BRONSON NAAB
BOARD CHAIR
Bronson is a commercial real estate lending professional at National Bank of Arizona and graduate of Wells Fargo’s credit training program.
In his current role, he originates and underwrites new transactions and successfully closes more than $100 million in new transactions per year. Bronson works with multiple asset classes, including construction loans, value-add projects, stabilized properties, and syndicated credit facilities. He conducts annual financial reviews and quarterly status reports of multiple diverse real estate developers which includes a valuation of the developer’s portfolio along with projected cash flow forecasts.
Bronson is an active member in the NAIOP Developing Leaders organization and participates on the Communications Committee. He is also an active participant in local commercial real estate events hosted by organizations such as NAIOP, ULI and Valley Partnership Forums.
JANET JOHNSON, PHD
SECRETARY
Dr. Johnson holds a Doctorate degree in “Learning and Instructional Technology” from Arizona State University. She held a faculty position at Grand Canyon University and then became the Chair of Education at Rio Salado College for 15 years where she designed and directed the first-of-its kind online Post Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program in the country. The program served students in 36 states and 33 countries outside the U.S. At the time of her retirement the program served over 5,000 students. The program has received several local and national awards.
She has served on national and local organizations and task forces including the National Association Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP), the Governor’s School Readiness Board, and the Governor’s P-20 Great Teachers, Great Leaders Taskforce.
She is retired and currently serving on the Guerrant Foundation Advisory Board which helps women in developing countries start businesses of their own to support their families. She recently went to visit these programs in Bangladesh & Myanmar.
BRENT DIGGINS
TREASURER
A partner at Allison+Partners, Brent developed and oversees the agency’s global measurement and analytics capabilities and has helped to develop data, measurement and strategic marketing solutions for a wide variety of clients including Amazon, Google, Samsung and Toyota. As a father of a child diagnosed with autism, he has a deep passion for those at all stages of autism diagnosis and growth and hopes to help educate and serve as an advocate for those in the autism community.
IVAN JOHNSON, MBA
PAST BOARD CHAIR
Ivan Johnson is a fourth generation native of Arizona, holds a Masters of Business Administration and has a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. He retired from Cox Communications in 2012 after over 32 years. During his tenure with Cox Communications, he served in multiple positions ending his career as Vice President of Public Affairs. Prior to Cox Communications, Johnson worked at the National Cable Television Association as Vice President of Association Affairs; at the Arizona Cable Television Association as Executive Director; and as Administrative Assistant for the Arizona Senate Majority Leader.
He is a former Member of the Leadership Council for the Spirit of Service Scholars at ASU; the Rio Salado Community College President’s Advisory Council; the WP Carey Dean’s Council of 100; Secretary of the Greater Phoenix Economic Development Council; Executive Committee member of the Arizona Town Hall; the Paradise Valley Hospital Community Board; the ASU Alumni Association Board; past Chairman of the Greater Phoenix and Arizona State Chambers of Commerce; past Chairman of Tempe Leadership; past Chairman of Westmarc; past President of the ASU MBA Council; and past President of the Arizona Cable Television Association.
REV. MICHAEL A. HALLE, DN, MA
PAST CHAIR
As CEO of Halle Healthcare Informatics consulting firm, Michael possesses a broad skill set that includes management of healthcare operations and Information Technology. He has expertise in executive management, enterprise architectural systems, strategic development and implementation and operations management.
Michael is the Trustee At Large for the discernment and participation of not-for-profit organizations to align with the Ruth McCormick Tankersley mission. Projects have included Autism, Church’s, Opera/Symphonic Companies and Horse/Animal Care.
Michael is also a Deacon for the Arizona Episcopal Diocese where he designed and implemented a Health Insurance Advocacy Ministry to assist individuals who encounter issues with health insurance.
He currently serves on the board of the Tucson Zoological Society and the Chandler Center for the Arts and previously served on the board of Educational ReadSources in Tucson.
KELLY KRAL, ESQ
Kelly J. Kral, Esq, is an attorney of Dyer Bregman & Ferris, specializing in Probate, Elder Law, Mental Health and Special Needs Trust Planning.
Kelly grew up in San Diego, California and attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a specialization in Business and Administration. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the Arizona State University College of Law. While in law school, Kelly served as an extern with the City of Scottsdale Prosecutor’s Office and with the Honorable Daniel E. Nastro of the Maricopa County Superior Court.
In 2011, Kelly founded the Probate Lawyers Assistance Project (PLAP), which is a pro bono organization that provides free legal advice to eligible low-income individuals who need assistance with Probate Court matters. The program is co-sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona, the Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section of the Maricopa County Bar Association, and the Volunteer Lawyers Program of Community Legal Services.
BRIANA NUTE HANDLER
Briana Nute Handler is a director at Western Alliance Bank, her role involves leading the Bank’s internal control efforts to ensure accurate financial and regulatory reporting. She has worked in Internal Audit, internal controls, and other related functions at multiple different banks over the past 10+ years including BBVA Compass (now PNC) and Silicon Valley Bank. She also spent time in consulting, providing subject matter expertise to various financial institutions in their internal control and internal audit areas. Briana is a native of Phoenix and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Finance. She is married, has a rescue pit bull, and enjoys time with her family as well as fitness.
MIKE MCCANN
Mike McCann is president of Perspective Financial Services, a financial planning and investment management company he founded in 2003. He has worked in the financial services industry since 1991, interacting directly with individual clients, as well as behind-the-scenes in high-level trading and managerial positions. He’s a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.
Service to others motivates and inspires Mike both in his business and his volunteer work. He gravitates to various service opportunities – from hands-on activities like painting and trail clean up, to providing guidance to young people through Scouts BSA and church groups, to behind-the-scenes nonprofit organizational support as a board member. In his free time, Mike enjoys hiking the many trails around the Valley and attending Arizona Diamondbacks games. He and his wife, Jessica, have an adult daughter who lives in Seattle and an adult son with autism in Phoenix.
MARIA MURPHY-FONTES
Maria is the Director of Mothers’ Guild Events at Xavier College Preparatory. In her role as director, Maria plans and oversees major fundraising events as well as manages the annual budget. Through her own personal experience as a mother of a young adult with autism, she understands the challenges associated with finding quality programs and employment training that empower individuals on the autism spectrum. She looks forward to utilizing her skills and expertise in helping Seeds succeed in advancing its mission of “learning to earning”.
RANDY LAROCHE, MBA
Randy has over 40 years experience in the financial field in both the private and public sectors in a variety of jobs encompassing accounting, budgeting, financial projections, and detailed financial analysis. He recently retired from the Arizona State Department of Administration, Controller's Office in Finance & Planning. His academic background includes a BS in Urban Studies and Economics and an MSBA with a concentration in Finance and Management. Randy served on the Board of Directors of Life Changers Counseling for over 12 years, a valley counseling consortium that provides personal and family counseling to valley residents. His hobbies include fishing and sailing and his passion for sailing has taken him on extensive excursions including a 1300 mile race to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
MICHAEL MALLACE
Michael Mallace is a seasoned broadcast executive and business leader with over 40 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Broadcast Management degree from Arizona State University and currently serves as the General Manager of 88.7 FM The Pulse radio station owned by the East Valley Institute of Technology. He is known for his ability to create a positive culture and generate revenue in the broadcasting, nonprofit, and professional associations sectors. Throughout his career, Michael has been committed to mentoring and inspiring others and has been a source of guidance and inspiration to many professionals and students.