Autism Ambassadors

In 2010 TACA established an Ambassador Group to help TACA fundraise and support our ongoing efforts of helping families living with autism.

TACA Ambassador Mission:

To assemble a group of business professionals that will work with TACA as an ambassador for the foundation. The primary goal would be to garner support and awareness for TACA and autism.

Ambassador efforts will include the following:

1. Assist with event fundraising efforts (in sponsorship, attendees and auction item acquisition).
2. Assist with educational presentations on behalf of TACA in awareness and support for families affected by autism (or set them up for the Executive Director to attend).
3. Assist in helping TACA based on industry expertise or wish list needs for the TACA foundation.

Glen Ackerman
Glen Ackerman Glen Ackerman is CEO at inhouseIT, a founding board member and President of TACA’s Board. Glen has been involved in the IT services business for the past 24 years. For 18 years, he was CEO of Integration Technologies (ITI). ITI was one of the most successful IT technology companies servicing the mid market in Southern California. As a software development organization, ITI provided site intelligence applications to many of the most recognized business leaders in the retail, restaurant and real estate markets.Glen and his wife Lisa formed TACA in 2000. Glen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Tim Adams
Tim Adams Tim Adams is the principal attorney at Adams & Associates, APLC, a disability rights law firm in Orange County, California. For over a decade, Tim has zealously represented children affected by autism. Tim serves as a resource to families and professionals across the country through presentations and seminars on special education law. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine and his Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. He has served as an adjunct professor and Associate Director of the Special Education Advocacy Clinic, Pepperdine University School of Law. He has also trained Orange County Superior Court Judges regarding special education law. Tim is a board member of the Elizabeth Birt Center for Autism Law & Advocacy (EBCALA). He enjoys snowboarding, stand up paddleboarding and traveling. Tim lives with his wife, Rose and three daughters in Orange, California.

Shana Baker
Shana Baker photo Shana Baker is Assistant Vice President at Buchanan Street Partners in Newport Beach, CA. Currently, she manages the Investment Accounting department, involved with the financial reporting to investors and oversees five fund portfolios, as well as two separate accounts. She has over 15 years experience in commercial and industrial real estate.Passionate about giving back to the community, she helped form Buchanan Children’s Charities, (501c-3) in late 2007, and serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors. BCC is focused on entrepreneurial children’s charities that make a significant impact in the local communities we serve.
Shana earned her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Fullerton. She resides in Huntington Beach, and enjoys spending time with her nephews.

Josh Belden
Josh Belden Josh is currently Area Vice President at Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. in Aliso Viejo, CA.In his present role, he is focused on supporting the business insurance and risk management needs of the healthcare services and technology industries. Along with close friends Justin and Kristen Alderson, Josh and his wife Lene’ co-founded Hope 4 Hanna, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, dedicated to serving the autism community through need based grants and promoting autism awareness. Josh and his wife Lene’ have 3 kids, and live in San Clemente, CA.

Chris Bull
Chris Bull Chris Bull serves as a Co-Founder and Managing Director of McDermott & Bull, based in Irvine California. He is responsible for overseeing the majority of the firm’s Search Consultants, as well as training and development. Formerly, Chris was an Executive Vice President in the Orange County office of DHR International, the nation’s 6th largest executive search firm. Earlier in his career, Chris spent six years operating the company he founded: American Liberty Capital Corporation. American Liberty combined cutting edge technology with the standards of commercial and residential mortgage banking retail services to become one of the largest privately held consumer finance companies based in Southern California.Chris currently serves on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Ambassadors Board of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) and has recently served as a Board Member for the Association for Corporate Growth. He currently resides in Laguna Hills, California with his wife and two children. Chris received a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985.

Dan Carney
Dan Carney Dan Carney has been a member of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) since inception. He is an advocate for families affected by autism.Dan earned his bachelor’s degree in economics for the University of Southern California and he earned his MBA from Woodbury University. After graduation he worked for E.F. Hutton, Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney. He is the founder and President of Carney Portfolio Management, an investment advisory firm. In 1998, Dan Carney and Max Carney founded Midwest Insurance an insurance company that provides worker’s compensation for businesses and other institutions.Dan serves on the Finance Committee and the Gifts and Trust Committee for the Newport Center Methodist Church. He actively supports and coaches the Challenger Baseball and Challenger Flag Football teams. He resides in Newport Beach with his wife Vicki and their two children Michael and Aspen.

Jeff Cova
Jeff Cova Jeff Cova is Founder and CEO of Winspire Inc. Winspire assists non-profits in the United States and Canada by providing highly sought after unique experiences and travel related packages to be used in charity auctions and fundraisers. To date, Winspire has assisted over 7,000 non-profits raise more than $11,0000,000 in net revenue.Prior to Winspire, Jeff was co-founder of The Gavel Group in 2001, a company specializing in producing charity auctions for non-profits.Jeff graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in Sports Administration, working in sponsorship sales for Fresno State Athletics, Cal State Fullerton, Anaheim Angels and Anaheim Ducks.A resident of Ladera Ranch, Jeff enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Anne and children Shane, Sammy and Mia.

Ehsan Gharatappeh
Ehsan Gharatappeh Born and raised in Houston, TX today he is the CEO of CellPoint Corporation, a global manufacturing firm based in Orange County, CA. CPT assists manufacturing companies with creative and innovative solutions to reduce manufacturing costs and increase product value. The firm delivers repair services and products to Fortune 500 companies, has over 80 employees in a wholly owned factory in Shanghai, PRC. He enjoys skiing, mountain climbing and general mountaineering. Ehsan lives in Newport Beach with his wife and two children.

Inna Kassatkina
Inna Kassatkina Entrepreneurial spirit, zest for life, and dedication to children are just a few of Inna Kassatkina’s personal and professional traits. Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, today she is the president and co-founder of Global Language Solutions (GLS), a professional translation and interpreting firm based in Aliso Viejo, CA. GLS assists international companies with document translation, conference interpreting, creative writing, software localization, web site adaptation, and cross-cultural consulting. The firm delivers language services to numerous Fortune 500 companies, has dozens of employees, a pool of 2,000 freelance translators around the globe, and offices in France and Argentina. Inna attended Moscow State University and graduated cum laude from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) with a major in linguistics. She enjoys playing piano and tennis, loves traveling, and is fluent in several languages. Inna lives in Newport Beach with her husband and two children.

Mark Khatoonian
Mark Khatoonian Mark Khatoonian has been involved in the real estate management industry for over 20 years, and is currently with the asset management group of RREEF in Costa Mesa, California. RREEF is one of the world’s largest real estate investment managers, investing in commercial and residential property, and real estate securities globally. Primarily focused on accounting and financial analysis, Mark has worked with both large and small property managers and investment firms in Arizona and Southern California.Mark became involved with TACA though an annual charity golf tournament called the “Jimmies Invitational”, which he hosts with friends in Orange County, CA. This event has been held each of the last five years, and now benefits TACA. Mark earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance at Arizona State University. In his free time Mark enjoys travelling, golfing, hiking/backpacking, bicycling and sea kayaking.

Stephanie Rudat
Stephanie Rudat Passion, principle, and allegiance are the driving forces behind Stephanie Rudat’s every move. A legitimate social entrepreneur, she blends an array of eclectic business and life experiences to propel those within her sphere of influence toward an impactful existence. Her intentions are continually realized through her work, advocacy, and relationships. Purpose drives Stephanie’s actions.In reaction to the rise of connective technologies’ influence on civic engagement, Stephanie co-founded Alliance for Youth Movements to synthesize best practices of successful digital movements and arm them with tools and resources to scale their efforts. AYM is a global network that promotes innovative uses of technology to safeguard human rights, promote good governance and foster civic empowerment. Taking this a step further, she is launching (think) CONSORTIUM in 2011 to empower influential leaders in technology, media, private and public sectors with the some of the world’s most promising activists to promote tolerance, strengthen networks, provide trainings, and develop partnerships.

Travis Trask
Travis Trask Travis Trask joined Barney & Barney in 1998 and became a Principal in 2004. He is now Managing Director of Barney & Barney’s Orange County Office, and as such he is responsible for its overall leadership and profitability.For more than 12 years, Travis has provided risk management and insurance counsel to companies of all sizes, ranging from start-ups to multi-national firms. He offers clients expertise in strategic planning and development of specialized risk management solutions that result in tailored programs designed to address their unique needs. Travis works with clients in the real estate, technology, life science, and healthcare, among others.Travis is a Board and Executive Committee member for Generation Next, and active with Big Brother’s and Sisters, Talk about Curing Autism, the Bone Marrow Foundation, and Children’s Hospital of San Diego. He’s a former Board Member of the AeA and served on OneBeacon’s National Advisory Council.Travis earned his bachelor of arts in business economics and went on to earn his master’s degree, both from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has achieved the designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI).
Ambassadors are nominated by TACA board, key staff or other TACA Ambassadors to participate.

To receive more information about TACA Ambassadors, please contact us for additional information.