We are Ohana
We are Ohana
We are Ohana
We are Ohana
Our Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Allen Cress
Allen Cress
Allen Cress
President
President
President
Since 2014, Allen Cress has found some of his greatest joy serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their homes, their jobs and their communities. Prior to that, he assumed he would always see himself as an “EMS guy,” having spent more than twenty years as a paramedic and EMS administrator. He now knows all that time in EMS was just preparing him for what would become his life’s passion. Allen lives near Portland, Oregon with his wife and two children, along with their dogs, cats, horses and a revolving door of other farm animals.
Since 2014, Allen Cress has found some of his greatest joy serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their homes, their jobs and their communities. Prior to that, he assumed he would always see himself as an “EMS guy,” having spent more than twenty years as a paramedic and EMS administrator. He now knows all that time in EMS was just preparing him for what would become his life’s passion. Allen lives near Portland, Oregon with his wife and two children, along with their dogs, cats, horses and a revolving door of other farm animals.
Since 2014, Allen Cress has found some of his greatest joy serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their homes, their jobs and their communities. Prior to that, he assumed he would always see himself as an “EMS guy,” having spent more than twenty years as a paramedic and EMS administrator. He now knows all that time in EMS was just preparing him for what would become his life’s passion. Allen lives near Portland, Oregon with his wife and two children, along with their dogs, cats, horses and a revolving door of other farm animals.
Mara Urie
Mara Urie
Mara Urie
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
When Mara was 10 years old, she became friends and played with a 12- year-old neighbor with intellectual disabilities. When that neighbor moved, a family with a 6-year-old daughter with Down syndrome moved in. Mara immediately became to favorite babysitter- and friend. This led to a career teaching special education for 10 years. During this time, Mara received her master’s degree, and then continued her service as a school psychologist, including working 2 years as the school psychologist in Kauri Sue Hamilton School, a center-based school in the Jordan School District in Salt Lake County, Utah. During her work as a special educator and school psychologist, she met many parents who had significant concerns and questions about what would happen to their children as they grew older. She sees Ohana Communities as an answer to at least some of those concerns.
When Mara was 10 years old, she became friends and played with a 12- year-old neighbor with intellectual disabilities. When that neighbor moved, a family with a 6-year-old daughter with Down syndrome moved in. Mara immediately became to favorite babysitter- and friend. This led to a career teaching special education for 10 years. During this time, Mara received her master’s degree, and then continued her service as a school psychologist, including working 2 years as the school psychologist in Kauri Sue Hamilton School, a center-based school in the Jordan School District in Salt Lake County, Utah. During her work as a special educator and school psychologist, she met many parents who had significant concerns and questions about what would happen to their children as they grew older. She sees Ohana Communities as an answer to at least some of those concerns.
When Mara was 10 years old, she became friends and played with a 12- year-old neighbor with intellectual disabilities. When that neighbor moved, a family with a 6-year-old daughter with Down syndrome moved in. Mara immediately became to favorite babysitter- and friend. This led to a career teaching special education for 10 years. During this time, Mara received her master’s degree, and then continued her service as a school psychologist, including working 2 years as the school psychologist in Kauri Sue Hamilton School, a center-based school in the Jordan School District in Salt Lake County, Utah. During her work as a special educator and school psychologist, she met many parents who had significant concerns and questions about what would happen to their children as they grew older. She sees Ohana Communities as an answer to at least some of those concerns.
Greg Free
Greg Free
Greg Free
Treasurer
Treasurer
Treasurer
Greg holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois. He has a fascination for what makes organizations tick and a knack for making them tick faster. With over a dozen years in IT, finance, and management, he has led enterprise transformations that optimize resources and keep finances in check. Passionate about using advanced planning, budgeting, and AI/GenAI to make decision-making smarter and projects smoother. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, he has extensive experience of working with multinational companies of all sizes, with various locations and subsidiaries, but has focused primarily on fintech and resource extraction. Greg excels in developing and implementing holistic financial strategies that improve efficiency and profitability.
Greg holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois. He has a fascination for what makes organizations tick and a knack for making them tick faster. With over a dozen years in IT, finance, and management, he has led enterprise transformations that optimize resources and keep finances in check. Passionate about using advanced planning, budgeting, and AI/GenAI to make decision-making smarter and projects smoother. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, he has extensive experience of working with multinational companies of all sizes, with various locations and subsidiaries, but has focused primarily on fintech and resource extraction. Greg excels in developing and implementing holistic financial strategies that improve efficiency and profitability.
Greg holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois. He has a fascination for what makes organizations tick and a knack for making them tick faster. With over a dozen years in IT, finance, and management, he has led enterprise transformations that optimize resources and keep finances in check. Passionate about using advanced planning, budgeting, and AI/GenAI to make decision-making smarter and projects smoother. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, he has extensive experience of working with multinational companies of all sizes, with various locations and subsidiaries, but has focused primarily on fintech and resource extraction. Greg excels in developing and implementing holistic financial strategies that improve efficiency and profitability.
Teri Griffiths
Teri Griffiths
Teri Griffiths
Secretary
Secretary
Secretary
Teri holds a Master's Degree in Education and specializes in supporting transition-age students with severe disabilities. With a deep commitment to dignity and respect,Teri believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to practice independence and thrive in society. Passionate about addressing the resource gaps for people with intellectual disabilities,Teri advocates for enhanced support systems and inclusive opportunities that empower these individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Teri holds a Master's Degree in Education and specializes in supporting transition-age students with severe disabilities. With a deep commitment to dignity and respect,Teri believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to practice independence and thrive in society. Passionate about addressing the resource gaps for people with intellectual disabilities,Teri advocates for enhanced support systems and inclusive opportunities that empower these individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Teri holds a Master's Degree in Education and specializes in supporting transition-age students with severe disabilities. With a deep commitment to dignity and respect,Teri believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to practice independence and thrive in society. Passionate about addressing the resource gaps for people with intellectual disabilities,Teri advocates for enhanced support systems and inclusive opportunities that empower these individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Thom Urie
Thom Urie
Thom Urie
Executive Leader, Ex Officio Board Member
Executive Leader, Ex Officio Board Member
Executive Leader, Ex Officio Board Member
For Thom, an early experience that had a lasting impact on him happened with a good friend’s brother who had downs syndrome, and the loving care that the family had for him. Chris was never considered a second-class family member, and in fact was viewed as a valued and loved family member who contributed much to the happiness of his family. Thom went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in finance, and a law degree, and spent his career doing residential homebuilding, land planning and development, but that early experience never left him.
For Thom, an early experience that had a lasting impact on him happened with a good friend’s brother who had downs syndrome, and the loving care that the family had for him. Chris was never considered a second-class family member, and in fact was viewed as a valued and loved family member who contributed much to the happiness of his family. Thom went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in finance, and a law degree, and spent his career doing residential homebuilding, land planning and development, but that early experience never left him.
For Thom, an early experience that had a lasting impact on him happened with a good friend’s brother who had downs syndrome, and the loving care that the family had for him. Chris was never considered a second-class family member, and in fact was viewed as a valued and loved family member who contributed much to the happiness of his family. Thom went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in finance, and a law degree, and spent his career doing residential homebuilding, land planning and development, but that early experience never left him.
Creating communities of Ohana to support individuals throughout their lives.
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Creating communities of Ohana to support individuals throughout their lives.
501(c)(3) Application Pending
Donate
Creating communities of Ohana to support individuals throughout their lives.
501(c)(3) Application Pending
Donate
Creating communities of Ohana to support individuals throughout their lives.
501(c)(3) Application Pending
Donate