Jeff Escalera, President
Jeff was born and raised in the Tri Cities. He graduated from WGU with a degree in Business Management. Jeff is very involved in the community. In addition to his work with SARC (since 2017) he is involved through United Way and is a SCORE Mentor for local entrepreneurs. Jeff is employed through Numerica Credit Union as a Branch Manager.
Jeff was born and raised in the Tri Cities. He graduated from WGU with a degree in Business Management. Jeff is very involved in the community. In addition to his work with SARC (since 2017) he is involved through United Way and is a SCORE Mentor for local entrepreneurs. Jeff is employed through Numerica Credit Union as a Branch Manager.
Adam Austin, Vice President
Adam is a psychology professor at Columbia Basin College. The focus of his doctoral work was sexual offenses and he became involved with SARC in 2015 after a student introduced him to the Director. Adam graduated with a B.A. from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, and received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota.
Adam is a psychology professor at Columbia Basin College. The focus of his doctoral work was sexual offenses and he became involved with SARC in 2015 after a student introduced him to the Director. Adam graduated with a B.A. from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, and received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota.
Chris Mortensen, Treasurer
Chris is the Deputy Chief at the City of Pasco Fire Department. He and his family are lifelong residents of the Tri-Cities. Chris has been in the fire service for 18 years, starting with the City of Moses Lake, and arriving at Pasco in 2015. Chris has worked with SARC many times in his career and has a deep appreciation for the service SARC provides to the community. SARC is very excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and is excited to see how we grow with our community.
Chris is the Deputy Chief at the City of Pasco Fire Department. He and his family are lifelong residents of the Tri-Cities. Chris has been in the fire service for 18 years, starting with the City of Moses Lake, and arriving at Pasco in 2015. Chris has worked with SARC many times in his career and has a deep appreciation for the service SARC provides to the community. SARC is very excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and is excited to see how we grow with our community.
Heather Purcell, Secretary
Heather is a Tri-City native who has been working in the legal field for over 14 years. Along with being a part of the SARC board, she also volunteers with other organizations within our community and makes an effort to regularly get out and engage with our community members.
Heather is a Tri-City native who has been working in the legal field for over 14 years. Along with being a part of the SARC board, she also volunteers with other organizations within our community and makes an effort to regularly get out and engage with our community members.
Mary Dover, Member at Large
Mary's work experience includes 21 years as a Special Agent for the United States Air Force, 5 years as a Development Engineer at PNNL, 2 years as a Special Investigator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and 2 years as an Intelligence Coordinator for the US Attorney's Office in Oregon. Mary has experience working with survivors of crime as she served as Vice Chair for the USAF Rape Crisis Center in WA, DC.
Mary's work experience includes 21 years as a Special Agent for the United States Air Force, 5 years as a Development Engineer at PNNL, 2 years as a Special Investigator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and 2 years as an Intelligence Coordinator for the US Attorney's Office in Oregon. Mary has experience working with survivors of crime as she served as Vice Chair for the USAF Rape Crisis Center in WA, DC.
Leslie Sievers, Member
Leslie has been in education for over 25 most recently as a counselor at Desert Hills Middle School. She became involved in SARC after referring a student and seeing the quality of services provided. She joined the board in 2011. Leslie graduated with a B.S. from the University of Idaho and a M.Ed. from Eastern Washington University. As a counselor and administrator, she appreciates having SARC available for education and victim support.
Leslie has been in education for over 25 most recently as a counselor at Desert Hills Middle School. She became involved in SARC after referring a student and seeing the quality of services provided. She joined the board in 2011. Leslie graduated with a B.S. from the University of Idaho and a M.Ed. from Eastern Washington University. As a counselor and administrator, she appreciates having SARC available for education and victim support.
Camille Meyer, Member
Camille has been on the SARC Board of Directors off and on for many years, as her employment would permit. She now works for Strong Racing, who support her position on the Board, as an administrator for their Hydroplane Race Team. She is blessed to have her entire family living in the Tri Cities. The Support, Advocacy & Resource Center is dear to her heart, and she is very grateful that she can be on the Board and try to help those in need in the Tri-Cities.
Camille has been on the SARC Board of Directors off and on for many years, as her employment would permit. She now works for Strong Racing, who support her position on the Board, as an administrator for their Hydroplane Race Team. She is blessed to have her entire family living in the Tri Cities. The Support, Advocacy & Resource Center is dear to her heart, and she is very grateful that she can be on the Board and try to help those in need in the Tri-Cities.
Monty Huber, Member
Monty is a thirteen year veteran of the US Army and currently serves as the Operations Captain with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. During his 18 years with the sheriff’s office he has had the opportunity to work closely with the SARC advocates during times of crisis. He is honored to serve as a board member of an organization that provides such a critical service to our communities.
Monty is a thirteen year veteran of the US Army and currently serves as the Operations Captain with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. During his 18 years with the sheriff’s office he has had the opportunity to work closely with the SARC advocates during times of crisis. He is honored to serve as a board member of an organization that provides such a critical service to our communities.
Kersten Bergstrom, Member
Kersten has been a volunteer and STaRT team member with SARC for the last several years. In addition to her work with SARC, she works to support survivors through advocacy, intervention, and prevention. She works with several partners in Washington and across the U.S. to support survivors and cultivate community. She is grateful to serve on the Board and support SARC's critical work.
Kersten has been a volunteer and STaRT team member with SARC for the last several years. In addition to her work with SARC, she works to support survivors through advocacy, intervention, and prevention. She works with several partners in Washington and across the U.S. to support survivors and cultivate community. She is grateful to serve on the Board and support SARC's critical work.
Jon Shelby, Member
Jon Shelby and his wife have deep roots in the Columbia Basin. After pursuing their education elsewhere, they returned to the community to raise their family. Having witnessed the invaluable support provided by SARC to the community, John is truly honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on the board of directors. John is eager to contribute in any way possible to further the growth and impact of this essential organization in our community.
Jon Shelby and his wife have deep roots in the Columbia Basin. After pursuing their education elsewhere, they returned to the community to raise their family. Having witnessed the invaluable support provided by SARC to the community, John is truly honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on the board of directors. John is eager to contribute in any way possible to further the growth and impact of this essential organization in our community.
Jeff Groce, Member
Jeff spent 35 years as a pension/retirement plan consultant and administrator in Tacoma. During that time period Jeff started a second company that dealt specifically with real estate investment in retirement plans. He moved to Tri Cities in 2006. Jeff is currently retired and living the dream.
Jeff spent 35 years as a pension/retirement plan consultant and administrator in Tacoma. During that time period Jeff started a second company that dealt specifically with real estate investment in retirement plans. He moved to Tri Cities in 2006. Jeff is currently retired and living the dream.
Additional member - Stephanie Barnard