Board of Directors
Matthew Haley, President of the Board of La Esperanza Community Center. Matt is a restaurant entrepreneur who has established a number of award-winning restaurants in the Delaware shore area. He is active in non-profit work, including the Celebrity Chef's Beach Brunch for Meals on Wheels, and the Rehoboth Summer Children's Theater. His new Global Delaware Fund provides support to an orphanage in Nepal and recently produced a documentary, "Hands of Harvest."
Pastor Israel Figueroa, Vice-President of the Board of La Esperanza Community Center. Pastor of Iglesia de Dios Maranatha, in Seaford, Delaware. Serves on the Governor Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs, volunteers at the Nanticoke Hospital, and has served the Sussex County Hispanic community for over seven years.
David G. Burton, Treasurer of the Board of La Esperanza Community Center. He is a retired businessman, a board member of the Delaware Community Foundation, and a Governor appointed member of the Delaware Hispanic Consortium.
Sister Maria Mairlot, Secretary of the Board of La Esperanza Community Center. Sister Maria is one of the founders of La Esperanza Community Center. She is a Carmelite Sister of Charity and an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Georgetown,
Patricia Duchesne, Board Member. Pat is active in numerous non-profit organizations. She served as board president of Interfaith Mission, Sussex Smiles Dental Clinic and is the Chairperson of Social Concerns at St. Ann Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, Delaware.
Gerson Guox, Board Member. The owner of La Quetzalteca Restaurant. Gerson is happily married and has two children. Mr. Goux is a businessman and hopes to continue to learn and grow in the business industry.
Randall Kunkle, Board Member. Randy was appointed Community Development Executive in April 2008 and is responsible for Bank of America Card Services' compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"). Randy also sits on the Board of Directors Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation, NCALL Research, Inc., Delaware Community Investment Corporation, and on the Governor's Consortium on Hispanic Affairs.
Joel Diaz, Board Member. Officer Joel Diaz has been employed by the Georgetown Police Department since 2003. He is currently a Patrolman First Class. He is also a member of the Emergency Response Team. He serves in the department's Criminal Investigations Division.
Doris Gonzalez-Rizek, Board Member. Doris is the Director for Telamon Corporation in Delaware; she oversees the early childhood programs in Sussex and Kent Counties, including Early Head Start, Head Start, Early Childhood Assistance Program and child care services.
Dr. Ileana Smith, Board Member. Dr. Smith is Vice President & Campus Director of Delaware Technical Community College of the Owens Campus since 2004. She has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research (DIMER), the Governor's Strategic Economic Council, The Heritage Commission, Carl M. Freeman F.A.C.E.S. Foundation, the Sussex County United Way Committee and the State Science and Technology Council.
Eugene S. Dvornick, Jr., Board Member. Gene served on the following statewide and local government initiatives: ViTAL Economy - Economic Development for Rural Communities (DEDO); Brownfield Process Redesign (DNREC); Communities in Transition (UD - College of Marine Studies) and most recently, Delaware Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - Sussex County (DEDO). He is active as an Assistant Fire Chief with the Milton Fire Department; Board Member for the First State Community Action Agency and Treasurer of the Milton Lions Club.