Michael Bennett
Co-Chair

Michael Bennett was born in New York City and raised in Southern California. He is a Viet Nam Veteran and holds a degree in Sociology with a minor in American Studies. After his Army discharge he began a career in the field of motion picture production, which afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively for both work and pleasure. He eventually became a producer, creating budgets, hiring the crew and overseeing the day to day operation of the set. He became a part time resident of Palm Springs in 1995, splitting his time between an apartment in West Hollywood and a house in the Desert. Michael initially became involved with the Center through the Gay Men's Prostate Cancer Support Group and joined the Board in -----. In 2005 he became a full time Palm Springs resident.

Judith A. Harris Ed.D
Co-chair

Judith A. Harris Ed. D was educated in New York State and is a former teacher, administrator, college instructor and a professional organization state president. She is a certified Life/Spiritual Counselor, Reiki Master Teacher, Holistic Hypnotherapist and specialist in emotional release work. Judith is also a certified Health Educator and professional speaker that teaches and consults for clients/organizations on both coasts. Her varied experience and advanced course work in Energy Medicine, have allowed her to offer a Holistic Approach to Wellness. Her private practice, Therapeutic Healing Arts, is located in Palm Springs.

Since coming to Palm Springs five years ago, she has served on the Boards of Gay Associated Youth, Desert Dyners , Team Palm Springs, has consulted for the Golden Rainbow Senior Center and has worked with DAP, AAP, Shelter From the Storm and is a member of 100 Women, DWE, Frontrunners, LSpot Business Network, Mizell Center and the Palm Springs Museum.

Judith brings a tremendous amount of experience to the Desert Pride Community Center And it is her vision that DPCC become "The Hub" for the LBGT community not only offering services and resources but also community networking and support.

Ken Behrens

My Partner, Hal, says "You can take the man out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the man!" I believe he is right - I was born in a very small town in Central Texas and graduated from the University of Texas. The summer I graduated from "The University", I went to work for the J. C. Penny Co. I worked for J. C. Penny Co. for thirty years managing stores in Texas. I am very proud of my daughter and son and three grandchildren. They all live in Texas, so I still have my roots in Texas. Hal and I have called Palm Springs home, full time for eight years.

Dr. Jim Quinlan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California where he was also on the faculty during the mid 70's. Most recently, he served as a grant writer and community liaison for the Desert AIDS Project .Here in Palm Springs Jim worked as a local news reporter and staff writer for The Bottom Line magazine, and will now serve as news editor at the Desert Times.

Prior to moving to the desert, Jim maintained a rehabilitation clinic for patients with brain injury in Chicago. He was affiliated with Tufts University Medical School in Boston, the Neuropsychiatric Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Northwestern University's Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

In accepting the invitation to join the board of the Desert Pride Center, Dr. Quinlan is enthusiastic about finding ways to assist the Center in becoming fiscally independent.

Michael R. Crews, Certified Public Accountant, earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971. Self employed and owner of Mr. Crews CPA for 20 years. Michael has served on many board of directors including El Cerrito Foundation, Rubicon, Inc. (a Nationally recognized non-profit serving the disabled, homeless, & persons with Aids) and Christmas In April, Inc.. He also served as President of Rubicon Homes, Inc., a Non-profit creating housing for disabled, homeless and persons with Aids. Additionally, Michael has served as Board member and Treasurer of Mizell Senior Center for 8 years and was a Founding Desert Pride Center member, serving as Treasurer for 4 years and also as co-chair.

Born and raised Colorado and raised in Arizona, Claire received her degree in medicine at the University of Arizona. She moved to California to complete her residency and fellowship in pathology. She has worked in Long Beach and Orange County is currently semi-retired from medicine.

Julie Ragsdale is an artist and digital multi-media producer. She earned her BS in Psychology with an art minor and high school teaching certificate at Texas Women's University. Her interests in theories of motivation and inspiration led her into the medium of video, film and music production.

She is an active participant in local community benefits and serves on the steering committee of Lalapoolooza and the advisory board of Desert Rainbow Foundation. She is as editor, publisher, producer and owner of LIVE, a local entertainment and lifestyle publication and television show.

Levvy Carriker attended the University of Texas at Austin and was the summer Production Manager for the Daily Texan, the University's Daily newspaper.

Levvy has worked in Promotions for a number of years. He served as the national advertising director for Gay Cable Network in New York City and as a promoter in nightclubs from Sydney Australia's Metropolis to New York City's Limelight Club and Warsaw in Miami Beach. Today Levvy is on the Advisory Board of the Desert Rainbow Foundation and the Steering Committee of Lalapoolooza . Levvy is also the co-editor/publisher/owner of the Palm Springs publication LIVE Magazine.