Board President

Frank Valadez is a retired Project/Line Manager from Raytheon. After Military service, he graduated from CSULB and the Hughes Management Rotational training program and spent his career in the aerospace avionics industry.

He is a life long member of the community, having generational participation with the center. Coming to MAC in 2005 he became active in 2006 volunteering around the center for various tasks and in 2012 was one of the recipients of the Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation HALO Award in the greater Los Angeles area that supports non profit volunteer programs.

His goal as new Board Chair is to support board members using his aerospace managerial skills as they continue the Mission at MAC “ to bring affordable art to the children and adults of the Community”.

Treasurer

Secretary

Leanne started taking ceramics classes at McGroarty Arts Center (MAC) in 2006. She had always been interested in pottery and was seeking a creative outlet. Once she started at MAC she couldn't stop! As she often says, she came for the art and stayed for the community. Leanne started helping with the annual chili bowl event, and eventually volunteered to take over the task of organizing the making of the chili bowls. She also helps organize MAC's volunteers and has been a vital MAC volunteer for years. In 2017 Leanne joined the MAC Board as the Social Media manager and helped start to build MAC's social media presence. Leanne is currently serving as the Secretary and still takes ceramics at MAC. She works as a medical speech-language pathologist in a hospital when not at MAC, hiking, or playing softball.

Board Member at Large

Previously the Director at McGroarty, Lauelle has been dedicated to McGroarty Arts Center for many years in many different ways.

Board Member at Large

Begoña Amador was born and raised in Valladolid, Spain. She emigrated to the United States in 1981 where she started a family with her husband Arthur. She earned a degree in Economics from Cal State Northridge and worked in the financial industry until she retired. Begoña and her family lived in Tujunga for many years. Her daughters grew up taking art, music and dancing classes at the Center, where Begoña has been a volunteer for many years. In her retirement, Begoña has dedicated her time volunteering at Finance Park—teaching financial literacy to middle & high schoolers, serving on the Finance Committee at the Theodore Payne Foundation, and continuing her service with McGroarty. She is also the proud grandmother of a wonderful two year old named Catalina.

Board Member at Large

Austina Bosco represents the interests of parents and children on the Board. She worked for Bank of America for over a decade until she left to raise her daughter, Willow. Willow has been a McGroarty Arts Center student since she was 3 years old.

Board Member at Large

Joe Aguirre is a retired Elementary School Principal. On his retirement, looking to keep occupied, he started to take ceramic classes at McGroarty. He was a volunteer, a member of the Board of Directors, was the Chair of the Development Committee, was the Executive Director for a few years, and now is back on the Board while continuing to take ceramic classes and volunteering.