Staff & Board

Holly Teixeira

President, Co-Founder

Holly has over 20 years experience as a Registered Dental Assistant and has been a CPR and First Aid instructor for community rescuer through EMS Safety Services for over 18 years. She managed a restaurant dealing with every aspect of management from recruiting, training and supervising to customer services. She is a community activist, volunteering on various boards, and loves working with people. She is an active member of her church in Arroyo Grande, CA. She loves the Lord, being a mom, and a wife to her husband. Her newest and most precious passion is making 17 Strong as successful as Ryan would have made it, because as her son, Ryan, would jokingly say, “I’m kind of a big deal!”

Steve Teixeira

Director of Finance, Co-Founder

Steven Teixeira is Holly’s husband and the proud father of Ryan and Aaron. Steve would do anything for his family and he considers maintaining Ryan’s legacy an honor! A fifth generation native of the Central Coast of California, Steve brings to the board a wide variety of experience from working in the medical profession, farming, purchasing, sales and service, the hospitality industry and much more. He has also been involved with numerous nonprofit boards and is an active member of his church and community.

Marlene Schaefer

Secretary

Marlene has lived on the Central Coast since 1971. She currently lives in Arroyo Grande with her husband, John, and has two daughters. Marlene attended Cal Poly, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She worked for Hughes Aircraft Company and Raytheon while attending college. She currently works part-time at Gold Coast Packing as a packaging specialist. She’s been actively involved in the community as a volunteer, member, or sponsor of the Arroyo Grande High School Athletic Booster, Arroyo Grande High School Athletic Auction Committee, New Life Community Church, and more. She is humbled and honored to be part of 17 Strong and look forward to contributing to the legacy that Ryan envisioned.

Christine Jarrett

Treasurer

Christine was born and raised in Arroyo Grande, California. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Gary, since 1984. They have been blessed with two wonderful boys, Evan and Nathan and two amazing daughters-in-law, Michelle and Megan. Christine has volunteered with a number of non-profit organizations and served as Treasurer with Brighten A Corner Ministry for over 5 years. Christine owns her own bookkeeping business and enjoys being physically active, reading and spending time with family and friends. She feels so honored to serve on the Board of 17 Strong to help fulfill Ryan’s dream.

Chris Centeno

Board of Directors

Chris Centeno works for Papich Construction Company. He and his wife of have three children, Mackenzie, Asher and Clayton. Chris is involved with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Committee and is an El Camino 4-H project leader. His priorities are much like Ryan’s were…God, family and hunting. “To be on the board of 17 Strong has been nothing short of amazing, I feel that by having the opportunity to serve on this board it is an opportunity to serve to such a bigger cause and purpose and that’s to do anything and everything possible to help grow our organization so that we can help others fulfill their dreams and desires that have been affected by life threating diseases.”

Jennifer Hawley

Board of Directors

Jennifer Hawley is a lifelong Californian, graduating from Arroyo Grande High School and planting roots here on the Central Coast. Jennifer is a devoted wife to her husband of Russ and together they have two children, Taryan and Aaryn. She is most excited about being grandma to the newest member of the Hawley family, grandson Aadyn. Jennifer’s years of managerial experience in the retail and hospitality industry are an asset to our board. When not busy working or being grandma to Aadyn, she can be found volunteering for numerous non-profit organizations on the Central Coast. Being very service oriented, both Jen and Russ enjoy giving back to their community and to those in need. They have been Teixeira family friends for too long to remember and are eager for the opportunity to help carry Ryan’s message of hope for years to come.

Teresa Long

Board of Directors

Teresa Long was born and raised in San Luis Obispo county. She has been married to her husband Steve, and they have two beautiful daughters. She has recently retired after twenty-four years at Arroyo Grande High School working in the Attendance Office. She met Ryan while he attended high school there and says, “he is one of those young people you will never forget.” She is honored have the opportunity to give back and be a part of Ryan’s legacy through 17 Strong.

Randy McGehee

Board of Directors

Randy McGehee comes to us with a long list of qualifications. As the owner/founder/CEO of Everflight (an airplane brokerage firm) he is not just an airline pilot, he flies for the UN World Food Program and is an instructor for the Department of Homeland Security. His entrepreneurial expertise makes him a perfect board member for our organization, looking to make it’s presence known as a provider of hope in a hurting world. Randy likes running, weight lifting, golf and has even started horseback riding lessons. Randy and his wife Audra are parents to three beautiful daughters, they reside in Santa Maria, California.

John Sparrow

Board of Directors

John has served as youth & young adults pastor and now lead pastor of Equippers Church Central Coast. He is back in school pursuing a bachelors in Christian Leadership & Management through Regent University online. John has been married to his wife Lenae for nearly four years and they share a love for people, church, travel, and most of all, Disneyland. To John there is nothing that satisfies more than seeing other people flourish which is why he is excited to be a part of 17 Strong.

Tracey Vardas

Board of Directors

Tracey has lived on the Central Coast since 2002. She currently lives in Pismo Beach with her husband, Kris, their daughter Alyssa and their son Andrew. Tracey attended UC Davis, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Toxicology. She has worked in the field of emergency management since 1994 beginning her career with the California State Office of Emergency Services and continuing currently with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Tracey is actively involved in multiple charitable organizations providing goods, services and support to some of the county’s most vulnerable populations, including the homeless, at risk youth and both mentally and physically disabled youth. Tracey watched Ryan and his brother Aaron grow into amazing young men and is beyond grateful to be able to be a part of the wonderful foundation that Ryan envisioned.

Melissa Ward

Board of Directors

Melissa Ward comes to us from Santa Maria. She has been married to Justin and they have three boys, Jake, Charlie and Sam. Charlie is the one who coined our name. Immediately after Ryan was diagnosed, he had ‘17 Strong’ embroidered on his baseball cap in support of Ryan, and the catchy title stuck! Melissa has been director at St. Patricks Mercy Preschool in Arroyo Grande from it’s opening in 2008. She loves to watch my boys play their various sports, gardening, cooking and is passionate about giving back. Ryan was an amazing role model to her boys and she is honored to serve on the 17 Strong board and be a part of Ryan’s vision.

Chiara Cipolla

Director of Development

Chiara Cipolla was born and raised in Pismo Beach. She met Ryan through her brother who grew up playing baseball with him, and she later attended Arroyo Grande High School with Ryan. Chiara graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Experience Industry Management with a focus in Strategic Event Planning. At Cal Poly she earned over 1,000 volunteer hours, most of which came from volunteering for non-profit organizations. She has a passion to help others, serve the community, and carry on Ryan’s dream. During her free time, Chiara enjoys spending quality time with friends and family. She loves watching 17 Strong grow and develop and can’t wait to see what big things lie ahead for the organization.

Nicole Pitman

Director of Marketing

Nicole Pitman graduated from Cal Poly with a major in Graphic Communication with a minor in Integrated Marketing Communications. She currently works at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo as the Graphic Designer and Marketing Assistant living in San Luis Obispo. A lifelong resident of Arroyo Grande, Nicole attended Arroyo Grande High School where she met Ryan. They dated for four years, planning on spending their lives together. She loved the passion Ryan had for helping others and loves continuing the legacy of her best friend.