Board Members:

 

Jennifer Fuentecilla:

Jennifer Fuentecilla is an experienced nonprofit leader with a distinguished record of directing programs across diverse organizations, including the San Diego History Center and Planned Parenthood. She has successfully led educational, outreach, and community-building initiatives throughout San Diego County, consistently strengthening organizational impact and community engagement.

Her mission is to empower children, youth, and adults by creating clear pathways to success—encompassing educational advancement, community health, personal well-being, safety, job readiness, and meaningful civic contribution. Jennifer brings strong organizational development expertise, proven team leadership, effective volunteer coordination, and skilled event and partnership management.

She is committed to fostering programs that elevate individuals and strengthen the community as a whole.

Brian Parcel:

The Rev. Dr. Brian T. Parcel is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church with 27 years of leadership in the California-Pacific Conference. He has served congregations in Pomona, Santa Maria, and for the past 16 years has been Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista. He holds degrees from the Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University and earned both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Claremont School of Theology.

Dr. Parcel has extensive experience in clergy development, organizational leadership, and church revitalization. He served nine years on the Conference Board of Congregational Development and thirteen years on the Board of Ordained Ministry, where he coordinated training for new clergy through the Residency in Ministry Program. His work centers on building communities of justice, inclusion, and personal and spiritual growth.

In addition, he is an Associate with Griffith Coaching and is licensed by the International Coaching Federation. His coaching and consulting work supports churches, nonprofit organizations, and executives, with a focus on leadership development, organizational health, and strategic management. He looks forward to bringing these skills to A Place for Tom.

Rob Colon-Torres

Rob is a health law and compliance professional with expertise in Stark Law, the False Claims Act, and healthcare regulatory requirements. He has spent most of his career supporting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in California, strengthening their compliance and operational integrity.

His core strengths include:

· Developing and implementing compliance, quality, and training programs that meet federal and state regulations

· Building and assessing 340B and Vaccines for Children (VFC) programs for FQHCs

· Applying deep knowledge of Title 17 and Title 22 regulations, gained through his work with the Young Adult Institute, with a focus on the Lanterman Act and the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities

Rob’s work ensures healthcare organizations remain compliant while delivering high-quality, ethical care. Before entering healthcare compliance, he served as a first responder in Oakland for ten years. He holds an undergraduate degree from Portland State University and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he concentrated in Health Law and Compliance.

Merle Stethem

A dedicated, community-focused professional, he brings more than 30 years of experience as a criminal investigator with federal agencies including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His career reflects strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, supported by multilingual abilities and a disciplined approach to complex decision-making.

He is deeply committed to supporting individuals and families impacted by neurodiversity. As Tommy’s godfather, he brings both personal insight and a strong sense of responsibility to advancing the mission of A Place for Tom.

In addition to his professional expertise, he contributes extensive hands-on experience as a skilled handyman, with years of completing DIY projects and home repairs. His practical abilities strengthen the organization’s capacity to maintain safe, functional, and supportive living environments for its residents.

Chris Stethem

I am honored to support an organization dedicated to helping Tommy and others live independent, fulfilling lives. Being Tommy’s godmother has been both a privilege and an important learning experience in understanding neurodivergence.

As a stay-at-home mom for more than thirty years, I’ve developed strong skills in crisis management, time management, patience, empathy, and adaptability. Earlier in life, I worked with neurodivergent adults and later spent ten years involved in school PTA leadership. These experiences have shaped my ability to navigate complex situations with compassion and balance.

I look forward to bringing these skills and perspectives to this organization.

Glen Wauchope

Glen is a retired Naval Officer and systems engineer with an MBA, bringing extensive experience in strategic planning, process development, and disciplined decision-making. His professional background equips him with a structured, mission-focused approach to organizational leadership.

As the father of an autistic son who will require lifelong support, Glen is deeply committed to advancing sustainable, long-term solutions for autistic adults. His work with A Place for Tom is driven by a clear objective: to ensure that Tommy—and others like him—can live safely, independently, and with dignity throughout their lives.

Glen’s combined expertise and personal dedication strengthen the organization’s mission to build stable, supportive environments that endure well into the future.

Jennifer Poast

Jennifer Poast, an internal medicine physician, educator, and founder of A Place For Tom, has devoted her career to caring for under-resourced patients with complex and diverse needs. As the mother of Tom, aunt to two autistic individuals, and healthcare provider to many patients with special needs, she brings a deeply informed understanding of the support required for neurodiverse adults to thrive.

She recognizes that the South Bay region of San Diego remains critically underserved in resources for individuals with special needs. Guided by this reality, Jennifer established A

Place For Tom with a clear mission: to create a safe, nurturing, and well-supported living environment where each resident can achieve the highest level of independence possible throughout adulthood.

Her vision is rooted in dignity, opportunity, and long-term stability—ensuring that neurodiverse adults in the community have access to the life-skills education, structure, and compassionate support they need to flourish.

Grace Ning, PhD

I am honored and excited to be a part of this organization that I know will make a real difference for both the Wauchope family and our community at large. As a licensed clinical psychologist working primarily with underserved adults and adults of marginalized groups, I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges and achieve their personal and mental health goals. I strive to empower people to make changes while cultivating a sense of self-compassion and acceptance. What I hope to bring to the organization is my clinical expertise and knowledge.