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The TIAS ARMS Board Joanne Baker - Founder and President of TIAS ARMS "I was born and raised in South Africa until 21 years of age. California has been my primary home for the last 32 years. I practice as an Operating Room Nurse in a trauma centre in Orange County, California. I owned Timbuktu Folk and Tribal Art in Costa Mesa, California for 6 years where the threads of other cultures created the tapestry of my current life. TIAS ARMS has now become my consuming passion in life as I long to serve the children in this beautiful country of South Africa."   Victoria Smith Porcello - Vice President (Emeritus) of TIAS ARMS Mrs Porcello brings a background in business, law and family counseling to her commitment to TIAS ARMS. Her interest in the purpose of TIAS ARMS came out of her prior experiences in working with troubled children and families, and her awareness of the need to look at the problems of children globally, without regard to geography.   Kim Carpenter - Vice President of TIAS ARMS Kim is a mother a three teenagers. As a former nurse, she worked with patients whose lives and bodies were devastated by AIDS/HIV. She witnessed first-hand the enormous toll this virus took on individuals and their families in our country in the early eighties. She has been actively involved in school and sports organization boards for the past two decades. She and her husband have been supporters of TIAS ARMS for a number of years. Now, Kim wants to be more involved in helping those children in South Africa who desperately need our assistance.   Monique McCue is a Board Member of TIAS ARMS "Through my travels, often times in 3rd world countries, I've encountered many terribly impoverished people. Many travelers become immune to what they see. However, these memories have always remained with me. I came to this country as a child. My siblings and I had to overcome many obstacles, namely language and culture, but we at least had a chance to make something of our lives because we lived in a developed society. Many children in third world countries don't have this chance. Poverty compounded with a killer disease makes their plight even worse. My heart has ached over what I've seen. My husband and I have always wanted to do something to help these children. By meeting Joanne and getting involved in TIAS ARMS, I hope that I may be given a chance to help these unfortunates in South Africa. I've been a teacher, as well as a banker. Hopefully, my experience with children and business development can be used by TIAS ARMS."   Len Porcello- Chief Financial Officer (Emeritus) of TIAS ARMS Len Porcello has had a long career as a scientist and engineer, as a University Professor, and as a senior manager overseeing the activities of a large business group within one of the nation's premier technical corporations.  For much of his career he has been accountable for financial as well as technical and managerial performance on key projects and across organizational structures.  Although he remains involved professionally on a part time basis, he has elected to bring his experience to bear on the organizational and financial issues facing TIAS ARMS, as we develop ourselves from a very modest base to one which can truly help to make a difference in the lives of HIV/AIDS-affected South African children.     Ed Cunningham - Chief Financial Officer of TIAS ARMS Ed has been working in the real estate development and construction industry for the last twenty five years; and specifically in Southern California for the past twenty one years. His responsibilities with TIAS ARMS as the Chief Financial Officer handling the accounting and distribution of funds to our various Organizations we support in South Africa . He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Engineering degrees from The Catholic University of America.   Anita Mishook - Secretary of the Board of TIAS ARMS Anita Mishook is a retired psychologist, who taught, lectured, published academic work, and had a private practice specializing in assessments for legal concerns. In that career, I managed a county-wide child-adolescent mental health program, sat on state committees, and served in county programs. My volunteer efforts have included Board of Education committee appointments, League of Women Voters, functioning as a docent at a museum, faith-based board membership focused on social action, and, now, Tias Arms.   Diane Estrada is a Board Member of TIAS ARMS Since 2001, Diane Estrada and her partners in 20/20 Foresight Group have specialized in helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grow their businesses quickly and cost effectively through creative marketing and strategic alliances.  After 11 years in ballet and 5 years as a ballerina, Business Coach Diane Estrada leaped into the business world with confidence and grace. She has over 20 years P & L accomplishments in high growth, information technology, and start-up operations.  Diane holds a B.A. in Business Management from Antioch University, a certificate in Managerial Policy from USC Graduate School of Business and a certificate from Columbia Executive MBA School of Business.     Joy Freeman is a new Board Member of TIAS ARMS. Participating for the first in last years fund raiser at Chapman College, Joy was smitten by the camaraderie and generosity of the TIAS ARMS participants as well as its support group and donors.  Enlightened to the plight of children affected by the HIV virus in South Africa, Joy has made the decision to channel her time and energy to help promote the success of TIAS ARMS.  This year, Joy is focusing on collecting items for the silent auction and sponsors for the food, medicine, and caretakers fees.  Joy lives in Newport Beach with her husband and works as a dental hygienist.     Dave Feinglass is the Chief Information Officer and is a Board Member of TIAS ARMS Dave has spent the last 20 years in the IT industry, serving as a Systems Administrator and Solutions Engineer for the past 15 years.  In the early 1990's. Dave served as the Systems Administrator for the RydexFunds, where he helped that startup mutual fund grow from 3 employees to over 200.  Dave is currently serving as the CIO and Webmaster for TIAS ARMS, as well as technology advisor to Joanne Baker.  Dave is also a pilot and an avid ice hockey player.       Karen Feinglass is a Board Member of TIAS ARMS Karen Feinglass is a Registered Nurse, and works in the Operating Room in San Diego.  Karen met Joanne Baker when they worked together.  Karen has a real passion for helping people, she has always been an avid volunteer for charitable causes.  When she found out that one of TIAS ARMS events was canceled, she took the initiative to restart it and organized a very successful wine tasting event in Carlsbad.  She more than doubled her goal of funds raised for TIAS ARMS.      Gabriella Miotto is an Honary Board Member "I am a family physician and a public health care specialist, with a focus on affirming human rights through health care, with work experience in community clinics in Los Angeles County, in Alaska and with the displaced and refugee populations in Chiapas Mexico, Guatemala, Macedonia and Kosovo. I am fortunate to know Joanne for about 10 years, and experienced an incredible trip to South Africa with her in 2001, which included several visits to local clinics, hospitals, and after-school programs in Capetown, Durban and Soweto areas. I am so inspired by Joanne's desire to create a place of nurturance of the human sprit in her homeland, in the face of HIV..." Kim Baker is an Honorary Board Member Kim Baker is the daughter of Joanne and an Honorary Board Member. She has played a vital role in the formation of TIAS ARMS right from its inception. A special thanks to the law firm of Latham & Watkins whose pro-bono efforts navigated us through to non-profit status. We will always be grateful.

If you would like further information about TIAS ARMS, please contact Joanne Baker or write to: