Our Governance
The Resource Exchange is governed by a Community Centered Board (CCB) for El Paso, Park and Teller counties. CCBs are authorized by the State of Colorado to manage and deliver services to people with developmental disabilities. The Board of Directors provides strategic and fiduciary oversight and through management of the President/CEO, directs programs and services that support the independence of people with developmental disabilities.
Board of Directors 2011-2012
William Kurtz, William Kurtz Ltd., President and Chair, Development Committee
William Kurtz, owner of William Kurtz, Ltd., men’s clothier, is currently the Board President and Development Committe Chair. Bill has hired a number of students with developmental disabilities to help in his store through his with the special education program at Palmer High School. “Many of these young people have autism, but they are able to greet people as they came in the door and perform office related tasks for me,” he says. Bill also got to know The Resource Exchange through Kim and Dave Matthews, loyal supporters of TRE. His sister now works in speech pathology with the Early Intervention program at TRE. To people considering a donation Bill says, “The money you give to TRE is well spent in helping people live more independent lives."
William Cool, Vice-President
William Cool, Board Vice-President, moved to Colorado Springs from Texas after retiring from the Dell Corporation. As the parent of a child with a developmental disability, Bill has learned how difficult it can be to navigate the system and find the right services for a child. Thanks to the ARC, which was the gateway organization in Texas, Bill found the services his child needed. Bill started out doing intake for TRE, and Kim Matthews, mother of former client Chris Matthews, recruited him for the Board. “When I moved here I knew I wanted to get involved. I looked at a lot of organizations before settling on The Resource Exchange,” Bill says. “I like the way they function, helping people negotiate the path to services so they don’t have to do it alone.”
Tracy Narvet, Memorial Hospital, Treasurer
Tracy Narvet is the Board Treasurer/Assistant Secretary and also Chair of the Finance Committee. Her day job as Controller at Memorial Health System provides her with a comprehensive understanding of health care financial issues. Tracy’s first contact with TRE came when she had a son that she thought might need services. The experience hit a nerve as she saw the complexities of navigating through the myriad of care options. “I feel good about giving my time to help others who, through no fault of their own, are limited in their ability to take care of their own needs,” Tracy states. “I get great satisfaction seeing the results of what people accomplish with the support of The Resource Exchange.” Tracy was recommended for the Board by former chair Gary Flansberg.
Murray Weiner, Mulliken Weiner Karsh Berg & Jolivet, Immediate Past President
Murray Weiner is a partner in the law firm of Mulliken, Weiner, Karsh, Berg and Jolivet, P.C. Murray has always been involved in community activities, especially ones that help young people. He has served with The Community Partnership for Child Development and Head Start, but volunteering with The Resource Exchange is particularly meaningful. Murray has a daughter with a developmental disability, and he understands the value the organization provides to families. “People tend not to understand when a disorder is in the mind,” says Murray. “The disabilities are not as easily recognized, and people don’t realize that they are not the result of choices, but rather are the effect of genetic or chromosomal happenstance over which the person has no control.” Former member Drew Willis recommended Murray to the Board.
Heidi Brandon
Jay Engeln, Colorado College
Board member Jay Engeln is a former principal of Palmer High School. He was named National Principal of the Year in 2000, due in part to the strength of the Special Education program at Palmer. Jay is now Director of Alumni and Parent Relations at Colorado College, his alma mater. One of Jay’s students was Chris Matthews, a magnificent young man who happened to have developmental disabilities. Dave and Kim, Chris’s parents, impressed by his concern for the special education students, encouraged Jay to get involved with The Resource Exchange. “I am amazed at the impact The Resource Exchange has with its limited resources,” says Jay, “but I really would like to see the community step up with more support to help this great organization.”
Lauren Jervik, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services
Tom Kerwin
Tim Mason, AXA Advisors
Tim Mason, Certified Financial Planner with AXA Advisors, has been involved with development for various non-profits over the years. He first connected with TRE through Pikes Peak United Way and through his sister who watched the Matthews kids, including son Chris, a TRE client. Chris’s mother Kim asked Tim to get involved as TRE was beginning to look more toward the private sector to expand its funding. Tim is impressed that the leadership of TRE is thoughtful about long-term objectives and points to the Developmental Disabilities Health Center partnership with Peak Vista and others as an example. “I really like that we are giving voice to a population that might not otherwise be heard,” says Tim. “TRE does great work, but the real challenge is finding a way to serve those still on the waiting list.”
Steve Rodemer, Attorney-at-Law
Harry Salzman, Salzman Real Estate Services
Harry Salzman is the owner of Salzman Real Estate Services, specializing in Residential Real Estate since 1972 and focused for individual and employer relocations. He became aware of The Resource Exchange when he helped Executive Director David Ervin find a home upon David’s move to Colorado Springs to take the position at TRE. Harry has always given back to the community and brings a business perspective to the Board. “I am impressed with the TRE staff and especially appreciate that staff listens to the Board and takes advantage of the varied expertise on the Non Profit Board,” says Harry.
Gerry Sunderland
Gerard "Gerry" Sunderland is a volunteer who was recommended for the Board by avid TRE supporter Kim Matthews and Tom Brandon. Gerard has a personal interest in the work of The Resource Exchange because he has Cerebral Palsy and is hearing impaired. “I experienced developmental awkwardness in the process of growing up,” Gerard writes. He very much enjoys being with other people and as he expresses so eloquently, “I understand disability, and the only thing that keeps me from expressing myself fully is uncertainty about what other people are saying [because of my impaired hearing].”
John Tighe, Park County Commissioner
John Tighe is committed to service. He is a Park County Commissioner, Reserve Deputy Sheriff, and he represents Park County on the TRE Board. John’s son grew up with a friend with special needs. He saw first hand the difficulties and hardships the young man and his family faced trying to find needed services. John enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity to join the TRE Board with the goal of bringing a higher level of service to Park County. “Park County is very large and demographically diverse,” says John. “The northern part of the county is more closely tied to Denver and the South Park area is closer to Colorado Springs. Finding a way to deliver services to this spread out population has been difficult, and TRE has done an excellent job of growing its service capacity in the County.”
David Ervin, President and CEO
