Tournament of Roses® Foundation Names New Board Members

August 2, 2010

PASADENA, Calif. (August 2, 2010) – Wellington Chen, president of the Tournament of Roses Foundation, announced the election of three new members to the Foundation Board of Directors. These new members replace outgoing board members Scott Jenkins, Jerri Price-Gaines and Craig Washington who provided a combined 7 years of outstanding service, vision and leadership to the Foundation Board.

Tahra Goraya has a long history as a community advocate both locally and nationally. Goraya has worked in a number of areas including civil rights, drug policy, land use, and juvenile justice issues in both California and Washington, DC. She is also active in a number of social justice, civil rights advocacy, and youth empowerment programs and serves as advisor to LA Futbol Club Foundation and Jazzy Jam. Goraya is currently the District Director for California State Senator Carol Liu. Before joining Senator Carol Liu, Goraya served as National Director for CAIR, a national Muslim civil rights organization in Washington, DC. She also served as Executive Director of Day One in Pasadena where she was instrumental in passing several local and state policies on adolescent substance abuse and nuisance liquor stores issues.

Darryl Hallie has been a Tournament member since 2001 and is currently serving on the Decorating Places Committee. Professionally, Hallie is a Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank’s Credit Resolution Group, and a solo practice lawyer. Darryl was born in Altadena, and has lived in the Pasadena area most of his life. He volunteers for a myriad of community activities that serve the underprivileged and underserved, including helping raise funds for homeless shelters and other not-for-profits, and providing minority students with motivational speeches, college guidance, financial literacy workshops, and assisting them with obtaining college scholarships.

Mike Matthiessen, a Tournament volunteer since 1979, is also a member of the Tournament of Roses Association’s Executive committee. He will serve as the Tournament’s president in 2016 providing leadership for the 127th Rose Parade and 102nd Rose Bowl Game. He serves as current chair of the Tournament's Real Estate committee, vice chair of the Business Development committee, and member of the Long Range Planning committee. His various community activities include board member for Foothill Vocational Opportunities and past member of the Pasadena Jaycees, Boys’ Club Advisory Council and Pasadena Kiwanis Club. Matthiessen is the General Manager for Space Bank, Ltd.

In addition, the following officers were re-elected to serve on the board of directors: Jacqueline Howard, vice president; Katherine Martinez Kleine, treasurer; and Ciran Hadjian, secretary. Members continuing to serve on the Foundation Board are Leonora Barrón, Rich Chinen, Dave Davis, Mike Hagedorn, Nancy Neal Davis and Mike Ward.

The Tournament of Roses Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit public benefit corporation established in 1983 to receive and manage contributions from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, its supporters, and the general public. The Foundation supports charities in the Pasadena area by funding sports and recreation, visual and performing arts, and volunteer motivation and leadership development. The thirteen member Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders and Tournament members, appointed by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. Organizations or individuals interested in making a contribution or requesting a grant application may contact the Foundation at (626) 449-4100

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