Board of Directors

Ross Simmons, President

Ross Simmons is an associate civil engineer with NorthStar Engineering with specialty experience in land development, site designs, roadway design, small water systems, and alternate storm drainage.  Not afraid to get dirty in whatever he endeavors to do and a sense of humor is what sets him apart from the typical engineer and makes him bearable to be around.  Ross is a long time Butte County resident having grown up in Durham and graduating from both Butte College (2000) and Chico State (2002 magna cum laude).  With his involvement in Habitat for Humanity he is continuing a family tradition of community service and is proud to be a part of such a worthwhile organization.

Cassundra Saulan, Vice President

Cassundra Saulan has been involved with Habitat since 2009 and has helped oversee our Grant Writing Committee.  She has been instrumental in securing such prestigious awards as the FHLB and Lowe's grants which have assisted with funding for the Habitat Greens Subdivision.  Cassundra has also assisted in designing Habitat's Corporate Donor program known as the Living Legacy Program.  Her technical writing background and creativity have proven to be invaluable to the team.

Clif Sellers, Board member since 2008, is a native of Chico and has spent most of his life in the community.  He is a graduate of both Chico Senior High School and California State University, Chico.  Prior to retirement in 2006, Clif was employed as a planner and administrator in local government for almost 30 years.  Beginning in 1981, he was employed with the City of Chico for over 25 years, including 11 years as Planning Director and 10 years as Assistant Director of the Community Development Department.  His expertise is in local government regulation, entitlement processes, and development issue resolution.

 Chandese Meghdadi, Treasurer

Chandese is tax manager at Matson & Isom accounting firm. She is a general practitioner with experience in Individual, s-corporation, c-corporation, partnership, LLC taxation and quickly learning not-for-profits.  They specialize in tax planning and tax minimization.  She has been a certified public accountant since January 2003.

Chandese has lived in Chico, California since she was 8 years old.  She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and has been practicing accounting for the last nine years.   Chandese spent the first two years working for Deloitte & Touche LP in Costa Mesa, California then spent the last 7 years at Matson & Isom.  She is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 Alan Burchett

Alan Burchett recently started his own law practice. Previously, he was a partner at Stewart Humpherys Burchett & Molin, LLP.  He has a broad-based practice relating to business law, commercial law and real estate transactions. Alan has extensive experience assisting clients in matters related to estate planning including preservation and disposition of family assets and wealth. Alan is also proficient in the administrations of trusts and probate of estates. Alan served as the attorney for the Town of Paradise from 1979 to 1982.

He was born in Chico, California in 1943. He was admitted to the California bar in 1969. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and Hastings College of Law, University of California in 1968 with a Juris Doctor degree. He is a member of the Thurston Society, was a Deputy County Counsel for Butte County, California, from 1971-1973, and attorney for the Town of Paradise from 1979-1982. He is a member of the Butte County Bar Association and State Bar of California.

Bob Gross

 Bob is a partner at Gas Transmission Systems, Inc., a natural gas pipeline and utilty engineering company, with our office in Chico, since 2005.  Prior to that, he spent 27 years at PG&E in the gas engineering new businesss connection department, with his last position as Director of New Business Process.  Bob has a mechanical engineering degree from Loyola Marymont University, and an MBA from CSU Fresno.  He has been married for 29 years to Cheryl and they have no children. 

Jerry Joiner

Jerry holds a California Secondary Teaching Credential in Industrial Technology from CSUC and is currently employed as an instructor of Building Construction and Welding Fabrication Manufacturing classes at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico.  He owned a plastics business in the 1970's, then subcontracted the manufacturing of flail mowers for 18 years before working as a service manager for a tractor company.  From August 1996 - 2004, Jerry taught R.O.P. Welding Fabrication and Automotive Technology classes at Las Plumas High School in Oroville.  Actively involved in Butte County's Regional Occupational Program, he was a R.O.P. teacher consultant to Paradise High School building a house with students, and currently is on the Oroville High School District V.E.A. Advisory Committee.  Jerry received the R.O.P. Teacher of the Year Award in 2004.  In 2006, Jerry was the owner/builder of his own home.  In April 2009, PV students placed statewide in the SKILLS USA welding and power equipment competition.  Jerry joined the Board of Directors in December 2008.

Heather Kavanaugh

Heather Kavanaugh has lived in the Chico area since 1978. She attended schools in Chico and Durham, in addition, she graduated from California State University, Chico as an Interior Designer. While at Chico State, she was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and interned at both Desa Design and C.H.I.P. After collge, hoping to live in the big-city, Heather found herself working in Loomis, CA (a town the size of Durham!) for a land developer. Now back in Chico, she is a mother, employed by the City of Chico, and owns a jewlery buisness called Silver-Blue Co. She volunteers her time with Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and during the holiday season, the Jesus Center. "God blesses my life everyday, and because of Him, all things are possible. It is my responsibility to help make posiitve change in the world, and to teach my daughter to do the same."

 Alyssum Root 

Alyssum Root earned her Masters degree in Public Administration, Local Government Management Option from CSU, Chico in May of 2008. She focused on Collaborative Community Management and Policy Evaluation through the Public Administration Program. Alyssum also worked in social services for over a decade in a variety of capacities, including supervisory, program coordination, program start-up, and hands-on work with children and families. She currently works for United Health Care, where she is involved in the Engagement Committee and focuses on living the mission, "Helping People Live Healthier Lives."

Joshua Pierce

Richard Macias

Andrea Clavijo

Lisa Fanos

Mary Rumiano

Cheri Prior