Our Project Staff
Executive Officers
Leroy Geter, President / CEO
Educator, Community Leader & Activist
Career and Life Goal Seek and maintain a mid- to senior-level management opportunity in higher education, public administration and politics, or local government, with a particular interest in program management and developmental initiatives, and policy analysis and advocate for youth and family reunification and empowerment.
Family Background
Born and raised in the rural hamlet of Fair Forest, (Spartanburg County) South Carolina in March 1947. Attended Lincoln Consolidated School, and graduated with honors in May, 1965. The son of Earnest and Agnes Geter; one of fourteen (14) siblings.
Education & Training
Left native home of South Carolina to attend college in San Diego, California in June 1965. Attended San Diego City College (1966-68) Worked in the Admissions & Records Office at San Diego State College as a Student Assistant in the Counseling Department.
Received the Bachelor of Arts Degree, California State University, Northridge, in 1975. Continued education in graduate study, MA in Education Psychology and Student Personnel in Higher Education (1975 - 1988). Further graduate study, MA, Interdisciplinary Studies, Educational Psychology, with an emphasis in counseling and guidance.
Diploma, Paralegal Studies, Continental Training Institute (1989-1990).
Current Professional Work Experience
Currently serving as “Acting Executive Director,” Pacoima Community Youth Culture Center, Inc. Primarily responsible for the initial development and implementation of programs services and activities, to include but not limited to administrative oversight, policy and program development, volunteerism, community interaction and funding and grant development.
Project Administrator, Pledgerville Social Service Grant Program, administered by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to monitoring and oversight of grant activities, services, and compliance requirements.
Former Associate Director of Student Outreach and Recruitment for Transfer Services and Coordinator for Transfer Student Initiatives, Division of Student Affairs at California State University, Northridge. Primarily responsible for leading the campus in developing and implementing programs, services , and activities which ensure the smooth and orderly transition of new and returning students into the University in order to support their success toward better retention and graduation outcomes. Also served as the CSUN campus liaison for the Cal-WORKS/GAIN initiative for student interested in attending CSUN. Other campus activities include:
Former President of the CSUN Chapter of the California Black Faculty and Staff Association (CBFSA).
Participate on numerous local campus committees, as well as serve on numerous advisory boards at local community colleges.
Community Service and Participation:
Serve as President & CEO, Pacoima Community Youth Culture Center, Inc since 1997. Also served as the principal incorporator for the center, and was the first official Executive Director (1977 - 1983).
Serve as President & CEO, Board of Directors, Pledgerville Senior Citizens Villa, Inc. Became a member of the Board in 1979, was elected President in 1988.
Former Board Member and principal incorporator, Heroes of Life, Inc. and Eliza Shanks Homes, Inc., respectively.
Former Board Member of Calvary Baptist Church Christian School, San Fernando, California.
Serve as Trustee and Church Administrator, Mount Zion Baptist Church of Pacoima, under the leadership of Evangelist Rebecca S. Gaul, Pulpit Leader & Overseer. Also serve as Director of Music Ministry, Church School Teacher, and Director of Baptist Training Union. A member of Mount Zion since 1973.
Eureka Fellow, Class 17. Nonprofit management fellowship program for leaders and executives, sponsored by the United Way and James Irvine Foundation.
Current President and former Treasurer of the San Fernando Valley Branch of the NAACP. Serves Chairperson of the Executive Committee and official spokesperson for the Branch.
Recipient of more than 100 community service recognition awards and commendations from national, state, regional, and local entities representing the governmental, religious, educational, and cultural sectors of the community.
Owner, LeDon 21St Century Image Maker Associates, a professional occupations free lance consulting business, which specialized in individual and organizational image making, team building, strategic planning, and organizational development strategies for nonprofit educational, social, and religious institutions and business. Motto: "A mind creating minds to create other minds!"
Served as Staff Co-Chair, Black Graduation Planning Committee for the annual recognition ceremony.
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Shane Coleman 1st Vice President/Project Development
 It was in a sixth grade class in Philadelphia; Shane Coleman received the beginning of this world’s changing vision. The vision and voice Shane had received let him know that he would make a sound of music that would send people in a message, which would enlighten mankind.
In 1975 Shane Coleman came to California from Philadelphia. Shane began attending Los Angles City College as music major. Shane performed in many bands in Southern California and later began putting on music productions at Carlos & Charles in Hollywood. Later Shane began working as a cable radio DJ. After buying airtime on other radio stations to air music of bands and artists Shane was working with. He also started at a local public access music talk show.
In 1994 Shane converted a small area into a full recording studio in the city of Val Verde where he worked with a number of youth from the Santa Clarita Valley under the Music Channel. Shane continued this music and was lost in the positive results that the youth were showing and didn’t exercise his non-profit status instead spent money out of his own pocket to supply equipment, pay his bills & tape stock.
In 1998 the city of Los Angeles refurbished a six hundred square foot room, making a studio sound room and office in the community of Pacoima. This is where Shane had worked as a tractor trailer driver for 7 years & drummer for many churches in the area along with sitting as second Vice President on the Board of Pledgerville Senior Citizen Center also sitting on the board of PCYCC, for many years.
Myrtle Scott, Agent for Service, Senior Board Member
Myrtle Scott is a native of Mississippi and longstanding resident of the Pacoima Community. She and her late husband relocated to the Pacoima area in 1957, after traveling extensively with the U.S. Army throughout Europe for three years. She is considered to be the only remaining active charter member of Pledgerville Senior Citizens Board of Directors; she was an active participant on the Planning Committee established by the initial sponsor of the project – Greater Community Baptist Church – in 1958. She is the proud mother of one daughter, one granddaughter, and a great-grandson.
Education/Training:
- Formal Education was received in Mississippi.
- HUD-appro_ved training through attendance at more than twenty-seven (27) Association of Housing (HUD) Managing Agents (AHMA) training, conferences, and workshops since 1982.
- Service Coordinator education and training, California Presbyterian Homes (2003)
Employment History:
- Employed seventeen (17) years in food service management for California State Department of Corrections. (Retired)
- Onsite Office Manager, Pledgerville Senior Citizens Villa (2002-2003)
- Food Service Assistant Coordinator, Alicia Broadous-Duncan Multipurpose Senior Center
Affiliations and Volunteer Experiences:
- Vested and active member of the historic Greater Community Baptist Church, the initial sponsor of the Pledgerville Senior Villa project. Served In numerous capacities, including Missionary Circle President and former Treasurer, Food Ministry Assistant, and youth department sponsor. (1957 – present)
- Charter Board member for Pledgerville Senior Citizens Villa, Inc since 1979. Have held the position of 1st and 2nd Vice President, Onsite Office Manager, Tenant Relations’ Board Liaison, facility enrichment coordinator, and vending coordinator.
- Advisory Board Member, Pacoima Community Youth Culture Center, Inc., assisting with fundraising and cultural program development for youth and young adults throughout the community. (1977 – 2004)
- Volunteer program assistance to the Director of Alicia Broadous-Duncan Multipurpose Senior Center for many years.
Awards and Commendations:
- Numerous civic and community leadership awards from local churches, elected officials, and community-based organizations.
- Received numerous commendations for volunteer work with seniors and youth from Greater Community and Pacoima Community Youth Culture Center, Inc., respectively.
- Recognized as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by the Inner City Department of Valley Crossroads Seventh Day Adventist Church (2013 & 2014)/
- Honor portrait dedicated honoring years of service to Pledgerville Senior Citizens Villa (2010).
Carol McClure, Executive Secretary
 Carol McClure is also a laudable researcher, has excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and has supervisory capabilities. In addition, she is a talented singer, songwriter, and musician.
Ms. McClure has worked within the community of Pacoima for over 20 years with senior citizens, children and elected officials such as, Richard Alarcon, Alex Padilla, and Tony Cardenas. She also served as the president of the Pacoima Coordinating Council for four consecutive years; has been presented with several Certificates of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles, the State Board of Equalization, the office Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Councilman Mark Ridley Thomas, Congressman Howard Berman and the other above-mentioned elected officials. She also served as the Site Director at the Pacoima Senior Center for Senator Richard Alarcon’s Annual Gifts of Christmas Event which served over 1,000 needy children in Pacoima for five years.
As Executive Board Secretary, Carol has extensive knowledge and expertise in working with senior citizen and elderly populations; she was the Assistant Executive Director and Activities Director for Pacoima Senior Citizens for United Concern Inc. for eight years, serving with the Director, Ethel A. May, who was the pioneer in starting a senior program in the community of Pacoima in 1974.
Ms. McClure is a committed and talented board member here at Pledgerville. Aside from her duties as Board Secretary, she helps plan and coordinate social events and programs for the residents, including conducting line-dance classes when requested by the seniors at the site. She is highly respected for her work at Pledgerville.
Edward Johnson, Treasurer / Controller
Financial Management Services ~ VOLUNTEERISM ~ Community Partner
Community Leadership Activities
 Edward Moved from Massachusetts in 1992 to be with his new wife Mrs. Cece B Johnson.
After moving here to California, Edward worked in banking (First Interstate) and a mortgage underwriter, after the merger with Wells Fargo he transitioned to a large insurance company (CIGNA).
During this time Edward became licensed in insurance and financial investment services. He conducted many workshops and seminars on financial and economic literacy to both individuals and small business owners. In his work for these large corporation and other consulting firms he realize that small business owners and individuals alike were not getting the information or direct assistance that he was contracted to do for large firms who could afford the fees that employers would charge. They were being priced out of very valuable services that only large corporations could afford.
Edward decided, along with two partners to open JCH Consulting Grp. LLC a Management Consulting firm located both Van Nuys and Brocton MA. The firm is committed to helping the community of people and small business owners to achieve their economic potential through direct assistance and one to one consulting at much more affordable rates than those charged by some of his former employers.
Currently Edward is serving as the President of the Pacoima Neighborhood Council and Co-Chair of the Communications Committee for Local Branch 1064 of the NAACP.
Edward is also serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer / Controller for the Pledgerville Senior Citizens Villas, a non-profit corporation, also located in Pacoima.
Edward is the Economic Development and Empowerment module moderator for a local Think Tank called Leader to Leader African American Community Empowerment Think Tank (LLAACETT). This group reviews and examines issues that affect communities in critical mass in areas of Politics, Health & Safety, Education, and Economic Empowerment.
Additionally, Edward is a member of a professional networking group called Business Networking International (BNI) where he also serves as President of the Cresenta Valley BNI chapter.
EDUCATION
University of Phoenix, PASADENA, CA:
MBA/M.A. in Organizational Management, 2003
Course work in all aspects of management included: executive issues, human resources, conflict management, strategic planning, technology, change leadership, the learning organization, finance and marketing.
B.S. in Business Administration, 2001
Course work provided solid foundation in financial accounting, managerial finance, quantitative analysis, economics, marketing and business-based research.
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Rev. Braxton Berkley, At-Large Board Member
Chairman of the Board, Good Samaritan House:
The Good Samaritan House ministers to people in general, however a major focus of their mission is dedicated to the needs of the homeless and destitute in Los Angeles County. Many of these people reside in the inner city area where they work in the aerospace/defense facilities near their homes. A recent Los Angeles Times study indicates that 53 of the defense workers in California are minorities, which include blacks, Hispanics, Asians and women. The Good Samaritan House, a 501(c) non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing a hand, not a crutch, to the members of our community. By helping them meet their physical needs, Good Samaritan House assists them in restoring their feelings of self worth and dignity. In this way, they are able to reach their full potential and can someday return to help others in their community.
Executive Producer, Host, After Thoughts Productions:
The Good Samaritan House produces a T.V. Show called "After Thoughts," which appears on eight different public access television channels. This show deals with issues of importance to the citizens – lay members, public and elected officials and other community leaders in our communities. Our research indicates that the number of paying subscribers to the channels that air our show is close to a million people in the Los Angeles basin and the San Fernando Valley. The Good Samaritan House believes it is important that an attempt be made to reach the inner city residents through television shows that deal with the needs and problems of their communities. Previous guests on "After Thought's" programs have included the Vice President of the United States Mr. Dan Quayle, various members of the workforce as well as local, state and national community leaders.
Rev. Berkley serves of the Southern California chapter of the venerable Buffalo Soldiers. His is active in local and citywide parades as a representative of this honored and legendary group.
Vacancy, Member at Large
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Pledgerville Staff
Donald Sanders, Resident Manager/Maintenance Supervisor
 Donald Sanders is the maintenance supervisor at Pledgerville. Donald started his career with Pledgerville Villa more than five years ago when the previous maintenance person vacated the position. Donald began working on an on-call basis, as there was no one available to fill the position. The position remained vacant for some time and the need was great, at that time Donald decided to take on the position full time.
Donald comes to us with many years of experience in a service-oriented environment and was an exceedingly good fit for the Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa. Donald also, brings to us a wide range of eldercare knowledge, having worked in the medical field for numerous years. He is a people person and the residents took to him right away. Donald is an intelligent and motivated individual that handles his responsibilities with utter efficiency and promptness.
Always ready to assist wherever he is needed, Donald is always the first person the residents will call upon, for whatever it may be. Often called the “know-it-all” or “nosey”, Donald will have an answer for you. He is a valuable asset to the Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa. Not only does Donald maintain the building, but he also maintains the attitudes of the senior residents in the building as well, often making them laugh a little. Donald’s motto is “A smile a day keeps you sane, happy and healthy.”
Donald along with the Day Porter and the Resident Manager makes certain the grounds at Pledgerville are immaculate, safe and an exceptionally tranquil place for the residents to live.
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Claudette Jones, Assistant Manger/Occupancy Specialist
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Donald Freeman, Service Coordinator
 Don Freeman holds a Bachelor of Arts of Degree in Business Administration from California State University in Long Beach. For more than 25 years, Don has served in various professional capacities at the Los Angeles HUD office. For over 12 years, Don has been an integral part of the technical assistance support team for the Director of Neighborhood Networks. He served as a workshop developer, facilitator, and trainer for the HUD's Neighborhood Networks National and Regional Workshops.
Don worked closely with the affordable housing owners and managers throughout Southern California to participate in Service Coordinator Program. He administered over 160 properties that received funding from grants and operating budgets to support the Service Coordinator Program.
Don is currently a member of the American Association of Service Coordinators and the American Society of Aging. In addition, he is a team member of MJ Housing and Services, which provide Quality Assurance (Q/A) and Quarterly QA meetings and training for over 40 Service Coordinators.
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Julian Torres, Maintenance / Janitorial Staff
 Julian A. Torres is the full-time porter here at Pledgerville. For more than three and a half years he has work diligently to maintain a sparking clean environment for the residents of the building. He maintains the floors from the first to the sixth floor and keeps them looking dazzling. He is a team player and contributes his own brand of quality to the team here at Pledgerville.
Julian is under contract with CCS Commercial Cleaning Service and is an asset to their company as well as Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa. Julian is a very responsible and motivated individual and is always accessible to assist when called upon. He always has a smile on his face and takes the time to assist the residents when he sees them in need.
Julian is also, a DJ and is very knowledgeable about computers and electronics.
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Darryl Hinds, Maintenance / Janitorial Staff
 Darryl Hinds is the maintenance person at Pledgerville. Darryl started his career with Pledgerville Villa in 1996, as our Janitorial staff. Darryl worked well in that position and often performed many of the maintenance duties at the building. Subsequently when the maintenance position became vacant, Darryl was selected to fill it. Darryl is a motivated individual and that handles his responsibilities with efficiency and promptness. Darryl was well liked by the residents here at Pledgerville. Darryl makes himself available to the residents, management, and the Board whenever he is called upon. Darryl returned to Pledgerville in 2014, after relocating back to California after living out-of-state for several years.
In 2014 Pledgerville reorganized its workforce, which enabled Darryl to return to work as An Assistant to the Maintenance Supervisor. He is a valuable asset to Pledgerville Senior Citizen Villa and the residents are happy to have him back with the organization.
Darryl along with the Day Porter and the Resident Manager makes certain the facility and grounds at Pledgerville are well kept and maintained.
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Pledgerville Security Staff
Johnnie Little
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Whitney Henry
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Sudchai Maikeo
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