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Monarch School Project Welcomes Recognized

Leadership With Four New Directors

San Diego, Calif., March 22, 2004 —Monarch School, a San Diego County School serving homeless and at-risk youth, today announced Julie Dillon, Ronne Froman, Scott McPherson and Greg Zinser have joined its Board of Directors. Each of these individuals brings a history of hands-on participation at Monarch along with considerable community expertise.

Dillon, president and owner of Dillon Development, Inc. has more than 30 years of experience in land use and has been honored with a seat on the board of the Centre City Development Corp.  

Froman, CEO of the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross, distinguished herself in the Navy, where she retired as Rear Admiral, and as chief of business operations with the San Diego Unified School District.

McPherson, a partner with M&H Realty Partners, specializes in real estate acquisition and redevelopment.

Zinser joined Vista Hill in 1984 and now serves as President and CEO of the behavioral health care services organization.

“We have been so honored by the support of these individuals in the past,” said Monarch School Project Board President Michelle Candland. “To be able to include them on the Board of Directors brings their wisdom and expertise into a new and much needed focus for the students at Monarch School.”

Dillon, Froman, McPherson and Zinser will play critical roles on the team that makes policy and procedure recommendations for Monarch School and the Monarch School Project.   Additionally, they will use connections in the community to assist with much-needed fundraising.

Dillon's contributions predate the formation of the Monarch School Project when the program was in a storefront where the ballpark now sits.   "Five years ago, my husband and I visited Monarch School,” Dillon said. “When we saw the miracles Monarch was making, we got involved, with both our hearts and our checks.   What a blessing it has been for us to be a part of such a caring and giving group of people that are breaking the cycle of homelessness."

McPherson has chaired the Construction Committee in its effort to serve the growing Monarch School population.   “We have the determination and experience that we need to do this critical job,” he said. “We can't keep turning kids away when they want to change their lives for the better.”

The music program at Monarch has long been the volunteer project of Greg Zinser who continues to teach early morning piano lessons there.

Ronne Froman became involved as an active part of her Rotary service. "I am captivated by the energy, the warmth and the potential for these kids. I am proud to now serve an organization that makes such a difference, one student at a time,” she said.

Dillon, Froman, McPherson and Zinser join existing Monarch School Project Board members including: President Michelle Candland (managing director, CB Richard Ellis, Inc.), David Boatwright (partner, Latham & Watkins), Bennet Greenwald ( president, The Greenwald Company), Tom Hornish, (partner, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP), Michael Jones ( president, ProFinance Associates, Inc.), Judy McDonald , John Rosicky, Ralph Rubio ( CEO, Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill), Cecile Steppe (president and CEO, San Diego Urban League, Inc.) and Robert Traylor.

About Monarch School

Monarch School serves homeless and at-risk students. Its mission is to provide an environment where homeless and at-risk youth can improve their lives through education.   Monarch operates through a partnership between the San Diego County Office of Education, which provides the educational component, and the Monarch School Project, a non-profit formed to raise money for the non-tr aditional needs of Monarch's students, such as after-school programs, visual and performing arts, field trips, mentoring, tutoring, and post-graduation support, as well as, the basics of laundry facilities, food, clothing and personal hygiene items.   The school relies heavily on partnerships with the community and local businesses to break the cycle of poverty for its students.

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