James Stieringer, Board President

Board President James Stieringer is a retired defense contract consultant. He earned his bachelor’s degree from California Western University and a master’s in business administration from Florida State University. A Vietnam Veteran he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Jim is a strong supporter of health care education and District’s Support of the Grossmont College nurse training Programs and the District’s high school health care scholarship awards.

Deborah McElravy, R.Ph., Board Vice-President

A pharmacist since 1974, and an East County resident for more than 32 years, Deborah McElravy was appointed to the Board in December 2006 to fill a vacant seat. Her term will run until November 2008. She previously served on the Board from 2000 to 2004. A native Glassport, Penn. McElravy graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy. The resident of San Carlos has served as the pharmacy manager at the La Mesa Costco Wholesale since 1999. Prior to Costco, she was a pharmacy manager for two years at a pharmacy for chronic disease patients and at Kaiser Permanente for 18 years. She has three grown children.

Gloria A. Chadwick, R.N., Board Secretary

A second generation San Diegan and resident of East County since 1964, Gloria Chadwick, R.N., has served on the Board since 1998. She was the first woman to be elected to the board in 22 years, and the first woman ever to serve as Board President. She recently retired after a 44-year career of working in the healthcare profession. In the November 2006 general election, Chadwick won re-election to another four-year term after receiving the highest number of votes - more than 66,500. She currently serves as a member of the Legislative Committee of the Association of California Healthcare Districts.

Michael Emerson, Board Treasurer

Michael Emerson, Board Treasurer Michael Emerson is a Registered Dispensing Optician (RDO), a Fellow of the National Academy of Opticianry (FNAO) an American Board Certified Optician (ABO) and is certified by the State Board of Medical Quality Assurance of the California Medical Board. A La Mesa resident since 1992, Emerson has been the owner of Hart Optical Company of La Mesa for 21 years. He also currently serves on staff as a senior martial arts instructor at the Davis YMCA facilities in La Mesa. Emerson has served thru numerous offices on both local and state levels as a member of the La Mesa Optimist Club and the La Mesa Kiwanis Club. Mr. Emerson was voted unanimously to serve on the GHD board in May, 2008, filling the vacancy created by Robert P. Yarris retiring. Prior to joining the GHD board, Michael served as a GHD board designee to the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Corporation board, on the facilities committee overseeing all structures on the campus and as an alternate on the Proposition G Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC). As a Grossmont Healthcare District Director, Mr. Emerson is Chairman of both the District GO Bond Committee and the Investment Committee and is a member of the District Finance/Audit Committee. As a firm proponent of continuing education, Mr. Emerson is currently completing the Special District Leadership and Management Certification Program offered by the Special District and Local Government Institute. He is expected to complete this three tiered training in September, 2008.

Shirley Murphy, Board Member

Dehesa resident Shirley Apple Murphy is a cultural psychologist, life coach consultant and advocate for Native American issues. Shirley is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and has lived with husband Hank on the Sycuan Indian Reservation since 1974. Her career has focused on health care, education and language retention. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, a master’s degree in counseling and a second master’s degree in cultural psychology. She is owner and president of Taspan Counseling Co., which is involved in research and development of indigenous knowledge and its application to educational curriculum, career counseling, community development and life coaching. In June 2008, she was selected to serve on the GHD board for the office formerly held by the late Dr. John W. Hardebeck, who passed away in April 2008.

Barry Jantz Chief Executive Officer

Barry Jantz was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in September 2004, after having been a community relations consultant handling the District's annual grants program. Past experience includes financial services manager at Kaiser Permanente, and as district chief of staff to Assemblyman Jay LaSuer. Jantz was a member of the La Mesa City Council from 1990 to 2006, and is the current chairman of the East County Economic Development Council. His educational background includes journalism and political science at Grossmont College and San Diego State University.

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