AEBML Executive Board of Directors

Roberta Rockwell, President, Board Member

Roberta has a full- time position as a special educator (speech therapist) in the public schools, and recently was selected as Alameda's Teacher of the Year. She has consistently been a strong advocate for special needs children and began the League in response to an inspiring disabled student, Nicholas, who dreams of playing for the San Francisco Giants. Roberta serves on Advisory boards for several public education organizations. She is active in the local schools, serving on the School Site Council, and various parent booster groups. Roberta received her B.S. degree from San Diego State University and her M.S. degree in Speech Pathology from Hayward State University.

Nino Borsoni, Board Member, Facility Coordinator

Nino holds the position as Senior Vice President for Eichleay Engineers Inc. of California. He has been an essential force in building multiple soccer fields in the Bay Area. Nino is dedicated to youth sports through coaching for, organizing, and running one of the largest local soccer clubs in the Bay Area. With the help of Eichleay Corporation, Nino's engineering expertise has been instrumental in the design of Miracle League's preliminary budget, securing conceptual drawings of Miracle Park, providing exceptional presentation materials, and designing Miracle League's Development Strategy and Long Range Plans.

Bram B. Briggance, MA, PhD Board Member

Bram Briggance is the founder and principal of Briggance Consulting, which provides strategic consultation and training to a wide variety of health organizations, including professional, education, public health, non-profit, and care delivery institutions. Recent clients include the National Conference of State Legislators, and the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Bram has served as Program Director for the Center for Health Professions, a health workforce research and leadership institute at the University of California, San Francisco. Bram received his BA from Denison University, and his MA and PhD from the Department of Philosophy at Stony Brook University. He also holds a Certificate for Meritorious Research from the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, in association with Keble College, Oxford University.

Mario Mariani, Board Member & League Organizer

Mario brings multiple talents to the Miracle League. As a local real estate expert, Mario serves as a liaison with City officials and developers. As a former pro-football player he understands the importance of team sports! He has directed, organized, and coached enumerable sports teams including Little League. He is along time, respected, Alameda resident and has serves on many local advisory boards including the West Alameda Business Association, the Greater Alameda Business Association, and the Economic Redevelopment Board for Webster Street and the West End (Alameda).

Anne Rockwell, Facilities Coordinator

Anne is a Park Supervisor and Administrator for the East Bay Regional Park District. With 30 years of park experience, she understands recreation, park construction and operations, facilities needs and maintenance. Anne is a member of National Recreation and Parks Association and California Parks and Recreation Society. She is a member of the Alameda Recycling Coaltion (seeking a greener Alameda), P.E.O. (a women's philanthropic education organization) and was both a Board member and member of the Executive Committee of the Alameda Boy Scout Council. Anne received her B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in Physical Education.

Ann E. Evans, Secretary, Advisory Board

Ms. Evans' experience as a health care executive and expert spans over two decades with both Blue Shield of California and Kaiser Permanente. She is an expert in analytic and managerial information as it relates to rating and underwriting, product development and sales management for national accounts. Ms. Evans has a Bachelor's Degree from Stanford University in Human Biology and a Masters of Science degree from Harvard University in Health Policy and Management. In early 2007, she was appointed as a citizen member of the Alameda Hospital District's Finance Committee, has volunteered for the Alameda County Community Food Bank for many years and was the Food Bank's first recipient of the Socorro Brito Memorial Award in 2000.

Helen Simpson, Parent, Advisory Board

Helen is one of our most important members of the Advisory Board. She is the parent of a special needs child. She has shared her expertise as a paralegal and was successful in arranging for her San Francisco Legal firm in providing pro bono assistance to the League. The Simpson family loves sports and her son Nicholas, regardless of a rare genetic disorder, hopes to play for the San Francisco Giants when he grows up.

Bill Sonneman, Advisory Board

Bill is the former Principal of Encinal High School in Alameda. He holds a masters degree in Educational Leadership. He currently sits on the Alameda Parks and Recreation Commission. He serves as Director of the Alameda Education Foundation, and is a Teach for America mentor. Bill was the proud principal of several baseball players who currently play for the Major League but still call him 'Mr. Sonneman' (Dontrelle Willis and Jimmy Rollins).

Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Schenk, Advisory Board

Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Schenk is a licensed psychotherapist who holds graduate degrees in both Clinical Psychology and Clinical Social Work. A former Children's Hospital behavioral health administrator, she currently maintains a private psychotherapy practice. She is on the faculty of San Francisco State University where she teaches graduate and undergraduate Social Work Students. Betsy has served on numerous youth committees and has a passion for disability awareness.

Clayton Woo, Advisory Board

Clayton is the Senior Sales Engineer for ArcSight in Cupertino. He is a dedicated coach for soccer, basketball, baseball and volleyball. As a coach and a father, he teaches sportsmanship, placing education before wins, and mostly how to have fun playing sports! Clayton found the Miracle League because he too believes, "Every kid deserves to play baseball" or any sport for that matter. Clayton believes every child should have the same opportunity to experience and learn the similar lessons that team sports provides.

Scott Means, Advisory Board

Scott has worked with youth and adults in recreation and disability services since 1983. He has implemented programs in a supervisory capacity for over 17 years. In 2001, Scott became a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Oakland office of Parks and Recreation. As the Supervisor, Scott is accountable for departmental compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act including developing specialized and inclusive programs for youth and adults with disabilities. Applying an entrepreneurial spirit to his position, Scott has developed partnerships and sustainable funding sources that support consistent levels of service for the community.

Andrew Lambert, Board Member

Andy is a sales and marketing consultant with fifteen years of sales, marketing and business development experience. He currently represents clients in the construction industry working with small businesses that need lead generation, sales programs and marketing support. Through work in publishing and construction, Andy has managed a diverse client portfolio which included major multi-nationals and single person enterprises. Andy graduated with honors from the University of Stirling, in Scotland. Andy was excited to become involved with the Miracle league in 2007 after racing in the Inaugural St. Patty's Day DASH. He brings his expertise, energy and passion the Miracle League and is looking forward to Opening Day!

Chuck Birkholm, Advisory Board

Chuck has been a Park Ranger with the East Bay Regional Park District for many years. During this time he eas enjoyed working with various community groups. He is a graduate of the renowned Ringling Brother Barnum and Bailey Circus Clown College, and toured nationally with the circus. He's had a chance to follow his dreams and hopes to help children with physical limitation get to do the same on their field of dreams.

Marty Garchar, Advisory Board

When Marty isn't working full time in the publishing industry he provides extensive volunteer time focusing on youth (and sports). Marty is a Past Board Member for Alameda Little League, Alameda Youth Basketball and Alameda Soccer. He has coached all groups and Alameda Babe Ruth. He has even coached the High School soccer team. For the past 15 years Marty has served as an Advisory Board Member to the Alameda Boys and Girls Club, he has served as President of the local High School PTA, and of the Athletic Boosters. Although his children have graduated he has been the Chair of the local High School Grad Night Committee for the past 10 years. He has been the recipient of both Wood Middle School and Encinal High School Volunteer of the Year.

Patrick Kenney, Advisory Board

Patrick owns and operates Cairdea Design & Marketing. He received the City of Alameda 2007 Community Service Volunteer Award. This is understandable since as a volunteer he serves on the Executive Board of the Alameda Council of Boy Scouts of America and the Advisory Board for the Altarena Theater - as well as, volunteering with local schools on the PTA, Athletic Boosters, Drama Boosters and as a Scoutmaster for Alameda Troop 89. He is a partner with the Alameda Education Foundation, and lends expertise and time to Girls Inc, the Alameda Youth Collaborative, Alameda Free Library Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and the Alameda Midway Shelter For Women.

Lois Sonneman, Advisory Board

Lois is a passionate Special Educator specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication for non-verbal and minimally verbal students. Over the last 20 years, Lois has literally given special needs students a voice in their world. She graduated from Holy Names College, and received her Master's Degree from California State University East Bay.

Jim Rockwell, Treasurer, Advisory Board

As an executive in the Technology industry with a background in Finance and a Bachelors degree in Accounting, Jim serves as a great Treasurer! He is a very active volunteer in local school support activities. His experience with youth activities and sports includes the Athletic Booster club, assisting in swim meet organization, water polo, fund raising activities for youth safety programs, and participating in the local Boy Scouts of America. For many years Jim was a Sea Scout leader and was responsible for a diverse group of teenagers.

Don't forget to swing hard,
in case you hit the ball.

Woodie Held