Suzanne first became aware of our organization 6 years ago, as our banker at WestAmerica Bank. She helped OFI purchase the building we currently occupy. She later got involved in organizing her staff at the bank to provide Money Management classes for our STEP participants. After gradually becoming familiar with our organization and providing banking services to many of our participants, Suzanne was asked to come on the Board. After two years, she stepped into her current role as Board Chair. Suzanne brings a wealth of experience in the health care industry and customer service and has been actively working with OFI on a range of projects. Suzanne currently lives in Novato with her husband and has two children in college.
Joseph Strella has been practicing law since 1995. He specializes in employment law, representing employers and individuals in discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination actions. This includes matters involving Title VII and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. Clients include individuals, private enterprises and non-profit entities.
In addition to employment matters, Joe also defends clients in personal injury, general civil liability, construction defect, product liability, unfair competition, consumer warranty and landlord/tenant cases. He occasionally represents a plaintiff when the appropriate case is presented.
Prior to joining Clapp, Moroney, Joe spent three years representing clients in personal injury, medical malpractice, legal malpractice and product liability cases. He also spent one year at a small start up company providing guidance on First Amendment, compensation, and employment issues.
He was previously on the Board of Directors for Gates and Bridges pre-school in San Francisco, California.
Joe attended Duke University, graduating in 1988, with a BA in public policy studies. He obtained his JD, in 1995, from the University of Colorado School of Law. Joe is admitted to practice in California and before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Joe is a member of the American Bar Association and the San Francisco Bar Association.
Tom co-manages a territory for a materials manufacturer, The Garland Company. In short, his job is to facilitate and manage projects within San Francisco and Marin County. This involves working directly with building owners (typically commercial) to dissect roofing and waterproofing issues and then to tailor a solution to fit the circumstances (budget, timeline, etc.). Because Tom works with numerous public agencies, it is important that he has a grasp of the various procurement routes available to them as well as the rules surrounding them.