John O'Connor, Executive Director, joined The Center in April 2011 to oversee the organizational transformation which is underway in collaboration with the board, staff and community.  O’Connor, a graduate of Georgetown University, has a breadth of experience in cause-related work, including directing foundations, museum programs and advocacy organizations.  In his role as Deputy Director of the California Museum, O’Connor worked directly with then first spouse Maria Shriver to found the California Hall of Fame.  Other previous positions include Program Director for The David Geffen Foundation, Manager of DreamWorks SKG charitable giving program and National Director of The Gill Foundation.  O’Connor has lived abroad in Sweden and Thailand, volunteered extensively on the Big Island, has Olive as canine companion and likes to swim, bike and run.

Contact: joconnor@thecenterps.org

Jacob Samples, Program and Wellness Associate - joined the organization in 2011, and is originally from Glendora, CA.  Jacob received his B.A. in Liberal Studies/Education from Cal. State Fullerton in 2008, and went on to complete his M.A. in LGBT Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Los Angeles in 2011.  In his spare time, he performs around Southern California as a vocalist, and has even performed at the Steve Chase Awards in 2011 benefitting the Desert Aids Project. Jacob was an active member of Cal. State Fullerton’s queer/straight alliance, and helped raised money for Los Angeles AIDS walk.  He has also volunteered his time promoting Antioch University’s LGBT Specialization in Clinical Psychology at the Los Angeles Pride festival. Jacob lives here in the desert with his partner of two years, Kurt.

Contact:jsamples@thecenterps.org

Jill Gover, Ph.D., Director of Counseling - joined The Center in July 2011 as Director of Wellness.  Dr. Gover has been a practicing licensed psychologist since 1994.  She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at the Center for Psychological Studies in Berkeley.  She obtained her B.A. in Psychology and Masters in Counseling at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA.  She was the Coordinator of Student Assistance Programs for the Vallejo Unified School District for 15 years, and maintained a private practice in Vallejo and Berkeley during that time.   For the past 13 years, she was the Director of Mental Health Services for a rural primary care health center in northern California. As a California State Department of Mental Health certified trainer on suicide prevention, she has trained teachers and mental health professionals throughout California in a suicide intervention model. In addition, she has developed psycho-educational curriculum on peer counseling, anger management, and co-dependency for children of alcoholics.  She specializes in addiction and co-dependency, anxiety and depression, relationship problems, stress management, and LGBT issues. Dr. Gover moved to the Desert in November 2010, and is delighted to be working at The Center.

Contact: drgover@thecenterps.org

Robert Van Dyke, Wellness Program Assistant -  His career has been focused on helping the chronically mentally ill.  Recently he retired from Riverside County Mental Health after working there for 22 years.  He has held a variety of positions in clinical and residential settings.  He is a licensed Psych Tech, with a BA in Sociology and graduate work in Theology at St. Francis School of Pastoral Ministry in Milwaukee, WI.  He moved to the Desert many years ago with his life partner of 33 years.

Contact: rvandyke@thecenterps.org

Steve Seager - Programs & Operations Manager - previously a volunteer at The Center, joined the organization as a staff member in 2011 serving as the Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator. He is responsible for volunteer recruitment, training, and overseeing more than 100 volunteers. Most recently Steve was the Program Director for Court Appointed Special Advocates where he recruited volunteer advocates for children in foster care. He has also served as Executive Director for the chamber of commerce. A former foster parent, Steve has volunteered for a number of community organizations. Originally from the Midwest, he resides with his partner Gregory in Palm Springs,CA.

Contact: sseager@thecenterps.org

Gary Costa - Executive Assistant - has recently joined the Center to support the fundraising, special events and external communication functions in direct support of the executive director.  The new position was created to support a major expansion of programs and services that has been underway at The Center for the last year. Costa comes to The Center with a wealth of experience in working with not-for-profit and LGBT organizations, beginning in 1987 as the Program Director at The Center OC and as Executive Director of Being Alive, Los Angeles. He was most recently the Resource Coordinator for the Coachella Valley Autism Society and prior to that, for 10 years as Associate Director at Dartmouth College, where he worked on their $1.5 billion capital campaign.

He has served on various non-profit boards and County and State Commissions and was elected Co-Chair of the LA County HIV Planning Commission.

Costa has been a part-time resident of Palm Springs for the past 8 years - dividing his time between Los Angeles and Las Vegas where he maintains a second home with his partner Stephen. He returned full-time to Palm Springs in 2010.

In his spare time he enjoys hiking, traveling and the gym.

Contact: gcosta@thecenterps.org

Jo Hercus - Jo Hercus is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integrated Studies in San Francisco.  She currently has a private practice in Palm Springs and San Francisco.

Her previous work experience includes an LGBT-focused mental health agency, a local neighborhood-based counseling center, a public high school, and service to the LGBT and recovery communities in her private practice in San Francisco.

Jo has an extensive background of community service, having served on the board of the LGBT Horizons Foundation in San Francisco and the board of the national Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. She was a hospice volunteer for 5 years.Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Jo grew up in Sydney, Australia, came to the USA in 1991, and gained her American citizenship in 2000.

Jamie Simmons, Counseling Staff - is pursuing his licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and is currently an intern at The Center, Palm Springs. He has an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Santa Monica in Santa Monica, California.

John-Richard Pagan, a pre-graduate Marriage Family Therapy Intern, he is excited to join the LGBT Community Center of the Desert in offering counseling services within Coachella Valley. John-Richard is in the final stages of completing his Master’s degree in Psychology at Brandman/Chapman University. His plans include continuing on to his Doctoral degree in Clinical – Social Psychology, which he is presently preparing to begin in 2012. John-Richard comes to us with a diverse knowledge base which includes alcohol and drug addiction and recovery, specifically in relationship to LGBTQ Young Adults. He is also a computer network engineer as well as a connoisseur of fine coffees and teas, having owned his own Coffee shop in Idyllwild, CA. He loves his social time with friends who share similar interests in life and living.

Carl Atkin, Food Pantry Coordinator - Previously a volunteer at The Center, Carl joined the organization as a staff member in January of 2012 serving as the Food Pantry Coordinator. He is responsible for stocking the Pantry, supervising  and overseeing Pantry Volunteers, and ensuring the smooth operation of food distribution in a kind and compassionate manner.  Carl has over 25 years of retail and food service experience as a small business owner.   Originally from Massachusetts, he resides now in Palm Springs, CA.

Contact: catkin@thecenterps.org

Nina Ruedas, Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (IMF67572), completed her BS in Psychology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).  She then received her MS in Counseling at San Diego State University (SDSU).  As a Los Angeles native and long time resident of San Diego, Nina is pleased to find herself in the desert.  Her therapeutic specializations include sex therapy, couples counseling, and issues concerning domestic violence.  She is the current Student Involvement Chair of The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Western Region as well as a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. 

Shann Carr , Volunteer Coordinator - Shann joined The Center in April of 2011 after coveting the volunteer coordinator job for some time.  As the Executive Producer of the production company, Moxie Studios, Shann has produced films and TV pilots, conferences and live events for almost 20 years.   All of those tasks require a bit of savvy in wrangling volunteers and keeping things interesting and she’s just the right woman for that!  As a comedian Shann has performed at every kind of gay event there is, as well as headlining on Atlantis Events entertaining on every cruise the company produced for 10 years becoming a fan favorite.