Board of Trustees 2023- 2024
Executive Board Members
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Jill Flygare

Board Chair

Jill Flygare is the SVP of Economic Development and Social Impact at LSI Solutions Development, a consulting firm with over 50 years of experience in solving complex business problems. In her role, Jill collaborates with a diverse range of businesses and industries, focusing on economic growth through workforce development, diversification, infrastructure investment, and innovation and technology while promoting positive social outcomes within the community.

Before joining LSI, Jill held various key positions, including Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Utah Inland Port Authority, managing director of internal operations in the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, finance director in the state’s Department of Heritage and Arts, and budget and policy analyst at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. These roles equipped Jill with deep operational expertise and facilitated valuable strategic partnerships. Jill’s educational background includes teaching at the University of Utah, where she earned three degrees—a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, and two master’s degrees in education and public administration. Additionally, she holds a Master Certification of Accounting from the University of Phoenix, is a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and has actively contributed to organizations like the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), serving as its president in 2017, and participating in various boards, including the Multicultural Commission, Utah Futures, and the Columbus Community Center.

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Randy Atkin

Board Vice Chair

Randy has been involved in the real estate industry for over 35 years, having obtained his real estate license through Obrien Real Estate in 1985. He currently serves as the Vice President, Industrial Properties at Colliers International/Coldwell Banker Commercial Advisors. Prior to this role, Randy was the Director of Commercial real estate sales and leasing with Cushman Wakefield Commerce Real Estate solutions. He has also served as the Vice President of CBRE.

Aside from his professional work, Randy also volunteers his time with several local organizations. He is a member of the Fourth Street Clinic Corporate Advisory Board, Great Salt Lake Yacht Club Board of Directors, Utah CCIM Chapter Board of Directors, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors, where he serves as the Board President.

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Cheri Miller

Board Treasurer

As the CFO of Mountain Medical Physician Specialist, Cheri was responsible for managing the company’s $55 million a year in medical billing, securing financing for imaging medical equipment, and negotiating contracts with IHC and IASIS hospital systems. Throughout Cheri’s 35-year career as a Certified Management Accountant and entrepreneur, she has experience in many industries, including rental properties, construction, manufacturing, entertainment, and medical. Since she retired from Mountain Medical Physician Specialists in 2017, she has focused on managing short-term rental properties that she and her husband own and running the NASA Utah Region, a road racing car series. Cheri is passionate about serving and giving back to her community. She is currently a member of the Colombus board and the Focis board. She has also served on Zion’s advisory board and LHM Charities Board. In her free time, she enjoys UTVing, scuba diving, traveling, building Legos, and painting.

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Dr. Tulinda Larsen

Board Secretary

Dr. Tulinda Larsen serves as President of the Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative, a public-private-partnership focused on new processes for manufacturing. She brings an industry perspective to the Columbus Board. She holds a BA and MA in Economics from The George Washington University and a Doctorate of Management from the University of Maryland.

She serves as the key spokesperson for UAMMI at industry events and before government agencies.

She began her career in Washington, D.C. as an economist at the US Department of Transportation, where she gained experience in the air transport industry. For more than 40 years, she has been a practicing economist studying various aspects of the aerospace industry.

Dr. Larsen is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus. She holds a Doctorate of Management from University of Maryland Global Campus, BA and MA in economics from The George Washington University.

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Kristy Chambers

Columbus CEO

Kristy Chambers is the CEO of Columbus Community Center and the former CEO of The Fourth Street Clinic. She has dedicated the last 20 years of her career to developing programs and overseeing large building projects in the nonprofit social services sector.  A certified public accountant for over thirty years, Kristy’s professional background includes public accounting and top-level management positions in healthcare, real estate, retail, and hospitality.    She has served on several local and national nonprofit boards, including as the Board Chair for the Utah Nonprofit Association (UNA), Utah Health Policy Project (UHPP), South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce (SSLC), and the Association of Utah Community Health (AUCH).  As a prior instructor with the University of Utah Nonprofit Academy and a current requested guest speaker, she continues to serve her community by developing future nonprofit leaders.  Kristy graduated from UCLA with a degree in Economics/Business, has a Master’s degree in Business Taxation from the Washington School of Law, and completed her Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Utah.

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Dr. Patricia Aguayo

Member At-Large

Dr. Patricia Aguayo is an Assistant Professor (Clinical) at the University of Utah, specializing in Autism spectrum disorders, related disabilities, and advocacy for children, young adults, and their families. She holds a medical degree from Universidad Anahuac in Mexico City, Mexico, and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Arizona. Dr. Aguayo completed her Psychiatry residency at New York Medical College, where she served as chief resident, and went on to pursue a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine.

In her extensive career, Dr. Aguayo has worked in outpatient and inpatient settings, focusing on patients with Autism and challenging behaviors. She is also the parent of a 20-year-old with Autism, which has fueled her passion to support individuals with disabilities. Since November 2018, she has held the role of Medical Director at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute’s Neurobehavior HOME and Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinics, where she offers psychiatric care to individuals with Autism and related disabilities. Her overarching goal is to develop innovative programs and support systems that enhance the quality of life for those living with disabilities.

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Ryan Nelson

Past Board Chair

Ryan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Portuguese with a Minor in International Relations from Brigham Young University. He pursued his legal education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he managed his studies alongside his family commitments and internships, including one with the Office of the State Attorney and another as a law clerk for a construction law litigation firm. After graduating, Ryan’s legal career spanned various areas, with a notable achievement being an appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals and later to the Colorado Supreme Court, leading to two published opinions that influenced Colorado law.

For nearly eleven years, Ryan provided consultative legal advice to employers at Employers Council, specializing in strategic and practical solutions across employment law and human resources. He also served as the Managing Director of the Utah office for the last four years. In 2021, Ryan transitioned to Avalon Healthcare Management as Corporate Counsel for Labor & Employment, subsequently earning a promotion to Vice President, where he assumed leadership of the Human Resources department. In September 2023, Ryan received another promotion to Senior Vice President, taking on responsibility for leading the Human Resources department and acting as Deputy General Counsel. He holds licenses to practice law in Utah, Colorado (inactive), and Florida (inactive), and is certified as an SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources).

Board Members
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Jennifer Hwu

Board member

Jennifer Hwu, a Taiwanese-American entrepreneur and electrical engineer, holds a master’s and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from UCLA and served as a professor at the University of Utah for twelve years before founding InnoSys. As the CEO, she has overseen InnoSys’s consistent sales growth over the past eight years and is now expanding the company’s reach into consumer products, anticipating a doubling of current revenue. Hwu’s expertise in electrical engineering has driven innovation in LED lighting, resulting in more efficient electric units to power the lighting.

Jennifer Hwu’s journey from being a high school physics teacher in Taiwan to an entrepreneur began with her decision to pursue electrical engineering at UCLA. Her commitment to putting her research to practical use and creating impactful products inspired her to start InnoSys and contribute to the field of electrical engineering.

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Elliott Francis

Board Member

Elliot is a Principle Software Engineer for the University of Utah Health Science Cores and graduate of the Multi-Disciplinary Design program at the University of Utah. Diagnosed with ASD when he was 18 Elliot has been working for over 15 years to develop and implement success strategies for using autism as a positive difference in the world.

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Maura Carabello

Board Member

Maura Carabello founded The Exoro Group, a Salt Lake City-based strategic communications and public policy firm in 2002. Her firm has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of various public issues in Utah, including water conservation, public safety, transportation, arts, healthcare, and civic education. Maura is known for her clear thinking, extensive policy background, and her ability to work across the political spectrum and think creatively. She is not only an experienced facilitator, speaker, and trainer but also serves as an advisor and strategist to Utah’s top elected officials, non-profits, and business leaders, driven by her passion for advocacy and achieving success for others. Her career has been diverse, including development work in Uganda during the AIDS crisis, time at Time Magazine in New York City, and leadership roles in various organizations.

Maura’s  influence extends beyond her consultancy work. She shares her policy knowledge and passion through various media platforms, including hosting KUTV’s podcast “Take 2” and KSL’s news radio show “KSL at Night.” She is a regular commentator on PBS Utah’s “Hinckley Report” and has appeared on national outlets like The Today Show and NPR, solidifying her reputation as a seasoned commentator and advocate for impactful change.

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Natalie Castro

Board Member

Natalie Castro, a special needs real estate agent and home adaptation specialist, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of special needs families through her coaching platform, Pieces of Inspiration. As an Autism sibling and co-guardian to her younger sister, Angie, Natalie developed deep compassion and empathy from a young age, experiencing the challenges and joys of caring for a loved one with special needs. After the loss of their father in their early twenties, Natalie’s passion for coaching, advocacy, and transforming the homes and lives of special needs families was ignited. Her role transitioned from being an Autism sibling to becoming Angie’s guardian, and this change sparked her innovative approach to offering home and lifestyle support to special needs families.

Natalie is not only a TEDx speaker but also a dedicated coach, drawing from her personal experiences to provide support, resources, and a collaborative approach for parents navigating the challenges of raising a child with special needs. She tailors her coaching sessions to each family’s unique needs, focusing on home adaptations, child development, resilience, self-care, and building a strong family lifestyle and community support. Through her impactful talks and online presence, Natalie reaches a global audience, serving as a source of education and inspiration for countless individuals touched by her work. In her leisure time, she enjoys quality moments with family, hiking, cooking, attending concerts, traveling, camping, and spending time with her dogs, all while immersing herself in her life’s work to make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by autism and special needs.

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Scott Jones

Board Member

I have worked with Columbus Community Center for about 11 years. My position is a DSP (direct support professional). I enjoy working with clients to help them achieve their goals.

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Marsha Judkins

Board Member

Marsha Judkins is currently an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and an elected Representative in the Utah State House. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a math minor and a master’s degree in Public Administration. While raising seven children as a stay-at-home mom, she remained active in her community through volunteering, PTA involvement, coaching, and work as a children’s librarian and substitute teacher.

Marsha’s focus on children and education led her to serve on the Provo School Board in 2012, where she aimed to improve communication between parents, teachers, and the School District. Recognizing the legislature’s influence on education, she ran for and was elected to the Utah State House in 2018. Currently in her third term, she represents House District 61, advocating for families and vulnerable populations while serving on various committees, including Social Services Appropriations, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Revenue and Taxation, and Health and Human Services.

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Scott Schofield

Board Member

Scott is the Assistant Vice President of Supply Chain Services for Intermountain Health. Scott has spent the past 23 years supporting Intermountain’s mission in “helping people live the healthiest lives possible”. Scott is a proud alumnus of the University of Utah.

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Randy Woodbury

Board Member

O. Randall “Randy” Woodbury is Vice Chairman of Woodbury Corporation, a 4th generation family real estate development and management company in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 1919, now with $4.4 Billion in assets under management, the Woodbury portfolio includes mixed use, retail, office, hotel, residential and industrial projects across 16 states. Randy is Principal Broker and maintains active Utah real estate and insurance licenses. Randy holds the CPM® designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management for which he served its 2010 International President. He earned a B.A. in Business Finance with emphasis on Real Estate from the University of Utah. Randy is Chair of the Salt Lake City Branch Board of The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. He also serves on the boards of Envision Utah, Salt Lake Chamber and the Granite Education Foundation.