Officers

Tom Simmons: Chair

Mr. Simmons’  business career spans 42 years, including 28 years of international management experience in large corporations, plus a varied entrepreneurial background, including six start-up companies in product design, manufacturing, retailing and food service.   He began his career in the semiconductor industry in Phoenix, AZ in 1964. Tom’s semiconductor career included management positions with Motorola, Fairchild, Intel, Oki Electric (Japanese), Temic (a subsidiary of Germany’s Daimler-Benz) and GEM Services (a semiconductor contract manufacturing company, which he co-founded in Shanghai, China).

Presently, Mr. Simmons serves on four boards, one a non-profit enterprise (the Casa). While officially retired from any operating role, he remains engaged with four of the companies where he retains an equity interest. He is also involved with two newly formed start-ups. With substantial experience in Asia, especially in China over the past 15 years, Tom continues to consult with companies needing assistance doing business in mainland China.

Mr. Simmons earned his BS degree at the University of Nebraska; he also attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska and Arizona State University. Tom and his wife Janie reside in Paradise Valley, AZ and have two married children and five grandchildren.

Kevin Gralen: Vice Chair

Kevin Gralen is the Vice-Chairman of the Board and previously served as the Board Treasurer. Kevin received his BS in Marketing from the University of Missouri. He has a varied work history in Sales, Marketing and Business Development at IBM and Siemens, a number of technology start-ups and most recently buying, building-up and selling his own sport marketing business.  In addition to his Board service he is an instructional member of the Catholics Can Come Home program hosted at the Casa for disengaged or estranged Catholics who want to explore the possibility of returning to the church as well as having served as a hospitality minister.

He is married to MJ and has one daughter, Addison, who attends school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale.

Carole Whitaker: Treasurer

Carole Whittaker is chair of the Finance Committee.  She received her BS from Mt. St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, her MS in chemistry and mathematics from Creighton University in Omaha and her PhD in chemistry from UCLA.  She was president and CEO of an agribusiness company in Arizona for 15 years, involved in the production, processing and marketing of jojoba seed and oil.  Prior to coming to Arizona, she taught in Catholic schools and college for 12 years in the Los Angeles archdiocese and worked for 5 years as a continuing education specialist in the physical sciences at UCLA Extension.   She served on the Board of Directors of various professional organizations including 6 years with the American Oil Chemists’ Society for which she was also Treasurer for 2 years.  Currently retired, she  teaches, gives retreats, and provides spiritual direction on a part-time basis.  At the Casa she serves as a catechist for the RCIA and a lector and has served on the Advisory Committee for the Franciscan Way.

Board of Directors:

Chloe Leibowitz: Board of Director, Chair of Advisory Committee

Chloe Leibowitz is a retired RN who had a dedicated career in Research and Development in the Pharmaceutical industry.  She received her nursing diploma from Kings County Hospital School of Nursing and her BS from Iona College.

She moved to the valley in 1980.

She serves on the Advisory Board of the School of Nursing and Clinical Reseach ASU..  She is a past Adjunct Professor Gateway Community College.

During her career with Bristol Myers Squibb she worked and lived in Budapest, Hungary mentoring  potential managers in  the Central Eastern European countries and Turkey.

She has attended Mass at the Casa since 1996, completed the RCIA in 1999, is an EM, volunteers for the Children's Celebration, Hosting workshops and seminars, Medical Mission, and serves Communion to the Catholic patients at Banner Good Sam hospital weekly.

She had 2 grown children, 6 grand children  and lives with her two beloved Labradors Abby and Lefty. She loves to travel, is an avid reader, and attends cultural events though out the Valley.

Bonnie Wright: Chair, Development Committee

Bonnie Wright is Chairman of the Board Formation and Governance Committee.  She received her MBA from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and her BA in Anthropology from the University of Arizona.

She has done additional work in nonprofit management at Harvard and Northwestern.  She is currently an independent consultant to 3 local foundations specializing in nonprofit organizational capacity building.  Previously, she worked for the American Red Cross in a variety of positions across the country, retiring as the CEO of the Red Cross here in Phoenix.  She is on the Board of the AZ Jewish Historical Society and works with several charitable organizations including the AZ Cactus Pine Girl Scouts.

At the Casa she has served as an RCIA sponsor twice, a member of the New Comers and Gifted and Called Ministries, and currently serves as an E.M.  She shares her home in Phoenix with her dogs Scrappy and Rachel Sweetie (adopted at the Franciscan Festival two years ago).

Doug Olesen: Chair, Development Committee

Doug Olesen is Chairman of the Development Committee of the Casa.  Doug received his BS, MS and PhD degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington.  He began his career at the Boeing Company in aerospace and then joined Battelle Memorial Institute where he worked for 35 years.  He held a variety of management positions during this time including the last 15 years as President and CEO. He served on the Boards of Columbia Energy and Goodrich.  He currently serves the Casa as a Eucharistic Minister and bread baker.

He is married to Cathy and has two sons and seven grandchildren.

Margie Camacho: Board of Director

Margie Camacho is a native Arizonan born in Tucson where she attended the University of Arizona.  She has served the Diocese of Phoenix at several parishes in Scottsdale, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center and as member of the Diaconate and Vocation Boards.  She is on the Advisory Board for Catholic Charities.

She has been an instructor and board member for Survival School Church and  Nonprofit  Leadership Training for twenty-five years.  Her Casa ministries include: Advisory Committee, the Franciscan Mentors Program, Infant Baptism Program, RCIA,  Women’s Interfaith Conference and  often volunteers for special projects.

Currently, Margie  is employed as the Administrative Manager and Development Associate for Esperança, an organization providing surgical missions and public health projects for underserved families in the developing world.
She and her husband, Frank share six children and nine grandchildren. When time permits, Margie enjoys reading, gardening and traveling from coast to coast to visit children and grandchildren.

Suzanne Digiovanni-Smith: Board of Director

Suzanne came to the Casa in 1985.  She earned a BS in Science/RN in 1980.  She also earned a certificate in Liturgical Studies from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of San Anselmo, Rome in 1985.  Suzanne served as Liturgy Director at the Casa until 1992.  Following a sabbatical, she was encouraged to re-introduce RCIA at the Casa and was a volunteer coordinator for 21 years.   She is now employed part time at the Mayo Clinic Hospital as a Chaplain.

Along with her husband Tom, she served on the Casa Dinner Dance committee for 10 years.  She also worked on the committee for the Scramble with the Friars golf tournament and supports the annual events for the Franciscan School of Theology.  Suzanne participates in the Infant Baptism liturgies and the Social Concerns ministry.  She has completed her first year of the Franciscan Mentoring program.

She and Tom have been married 15 years.  Suzanne has four lovely daughters and Tom has two sons - together they have 15 delightful grandchildren. Suzanne continues to improve her Italian, attends the Italian conversation group, and has finally received her dual American/Italian citizenship.  For the past ten summers, they have rented an apartment on a working vineyard in Tuscany where she loves to cook authentic Italian cuisine.

Michael Abrams: Board of Director

As Senior Director, Talent Optimization for Banner Health, Michael is responsible for the executive, physician, leader, and employee development programs for the 35,000+ organization. He works with healthcare executives to improve leadership, team and process effectiveness. Michael is certified as a Level 2 Change Agent in GE's Change Management process. Prior to his work at Banner Health, he held executive positions in corporate training, web application development, and eCommerce. He's been an active facilitator of executive and leadership development programs in the US, Belgium, Germany, and the UK.

An an active member of the community, Michael serves as a cantor and participates in the Stations of the Cross during Lent.

Michael holds both MBA and M.Ed degrees and is certified in Ken Blanchard's Situational Leadership II and Wilson Learning's Sales Excellence.

Michael is a longtime Phoenix resident and married with two wonderful kids.

Frank A. Vite: Board of Director

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame School of Management and has an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Hillsdale College in Michigan.  Frank has many professional affiliations including having been President of the Board of Directors of Marriott’s Camelback Inn.  His achievements and recognitions include Who’s Who Midwest, Who’s Who America, and Who’s Who Finance and Industry.

Frank’s volunteer work includes the Gale Sayers Foundation, Rudy Foundation,  O’Hana House (for fragile children)and being Chairman of the Aux Chandelles Foundation.  At the Franciscan Renewal Center he has been very involved in the capital development project.

He and his wife Barbara live in Paradise Valley.  They have five children.

Bill Anger: Board of Director

Bill Anger is a member of the Sustainability Committee of the Board.  He is a partner with the local law firm Engelman Berger, P.C. and practices in the area of business, real estate, lending and finance, and water law.  

Bill has volunteered as an officer and board member of several Arizona charitable, non-profit and professional organizations including (i) Valley Leadership (Environment Day Chairman, 1991-92); (ii) Valley Celebrity Sports, Inc., fund raising organization for the Arizona Spina Bifida Association (1986-1994); (iii) St. Thomas the Apostle School Board (1996-97); (iv) Arizona Association of Defense Council (trade organization of Arizona civil defense lawyers) (President 2005); (v) Boys Commissioner of the St. Francis Little and Senior League (2000-2002); and (vi) the Torre Blanca Homeowners Association (President 1985-86), among other community volunteer activities.  

Bill received his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University School of Law in 1981 and was a member of the DePaul Law Review.  He received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science with honors in both subjects from Denison University in Granville, Ohio in 1978.  Bill has been married to Nancy for 28 years and has four children.

Richard Getzen: Board of Director

Richard Getzen is chair of the Investment committee, and is a member of the Finance Committee. Richard received his BS in Economics from Northern Arizona University. For the last 20 years Richard has been President and Managing Principal of the Getzen Group Inc., A Arizona based wealth management firm. Richard is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Certified Life underwriter and holds the following FINRA/security industry licenses; 65,63,7,and 24. Richard and his wife Susan have been very active members of the Casa Community. Richard personally has participated in many programs at the Franciscan Renewal Center including; Stations of The Cross, Easter Vigil, youth ministry, and RCIA. Richard and his wife Susan and have two children Hannah and Samantha.

Hannah is a third year Music Therapy Student at Colorado State University in Ft Collins Colorado, and Samantha is a sophomore at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale.

Directors

Father Joe Schwab OFM:  Executive Director

Fr. Joe came to the Casa in June 1997 and became Director in 1998.  He entered the Franciscan Order in 1978 and served as Superior or Administrator in several communities, including Oakland and Santa Barbara.  He received his BA with honors from Arizona State University and is a lifetime member of Golden Key National Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.  He received his graduate degree in theology from the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley.  He has certifications in Contemporary Spirituality from the Kino Institute, Franciscan Theology from the International Study Centre at Canterbury and Pastoral Ministry, University of Notre Dame.  He has been a member of the Provincial Board (Definitorium) for 2 terms and has served on numerous committees and as a hospital chaplain.  He has directed many pilgrimages to Italy and the Holy Land and has travelled frequently through Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.  Fr. Joe keeps active in sacramental ministry, preaching, retreats, education, local and provincial administration.

Charles Brown:  General Manager

Charlie was hired on November 9, 1998 as General Manager forming a collaborative leadership model with Executive Director Father Joseph Schwab.  He graduated from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado in 1985 with a BA in Business Administration.  He immediately began his management career with Kmart Corporation and was promoted to General Manager in 1988.  He was continually promoted to larger volume stores in a variety of locations throughout California.  After his 15 year successful retail management career, he chose to transition his skills to better align with his faith and spirituality.  Charlie has furthered his education by attending Harvard on scholarship and the ASU Non-profit extension.  He is a member of the Organization of Non-Profit Executives and also for four years has served as Chair of the Retreat Directors Committee for the Province of St. Barbara.  Charlie also serves as a voting member of the Board of Directors FRC.  He is a father of two tremendous daughters, Amber and Bridget and spends quality time with them.  Charlie enjoys triathlons, outdoors and continuing his education and religious/spirituality studies.

Wanted: Volunteers for the Franciscan Renewal Center Board & Board committees

Please email your interest or ideas on potential candidates to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .