Peter Straus, Chairman

Peter Straus is the emeritus director of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business at Chico State, having served in that position from 2008 until 2018. He was a lecturer in Management from 2002 through 2019 when he retired.

Peter also serves as Executive Vice President of AVL Looms in Chico. As President and CEO of AVL from 1989 to 2005, Peter was present for most of the innovations AVL brought to the weaving world. He was responsible for the establishment of AVL outlets in the UK, Japan and Taiwan. Under Peter’s direction, AVL Looms shipped products to all 50 states and to over 80 countries.

Peter has delivered lectures on the use of electronics in the textile industry, including at the Fashion Institute of Design in New York City, North Carolina State University, Philadelphia University, the Royal College of Art in London, and the Taiwan Textile Federation in Taipei.

Peter has lived in Butte County since 1976. He is a proud graduate of Mumford High School in Detroit, Michigan, and the University of Michigan. He has been happily married for 41 years, has two children both living in Chico, plus a grandson and a granddaughter.

Jim Morgan, Vice Chairman

Jim Morgan was born and raised in Chico. Although as an adult he lived briefly in San Francisco and Davis, he has spent most of his life in his hometown.

He possesses a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Chico State and a juris doctor from the University of California, Davis. He is Professor Emeritus of Chico State’s College of Business, where until 2020 he taught classes and published research relating to legal issues impacting employment, entrepreneurship, and general business. Jim continues to serve as a lawyer and legal consultant for clients in the North State.

Among previous positions of service to the community, Jim was President and Chairman of the Board for the Chico Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Cal Northern School of Law Board of Trustees, Chairman of TEAM Chico (economic development), and co-founder of the Butte County Honorary Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.

Jim and his wife, Sheryl, raised their two boys in Chico. He has two granddaughters.

Kristine Nixon, Chief Operating Officer

Kristine Nixon has lived in Chico for more than 30 years. She graduated from Chico State with a bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration and a master’s degree in Business Administration. 

Kristine has worked for the federal government in the healthcare IT industry for over 25 years supporting the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In 2018, she founded A1M Solutions, a woman-owned small business devoted to improving government healthcare programs and supporting disadvantaged communities. Kristine began her career as a data analyst and now focuses on modernizing healthcare programs and policy by integrating changes that are informed by clients’ needs. As President and CEO, Kristine is personally dedicated to connecting communities impacted by environmental injustice, climate change and limited access to care to government policy and programs intended to support those communities.  

Kristine is married and has two daughters. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, in her garden and with all her animals.  

Bob Kruger, Treasurer

Bob Kruger is a serial entrepreneur with a master’s degree in systems management and a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He has been the President of AVL Looms since 2005, when his wife and he moved to Chico to work and raise their three children.

Since then, Bob taught at Chico State for seven years and has been an active volunteer in the community. His first contact with the Torres Community Shelter came while volunteering as one of our regular meal providers via the Newman Catholic Center. Bob also has also served as a member of the parent organization and school board for his children’s elementary and middle schools, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bob joined our board of directors to become even more engaged with efforts to improve our community and help take care of those who are struggling and in need.

Billie Kanter, Secretary

Billie Kanter retired from California State University, Chico in July 2007 after more than 35 years of service. She received her bachelor’s in sociology and secondary teaching credential from Chico State. Though she worked across multiple departments, most of her tenure was spent supporting the university’s social welfare program (now its School of Social Work).

Billie was an active member on the university’s Staff Council and in the California State Employees Association and CSU Employees Union. She also has been a volunteer for a variety of community organizations, including Enloe Hospice, North State Public Radio (KCHO/KFPR) and Chico Velo.

Billie first became aware of True North Housing Alliance when she attended the Torres Community Shelter’s first annual Christmas Tree and Silent Art Auction. After attending for several years, she became a member of the committee responsible for organizing the event. Curious to find out more about the shelter, she volunteered in 2011 and has been with True North ever since.

Billie joined our Board of Directors in Feb. 2013, knowing that she wished to become even more involved with our organization. She enjoys giving back to her community.

Henry Schleiger

Henry J. Schleiger was born at home in the tiny town of Pulga and raised in Durham. After graduating from high school in 1995, he joined the US Navy and served proudly aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation until 2000.

Henry returned home and worked for his late father, Dave, an architect who at the time was designing Community Housing Improvement Program’s Murphy Commons Apartments. His father’s interest in housing justice was a driving factor in Henry accepting appointment to the District 3 seat on the Butte County Planning Commission in 2019, and in joining True North’s Board of Directors.

In January 2010, Henry discovered the power of Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) while watching the aftermath of, and recovery from, a massive earthquake in Haiti, which was documented in real-time on Google Earth. Inspired, he “went back” to college, graduating from Butte College in 2011 and Chico State in 2013, earning certificates in GIS and in Rural and Town Planning, and a bachelor’s in Human Geography and Planning.

Henry has since worked for Deer Creek GIS, mapping wildfires for the US Forest Service and Cal Fire and rising to the position of General Manager. He lives in Magalia with his wife, Rachel, and their son, Lincoln.

Suzanne Toaspern-Holm

Suzanne Toaspern-Holm has an extensive background in public health and pediatric nursing, child development and education. A registered nurse and certified public health nurse, Suzanne has served as the Public Health Program Coordinator and Senior Public Health Nurse for the Glenn County Department of Health Services, as well as a general medical unit and pediatric unit nurse with Enloe Medical Center. She earned her Bachelor’s in nursing from Chico State University and also possesses a Master’s in library science from California State University, Fullerton, an elementary teaching credential from Saint Mary’s College and Merrill-Palmer Institute, and a Bachelor’s in psychology from UC Davis.

A long-time volunteer, Suzanne has been active with a variety of organizations, including the Chico Food Project, Chico Women’s Club, Chico Area Children’s Theater, Loma Linda 4-H, and Neal Dow Elementary School’s PTA, site council and library.

Suzanne and her husband settled in Chico in the 1980s and raised their two daughters here. In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys sewing and quilting; backpacking, hiking and camping; spending time with her children and four grandchildren; and singing with the Chico Friends Rise Up Singing group.

Tim VanderHeiden

Timothy J. VanderHeiden, CEO of Van Duerr Industries, Inc. (dba SafePath Products), has significant experience and expertise in recycled product development. He holds a Juris Doctorate and consults on various access code laws, and has published many articles in national journals regarding ADA and compliance. Tim also develops innovative uses for commercialization of recycled tire, plastic and carpet products specific to state and federal compliance regulations. He holds several patents for recycled products in the U.S.

As a serial entrepreneur, Tim recently launched a new company, Green Hive Group, Inc., the first to manufacture a hydrocarbon absorption product made from 100 percent recycled carpet.

Tim was solely responsible for the introduction of the first recycled rubber product to the door hardware industry and the national architectural construction and design community. He has developed dozens of products for the architectural market and has been designated a specific CSI division number (MasterFormat 10-74-49) for his work with recycled tire rubber products for compliance with federal and state disability access laws and regulations. Tim continues to develop extensive national sales networks and markets recycled products to various channels, including door hardware, flooring manufacturers and industrial supply, and many of the largest retailers in the U.S.

David Zeichick

David Zeichick is an assistant professor at Chico State in the Computer Science Department. He has spent 10 years teaching information technology at corporations and colleges and 10 years in the computer security field. He received his doctorate in information assurance from Nova Southeastern in Florida, master’s in computer science from Chico State and bachelor’s in social science from University of California, Irvine.

In addition to teaching, David also serves as the faculty adviser for Chico State’s Security Club and Chico Hilel, a Chico State social club connecting diverse students through events and activities shaped by Judaism, Israel and the Peace Process. Previously, he served as Board President for Inspire School of Arts & Sciences. He has three daughters and his family enjoys hosting foreign exchange students from all over the world.

Taylor Storey, Executive Director

Taylor Storey has a long history of engagement in public service, beginning with her role as a Butte County Office of Education instructional aide to students with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities when she was just 18. After completing her Master’s in Social Work at Chico State University, Taylor managed a vocational and social/emotional training program for six years for impoverished youth with mental illnesses living in Plumas County. In this role, Taylor worked with many young people who experienced housing insecurity and homelessness who later went on to attend college or secure viable employment and housing.

Taylor has also served as a Camp Fire Recovery Counselor with the Butte County Office of Education and as an instructor of Social Work and Human Services at Feather River College, where she created innovative degree and job-skills programs for students.

Taylor is motivated to continue the challenging work of finding viable ways to empower and support the most marginalized members of our community in her role as Executive Director of True North. This issue is near and dear to her heart, as well—Taylor experienced homelessness and housing insecurity as a young adult.

Jacque Lewkowicz, Associate Director

Jacque Lewkowicz joined True North Housing Alliance in 2010 and has been an integral team member ever since, continually demonstrating her dedication and passion for our work and our community. As Associate Director, Jacque oversees our programs and initiatives providing essential support to those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Throughout her career with us, she has been involved in planning, creating and executing major programs, including our Torres Community Shelter’s expansion to 24/7 services, our vocational kitchen and landscape programs, and our Aurora North Bridge Housing Program for families. Jacque's extensive experience with True North has given her a unique perspective on homelessness in our community and deep understanding of the issues facing those we serve.

Outside of her work with True North, Jacque is also highly involved in our community, volunteering and dedicating countless hours to various causes and organizations. She is especially proud to serve on the Nor Cal Roller Girls board of directors--a position she has held for over a decade--helping to promote women's empowerment, inclusivity, and positive body image. Jacque was raised in Chico and lives with her husband and Duke the Great Dane, our unofficial mascot and the namesake of Duke's Pet Park at the Torres Shelter!