Jennifer Simmons, Executive Director, jsimmons@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 307
Jennifer was born and raised in San Jose (near the Pruneyard). Her parents still live in the home she grew up in. Jennifer is a local gal – living with her husband, and two children about 10 minutes from her parents in the Cambrian area. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in Politics. Jennifer is the Executive Director and has been with Habitat Silicon Valley for 5 years. Jennifer believes, “I have the greatest job in the world. I get to lead a great staff in fulfilling our mission of building homes for deserving families in our community. In my role I also get to know our Habitat families, volunteers and donors. My job is very challenging, but everyday I’m inspired to build more homes in Santa Clara County for great families that come to us looking for an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership.”
Jennifer’s favorite quote: “The answer is always “no” if you do not ask the question.”
Chris Weaver, Director of Housing Development, cweaver@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x.308
Chris was born in Milwaukee, WI, and grew up in Sacramento, CA. She attended American River College, Sac State and San Jose State – majoring in Business. Chris’s role at Habitat Silicon Valley is to keep our pipeline full of housing projects, process the planning and permitting, and new site acquisition.
Chris’ favorite quote: “God can’t drive a parked car” and “If you rest, you rust.”
Brent Koontz, Construction Manager, bkoontz@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 315 (construction hotline)
Brent was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana but grew up in Wheaton, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). Brent attended University of Illinois at Champaign/ Urbana and graduated with a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Percussion Performance (go figure!). Brent’s position within Habitat is Construction Manager and Site Supervisor. His job entails many aspects of managing the construction sites from beginning to end through scheduling, construction budgeting, procurement, and most importantly leading the amazing volunteers through the numerous construction tasks on a day to day basis. Brent’s favorite quote: ”And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Nelson Mandela
John Colburn, ReStore Manager, jcolburn@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 303
Raised in Mountain View, CA. John attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he received a B.S. in Business with a concentration in Marketing. John joined Habitat Silicon Valley as an AmeriCorps in 2009 and has continued to work with the construction team to build houses with volunteers and homeowners. John’s favorite quote is: “Life’s a garden…dig it.”
Ted Becker, Corporate Development Officer, tbecker@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 316
Born and raised in Aurora, Illinois, Ted graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1969 with a B.S. in Business Marketing and in 1971 with an MBA. Ted is responsible for Corporate and Foundation Fund Development and helps build the capacity to fund current and upcoming developments. Ted’s favorite quote: “Damn the torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead.”
Erin Spaulding, Marketing and Communications Specialist, espaulding@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 306
Born and raised in San Diego, Erin moved to the Silicon Valley to attend San Jose State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Public Relations. She joined the Habitat team as an AmeriCorps VISTA for one year and now works to build Habitat Silicon Valley’s awareness through marketing and outreach. Erin’s favorite aspect of her position is “getting to know the families and sharing their incredible stories.” Erin’s favorite quote: “The future is not a place you will go; it’s a place you will invent.”
Don Varney, Faith Relations Coordinator, dvarney@hfhsv.org
Don was raised in Prairie Village, Kansas (near Kansas City) and attended University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS., receiving his B.A. in Journalism. As the Faith Relations Manager, Don is building a sustainable Faith Relations program for HFHSV. Developing the first All Faiths House project in the South Bay at HFHSV’s new affordable housing development project in Cupertino, CA. Don works toward creating “a celebration of the ways that a multitude of congregations can bring Faith and service together at Habitat for Humanity.” Don’s favorite quote: “When you arise each morning, give thanks for your life…If you see no reason for giving thanks…the fault lies within yourself.” – Tecumseh
Julia Jones, Executive Assistant/ Office Manager, jjones@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 301
Julia Jones, born and raised in California; Julia has worked for Executives in the Lending field for over 20 years. At Habitat, she is Executive Assistant, Office Manager, Accounting Clerk, AmeriCorps Host Site Manager and assists with in-kind donations, fundraising, volunteering and wherever help is needed. Julia’s favorite quote: “I like the idea of having an affect on people’s lives and sometimes we need to be reminded of that.”
Adrian Lopez, Homeowner Relations Manager, alopez@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 311
Adrian Lopez was born in Mexico and grew up in Southern California. He now lives in San Jose with his wife and two cats. He graduated with honors from California State University, Monterey Bay with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social & Behavioral Sciences. He is currently attending San Jose State University where he is working on his Masters of Urban & Regional Planning. At Habitat he is the Homeowner Relations Manager and works with our families to ensure they are successful homeowners. He also chairs the Family Selection Committee and helps support the Homeowner Readiness Workshops. He is an avid sports fan, whose favorite motto is “Commitment to Excellence.”
Alessandra Pio di Savoia, Homeownership Counselor, apiodisavoia@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x.314
Alessandra was born in Rome, Italy and moved to San Francisco with her family when she was 15 years old. She attended the Dominican University in San Rafael, CA, graduating with a degree in International Studies, and a minor in both French and Spanish. Alessandra is our Homeownership Counselor and works in the Homeowner Relations Department. She runs the Homeownership Readiness Program which is designed to outreach and educate the community regarding the Habitat program and its qualifications guidelines. Through as series of workshops and one-on-one meetings Alessandra helps potential applicants prepare to apply and qualify for a Habitat home. Alessandra’s favorite quote: “Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by those doing it.”
AmeriCorps Team
Alex Trimble, Resource Development Coordinator, atrimble@hfhsv.org 408.942.6444 x. 305
Jeannie Whitlock, Faith & Youth Relations, jwhitlock@hfhsv.org 408.942.6446 x. 304
Sarah Makarchuk, Volunteer Coordinator, smakarchuk@hfhsv.org 408.942.6446 x. 312
Joseph Whitley, Construction Crew Leader
Tim Scott, Construction Crew Leader
