Board of Directors
RALPH SINGLETON
President
Ralph Singleton has lived in California all of his life (except for a 6 year stint in Oregon during which time he worked at a Deaf-owned Campground for Deaf children called Camp Taloali in Satayton, Oregon). Ralph attended Gallaudet University during the late 1970's and met his wife, Judy Roberts-Singleton of Chicago, Illinois. Ralph had a good job as dishwasher/stockroom clerk for Top of Needle in Seattle Washington in 1980, before he return to California and started working for Vardin Associates in 1981. It's been 30 years and Ralph has been with the same company - which has changed its name to Communication and Power Industries, CPI.
He rose to the position of High Vacuum System Engineer. Ralph enjoys scuba diving in many ocean parks in the chilly waters of Pacific Ocean along California's coast. Ralph's family boasts of many deaf generations and recently add a sixth generation deaf grandson!
Ralph and Judy have two deaf sons, Wesley and Zachary. They both are the jewels of their family. Ralph and Judy have never missed watching the boys play football during their time on CSDF's football team and the team's journey to state championships. Ralph's interest is now to make sure CAD is recognized as California's resource for all Deaf Californians and making sure CAD is known across the USA and internationally. Ralph wants to help connect all Deaf individuals!
Ralph invites discussions of challenging topics and encourages all Deaf individuals to contact CAD for their free membership to CAD!
VICTOR LEMA
Vice President
Victor Lema was born and raised in New York. As a youth, he attended Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf for a short period, then became the only Deaf student mainstreamed into a private Catholic school. Victor became actively involved in the Student Body Government and remained active until his graduation. He attended CSUN and later transferred to Cal-Poly, Pomona where he had real experiences as the interim president of the Hospitality Management Council (1993-1994). After his term was over, he landed a job with the Hyatt Corporation (Hyatt Grand Champions Resort and Spa) as a Human Resources Generalist for 13 years.
After attending the NAD conference in Palm Desert (Palm Springs area), he decided to come back and support CAD. The Greater Palm Springs chapter of CAD was established in 2006, and he was one of seven founding board members. He currently holds the position of the Chapter President (2007-2010). Victor is also on the Palm Springs Police Advisory Board. He is now employed with the County of Riverside-Department of Public Social Services. He resides in Palm Desert, California.
MICHELLE HUGHES
Secretary
Michelle resides in Fremont, California, with a hearing spouse and is a mother of three girls. She comes from a large Deaf family - both parents and six siblings are Deaf. As a youth, she was actively involved at CSDF as the cheerleading captain, class president, competing in story telling competitions, President of the Student Body Government, attending Youth Leadership Camp, and was involved with Jr. NAD. Michelle attended Ohlone College in Fremont, CA and RIT in Rochester, NY. Michelle is the Treasurer for Northern California Deaf Campers (NCDC). She has volunteered with the San Francisco Club for the Deaf (SFCD), California Bass Anglers of the Silent Society (Cal BASS), and is currently the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Allmart Sales Group and Hughes / Allmart Insurance Agency. Michelle has a passion for politics, and realizes that CAD promotes, supports, and protects our rights. She is honored to be part of CAD, an organization that makes a huge difference and feels that it is her calling!
TOM MURILLO
Treasurer
Tom Murillo was born in Stockton, California to hearing parents. He is only Deaf member in the whole family. I attended and graduated from California School for the Deaf in Fremont. He then, attended to National Technology Institute of the Deaf in New York where he received Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology. My professional career is Test Engineering since 1996 (14 years).
Being a member of several non-profit organizations in Bay Area, he likes to help other people. He is very thankful to the California School for the Deaf in Fremont that he had the opportunity to learn how to be a good leader and be helpful to others in the Deaf community. For first time in the statewide, He was honored to be a part of California Association of the Deaf as the Treasurer . He is looking forward to work with you all on treasury needs. Please get involve in fund raising events and volunteerism. We always enjoy your help for betterment in the Deaf community.
JULIE GLENN
Membership Director
JULIE REMS-SMARIO
Director-At-Large (North)
As the founding executive director of DeafHope, Julie passionately advocates with Deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Deaf since birth, Julie started her career in 1990 with Five Arces-Deaf Program, working with at-risk families on child abuse prevention. After graduating from California State University, Northridge with an MA in Deaf Education, Julie worked at the California School for the Deaf at Fremont. After receiving her MS in Counseling, she was hired as a counselor at Ohlone College Deaf Center in Fremont. In 1998, Julie joined the first national training held by Abused Deaf Women Advocacy Services which inspired her to change her career. Her work at DeafHope has been recognized with several awards such as CNN Heroes and E-Women Network Interntional Humanitarian Award. She resides in Pleasanton, California with her Deaf spouse and three children.
MICHAEL SIDANSKY
Director-At-Large (South)
Michael Sidansky grew up in Los Angeles and went to CSUN. There, he became PAC chairperson and eventually Vice President of Deaf CSUNians, the largest organization on campus with 200 members and it was Deaf run. He graduated with BA in May of 2009 and found his way into the seat of CAD board 5 months later.
SHERI FARINHA
Past President Advisor
DANIEL GIRARD
CAD Youth Director
Daniel obtained his MA in School Counseling and Guidance from Gallaudet University in 2005 and BA in Psychology from California State University, Northridge in 2001. His first job was at the
