oFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS

Chief Kaufmann has a special place in his heart for the individuals STARC serves. Chris joined the STARC board in 2006 and is dedicated to helping those with special needs.

Chris Kaufmann is the Fire Chief for St. Tammany Fire District # 1 and has been with the department for 35 years. He started his fire department career as a firefighter and has risen through the ranks serving as Firefighter, Operator, Fire Inspector, Chief of Fire Prevention and Chief of Administration before becoming Fire Chief in 2014.

Michael is an attorney on the Northshore. He and his wife Monique have two children, Alex and Kate. Michael enjoys riding his motorcycle and spending time outdoors. He chose to serve on STARC’s Board because of the importance of STARC’s work and because he feels that it is important to give back to the community.

Bill is the President/CEO of Custom Benefits Solutions, established in 2012. He has been married to his wife Tamara since 1981, is the father of three sons and a grandfather of two. In his spare time, Bill enjoys barbecuing and camping with his family. He is very excited to be involved with STARC by serving on the board of directors.

Tia Friel graduated from Louisiana State University and currently holds an active Certified Public Accounting license and Chartered Global Management Accountant certification.

Tia resides in Slidell, LA and runs the Northshore office for Taylor & Willis CPAs and Advisors, LLC. She is passionate about assisting her clients with their business and tax needs and being an integral part of their financial team and success.

Outside of the office, Tia can be found volunteering within the community, volunteering with local charities, or spending time with her family. Tia is married with two wonderful children.

“It is such an honor to serve on the STARC board and be a part of a wonderful organization.”

A parent of a child with disABILITIES, Eric serves on the Board of STARC to give back to an organization that is near and dear to his family. As a board member, Eric is inspired to do as much as he can for those with disABILITIES.

Linda K. Larkin is a resident of Slidell, Louisiana for over forty years.  She is the Marketing Director for Patriot Title, LLC.  She is a 1997 graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelors degree in Merchandising and Consumer Studies and a 2001 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University in Business Administration. In October of 2018, she was named one of the “Best Volunteers in Slidell” by The Slidell Independent. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering for her community and spending time with her family, especially her two nephews and niece.  Linda is honored to serve as a STARC Board Member!

Susan serves as the Assistant Supervisor of Special Education for St. Tammany Parish Public Schools.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Orleans and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University.  Susan has dedicated her career to serving students with diverse needs – as a teacher, special education high school coordinator at Slidell High School, Principal of St. Michael Special School in New Orleans, IEP Facilitator and now Assistant Supervisor.  She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.  She is honored to serve on the STARC Board of Directors.

Tatem is a partner at Rock Ruiz Insurance & Retirement Services, LLC.  Tatem is a graduate of Ben Franklin High School and the University of New Orleans, with a degree in Business Management.  Following in her father’s footsteps, she began her insurance career in 2007. In 2008 she received NAIFA GNO’s New Agent of the Year award and served on their board for several years.   Tatem has received her CLTC designation from The Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification, Inc. and her LUTCF from the American College of Financial Services. Tatem is active in her community, a lieutenant governor for her local Kiwanis district and a past president of the Northshore Mandeville Kiwanis. She is excited to be serving on the STARC Board of Directors.

“Dr. Chuck” became a physician in 1985 and since that time has practiced, taught and performed research in clinical Emergency Medicine. In 1988, Dr. Chuck moved to Slidell and in 1993 married Dr. M. Lisa Leonard. They now have 2 daughters.

After retiring from practice in 2013, he was elected St. Tammany Parish Coroner.

Dr. Chuck’s interest in STARC began many years ago treating patients with disABILITIES and participating in the Special Olympics through the Knights of Columbus. His interest has more fully blossomed since becoming Coroner, working with the Sheriff on projects such as an annual fishing rodeo and a float to throw back beads at Mardi Gras for recycling.

Fran is a native of Biloxi, Mississippi. She attended St. Mary’s Dominican College and Loyola School of Law in New Orleans and has practiced in Mandeville since 1986. Throughout her legal career, Fran has offered her talents to pro bono organizations which focus on the needs of underserved communities in the area. She has also served on the Bar Association Committee created to address the legal needs of disABLED citizens and their families. The primary concern of Fran’s law practice is adoption, both private and agency adoption.

Jackelyn Gallo and her husband have lived in the Slidell area nearly 25 years. She is the Regional Commercial Banking Executive for Northshore and Baton Rouge at JD Bank, a Louisiana-based community bank. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Finance from Southeastern Louisiana University. Jackelyn enjoys volunteering with several local organizations, and she feels STARC’s special power is that it provides a sense of belonging, worthiness, and achievement to its clients daily. They remind us that simple acts of kindness, gratitude, joy, and contentment pave the way to a blessed road of happiness. “The personal rewards from serving with STARC are greater than any service I could ever return to this amazing organization.”