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Name and Title: Esther Figueroa, Vice Chair
Appointed: 10/2012
Term Expires: 10/2024
Occupation: Tulare County Employee
Community Involvement: Member of Zonta Service Club; Former member of PUSD; District Advisory Committee; Porterville Chamber of Commerce Director; and Porterville College Building Committee.
Name and Title: Edith La Vonne, Commissioner
Appointed: 10/2012
Term Expires: 10/2024
Occupation: Retired Employment & Training Counselor, Supervisor
Community Involvement: Reader for the blind for 28+ years; Leadership Porterville Graduate Class of 2003; Former Chamber Ambassador, Former Cook and Board Recording Secretary for Helping Hands of Porterville; Friends of the Library life member; Active with the Barn Theater from 1962 to 2020; and Grandma's Taxi.
Name and Title: Irene Ortega, Commissioner
Appointed: 10/2023
Term Expires: 10/2024
Occupation: Director of Communication and Community Engagement at Burton School District
Community Involvement: President of Burton Foundation; President of Leadership Porterville; Member of the Association of Mexican American Educators; and Tule River Parkway Association.
Name and Title: Susan Uptain, Commissioner
Appointed: 10/2019
Term Expires: 10/2025
Occupation: Retired
Community Involvement: Porterville Museum Board of Directors- Treasurer
Name and Title: Kim Baumgardner, Chair
Appointed: 10/2019
Term Expires: 10/2025
Occupation: Former Psych Tech, PDC; and retired Teacher, PUSD
Community Involvement: Appointed to Porterville Library and Literacy Commission 10/2019, Chair; Avid reader and library patron; Supporter of both libraries and literacy in our community; Enthusiastic member of multiple Book Clubs; Porterville 12-Step Club volunteer; Barn Theatre patron and volunteer; and Porterville Children's Theater volunteer.
Name and Title: Dr. Fernando Serrano, Commissioner
Appointed: 10/2022
Term Expires: 10/2025
Occupation: Professor of Ethnic Studies and History
Community Involvement: Dr. Serrano is involved with several organization in Porterville and the region that advocate for different social, cultural, educational, and environmental issues. He has served as Executive Director and Board President of Alianza Ecologista since 2019. Alianza Ecologista is an environmental organization that provides opportunities for families to participate in nature-related events and activities. He has been a Board Member of Comision Honorifica Mexicana Americana (CHMA) since 2021 and is currently the Board's Vice-President. CHMA is an organization that promotes the socio-economic welfare of the Mexican American community in Porterville and sponsors events that enhance cultural awareness. He has also served as advisor for Community Action Club at Porterville College since 2022. Community Action Club's mission is to provide community college students the opportunity to participate in projects designed to serve our local community. Also, as Professor of Ethnic Studies, Dr. Serrano promotes student engagement at the local level, not only by helping students connect with local organizations, but also by encouraging students to organize their own events and activities, like nature restoration projects and community cleanups. He has been a commissioner of the Library and Literacy Commission for the City of Porterville since 2022.
Name and Title: Sonya Lopez, Commissioner
Appointed: 10/2022
Term Expires: 10/2025
Occupation: Work Based Learning Coordinator/Youth Support Specialist
Community Involvement: Member of Porterville Unified School District P8 Coalition; Academy of Performing Arts Advisory Board; Multimedia and Technology Academy Advisory Board; Law, Justice, and Ethics Academy Advisory Board; Tulare County Employee of the Year 2023; and Multiple partnerships with local businesses and agencies to support youth experiences.
