Vice President and Board member

Darrel is a scientist with a degree in Geology and Environmental Science and an MBA in International Management and Finance. His expertise in the sciences brings a depth of knowledge to SCCSAZ which greatly compliments its mission statement. Darrel is a great collaborator who lends an enormous amount of energy to our projects. Darrel has a deep interest in our local environment and the challenges we face with littering and illegal dumping.

Darrel, who resides in Rio Rico is originally from Calgary, Canada. He is an avid hockey fan having played on the ice since his early formative years. Darrel is a resolute board member and can be found hiking our trails and scouting sites in need of cleanup.

B

Board Member

Jim is a certified professional project manager currently working with an international software company. When not working, he is an author and blogger, life coach, actor, and filmmaker. He has served on several boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of Lunenburg and is a founding Board member of the Del Shores Foundation as well as Santa Cruz County Shining AZ. His expertise in social media and his unique perspective assist greatly in bringing new ideas to our operations and approach to marketing. Jim is always ready to help with his broad background and exposure to business and marketing. Jim currently resides in Massachusetts, raising his two children on his own following the death of his spouse. Jim is edging his way westward as his two children reach adulthood. He loves the theater, music, and pursuing happiness. Jim speaks Spanish, loves Mexican food, and enjoys traveling.

BOARD MEMBER

Lupita is a native Arizonan and holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. Before her retirement she held senior level positions at some of the country’s largest banks. She was previously a board member at Museo Chicano, Phoenix. She now enjoys working part-time at the Mayo Alix School of Medicine and Science. She also serves as a parish administrator for St Joseph Maronite Catholic Church. Lupita’s contributions to SCCSAZ are unique as she blends her experience in business along with her personal knowledge of athletes needs for the outdoors including hiking/walking trails, cycling routes and mountain hikes. Lou is very engaged in SCCSAZ and especially interested in the educational programs offered to our communities. Lupita enjoys her frequent time in Santa Cruz County cycling, jogging, hiking, and visiting Nogales Sonora. Fluent in Spanish, she is an athlete, competing in 5k’s, triathlons, and other races along the western USA.  Lupita lives in Scottsdale with her three dogs and enjoys barbecuing for her friends and family.

President and Executive Director

Jessy is the founder of Santa Cruz County Shining AZ. Jessy began her career in banking as a teller. As she reached Senior Vice President status for a successful community bank, a recruiter enticed her into accepting a senior management position for an international software and consulting firm. She joined up and spent nearly two decades working and living in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico City, several Mexamerica states in the north of Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and numerous key USA financial centers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics. She graduated with distinction, in asset-based lending, from the Institute of Financial Education, Chicago Illinois. She is fluent in the Spanish language. Jessy brings passion, commitment, and expertise to SCCSAZ. She believes education is the key to changing people’s perception of littering and caring for their local environment. Jessy works closely with the Board Directors and together they share and enact ideas and action plans to tackle the litter problem in Santa Cruz County. Today, Jessy lives in Rio Rico, high above Peck Canyon where Geronimo fought one of his last battles against General Brigadier Nelson Miles and the US Calvary. She lives with her dog Rico, cat Cachí and the birding families that regularly visit to feed and water. Jessy loves horses, trail riding, working with her roses, in her orchard and tending to her herb garden.