BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAPLAIN CHAZ BLACKBURN
Board President
Chaplain Chaz was born and raised in Sparks, NV and is now a Reno resident of 8 years. Besides his Faith in his Lord Jesus Christ, his next greatest role is being the extremely proud Dad of his precious daughter Lily. He previously held a career in sales and retail operations. Holding various management positions until he found his true calling. These ranged from Senior Market Manager for Samsung Telecommunications America overseeing a three-state territory, to General Manager of Retail and Finance for Boost Mobile D.B.A. T.W.I. Mobile.
To read the full Bio on Chaplain Chaz, please visit chazblackburn.com
DAVE MCLAUGHLIN
Executive Director &
Board Member
Dave Mclaughlin was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. However, he grew up in what is now the MidTown area. In his younger years, he learned and gained talent in music, vocals, and technology. In High School, Dave played in a local pop-punk band and found that his calling was helping and caring for people in the Reno-Sparks area.
Dave spent most of his young adult years working his way up to management while interning to become a Worship and Associate Pastor. In the pursuit of helping those in need, Dave has spent the last six years
working as a Pastor and continues to work in Ministry. At Good Shepherd's Clothes Closet, he can practically help those in the area get the essentials they need. Clothing, blankets, and toiletries.
Dave lives with his wife Nica and their dogs, Scraps, and Lady. Together they enjoy adventuring Northern Nevada.
KIM THOMSON
Board Secretary
Kim’s father, Junius Thomson, was the original founder of the Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet. He had the idea and brought on two of his friends, Lillian and Fred Howe. The three of them opened the first doors in 1995. Junius' wife Peggy joined up shortly after. Along with being a dedicated Board member, Peggy was our longest-serving Treasurer. Kim remains very proud of all of them.
Kim retired from UNR after 30 years of service to students, faculty, and staff. She continues to work for the Lawlor Events Center and UNR Art/Theater functions, as well as Wolf Pack football and basketball games.
After retirement, she also decided to jump into GSCC with both feet. “It is a very humbling experience to help people at this level of need. Clothing is one of the basic human needs, and it is wonderful to be able to tend to that by giving clothing to those in need. That is what makes us different – we are able to offer clothing/shoes/personal items for free”. What a wonderful concept. And it all started with someone noticing a need.
ROBIN ENGELKE
Board Treasurer
Robin Engelke recently retired from many years of working in various positions in an office, as well as co-owning a transportation company. She grew up in Sparks, and even though she has moved away a few times, she is always drawn back home. Robin has two daughters and 3 grandkids. Volunteering is something she has been doing for years through church and other various organizations. She is looking forward to the plans the Lord has for her
KATHRINE BERNING
Vice President
Kathrine Berning was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Her passion is people. She was a high school teacher and a high school counselor before becoming an attorney and a mediator. In her capacity as an attorney, she works in Reno Municipal Community Court, a court whose mission is to serve the unsheltered and to bring a myriad of services to them. Kathrine sees herself called to the work at Good Shepherd's Clothes Closet; it is a natural extension of the work she does in the Community Court.
Kathrine and her husband of 36 years, Gary, are members of South Reno Baptist Church. When not practicing law or mediating, Kathrine reads books, spends time with family, and loves on their 3 Russian Blue cats and 1 very spoiled golden retriever."
Jim Prosser
Board Member
Coming soon
Jeff Howard
Board Member
Jeff Howard has been in the Reno/Sparks area for over 30 years, but is originally from Denver, Colorado. He has worked in the healthcare industry for over 20 years in various imaging specialties, including radiology, oncology, and cardiology. Jeff’s roles have been diverse, having held the positions of Global IT Marketing Manager for Philips Healthcare, Enterprise Imaging Service and Support Manager for Hitachi Data Systems, and Director of Professional Services for DataFirst in Raleigh, NC. He currently works as a technical project manager for Laurel Bridge Software, located in Newark, DE.
Jeff continues to pursue his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and feels that serving with the Good Shepherd Clothes Closet is a great way to reach people with the Gospel. He currently lives in Sparks, NV with his wife, Rhonda and has two incredible sons