Cars 4 Causes - Leadership

Patti Palmer

Patti Palmer is a member of the Cars 4 Causes^® Board of Directors and currently serves as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Palmer was one of the co-founders of Cars 4 Causes,^® an idea she championed as the concerned parent of a child with learning disabilities. Initially serving as the Chief Operating Officer for more than six years, Ms. Palmer was elected the President in 2004. Under Ms. Palmer's leadership, Cars 4 Causes^® has enjoyed exponential growth. She has an entrepreneurial and visionary gift that engenders partnership and collaboration.

Prior to founding Cars 4 Causes,^® Ms. Palmer pioneered new businesses, worked in sales, accounting, and was the co-founder and owner of a private investigation firm. With nearly two decades of experience in accounting and financial management and with an educational background that includes Cal State University Northridge and Pepperdine University, she brings a depth of knowledge and skill to her leadership role.

With a heart for community service and involvement, Ms. Palmer has supported youth education, both as a volunteer and through philanthropic giving. She currently resides in Ventura, California and is the proud mother of two sons.

Pat Jessup

Pat Jessup is member of the Cars 4 Causes^® Board of Directors. Initially serving as the Director of Development for six years, she became the Executive Director of Cars 4 Causes^® in 2004.

Ms. Jessup embodies the heart, soul and passion of Cars 4 Causes,^® representing them to over 15,000 charities they serve. Lauded as a diplomatic and even-handed leader, she has earned the respect of colleagues and employees in both the business and non-profit world. Ms. Jessup dedicated nearly 20 years to an award-winning career in real estate. She has extensive experience in the insurance and investment fields, sales, and the automobile industry.

A native of upstate New York, she is a graduate of Utica Free Academy, and also attended the University of California at Los Angeles. Ms. Jessup currently resides in Westlake Village, California with her husband.

Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith is a founding member of the Cars 4 Causes^® Board of Directors. Mr. Smith currently serves as the Secretary of the organization and is actively involved in the day-to-day operations of Cars 4 Causes,^® working alongside Ms. Palmer in the areas of strategic planning, management systems and controls, business development, marketing and public relations.

Prior to his day-to-day involvement with Cars 4 Causes,^® Mr. Smith lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he was, and continues to be, involved in sustainable, biodynamic coffee production. Mr. Smith has a unique and unparalleled skill set that encompasses all aspects of the business process. His experience stems from his 30 years of involvement with business start-ups and re-organizations, responsible for raising capital, designing workflows and procedures, establishing operational protocols, creating and effectuating marketing programs and quickly identifying and capturing market trends and opportunities.

During his career, Mr Smith has consulted for, streamlined, and/or reorganized various companies; developed over 5,000 homes in Las Vegas Nevada; and engaged in securities speculation. He has worked in corporate mergers and acquisitions, specializing in acquisition strategy and financing, and he started his career packaging and marketing low income, senior citizen housing limited partnerships though various Wall Street firms.

Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles. He currently resides in Venice, California, is a single parent and a loving father to his 3 year old son.

Anthony Glenn

Anthony Glenn became a member of the Cars 4 Causes^® Board of Directors shortly after its inception in 1997. He is involved with setting foundation strategy, determining long-term goals and allocating charitable distributions to the communities served. Mr. Glenn is especially passionate about fostercare/adoption for children, children's education and support for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Glenn has more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and business development, including 12 years in the automotive industry. He is currently President of the AR Glenn Marketing Group.

John Huffman

John Huffman has been a Cars 4 Causes^® Board Member since 2006. He has founded, cultivated and developed non-profit businesses for nearly three decades. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Development for the Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California.

Prior to his current position, he served as the Executive Director of Echoes of Hope and the president of World Reaching Faith Inc. He was the founding/senior pastor of South Coast Fellowship in Ventura California for over 23 years. Mr. Huffman has been a featured seminar speaker on religious and non-profit operations throughout Asia, South America, and Europe, as well as the United States. Mr. Huffman has provided motivational and inspirational support for several Major League Baseball and National Football League teams and is listed in "Who's Who in America." He is also one of the co-founders of The Rescue Mission Foundation.

Mr. Huffman received his Bachelor's degree from LIFE Bible College and did his graduate work at Azusa Pacific University. He holds a diploma from the Evangelical Teachers Training Association and received certification for supervisory and management skills from the Department of Science and Management at the University of California Santa Barbara.

Mr. Huffman is the father of four grown and accomplished children and the grandfather of four beautiful grandchildren.

James M. Fornear

James Fornear has been a Cars 4 Causes^® Board Member since 2008 and was elected to the office of Treasurer in June 2010. He has over 25 years of experience in corporate management and finance. He currently serves as the Controller for Kavlico Corporation in Moorpark, California. A results-oriented leader, Mr. Fornear has implemented several programs and strategies throughout his career that demonstrate his ability as an innovative and effective manager.

Mr. Fornear holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois University and received his Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Fornear also served as a pilot in the United States Navy.

Michael LeClair

Michael Le Clair joined the Cars 4 Causes^® Board of Directors in January 2010. He currently serves as the general manager for Meggitt Thermal Systems, Inc. Mr. LeClair is also a co-owner of Management Matters, LLC. and G.O.L.F. OUT, Inc.

With his entrepreneurial mindset, Mr. LeClair has worked as an engineering and/or manufacturing manager for over a decade. He also served as a board member on the Emerson Elementary Student Site Council.

Mr. LeClair graduated Cum Laude from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, earning a Bachelor's of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later received his Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

Alex Cabrera

Alex C. Cabrera joined the Cars 4 Causes^® Board of Directors in January 2010. He is currently employed at First American Title Insurance, a company he has been with since 1980. Mr. Cabrera spent his earlier years working for companies including Sears and Kooltronics. Prior to joining Cars 4 Causes,^® Mr. Cabrera served as a board member at South Coast Fellowship Church. In addition, during his career, he sat on numerous committees to raise funds for nonprofits, including Manna, The Boys and Girls Club, and Many Mansions.

Mr. Cabrera resides in California with his wife of 28 years. He is the proud father and stepfather of two grown sons.

Steve Blazejewski

Steve Blazejewski currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Cars 4 Causes^®. He is responsible for the direction and management of all technology platforms, information workflows and data management.

Most recently he served as systems manager at Mobis Parts America. Prior to the merger of the Kia and Hyundai parts divisions, he spent 12 years at Kia in I.T. operations, systems analysis, distribution and systems management.

Steve holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University. He resides in Ventura County, California with his two children.