Key Personnel
JAMES L. WEST - President/CEO
Jim became President of Futures for Children in 1997 after serving on the Board of Directors of Futures for Children for 8 1/2 years. He is former President of Jim West Financial Group, Inc., Okom Enterprises, Inc. and former Vice President for the American Indian National Bank of Albuquerque. Jim has twenty-nine years experience in political and economic development with 104 Indian tribes and Third World nations. B.A. 1968, University of Redlands. Masters of Divinity 1971, Andover Newton Theological School. Tribal affiliation: Cheyenne. He is also a mentor.
DON MASSEY - Chief Operating Officer and FFC American Indian Store CEO
Don has been a Futures' mentor since 1992. He joined the Futures staff in 2003 to found the Futures' American Indian Store and serve as it's CEO. He has 42 years experience in retail management overseeing $300 million in annual sales. Don's management background also includes buying, merchandising, marketing, finance, shipping, and operations. He now brings his extensive skills to the position of COO with Futures for Children. Don is currently a mentor and has seen three previous mentored students through graduation and into post-secondary pursuits.
TAMERU MICHAEL - Chief Financial Officer
Tameru joined Futures in 1997 and has over 25 years experience in accounting and finance. Prior to joining Futures, he was Controller of the Ramah Navajo School Board, College of Santa Fe and Director of Business Office and Controller of Lincoln University of Missouri. He has a B.S. in accounting, 1975, and a MBA in 1982 from Lincoln University.
LINDA K. OFF, CFRE – Vice President, Development, Marketing
Linda joins Futures with more than 25 years in nonprofit development and management. A graduate of South Dakota State University with a B.A. in history and languages, Linda’s professional experience includes marketing and public relations, major gift solicitation, endowment and program campaigns, special events, board development, and nonprofit management. Prior to joining Futures, Linda was the executive director of the Johnson County Library Foundation in metropolitan Kansas City. Linda and her husbnad mentor two chilldren.
PAUL W. BROWN - Director, Program Field Services
Paul joined FFC as a Regional Coordinator in 2004. He received a B.A. in History and Secondary Education from Stony Brook University. Paul has worked as a middle and high school educator and with American Indian educational program delivery with the Cheyenne River Youth Project in South Dakota. In 2006, he served as group leader for the National Youth Leadership Council at their national training. Paul is also a Regional Coordinator for Ramah Navajo and Zuni Pueblo. He is also a mentor.
DEBBY DE LA ROSA - Director , Program Administration
With a background in corporate management, human resources and information technology, Debby joined FFC in 2006. She received a B.S. in business administration from the University of Albuquerque as well as a Human Resources Certification from the Robert O. Anderson School of Management. Debby works closely with program directors and regional coordinators to ensure successful program delivery of the Three Circles of Support. Tribal Affiliation: Jicarilla Apache. She is also a mentor.
MARLENE MELCHOR - Senior Friendship Coordinator
Marlene is responsible for managing mentor contributions and changes in mentor status and has been with Futures for Children since 1987. She helps recruit new mentors to the organization and with Youth Leadership students at the annual Youth Summits. Marlene is a parent liaison for the Santo Domingo Pueblo Head Start, and is an active Santo Domingo tribal member. Tribal affiliation: Santo Domingo Pueblo. She is also a mentor.
JAMES MCKENZIE- Regional Coordinator
James began work with FFC as a Regional Coordinator in 2003 He received his BA in History from the New Mexico State University in 2002. James is responsible for program implementation, recruiting and managing mentored/sponsored students and program volunteers. Tribal affiliation: Navajo. He is also a mentor.
APRYL C. JOE - Regional Coordinator
Apryl is a FFC Regional Coordinator. She received her BA in Sociology from Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA in May of 2006. Apryl has worked in various multiculturalism and educational programs, particularly with Native American Youth, as well as abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico and Panama. She is responsible for program implementation, recruiting and managing mentored students and community volunteers in Winslow, Holbrook, St. Michaels, Window Rock, Ft. Defiance, Navajo and Crystal. Tribal Affiliation: Navajo. She is also a mentor.
ERIC MANOLITO - Regional Coordinator
Eric began work with FFC as a Regional Coordinator in 2004. He received his BA in Native American Studies from Stanford University in 2004. Eric is responsible for program implementation, recruiting and managing mentored/sponsored students and program volunteers at the Pueblo of Santo Domingo, schools throughout Gallup, NM and the Navajo communities of Twin Lakes, "Ya ta hey", Ch'ooshgai and Tohatchi, NM. Tribal Affiliation: Navajo. He is also a mentor.
HERBERT MANHEIMER - Regional Coordinator
Herbert started work with FFC as a Regional Coordinator in 2005. He has extensive experience with education and Indian affairs, serving with the Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1997-2002. Herbert is responsible for program implementation, recruiting and managing mentored/sponsored students and program volunteers at the Chinle, Pinon, Tsaile communities and Tesuque Pueblo. Tribal Affiliation: Navajo. He is also a mentor.
SIMON TAPAHA - Regional Coordinator
Simon is a FFC regional coordinator. He received his B.S. in American Indian Studies from Arizona State University. Simon is responsible for program implementation, recruiting and managing mentored/sponsored students and community volunteers in the communties of Ganado, Sanders, Nazlini and San Felipe Pueblo. With a strong interest in working with Native youth, Simon brings his background as Behavioral Health Specialist to the job. Tribal affiliation: Navajo. He is also a mentor.
SHAYLA ROGERS - Regional Coordinator
Shayla is a FFC Regional Coordinator. She received her B.A. in History from Whittier College in Los Angeles, CA. in 2003. Shayla is responsible for program implementation, recruiting and managing mentor students and community volunteers at Hopi. Tribal affiliation: Jicarilla Apache/Rosebud Sioux.
GRAHAM THOMAS - Administrator, Development, Marketing
Graham joined Futures with 25 years experience in fundraising, marketing and public relations in 2005. Graham is a graduate of the University of Albuquerque and prior to working in the field of development spent 14 years with the BIA at the Phoenix Indian High School as a teacher of fine arts, director of entitlement programs and as the dean of students. He has an extensive background in annual funds, major gift solicitation, capital campaigns, special events, volunteer management, donor data research and tracking. He is also a mentor.
VICENTE SILVA - Director, Program Support/Information Technology
Vicente began work with FFC in 1996 as Associate Director, International Services. He became Director, Youth Leadership Development Program in 1998 and Director of Program Support/IT in 2000. Past positions included: Manager Hispanic Affairs, Burger King Corporation, Program Director KSJV, Fresno, and Field Office Director for United Farm Workers, AFL-CIO. Studied US and World Politics and Latin American History at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. Received his MBA in International Business from University of Miami, FL, 1993.
