that “we are committed to creating a world where a disability is as little regarded as a person’s eye color… where disability is just another thing that makes us each unique and beautiful.”

Lori has enjoyed working with UCP’s Executive Director, Ann Coffey; Lori feels that Ann is a compassionate, hard-working advocate at the individual, state and national level. Lori is also proud that our particular UCP affiliate is “a forward-looking model for other chapters around the nation.”

Lori is pleased to be getting her family (a husband, a 13-year-old son, and their parents) as well as many of her friends involved in the Walk, Roll ‘n’ Run.

In her life outside of UCP, she practices law at a boutique estate planning firm called Cascade Legal Planning, LLC, which she co-founded in 2015. They counsel clients on how to protect the people and things they care about including: passing along a family business; providing for aging parents; and providing an inheritance for loved ones, including children who experience disabilities. Some of the tools they use include trusts, wills, powers of attorney, guardianships, and contracts. She feels lucky to work in a field—and a job—that she truly loves.

PETER BLASCO, MD (FAMILY SUPPORT TASK FORCE)

Dr. Peter Blasco’s first faculty position was at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he headed the clinical programs for muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and high-risk neonates.

His connection to UCP goes back to the 1980’s, when the UCP National contacted him to see if his department could assist with the issue of drooling in children with CP. This topic had been almost totally ignored in the medical community, but Dr. Blasco was able to direct several drooling-related projects. Over the next 20 years, he kept connected with UCP National, even trying at one point to start a UCP affiliate in Virginia, but it fizzled out after a couple of years.

When Dr. Blasco moved to Portland in 1999, he was asked to join the local UCP Board. He did so happily, and has spent most of the intervening years supporting the Family Support Task Force and UCP’s Family Support Conference. He also served as the leader of the Board’s now-defunct Adult CP Task Force.

Professionally, Dr. Blasco specialized in Pediatrics and subspecialized in what is known as Neurodevelopmental Disabilities; he is currently semi-retired but still teaching and seeing patients at clinics, including many families who are supported by UCP’s Family Support Department.

Dr. Blasco says that he loves “everything” about UCP, especially “the focus on family and integration into the community.” His favorite UCP moments are the open discussion times during the Family Support Conference presentations, and when he gets to see his former patients and their parents at the Walk, Roll ‘n’ Run.

DAVID BREZINSKI

Dave joined the UCP Board in 2002. He has served in several officer positions, including Board President, and Chair of the Investment Committee every year since.

In July of 2004, Dave retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) after 25 years in management consulting services. Prior to his management consulting career, Dave held management positions in two large forest products companies, and served as an Army officer in Vietnam.

He has a BS from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, and was a certified public accountant.

Dave has also served on the boards of several other organizations, including an early-stage technology company. He has been a partner in the Oregon Angel Fund for seven years, and is presently on the Board of Trustees of the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Dave has lived in Portland for over forty years but is originally from the Midwest. He enjoys underwater photography and scuba diving.

NANCY CICIRELLO, PT, MPH, EDD (BILL PORTER MEMORIAL FUND TASK FORCE CHAIR)

Nancy Cicirello, PT, MPH, EdD has been on UCP’s board since 2008. She spent one year serving as the Vice President, two years as President, and four years as Board Secretary.

She has worked in pediatric physical therapy since 1975, including working in a private outpatient clinic and a school district, and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Fiji Islands. In 2015, she retired from Pacific University, having served as a Professor in the School of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions.

Nancy takes a special interest in UCP’s work with aging individuals, especially in our Supported Employment and Supported Living Departments. She is also proud of the support UCP provides to families.

Some of Nancy’s favorite UCP memories are attending the Walk, Roll, ‘n’ Run, and listening to the always meaningful presentations at the annual Friend’s Breakfast.

JENI DAVIS

Jeni Davis joined the UCP board in September of 2019. She owns a small provider agency, New Horizons NW, LLC, which supports adults who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). She is passionate about this work, and is inspired by watching people thrive as they work towards living an independent and joyful life.

Many of her clients are customers of UCP, and she believes that UCP’s Personal Agents and Directors are the most supportive, knowledgeable and caring in the I/DD community. Over the years, she has attended several UCP’s Friends Breakfasts and the Walk, Roll and Run. She is proud that, as a board member, she will now have the opportunity to work behind the scenes at UCP.

Jeni also has over twenty years of experience working with children in special education classrooms, and adults in various settings. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her four chickens

AMY FERRELL

Amy Ferrell is a customer of UCP’s Supported Living Program, and has been on UCP’s Board of Directors since 2000. She joined our board to learn and to advocate for friends who also receive services from UCP. Each year, she takes particular pleasure in participating in the Walk, Roll ‘n’ Run, and is one of the top fundraisers for this event. She has many great memories from her time with UCP; one of her favorites is of when she and her mother finished most of the WRR route together.

Amy works for The Center for Medically Fragile Children at Providence Child Center. She is a Librarian/Aide and works alongside the nurses, helping them care for the children who live in the Center.

GRANT GUERNSEY

Grant Guernsey joined the UCP board in October of 2019.

Grant is a Commercial Real Estate Advisor at Cushman & Wakefield, and has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Oregon State University.

Grant worked with a board member (Michael Steen) at Beneficial State Bank and works in the same industry another board member (Sean Heaton). Mike invited Grant to run on the Beneficial State Bank team for WRR. As Grant says, “I knew the moment I showed up to the event, I had to get involved.”

Grant is looking forward to becoming involved in UCP’s fundraising efforts—in particular, helping UCP grow event sponsorships.

Grant says that the disabilities cause is very close to his heart. During college, he volunteered on projects to create inclusive environments for people who experience disabilities. This included building wheelchair ramps, putting on holiday themed dance parties with the ARC, and raising money through Greek system philanthropy. He also helped start the Oregon State University chapter of Best Buddies and served as their Vice President.

The summer after college, Grant was part of a team that bicycled across the country to fundraise money for people who experience disabilities. The team raised $750K, which went to support The Ability Experience, a foundation owned by Grant’s fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi

JOHN HANCOCK (BOARD RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR; MEMBER OF UCP NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

John is the current chair of the Board Recruitment Committee, and retired from Moss Adams LLP.

SEAN HEATON (TREASURER; FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR)

Sean is the current Treasurer.

Molly Holsapple

Molly is one of our newer Board members.

BRAD PARSONS (development committee chair)

Brad Parsons has an adult daughter who experiences Cerebral Palsy. Megan is a great example of how UCP assists people to live independent and fulfilling lives. She uses UCP’s Supported Living services to live in her own apartment. She’s also used our services to go camping, learn to cook and bake, and explore Portland.

Brad joined the UCP Board in 2008. Since then, he’s been a very active member of our Board, serving on the Development Committee and as its Chair; serving on the Friends Committee; and serving as Vice President and President. Currently, he is the Immediate Past President.

He says that what he loves best about UCP is the management, the staff and his fellow Board members. He also loves UCP’s commitment to assisting our clients to live full lives. His favorite UCP memory is “all of them.”

Brad is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He currently serves as a Regional Manager at Meadow Outdoor Advertising.

MICHAEL STEEN (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT; community services task force)

Michael Steen says that cerebral palsy “has been part of my life since day one, providing a certain amount of richness to embrace.” He joined UCP’s Board in 2009, and is currently UCP’s Board President. He has also served on the Community Services Task Force, Investment Committee, and Finance Committee. He also thoroughly enjoys participating in UCP’s annual Walk, Run and Roll.

Michael loves that UCP is focused on our customers, with the goal of full inclusion, and that UCP is an employer of choice in what is a very competitive industry. He is also proud of UCP’s strong reputation with the state, as well as other service providers and other UCP affiliates.

He attended Linfield College, earning a BS in Business Administration, and is currently a Portfolio Manager for Beneficial State Bank.

He says that, “I’m a bit of a health nut. Possibly this is due to having CP or possibly it is simply actually listening to Mom’s advice, but whatever motivating reason is, I’m pleased that a healthy diet (and a physically active lifestyle) has kept me able to participate in all that life has to offer.”

COLLEEN WELSH

Colleen Welsh began her relationship with UCP in 2017, when she was hired as an external consultant to facilitate the UCP Board’s annual meeting. The next year, she was asked to facilitate the Board retreat again, and became even more impressed with the passionate people and the inspiring mission. She also had the opportunity to work closely with the UCP Connections leadership team to help them manage changes due to strategic growth.

She found herself attracted to UCP because it was “both values-driven and innovative, with strong leadership.” Colleen joined the Board in 2018. Since then, she has continued to be involved in the strategic planning process; for instance, she recently facilitated several UCP customer focus groups to help the Board better understand the needs and perspectives of UCP’s clients.

Colleen says, “I love the commitment I see from every person involved with UCP to advocate for and empower people experiencing disabilities to make choices for themselves, and to live a full life.”

Her favorite UCP moment so far occurred during a “particularly chaotic and engaging customer focus group.” She says, “I remember stopping for a moment to recognize the pride in the faces of the customers who had made it to the session that day despite numerous obstacles and challenges. They were so pleased to be present and involved in sharing their ideas, and I felt privileged to be part of making that moment happen, and grateful for UCP’s commitment to this community.”

Colleen currently works for Legacy Health as a Senior Organization Development & Change Consultant, and has spent her career in similar positions in business, government and non-profit organizations. She is passionate about empowering mission-driven teams and leaders to work together to solve problems and realize their highest aspirations.

Colleen is a Portland native who enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, horse and two dogs.

JASON WERTS

Jason Werts joined the UCP Board in 2018. He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Unitus Community Credit Union and has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years. Unitus Community Credit Union has served the community since 1937, and, as a not-for-profit credit union, serves the financial needs of its members in the Pacific Northwest. Unitus is heavily invested in supporting the community through volunteerism and partnerships and has consistently been recognized as a top philanthropic companies by the Portland Business Journal.

As a new member to the board, Jason is attracted to UCP’s mission and its long-standing tradition of serving the community. He believes serving on the board is a way to serve and support UCP’s employees as well as help ensure the organization is fulfilling its commitment to the community.