Our Board of Directors

William Cooper
Elected Official, Santa Clarita Valley Water

Bill Cooper is a long-time water professional, having worked for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for 40 years. During that time, he held various posts, including the Water Treatment Section Manager, overseeing the operations and maintenance of all five Metropolitan Water Treatment Plants that supply about one-half of the water to the 19 million people in Southern California.

Mr. Cooper, who managed some of the largest water treatment plants in the United States, was an adjunct Professor at the College of the Canyons, teaching the Environmental Technologies Water Treatment Program.

Mr. Cooper was the inaugural President of the newly formed SCV Water Agency for two years. He served on the former CLWA Board for several years and was Board President for five years. He has served on various committees and boards and continues to Chair the Planning and Engineering Committee, which provides oversight of the Agency’s multimillion Capital Improvement Program. He is also a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency, which was chartered to develop a plan for the long-term use of our local groundwater.

Mr. Cooper now serves as the president of the Association of California Water Agencies in the Los Angeles region, representing water agencies throughout LA County. He is an active member of the American Water Works Association and the Association of California Water Agencies.

A veteran of the US Navy, Mr. Cooper served five years aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington CVS-20, including three tours of duty in Vietnam between 1965 and 1969.

An active participant in the Santa Clarita Valley community, Mr. Cooper is the Chairman of the Child & Family Center. And is also a member of the Center’s Executive, Internal, and External Affairs Committees, as well as the Investment Advisory Committee and the Fund Development Ad-Hoc Committee.

David Wong, MD, CPPS
Kaiser Permanente

David Wong, MD, CPPS, is the Physician Risk and Patient Safety Director for Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center and a prior Physician-in-Charge for the Santa Clarita Medical Offices for the past 12 years.

In addition to his patient panel and administrative duties, he is actively involved in the Santa Clarita Valley Community. Using his Certified Professional Patient Safety (CPPS) knowledge, he contributes to the Patient Care Committee for Henry Mayo Hospital and is the Vice President of the Child and Family Center.

Dr. Wong graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1990 and completed his residency after being Chief Resident at the UCLA program in 1994. Since joining Kaiser Permanente in 1994, he has worked in the Santa Clarita Valley, enjoying the community’s people and businesses.

“I believe mental health is a very important part of our community as we try to improve the health of the communities we serve. If we can provide mental health support to our children and families before they are in crisis, then their health will be in a better state. Like yin and yang, the mind affects the body, and the body affects the mind.”

Rick Garcia
Director of Communications Lee Andrews Group

Rick Garcia is the Director of Communications at Lee Andrews Group. He manages and directs the company’s internal and external crisis communications.

Mr. Garcia also supervises the <a href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_relations” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>public relations</a> staff, creates communication strategies, and serves as the key media contact for the organization. Rick provides media training and executive communications for C-suite employees and political candidates. Within his duties, Mr. Garcia writes speeches and talking points for clients in both the private and public sectors.

Before joining Lee Andrews Group, Rick was an award-winning broadcaster for over 30 years. He earned multiple Emmy awards as a news anchor at KCBS-TV and KCOP-TV and as a sports anchor/executive sports producer at KTTV. During his wide-ranging broadcasting career, he has covered everything from fires and earthquakes to political elections and several world championships by L.A.’s sports teams.

Mr. Garcia is the Child &amp; Family Center’s Board of Directors Secretary.

Aida Weinstein
Accounting Manager, Retired

Aida Weinstein is a graduate of the University of London and retired from Wesco Aircraft, where she worked for 23 years as an Accounting Manager. Since her retirement, she has focused her time volunteering for Child & Family Center and Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita, giving back to the community in which she lives and loves.

Ms. Weinstein serves as the Treasurer of the Child & Family Center Board of Directors. She has also been the past Chair of the Center’s 5K Purple Walk Awareness for Domestic Violence Fundraiser and past Co-Chair of Taste of the Town in 2024. Both fundraisers are critical to supporting the center’s services. Due to her dedication to the community, she has served in leadership roles in other nonprofit fundraisers as well.

Aida serves on the Executive and Internal Affairs Committees and the Audit Advisory and Investment Advisory Committees.

Marc Winger, EdD
Retired Superintendent, Newhall School District

Marc Winger served as superintendent of the Newhall School District from July 1997 to February 2015. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a BA degree in history and received his master’s and doctorate in education management degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.

During Winger’s tenure as superintendent, Newhall’s ten diverse elementary schools, half with large numbers of English Language Learners and impoverished students, consistently received high rankings for achievement and state and federal recognition for excellence. Winger served on the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Superintendency Council for six years and was a five-year board member for the School Employers Association of California (SEAC). In 2015, he was awarded ACSA’s highest honor, the Fred Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award. He continues to serve on the organization’s Retirement Committee. In retirement, he provides training and consulting services in California and China, coaching new superintendents, and managing social media for a statewide administrators’ association.

For eight years, while superintendent, he was identified by the area’s local newspaper as one of the “51 Most Influential People” in the Santa Clarita Valley. In 2012, he and his wife, Eileen, were recognized as “Leaders of Character” by the Bill Hart District of the Western Los Angeles County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has served on numerous city and community advisory committees. He has been involved in the Child & Family Center for over 20 years and is the Immediate Past Chair. He serves on the Executive, Internal, and External Affairs Committees and the Fund Development Ad-Hoc Committees.

Mike Berger
Senior Vice-President, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley

Mr. Berger began his career with EF Hutton & Company in 1981, the predecessor to Morgan Stanley. He is currently a Senior Vice President and Family Wealth Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Valencia, CA.

Mike has found great pleasure in giving back to the community. Over the last 40 years, he has sat on the board of many non-profit organizations, including Child & Family Center, Santa Clarita Rotary Club, SCV Chamber of Commerce, College of the Canyons Foundation, Michael Hoefflin Children’s Cancer Foundation and Barlow Respiratory Hospital. Mr. Berger was also appointed to three terms as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Santa Clarita and is a former Trustee for the College of the Canyons, which he served for over 12 years. He has been awarded the Santa Clarita Valley Man of the Year and the prestigious Silver Spur award.

Giving back has always been Mike’s priority. He has said, ‘The Santa Clarita Valley is where I launched my professional career, and my wife and I have made our home, so I’m honored to do what I can for a place that has meant so much to me.’ His contributions have significantly impacted the Santa Clarita Valley, enhancing the lives of many residents.

With a remarkable track record of over 25 years of involvement and dedication to the Center, Mike serves on the Board of Directors, Internal Affairs, Audit, Retirement, and Investment Advisory Committees.

Thomas B. Cole
Department of Economic Development, City of Santa Clarita

Tom Cole joined the City of Santa Clarita in December 2012 as a Community Development Director, where he managed the City’s Planning, Economic Development, Community Preservation and Redevelopment operations.

In July 2022, Tom became the director of the newly formed Department of Economic Development. In this position, he manages the City’s Arts and Events, Economic Development, and Transit Divisions.

Before joining the City of Santa Clarita, Tom served as Chief Operations Officer for the William S. Hart Union School District has held several local leadership roles, including: Vice President / Director of Construction at Highland Development Company; Director of Development at LNR Property; and Senior Project Manager with Newhall Land and Farming.

Tom received a bachelor’s degree in Geography, with an emphasis in Urban Planning, from California State University, Fullerton.

Tom’s deep-rooted connection to Santa Clarita is evident in his 30 years of living and working in the city. His active involvement in the community, serving in various organizations such as the Rotary Club and the YMCA boards, reflects his commitment.

Tom is a Member of the Child &amp; Family Center’s board and serves on its Internal Affairs, Audit, and Investment Planning Committees, further demonstrating his dedication to the community and the Center.

Cristy Collins-Parker
Vice President of Licensing at McFarlane Toy Company

Ms. Collins-Parker is a UCLA graduate and earne her MBA at California State University, Northridge. She holds the position of Vice President of Licensing and Development at McFarlane Toys. As a 20+ year toy industry veteran, Ms. Collins-Parker has spent her career focused on the wellness of children and families. Throughout her tenure in the toy industry, Cristy has served as a mentor to women and students as a way to “pay forward” the mentorship she received early in her career. Cristy’s desire to broaden her efforts to help others eventually led her to the Child & Family Center, where she helps support the mission and vision of the agency. Cristy also serves on the External Affairs Committee for the Center.

Kris Huber
Registered Veterinary Technician, Retired

Kris has lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for over twenty years with her husband, Mike, and they have enjoyed raising their two children in the Saugus school system. Kris is a dedicated stay-at-home mother who is involved with all their kids’ activities: academia, scouts, and all sports.

Kris and Mike’s children have now graduated college and moved on to their adult lives. Shifting gears and priorities, Kris donates and focuses on helping the community she lives in and loves. She has chosen to do so by volunteering as a Board Member at the Child & Family Center. Kris also serves on the External Affairs Committee, working to support fundraising activities for the Child & Family Center. She finds much enjoyment and satisfaction in working to support the Center by getting involved in helping the children and families that need the help and the resources that the Center provides.

When she’s not volunteering or serving on one of the various Center committees, Kris enjoys horseback riding, crafts, sewing, and gardening.

Jean LaCorte-Kiczek
Event Management, Retired

Ms. Jean LaCorte-Kiczek serves as the External Affairs Committee Chair for Child & Family Center and volunteers her time and expertise to help support the agency and various events. She is retired from The Compass Group Inc., an event management company that she founded and remained President/Owner for 28 years.

Jean moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 2015 and was immediately drawn to the Child & Family Center mission. The center’s values align with her life goals, and family has been essential to her life. Jean hopes her participation as a board member and volunteer can help change the lives of the community’s children, teens, and adults, and being a Board Member helps her give back to the community she loves.

Jean serves as the Chair of the External Affairs Committee and has co-chaired the ever-popular Taste of the Town event for several years. She works to bring much-needed funds to ensure the Center can continue serving the Santa Clarita Valley and neighboring communities. She provides her expertise in event planning for all the fundraising activities at the Center. She is also a member of the Center’s Fund Development Ad-Hoc Committee and, in conjunction with Center staff, supports the Events Planning Committee.

Jean is married and has three wonderful grandchildren with whom she enjoys spending time.

Dennis Sugasawara
Vice-President, Cardenas Legacy

Dennis Sugasawara is a long-time resident of Santa Clarita and serves as the Vice President of Cardenas Legacy Tequila, located in the Santa Clarita Valley. In addition to his accomplished Military background, Mr. Sugasawara had a previous career in the entertainment industry.

As an alumnus of Cal State University Northridge, Dennis has made a commitment to community involvement, particularly after transitioning from caring for his ailing parents. He actively serves on several Boards of Directors in the Santa Clarita Valley. He also contributes his time and effort as a member of the Soroptimist International of Greater SCV and volunteers for various local charities.

He is honored to be a Board Member of the Center, which continues to help improve the conditions of the children and families in our community. He enjoys contributing his logistics expertise to the Center’s events. Dennis also serves on the External Affairs and Investment Advisory Committees.

Di Thompson
Thompson Realty Advisors

Di Thompson has been a dedicated resident of the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) since 2000. She has been married to Jeffrey for 27 years, and together, they have raised both their daughters within the SCV community.

Di’s passion lies in facilitating families’ and individuals’ dreams of homeownership. She is a strong advocate for and educator of underserved communities on the process and benefits of creating generational wealth through homeownership. Di is an entrepreneur who has been working to establish her own real estate brand, Thompson Realty Advisors, specializing in residential and investment properties, brokered by Equity Union Real Estate.

Di is deeply committed to serving her community and was recently appointed as Commissioner on the City of Santa Clarita Parks & Recreation Commission. She is involved with the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and will serve as the 2025 Chair-Elect, where she currently sits on the Board of Directors. Additionally, Di serves as the inaugural Chair of the Black Business Council and co-chair of InfluenceHER with the Chamber.

In addition to her leadership roles, Di is an active member of various community organizations, including SCV Zonta and Soroptimists of Greater SCV. She currently co-chairs the Dream It Be It program, which provides invaluable support and resources for high school students’ college and career readiness. Through her continuous personal development and exemplary leadership, Di remains steadfast in her commitment to improving the lives of others.

Di wholeheartedly supports the mission championed by Child & Family Center. She is proud of the work and shares the Center’s commitment to the community, which aligns with her values. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Di also participates in the External Affairs Committee of the Board.