2024 Board of directorS
DAVID FRANCIS: BOARD PRESIDENT
David Francis has been on the Turning Point of Central California Board for three years, serving as Treasurer. He is a retired School Superintendent, with 40 years experience in public education. He currently serves as a publicly elected member of the Kaweah Delta Hospital Board. He is also a serving member of the St. Paul's School Board of Trustees. David has served previously on a number of private and non-profit boards. He and his wife Catherine are long-time members of St. Paul's Anglican Church. They have a daughter and three grandchildren. David and Catherine are committed to serving their community in ways that help those in need better themselves, and the lives of their loved ones. David is honored to be a member of the Turning Point Board of Directors.
CHARLES SOUTHARD: TREASURER
Charles (Buz) Southard graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Accounting. After 50 years in the accounting field he retired as a partner in the CPA firm M. Green and Company where he managed the Visalia office until his retirement. He has served many community organizations for many years of service. His most recent involvements are President of the Board of Directors for Turning Point of Central California, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Turning Point Foundation and Turning Point Alliance. He has served for more than 50 years as Finance Director of the First Christian Church of Visalia, and has served two terms as President of the West Visalia Kiwanis Club having obtained 40 years of membership. He also serves on the Huntington Lake Bear Creek Tract Board and the Bear Creek Water Improvement Association Board as Secretary/Treasurer. In his spare time he enjoys traveling both nationally and abroad. He enjoys reading books and keeping up with current events through various media. He also has a cabin at Huntington Lake that his family has enjoyed for many years. He has been married for 63 years with two daughters, a son-in-law, and three grandchildren.
DR. ROGER JOHNSON: MEMBER
Dr. Roger A. Johnson was born in Turlock, CA and went on to receive his undergraduate, medical school education and surgical residency training in San Francisco. He is Board Certified in foot and ankle surgery, and has practiced in Visalia for over 40 years. In 2011 he retired, but continues as an active staff member of Kaweah Delta District Hospital. Dr. Johnson and his wife Ann live east of Visalia on a small walnut ranch. They both enjoy traveling and visiting their cabin in Mineral King. They also enjoy their family of 6 children, and 8 grandchildren. Their church activity at Fountain Christian Church is also very important to them. His past experience and community involvement includes: President, Visalia Senior Housing Board | Managing General Partner, Sequoia Surgery Center | Chairman, Ethics Committee-California Podiatric Medical Association | President, Alumni and Associates, California College of Pediatric Medicine | Board Member, Visalia YMCA | Elder and Chairman of The Board, Fountain Christian Church. His current involvement includes: Volunteer Medical Provider, Kaweah Delta Hospice & Member Finance Committee, Tulare County Library Foundation | Elder and Deacon, Fountain Christian Church.
LINDA LOPEZ: MEMBER
Linda currently works for Proteus Inc. as a Program Development Associate. She has 26 years of experience working in the employment and training settings. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, hiking, and kayaking. Linda enjoys helping her community, and serving individuals to achieve their educational and employment goals.
DANNY CANTELMI: VICE PRESIDENT
JIM DOE: MEMBER
Jim Doe was born in Lewiston Maine, in July of 1945. After growing up in Michigan and moving to California, he graduated from UCLA in 1967 with a degree in History. He became a Navy Pilot, serving 11 years active duty before joining the reserves and going to UCSB for Graduate School. In 1981, with his MA in History and a teaching credential, he came to the San Joaquin Valley to teach Social Studies in Visalia until his retirement in 2006. Since retirement, his activities have included courses at Fresno State, assisting in worship at St. Paul's Anglican Church, and joining the church's annual Medical Mission to Honduras. Jim has been married for 51 years to his wife Rebecca, and has three children and four grandchildren. He has been a member of the Turning Point Board of Directors for three years.
DENNIS GIMLIN: SECRETARY
Dennis Gimlin, a Central California native, holds a BA and teaching credential from FSU, with an additional SPED credential. He dedicated 30 years to teaching in Fresno. Married with 3 children, he's an active member of Gateway Church, previously First Baptist Church, for over 60 years. He shares a deep friendship with the founders of Turning Point and embraces their mission of aiding those in need. Outside of his church commitments, he enjoys golf, stamp collecting, pickleball, and basketball. Dennis devotes 20 hours weekly to volunteering at his church, serving in various roles from chairing the Deacon board to leading groups like Awana and men's fellowship. With prior experience in teaching job skills to disabled youth and working at juvenile hall, Dennis brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role as a board member.