Our Board Members
Ms. Pam Sims-Jones, President
Pamela Sims Jones has 20+ years of experience in leadership and organizational development and program management, and 15+ years of experience in the publishing field. Currently, she is the Program Associate at Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, managing all aspects of agency relations and food distribution for over 120 agencies. Pamela was one of the founding members of Bellevue Restoration Inc., a nonprofit housing group that renovated six houses in Trenton, and co-founder/editor of The Nubian News. She was also Fellow/Director of Leadership Trenton at the John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy at Thomas Edison State University and a Fellow in the Inaugural Leadership Trenton Class of 2002. She served as Deputy Director of the NJ Dept. of State’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission and worked at Africa World Press & The Red Sea Press in Lawrenceville & Ewing NJ for 16 years. Pamela currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Beyond Diversity Resource Center, Safkhet Literacy Project, Steele CDC, and is a member of The Maker’s Place Board of Directors and Trenton Food Stakeholders.
Rev. Ronald Sparks, Vice President
Rev. Ronald L. Sparks holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland University College and received his Master of Divinity from Drew University Theological School. He has been in the ministry for over 27 years and has been pastoring for 19 years. Currently, Rev. Sparks is the pastor of Bethel AME Church, Freehold, NJ. This year he is celebrating his 11th Anniversary at Bethel. Rev. Sparks’ ministry extends beyond the walls of the church. He is a founding member of two non-profit organizations, Monmouth County Diversity Alliance, and the Steele Community Development Corporation. Both organizations focus on diversity, equity and inclusion; collaborating with other organizations and ensuring that we do all we can to eradicate food insecurity for members of the community and the County of Monmouth at large, particularly Western Monmouth. Rev. Sparks serves as a member of the Brookdale President’s Advisory Council and recently has been selected to serve on the CentraState DEI Ad Hoc Committee. While pastoring, he has been employed for the past 30 years at Agilent Technologies, Inc., formally Hewlett-Packard, a Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis Corporation.
Ms. Patricia Bohse, Board Treasurer
Pat Bohse knows how to help organizations identify their strengths and leverage their best assets. Since 1989, Pat has been president of Bohse & Associates, LLC., a consulting company that helps organizations change their worlds by transforming and galvanizing their business to achieve sustainable growth. Her company provides focused training, customized guidance and consultation to government and nonprofit sectors, helping these organizations reposition themselves for the future. She was former Executive Director of Senior Citizen Activities Network (SCAN), and bolstered what was once a struggling organization. SCAN is now thriving. She was awarded the “Leader of Distinction in the Field of Aging” by SCAN and has been recognized for her achievements in Monmouth County as well as by the State of New Jersey. Pat has since been appointed as Chairperson of the Monmouth County Senior Advisory Council, current Board Treasurer for Steele CDC, and an Adjunct Instructor at Brookdale Community College.
Mr. Jesus Guerra, Board Secretary
Jesus Guerra is currently employed by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority for over 26 years. He currently holds the position as a Roadway Crew Manager. Jesus is a member of Bethel AME Church. He has served on the Steward Board and as the Church Treasurer. He presently serves on the Trustee and Sunday School Boards. Jesus has been a member of the NAACP, Greater Long Branch Chapter for 34 years. Jesus attended Kean College and holds a Certificate in Construction Management from Ashworth College. Jessus and his wife Kelly have four beautiful daughters, Jacklyn, Sasha, Neesa, and Heaven.
Andrea McPherson, Board Member
Andrea McPherson is a Vice President and Senior Manager of Strategy and Planning in the Enterprise Portfolio Management & Governance group at TD Bank. She is a Certified Project Manager and SAFe 5 Agilist. Ms. McPherson received her M.S. in Instructional Technology Design from La Salle University, a Project Management Certificate from George Washington University, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has served as a Vice President and President of the Historic Court Street School Education Community Center for over 20 years and is a former Chairperson of the Manalapan Arts Council. She has also initiated various Black History Month Programs, art shows, concerts and other educational and cultural events hosted by the Monmouth County Library Headquarters and other event spaces over the past 20 years. In addition to being on the Board of Steele CDC, she is a member of the Manalapan Arts Council and serves on the Board of the Senior Citizen Activity Network (SCAN) and the Manalapan Senior Advisory Council.
Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, Board Member
Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes serves as Regional Director for New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC) at Brookdale Community College (BCC), serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. Under her leadership, the Center has assisted in the growth of multiple businesses and has won numerous awards ranging from Economic Development for their impact in Monmouth and Ocean counties to winning national pitch competitions. As well, Jackeline is a business professor teaching Introduction to Business and Introduction to Marketing and Entrepreneurship at BCC. Dr. Mejias-Fuertes has 35+ years of experience in marketing and 20+ years of entrepreneurship expertise. She is a leader, seasoned business advisor, strategist, speaker, entrepreneur–and does it all with equal facility in English and Spanish. She has received and been nominated for many awards dating back to 2010 for her extensive work in the community. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Hometown Heroes award for her commitment to women entrepreneurship. In May 2018, she was awarded the Business Leadership award by the Community Affairs and Resource Center. She holds a B.A. from Hunter College, M.B.A. from Ashford University and has a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.