As Santa Maria Community Services, Inc. enters its 125th year of service in 2022, it is pleased to welcome new board members, Robert Fohl, Lorena Garcia Cruz, Tom MacDonald, David Sparks and Max Williams.
Robert Fohl: Robert is a Certified Public Accountant working as an Accounting Manager at Metcut Research Inc. Previously, he was an audit Senior Manager with BKD CPAs and Advisors specializing in auditing manufacturing and construction companies and employee benefit plans. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and economics from The Ohio State University. He currently resides in East Walnut Hills. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, cycling and hiking. “I grew up on the West Side of Cincinnati and attended Elder High School in Price Hill. I enjoy contributing to an organization engaging in great work to assist the families of Price Hill,” Robert said.
Lorena Garcia Cruz: Lorena is a wife and mother of three children and has been a long-time resident of Price Hill after emigrating from Oaxaca, Mexico. Lorena is a leader in the Hispanic community and has been involved with All Children Thrive, 4C for Children and the Early Childhood Collaborative. She has also been a part of the Justice Promoters Group in Price Hill and Avondale, in partnership with the Cincinnati Police Department, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Santa Maria. Lorena has been involved with Santa Maria for the past decade, participating in the women’s group, High School Equivalency program, Homesteading program, and the English as a Second Language program. She is an active member of St. Boniface Church and is always looking for programs to benefit the Hispanic community. “I would love to share with the board, and Santa Maria, the needs of my immigrant community,” Lorena said.
Tom MacDonald: Tom is the President of Axis Healthcare Consulting. Prior to that, Tom was the Chief Operating Officer at Ultimate Rehab. He has a master’s degree in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change from Northern Kentucky University. Tom has been a mentor for Cincinnati Youth Collaborative for nearly twenty years and was also a member of the United Way Financial Stability Council. Tom said, “Having spent 25 years advising people in a wide array of financial matters, financial literacy is something near and dear to my heart. I believe providing knowledge and common-sense strategies goes a long way in helping people make informed financial decisions which are critical regardless of one’s occupation or income level.” Tom lives with Lorie, his wife of 36 years, in Riverside. They have three sons, Brian, Patrick and Will, and four grandchildren.
David Sparks: David is a Senior Wealth Advisor with Mariner Wealth Advisors in Cincinnati. He specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners grow and protect their wealth. He grew up on the west side of Cincinnati and currently resides in Wyoming, Ohio with his wife and three children. David received both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Cincinnati, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He said, “I am amazed at the great work being done by Santa Maria in the Price Hill community. This organization empowers families and provides stability through their fantastic education and healthcare resources. I am proud to join these efforts to assist our residents and strengthen our community.”
Max Williams: Max is an Associate Attorney with Frost Brown Todd in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has a juris doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a Bachelor of Art degree in Peace, War and Defense from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Max loves all things Cincinnati, from Skyline Chili to the Bengals, and everything in between, Max takes pride in his beloved City. “I wanted to serve on Santa Maria Community Services’ board because I wanted to give back to a city that has given so much back to me. A place like Santa Maria is so vital in making sure that all communities of this city are given the opportunity to thrive,” he said.
Guillermo Villa, Santa Maria Board Chair, stated, “We are very excited to welcome a new slate of board members to Santa Maria Community Services. Each new member brings with them a unique set of experiences and skills that is invaluable to the board. We are at a pivotal time in Santa Maria’s history, celebrating 125 years of helping people help themselves. We look forward to working with our new board members as they help us shape the future of this amazing organization.”
Board Secretary, Christopher Owens, has been selected to serve as Vice Chair and board member, Steven Acosta, will now serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors. In addition, long-time board members, Tina Baumann, Julieta Simms and Luther Smith have completed their service on Santa Maria’s Board of Directors.
“We’d also like to share a big thank you to Tina, Julieta, and Luther for their time and dedication to Santa Maria. Collectively, Tina, Julieta and Luther have well over 25 years of service to Santa Maria and we are so grateful for their service to the Price Hill community,” said Villa.