Board of Directors biographies

Public member biographies

Jean ChongJean Chong, President

Sacramento
2nd Term: 11/25/03-11/25/09
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Jean Chong
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Jean Chong is from Sacramento. Appointed by Governor Gray Davis in October 2003, Chong serves as a family member of a person with a mental disability residing in the community. Chong has been a member of Area Board III on Developmental Disabilities since Governor Davis appointed her to that position in 2002.

As the mother of a daughter with a biological brain disorder, Chong has served as a board member for the Sacramento County Mental Health Board since May 2000. She has also been the Mental Health Representative to the Human Services Coordinating Council since January 2001. Chong is a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the Asian Pacific State Employees Association (APSEA), the APSEA Foundation, the Chinese Community Church, and the Chinese American Council of Sacramento. She is an advisory board member of My Sister's House.

Allison Brightman Allison Brightman

Oak Park
1st Term: 9/29/07-9/28/10
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Allison Brightman
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Allison Brightman is the mother of three children: Mike, 17; Erica, 14; and Mia, 7. Erica has cerebral palsy, Mia has autism, and both girls have seizure disorders and developmental disabilities. In her quest to help her kids to be as independent as possible, Allison believes that there is strength in numbers when it comes to advocating for people with disabilities. Further, while physical accessibility is a formidable challenge, she's concerned that people with developmental disabilities also face invisible barriers such as low expectations and ridicule - which can be just as daunting.

Allison's priorities are increasing support for special education, therapies and training for children and adults with special needs. Based on her own experience, she's convinced that the earlier an individual can be taught to be independent, the better.

Allison is an entertainment attorney and a community activist. While Erica was the first student with a developmental disability to attend their local school, Allison has used her legal expertise, advocacy skills, and passion for hard work in an effort to continue to improve the lives of adults and kids with special needs in her neighborhood and beyond.

Diana Pastora Carson and her brother, JoaquinDiana Pastora Carson

Jamul
2nd Term: 10/30/04-10/29/10
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Diana Pastora Carson
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Diana Pastora Carson has been a teacher in San Diego County for the past eleven years. She has taught both special education and general education and teaches a Disability Studies course through San Diego State University Foundation. As the founder of Ability Awareness in Action, Diana is a consultant and trainer in the field of diversity as it relates to disability. She is also the author of All the Muchos in the World, a bilingual picture book for children.

Diana’s passion for issues affecting the lives of people who have disabilities helped to earn her the title of Teacher of the Year at her elementary school in 2006, and the 9th District Council PTA Honorary Service Award in 2007. Recently, her school was honored by the California State PTA in the areas of Outreach and Advocacy for their implementation of Ability Awareness in Action. Diana recently received the NBC 7/39 Heroes Award for San Diego County. Finally, she is also a featured speaker in the documentary film, The Sandwich Kid. Although Diana appreciates and values these recognitions, her greatest honor is being the sister of an extraordinary man who experiences autism, and whose experiences in life have taught her to embrace diversity in its truest form.

Leticia Escalera

Oakland
2nd Term: 09/18/04-09/17/10
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Leticia Escalera
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Jose Flores

Commerce
1st Term: 3/15/08-3/14/11
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Jose Flores
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Billy Hall

Glendale
1st Term: 3/15/08-3/14/11
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Billy Hall
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Amy Kalivas

San Diego
1st Term: 3/15/08-3/14/11
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Amy Kalivas
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Portia Lemmons Portia Lemmons, Secretary

Berkeley
1st Term: 11/01/05-10/31/08
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Portia Lemmons
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

In terms of the disability rights and independent living movement, Portia’s focus is to advocate for cross-disability and cross-cultural issues to create a more inclusive and barrier free world.

Her cross-cultural interests were developed through participation in the exchange projects of Mobility International USA. In 1995-96 she was involved in the disability rights community in Mexico, especially in the state of Michoacan. She was one of the founding members of the U.S. team for power soccer from 1984-89 for the Bay Area Recreational Program (BORP) in Berkeley.

Portia’s main priorities are to advocate for improved health care services for people with disabilities; working with children under the age of five to help them locate services that will allow them to be as independent and included as possible; and conducting workshops on sexuality and disability for participants of all ages.

As a person living with a disability and having to navigate many different communities that are not necessarily disability-friendly, she was the only student with a physical disability who was mainstreamed in her high school and graduated within four years. She attended UC Berkeley from 1995-96 and worked for the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley as the Youth Services Transition Advocate. Portia has also organized focus groups for women with cerebral palsy and their experience in navigating the world. As a result, a group of women developed a booklet, “Girl Talk,” addressing all the different issues young women with cerebral palsy may face.

In May 2007 Portia co-founded a day program that serves Berkeley-Oakland with community-based, independent living, employment and healthy living services for adults with developmental disabilities.

Orie MedicinebullOrie Medicinebull

Prather
2nd Term: 06/20/03-06/20/09
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Orie Medicinebull
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Orie Medicinebull joins PAI's board of directors as a person affiliated with a disability organization. State Senator John L. Burton, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, strongly supported Medicinebull's appointment by his committee.

Medicinebull's daughter has a rare disability. A chromosomal anomaly known as 9P-, or Alfi's syndrome, it is caused by the absence of part of the ninth chromosome. Fewer than 250 people in the United States are known to have 9P-. A nonprofit group provides support and follows research on Alfi's syndrome. Their web site is www.9pminus.org.

As an advocate for people with developmental disabilities, Medicinebull has worked in program planning and has helped people speak up for themselves for over 16 years. She devotes much of her time to public interest and volunteer work with the goal of empowering people with disabilities and their families.

An artist/filmmaker, administrator, health planner and teacher, Medicinebull graduated from UCLA and UC Berkeley with master's degrees in Fine Arts and in Public Health Planning, Policy, and Regulation.

"Colliding Worlds," Medicinebull's film about her tribe, received awards from the American Indian Film Institute in San Francisco, the American Independent Filmmakers in Beverly Hills, and the People's Film Festival in Italy.

Medicinebull is a founder of the Precious Sunset Powwow, the American Indian Women Association and the American Indian Family Center. She works closely with the American Indian Education Centers, Central Valley Regional Occupational Center, and other local agencies.

For the last 15 years, Medicinebull has served as the executive director for the American Indian Center of Central California. She is affiliated with 30 American Indian Education Centers throughout California. She is also a member of a focus group for the California Department of Education, American Indian Education Office.

Dianne MilnerDianne Millner, Chair

Oakland
2nd Term: 3/12/05-3/11/11
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Diane Millner
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Dianne Millner is the mother of a young woman with visual impairment and developmental delay. Since her daughter was an infant, Dianne actively advocated for educational and social inclusion for children with disabilities. Dianne believes that society should provide appropriate training, financial support and, most importantly, opportunities for people with disabilities so they can live life in the manner of their own choosing.

Dianne's priorities include advocating for inclusive work and careers, recreational, social and educational opportunities for people with disabilities. Dianne is especially interested in seeing that youth with disabilities in the foster care and juvenile justice system receive appropriate attention and support.

Dianne served as President of the Parents and Friends Association of the California School for the Blind; Library Commission Chair of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children; and board member of Youth for Service. She mentors African-American high school students to help them prepare and apply for college. Dianne also helps organize toy and food drives in Latino neighborhoods. 

Dianne received her bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and her law degree from Stanford Law School. She serves as a supervising attorney in the Oakland City Attorney's office. For recreation, Dianne plays the djembe drum with Isis Rising Women's African Drumming Group.

Stanton J. PriceStanton J. Price

Glendale
2nd Term: 06/21/03-06/20/09
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Stanton J. Price
100 Howe Ave., Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Stanton J. Price was appointed to the board as an attorney knowledgeable about physical, learning and sensory disabilities. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, Price is a health lawyer. He represented federally funded nonprofit corporations that provided health planning and Medicare peer review services until the government stopped funding them.

"Representing these organizations provided me with invaluable experience in understanding the federal government's role in health care," says Price. He has also represented people seeking reasonable accommodations or access under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Price devotes much of his time to public interest and volunteer work. He often provides pro bono services to people with disabilities and their families.

In 2002, the Los Angeles County Bar Association gave Price the Aranda Award for outstanding public service. "Everything I have done, professionally and personally," says Price, "has taught me that persons with disabilities need advocates, because the system of providing services can be indifferent to their needs to the point of serious negligence."

Price has lectured at UCLA and CSU Long Beach, and has served on numerous committees and boards of directors. He helped draft Proposition 186 (1994) which would have established a single payer health care system in California. More recently, he drafted language for SB 921, sponsored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl, which would also establish a single payer system.

Russell RankinRussell Rankin, Chief Financial Officer

Lake Arrowhead
2nd Term: 3/12/05-3/11/11
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Russell Rankin
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

After serving as a Public Member on PAI’s Legislative Committee, Russell Rankin was appointed to the PAI Board as a person with a physical disability.

For most of the past 30 years, Russ has been active in the area of social services and advocacy working with people with disabilities.  As a young man, he worked as Psychiatric Technician at California’s state hospitals and later as a real estate broker rehabilitating homes for resale.

In 1994, Russ was involved in auto accident.  As a result, he now experiences the world of disability from a much more personal perspective.  Following multiple back surgeries, and years of therapy and chronic pain, he continues to experience chronic pain while advocating for himself and others in the pursuit of appropriate pain management and treatment.

Kathryn Janet Trevino

Citrus Heights
1st Term: 9/16/06-9/15/09
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Kathryn Janet Trevino
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Guy Wallace

San Francisco
1st Term: 9/16/06-9/15/09
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Guy Wallace
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Eric Ybarra

Stockton
1st Term: 9/16/06-9/15/09
Contact: board@pai-ca.org or
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
Attn: Eric Ybarra
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185N
Sacramento, CA 95825

Public Member Roster

Nancy Eddy

Fremont
Legislation Committee
2nd Term: 12/01/06-11/30/08

As the parent and step-parent of 3 adult children with varying levels of disabilities, Nancy has spent the last 20 years striving for equal treatment for all children and for collaboration among families and professionals.

Children and adults who are deaf and have other special needs and their support systems are Nancy's priority in the disabilities field.This is a low incidence population that frequently gets ignored by all the systems of care and education. She is also very interested in the high functioning autistic population that is often not eligible for needed services. Parent involvement is critical to all level of people with disabilities and she works hard to encourage/promote that both among families and professionals.

Nancy's educational background led her into a career in business originally but after the birth of her second child, she decided to bring that business training to the non-profit world.  Working in various capacities with 2 Bay Area Family Resource Centers has been a joy in her life.  Currently she is directing supportive living services for an agency in Fremont, CA.

Gardening and volunteering are high on the activity list when she is not working.  Nancy is active in her church and with IMPACT, a statewide organization of parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Angela Van Ostran

Chula Vista
Legislation Committee
1st Term: 12/01/07-11/30/08

Peggy O'Neill

Woodland Hills
Diversity Committee
1st Term - 9/28/06-9/27/07

Gail L. Green

San Dimas
PAIMI Council
1st Term: 9/28/06-9/27/07

Art Martinez

Shingle Springs
PAIMI Council
1st Term: 9/28/06-9/27/07

Robin Thomas

Redding
PAIMI Council
1st Term: 9/29/07-9/28/08