Participant Profiles
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman
Winning 60 percent of the vote, Carolyn G. Goodman became the mayor of the city of Las Vegas on July 6, 2011. Her husband of 49 years and then current mayor, Oscar B. Goodman, administered the oath of office. It is the only known instance of a spouse succeeding her husband as mayor in the United States. Oscar Goodman was term limited after 12 years of service.
Carolyn and her husband moved to Las Vegas from Philadelphia as a young couple in 1964. They arrived in August, shortly after Oscar successfully completed the Pennsylvania bar examination, with only $87 left in their pockets.
Initially, Oscar worked for the District Attorney’s office while Carolyn worked in the hotel industry and then in West Las Vegas for the Department of Labor. Thereafter, while her husband traveled the country building what became an outstanding criminal law career winning high-profile cases, Carolyn raised their four children and simultaneously earned a master’s degree in counseling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Assemblywoman April Mastroluca
April Mastroluca has been an elected Assemblywoman serving Southern Nevada in the Nevada Legislature since 2008. April has been married to Dan since 1992. Seven years ago, Dan’s aunt came to Southern Nevada to live with them and this experience has opened April’s eyes to the needs of the elderly in our community.
April is a paid staff member of the National PTA. She works with state and local PTA units to increase the participation of parents and teachers, and with community leaders to support schools and school programs.
Through her personal and professional endeavors and experiences, April has become a hunger advocate and champion, working to close the gap on hunger through public policy and increased utilization of federal nutrition programs. She also works to raise awareness in the community on the nutritionally-related chronic condition she has faced for many years: Celiac disease. Persons, whose systems struggle to process gluten, have a more restricted diet which tends to include typically more expensive, healthier and less processed foods.
John Livingston
John’s vision is for Three Square to be the model/elite Food Bank in the nation. He currently serves as Three Square Chief Operating Officer; prior to joining Three Square he spent six years at Second Harvest Heartland, a food bank in Minnesota.
In his role as COO, John supervises Three Square’s team of SNAP Outreach workers. “SNAP really helps families in need; it also has a tremendous return on investment for the state, local food banks and businesses. For every $1 redeemed at local stores, it stimulates the economy $1.80. SNAP is a win-win program for everyone!”
John is over 6 ft tall and is very active both at work and his many sports/outdoor activities. Eating plenty of calories while also getting adequate nutrients each day will be John’s challenge.
Cherie Jamason
Cherie Jamason joined the Food Bank of Northern Nevada 25 years ago. Through her leadership and expertise, what began as a small grass-roots food assistance program serving Washoe County, is now a nationally recognized anti-hunger organization, providing services throughout Northern Nevada and a portion of eastern California. Under Cherie’s direction, hunger issues have been brought to the forefront, garnering both attention and action.
In addition to other prestigious local and national awards for her work in hunger-relief and child nutrition issues, Cherie received the distinguished Dick Goeble Public Service Award from America’s Second Harvest and the Food Research and Action Center for outstanding commitment to ending hunger in her community and across the country.
In addition to her work at the Food Bank, Cherie has served in community leadership roles including work with Truckee Meadows Human Services Association, University of Nevada’s Continuing Education Advisory Committee, and the national board of Feeding America.
Daniella Ferrari
Daniella has been practicing as a registered dietitian since 2005. She graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Nutritional Sciences in 2003 and then completed a Master’s degree from UNLV in Health Promotion in 2005. She has worked for the WIC program, at Children’s Heart Center in their Risk Factor Reduction Program, and at the VA healthcare system. “Of the many nutrition challenges that people face, cost can be one of the greatest. I tell patients on a daily basis to see the value of purchasing nutritious foods. However if you don’t have the money, access to resources, transportation, etc, it can make being healthy difficult”.
Deppensmith Family
Stephanie has lived in Las Vegas just under eight years while her husband Alex has been here for 15 years. Both ex-performers (Stephanie a showgirl, and Alex a juggler) from Donn Arden's Jubilee! at Bally's Las Vegas, the pair have been married for four years and have a beautiful baby girl, Harper, now 21 months. Alex works at Wynn Las Vegas as the Design and Photography Supervisor for Employee Communications and, along with his identical twin brother, owns and operates VegasAuditions.com. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, Stephanie is a Jazzercise Instructor, part-time dancer/showgirl for corporate and private events, and serves on the board of directors for Golden Rainbow.
John and LeAnne Notabartolo
Follow LeAnne and John this week on http://goodforspooning.blogspot.com/2012/01/oh-snap.html
John is a retired Air Force Physician Assistant currently working in the field of Dermatology. As a health care provider, he is keenly aware of how important nutrition is, not only for overall health, but to prevent diseases like diabetes and cardiac conditions.
LeAnne is a Sales Director for the Pampered Chef. Cooking is her passion and making sure everyone gets fed is her mission. In 2010 LeAnne was named one of the first Food Bank Ambassadors working in partnership with The Pampered Chef® and Feeding America® to spread the word about hunger in the US and how to get involved in a solution.
Both have participated in food sorting events, Three Square Bingo, DISH, Restaurant week and other activities to benefit Three Square.
John and LeAnne have been married for 24 years and their son is a Freshman at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
Erin McMullen
Erin is an attorney and lobbyist with the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, LLP. Her primary practice is government affairs and her work is concentrated in governmental law, strategic positioning, lobbying and political strategy. She is a huge fan of the amazing work Three Square provides for the community and enjoys supporting other local charitable causes
As a busy professional, Erin often eats on the run or looks for simple meals to make at home. Erin feels that nutrition is important, as is her limited free-time, and quality, healthy options that are easy to prepare tend to cost more. So staying within a budget and finding the time to cook will be her challenge!
Alicia Davisson
Alicia Davisson is the Executive Director of East Valley Family Services, a local non-profit agency serving low-income individuals, families and seniors. East Valley's many programs include the Family Resource Center, Family-to-Family Connections, the Senior's Program, Healthcare Hope, SNAP application services, and a Differential Response unit in collaboration with the Department of Child and Family Services. Hundreds of families in need find hope, help and happiness through East Valley Family Service connections.
Alicia has worked in charitable services for many years through East Valley Family Services, as well as Catholic Charities and as a Sister in the Catholic Church. Alicia has always been an advocate for vulnerable populations and as a senior citizen, she certainly understands the importance of eating healthy and the challenges older American's face when they are approved at the minimum SNAP benefit - just $16 per month!
