Board of Directors

We are proud to have a dedicated group serving on our board of directors at True North. They are passionate community members who are committed to our organization’s mission and sustainability!

Are you interested in joining our board of directors? Send us an email at info@truenorthbutte.org and introduce yourself!

Meet our board of directors

 
Peter Straus smiles, wearing a black coat over a bluie shirt and purple tie in front of a marbled background.
 

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.

 
 

Kristine Nixon, Vice Chair

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 wears a blue collared shirt and smiles in front of a tan background
 

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 smiles, wearing a black and white patterned shirt and standing in front of a white background
 

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.

 
 

Holly Libby

Holly Libby has built a dynamic career spanning both healthcare and business since moving to Chico, California, in 1991. Originally from Southern California, she relocated to attend California State University, Chico, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. Holly began her nursing career in 1996, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) before becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) in 2003 after completing her second Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Public Health Nursing. Her nursing career included serving as a bedside nurse at Oroville Hospital and Enloe Medical Center, and later transitioning to home health, where she supported patients in their recovery and well-being in their own homes.

In 2009, Holly transitioned from her full-time nursing career to join her husband in

managing their independent automotive dealership, Highway Motors Inc., in Chico. As Vice President, she has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, including overseeing Human Resources, ensuring compliance, managing advertising, and stepping into various operational roles as needed to support the business. Beyond her work at Highway Motors, Holly serves as a Managing Partner in a large commercial property, where she handles Human Resources, compliance, and accounting services.

Holly’s past volunteer work includes the American Red Cross, where she has planned events, taught CPR classes, and facilitated CNA certification testing.

She values spending time with her husband Ben and their three cherished dogs Gus, Miss B and Olive.

 
 

Jon Beckman-Straus

Jonathon Beckman-Straus is a cook with decades of experience in professional kitchens. Trained at the Butte Culinary Academy, his cooking career took him to the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. before returning to Chico. Jon is currently the Production Chef for the Chico Unified School District, where he has also overseen the kitchens for Chico Jr. High and Pleasant Valley High.

In support of Chico’s unhoused populations and fire victims, Jon has cooked meals for the Safe Space rotating shelter and for World Central Kitchen, served meals at Torres Shelter, and provided logistical support regarding food storage for temporary shelters following the Camp Fire.

Jon attended Chico public schools and Butte College before transferring to UCLA to obtain his B.A. in History. He is very happy to be back in Chico with his wife and three beautiful children. In his limited spare time he enjoys biking, books, and genealogical and historical research.

 
Suzanne Toaspern-Holm smiles, wearing glasses and a bright teal shirt.
 

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 smiles, wearing a light blue collared shirt and standing in front of a white background
 

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 smiles, wearing a burgundy collared shirt in front of a light gray background
 

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.

 

Our Directors

 
Taylor Storey smiles, wearing a wool coat and standing in front of a green, leafy bush.
 

Taylor Bunch, 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.

 
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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!