Our Board

The Central Valley Community Foundation board of directors, a distinguished group of civic leaders, represents the diverse public interests in the San Joaquin Valley region. As individuals, they give unselfishly of their own time and expertise without compensation. Together, they help to identify emerging issues and ensure that the Foundation’s programs are both effective and accountable.
Rod Thornton

Rod Thornton

Board & Investment Committee Chair

Meet the Board Chair

Rodney E. Thornton [Rod] is a Senior Financial Services Representative and former Regional Managing Director for Principal Financial Group. Rod entered the financial services industry in 1972 in Cleveland Ohio and moved to Fresno in 1982. Since 1982 Rod’s Fresno office has been recognized as Principal’s top firm nationally on four occasions and Rod has been inducted into Principal’s Hall Of Fame for his service.

His professional qualifications include a BS in accounting from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Chartered Life Underwriter [CLU], Chartered Financial Consultant [ChFC], Accredited Estate Planner [AEP], and Retirement Income Certified Professional [RICP] designations and in addition Rod is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow. Rod has been actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Financial Planning Association, the Fresno Estate Planning Council, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers where he has served on the Board of Directors and as President. His community Involvement has included the California State University, Fresno Craig School of Business- Business Associate, the Saint Agnes Hospital Foundation, and Hinds Hospice Board of Directors.

Rod is married to Lucia and has a daughter Christy. Rod enjoys family time, golf, boating, and any outdoor activity.

Alan Pierrot

Alan Pierrot

Chair Emeritus

Diego Arambula

Diego Arambula

Mark Cullers

Mark Cullers

Vivian Velasco Paz

Vivian Velasco Paz

Audit Committee & Program Review Committee Chair

Mas Masumoto

Mas Masumoto

Craig Fourchy

Craig Fourchy

Asset Committee Chair

J.P. Shamshoian

J.P. Shamshoian

Doug Morgan

Doug Morgan

Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair

Brandon Esraelian

Brandon Esraelian

Pastor D.J. Criner

Pastor D.J. Criner

Misty Her

Misty Her

Justin Vartanian

Justin Vartanian

Jolene Telles

Jolene Telles

Jim Maxwell

Jim Maxwell

Oliver Baines

Oliver Baines

Paul Gibson

Paul Gibson

Maria Lemus

Maria Lemus

Desrie van Putten

Desrie van Putten

Emeritus Board

Angie Cisneros • William M. Lyles • Chris Rogers
Morton G. Rosenstein • O. James Woodward III

Past Board Members

Carole Andersen • Susan Abundis • Hon. Donald R. Franson Jr. • Kenneth Fransen • Tim Rios • Michael Adams, M.D. • Dan Foley • Hon. Armando Rodriguez • Judy Ganulin • Chris Rogers • William J. Anderson III • Hilliard Giffen • Paul Asperger • Price Giffen • T. Newton Russell • Lynne Ayers-Ashbeck, M.S., R.D. • Richard V. Gunner • Rudy Savala • Armen Bacon • James Hallowell • Donald J. Schafer • Larry Balakian • Carole Harris • Gerald Slater • Desa C. Belyea • Marla Hartman • Louis “Dewey” Slater • C.J. Peter Bennett • Lynn D. Hemink, Ph.D. • Gloria Smith • John Blossom, M.D. • Ray C. Steele Jr. • William Boggs • Hon. Brad Hill • Mariam Stepanian • Shirley A. Brinker • Fausto Hinojosa, CPA, CFE • Malcom H. Stewart • Marilyn Brown • John E. Horstmann, Sr. • John S. Stoughton • Carol Brylka • Jeanette Ishii • Gerald L. Tahajian • Carol R. Chandler • Jeffrey A. Jaech, Esq. • Harold V. Thompson • Robert Jennings • Patricia Tom • Vernon M. Crowder • David Johnson • Elaine Trevino • Walter Cucuk • Rosellen Kershaw • Valerie Vuicich • Carol Dau • Harry Kubo • Allysunn Walker-Williams • Jamie Davidson • Hon. Annette LaRue • Joe Williams • William Lucido • Arthur N. Wint, J.D. • Robert E. Duncan • O. James Woodward III • Octavia Diener • O.J. Woodward • Joan Eaton • Kendall L. Manock • Houa Wa Yang • Lewis S. Eaton • Virginia Meux • Jose A. Elgorriaga • Hon. Robert H. Oliver • Lowell Firstenberger • Donald R. Fischbach • Arlynne Patton • Susan Fisher • Leon S. Peters