Board & Staff

Director since 1985.

Lee was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He earned a degree in accounting at CSU, Chico and began his career as an IRS agent, which led to him receiving his CPA certificate. Lee then attended McGeorge School of Law, and in 1977 he went to work at Carr, Kennedy, Peterson and Frost, where he became an equal partner. In 1985 Lee began representing Leah McConnell, joining the Board the same year. In 1989 he left his law practice and became an employee of Mrs. McConnell and the Foundation. After Leah’s death in 1995, he became the full-time President & CEO of the Foundation. In 2017 Lee semi-retired, and in 2018 he fully retired. Lee and his wife Judy enjoy traveling and spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.

Director since 1991 and CEO since 2017.

John was born and raised in Redding, where his family owned a chain of grocery stores. John graduated from Stanford University and earned a law degree from USC. While working for the law firm Carr, Kennedy, Peterson and Frost in Redding, John represented Mrs. McConnell and the Foundation. In 1992 John joined the Foundation Board. In 1993 he became an employee of Mrs. McConnell and of the Foundation. John became a full-time employee of the Foundation upon Mrs. McConnell’s death in 1995. In 2017, upon the semi-retirement of Lee Salter, John became the Foundation’s President & CEO. John and his wife Molly enjoy family activities with their five grown children, and a grandson.

Director since 2021.

Eva was born in Mexico, and at age six she immigrated to Dunsmuir, California. She attended College of the Siskiyous, in Weed, California, then transferred to Sacramento State University where she earned her MBA in Business Administration. Eva began her journey at Shasta College as a business instructor in 2002. For the past decade she has served as an administrator, forging programs and partnerships in business-related areas. Eva serves on several community boards and joined the Foundation Board in 2021. She beat breast cancer in 2018, loves to hike, and is married to Kris Koeberer. They have five adult children together.

Director since 2022.

Pam was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in the Bay Area. She attended community college in Saratoga and Santa Rosa, and has lived in Northern California since 1993. For the past 28 years, Pam has published North State Parent magazine, which she founded with her former husband, to serve families in five Northern California counties. Pam joined the Foundation Board in 2022, and is the first Siskiyou County resident to serve on it. Pam lives in Mt. Shasta, and enjoys spending time with her partner, John, and her adult sons. During her free time she loves to travel abroad, hike, swim, and picnic in the great outdoors.

Director since 2024.

Dean was born in New York City and raised in Canada. He holds a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Toronto and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Dean retired as CEO of Shasta Community Health in 2024, a position he held for 32 years. His career focused on providing access to quality comprehensive health care, and he has been a respected “rural” voice statewide. Dean’s affinity for philanthropy stems from his decade of elected service on the California Endowment Board, and he currently serves on several local boards. Dean is married to Carol, who is part of a fifth-generation ranching family from Red Bluff. They have called Redding home for more than 30 years, and have three grown children, and one grandson.

Director Emeritus

Director Emeritus