Central California Consortium

Jim Oftedal - Program Director

* More than 15 years as CCC Director

James Oftedal provides overall program leadership and direction.  He aligns the program with the goals and objectives of the US Forest Service GPRA Strategic Plan, Presidential Executive Orders, and the Regional Forester's partnership and collaboration priority. He serves as principle liaison between government agencies, non-profit organizations, local businesses, school districts, as well as colleges and universities.

Lily M. Nieves - Program Specialist

* CSU, Fresno - Masters Degree in Public Administration
* CSU, Fresno - BA in Education / Option in Spanish

Lily Nieves assists the program director with overall program coordination. Her responsibilities include researching and writing documents such as grant proposals, accomplishment reports, press releases, partner agreements, and letters of support/recommendation. She edits the CCC program update and program marketing materials. Lily also serves as a community liaison and works with internal and external partners.

Juana Rosas - Program Specialist

* CSU, Fresno - Pursuing Masters Degree in Spanish Literature
* UC, Berkeley - BA in International Studies / Latin American Focus

Juana Rosas implements the rural Generation Green (GG) program. As the lead GG club advisor, she provides environmental education and leadership opportunities to diverse youth. She coordinates the GG summer leadership program, where high school students become stewards of the land, while being exposed to natural resource careers. Juana encourages higher education and serves as a mentor to students.

Julissa Gonzalez - Liaison Specialist

* CSU, Fresno - Pursuing MA in Communication
* CSU, Fresno - BS in Business Administration, Human Resource Option

Julissa Gonzalez places CCC students in summer and career employment opportunities within the Forest Service and other agencies. She assists students with career counseling and resume writing, while assisting supervisors with the student hiring process. Julissa is also responsible for conducting outreach and recruitment, developing and maintaining the program web page, and coordinating program events and career training workshops.

Saul Fernandez - Environmental Educator

* CSU, Fresno –Pursuing MS in Counseling
* CSU Fresno – BS in Business Administration, Management Option

Saul Fernandez leads an environmental education after school program in a rural community. He develops science based lesson plans which meet state standards and include hands on activities for grades 4th and 5th, as well as students with disabilities in grades 6 through 8. Saul is responsible for maintaining the elementary school garden and serves as co-advisor of the Generation Green Club.

Denaya Shorter - African American Community Liaison

* CSU, Fresno - Pursuing a BS in Biology
Option in Ecology, Evolutionary & Organismal Biology

Denaya Shorter is the newest addition to the CCC Staff. Her focus is to provide outreach and recruitment to the African American community in West Fresno. The CCC has built a strong partnership with the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission's Local Corps, as well as with Edison High School. Denaya will build on these existing partnerships, while identifying new ones. She is currently working to provide leadership and environmental education opportunities to students from Edison Computech Middle School and Edison High School.

Marco Chavez - Human Resource Intern

* National University- Pursuing Global Masters of Business Administration

*CSU, Fresno - BS in Business Administration, Management Option

Marco Chavez assists the Job Placement Coordinator in placing students into summer and career positions within the Forest Service and other agencies. He assists in maintaining a centralized database of applications and students placed. Marco also guides students through the student application and hiring process, assists in creating the Student Internship Booklet, and helps organize career training workshops and program events. He also assists in updating the website.

Melissa Souaykoumane - Human Resource Intern

* CSU, Fresno - BS in Business Administration,
Human Resource Management Option

Melissa Souaykoumane assists the Job Placement Coordinator in placing students into summer and career positions within the Forest Service and other agencies. She maintains a centralized database of applications and students placed. Melissa also guides students through the student application and hiring process, assists in creating the Student Internship Booklet, and helps organize career training workshops and program events. She also facilitates outreach and recruitment in the Asian communities of central California.

Mai Chou Thao- Asian Community Liaison / Budget Analyst

* CSU, Fresno- Pursuing a BS in Business Administration, Option Human Resource Management

Mai Thao helps facilitate outreach and recruitment programs in the Asian communities of central California. She organized and participated in many events including: Hmong International New Year, Hmong Resource Fair, Hmong National Development Conference, Hmong Radio talk show, and Hmong Student Association's Annual Education Conference. She also provides information on environmental education, rules and regulations to the Asian community in her native language. Mai also analyzes and prepares program budget reports by tracking expenditures.