Benchmark Transitions™ Staff

Dr. Ronaye Calvert DeSiena

Neurofeedback Therapist

Calvert and Conley Neurofeedback and Counseling, is an adolescent specialist with over 30 years experience in the education and counseling of adolescents and young adults with specific needs. Dr. DeSiena holds a doctorate in Psychology as well as Master’s Degrees in Spanish, Guidance/Counseling, and Administration. She prides herself on finding and utilizing innovative techniques and approaches to help her clients overcome challenges and reach success. Her dynamic and knowledgeable approach is instrumental to the lasting relationships she builds with her clients and their families.

Dr. Ronaye Calvert Conley

Neurofeedback Therapist

Dr. Ronaye Calvert Conley holds her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and has worked in a wide variety of settings in her career, including psychiatric in-patient hospitals, eating disorder clinics, the criminal justice system and the LGBT community. Dr. Calvert Conley is a trauma specialist who is known in the dual-diagnosis community for her unique ability to affect change in difficult cases. She has directed counseling staff and has enhanced treatment programs through the implementation of trauma-focused therapy groups and music therapy groups. She brings passion and enthusiasm to her field.

Debbi James

Admissions Assistant

Before joining Benchmark Transitions, Debbi's professional career included office administration and owning her own home health care company, specializing in the assistance of individuals living with Alzheimer, dementia and children with severe Autism. Debbi's true passion in life is being a mother to her two young adult sons, both of whom are in college and working. In her spare time, Debbi enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering at Bethany’s Gait, an Equine Therapy program and horse rescue program, stand-up comedy and playing with her 2 dogs and cat.

LaToya (Toii) S. Boone

Primary Life Coach (ACSTH Certified)/Supervisor, Student Services

LaToya has been with the Benchmark Young Adult School since 1996. She began her career as a resident counselor, mentoring life skills such as menu planning, grocery shopping and meal preparation, as well as teaching daily living skills such as laundry, cleaning and budgeting. LaToya's ability to employ commonality as a way to reach out and communicate with students garnered her position as a primary coach. LaToya discovered a need to guide young women toward empowering themselves and has made that philosophy her mission as a primary coach. LaToya was also promoted to Dean of Student Services in 2004, assisting students to transition effectively through Benchmark’s curriculum levels. She leads groups, assists in workshops and develops the weekly student schedule. She also assists the Dean of Program on projects throughout the year. LaToya is currently completing her upper level requirements toward her B.A. in Psychology and plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Psychotherapy. Toii, as she is affectionately called by her co-workers, loves photography, art, music, traveling and attending concerts.

E. Michael Valenzuela III, *LAADC*, CATC II, CADC II, Intervention Specialist

Primary Life Coach (ACSTH Certified)/Recovery Programs Coordinator

Michael joined the Benchmark coaching team in 2005. Prior to working at Benchmark, Michael was the Senior Program Coordinator at a 150-bed substance abuse program in Jamestown, California. He also worked with Stanislaus County School District to formulate and implement focus groups in order to deal with peer pressure, drug/alcohol addiction, social and family problems. Michael has an A.A. in Human Services, an A.A. in Liberal Arts, as well as, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He is currently in Graduate School at California Baptist University earning a dual Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy) and Forensic Psychology. He is registered with the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) and the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE). Michael is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor II with CAADE (CATC II). In addition to the credentials held through CAADE, he is also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II), as well as, a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC) with CAADAC. Additionally, he is a Certified Key Supervisor for the Matrix Institute and addiction Counselor for the Matrix Model evidence based recovery curriculum. He also holds a Certificate in Improved Supervisory Skills, Certificate in Drug & Alcohol Studies, Certificate in Addiction Severity Index and a Certificate in Dual Diagnosis, which provide the qualifications to treat special need clientele. Michael has taught classes in domestic violence prevention, anger management, and life skills. As a Primary Coach, he is responsible for managing a peer-group of approximately 10-12 students, facilitating their emotional growth and independent living curriculum, coaching the skills necessary to make significant changes in their lives, assisting them to develop their life skills and overcome drug/alcohol addiction. He also participates in extra-curricular activities, such as AA/NA meetings, fitness outings and off-property leisure activities. Michael accompanies students on wilderness trips and assists them in their recovery issues. As primary coach, he also facilitates a week long education course, which every student participates in, Gordon Graham’s “Framework for Recovery” multiple times throughout the year. Michael enjoys reading, drawing, writing poetry and spending precious moments with his two children.

* LAADC (non-governmental License) # LNR23304

CADC II # A5590611

CATC II # 082010-II

Paul "Steve" Ornelas, A.A., USMC

Primary Life Coach (ACSTH Certified)/Fitness Coordinator

Steve originally worked for Benchmark from May, 2002 to August of 2005. After a year in Texas as Director of Operations for Transitions of Galveston Island, he returned to Benchmark in July, 2006. He brings over 12 years experience in the field of emotional growth, which he attained at both Benchmark Young Adult School and through CEDU Family of Services. Along with his work experience, Steve brings with him an honorable military background where he went to the official school of hard knocks – the United States Marine Corps. Steve holds an A.A. Degree in Criminal Justice. His experience also includes raising four children, further adding to his qualifications. He has been working with young people for over 20 years in other realms such as coaching high school baseball and football. As a Primary Coach, he is responsible for managing a peer-group of approximately 10-12 students, facilitating their emotional growth and independent living curriculum, coaching the skills necessary to make significant changes in their lives, develop life skills and overcome drug/alcohol addiction. He also participates in extra-curricular activities, such as AA/NA meetings and off-property leisure activities. With his experience in coaching, Steve also runs the fitness program for Benchmark, teaching the students the importance of staying fit and having a well-balanced diet.

Ed Pinedo

Manager of Special Programs

Ed brings a variety of work and life experiences to the Benchmark School. As a young man, he was in the United States Navy, became a private pilot, and then opened up his own businesses. The first was an auto supply company and the second was a restaurant. He has also been a counselor in a residential treatment rehabilitation center, and was a counselor at Hilltop Institute until 1993. At that time, he joined Benchmark and was instrumental in helping build Benchmark as the school’s first employee. Ed’s duties at Benchmark have been varied and many. He helped establish the direction of the school, and developed our work education program from infancy as well as our workshops and wilderness trips. He is part of the Board of Directors, as an auxiliary member and is involved is all facets of the school. He currently teaches our Department of Motor Vehicle classes, and does one-on-one work with students who require more direct supervision. He has been married for 40 years, and the father of two grown daughters. He has five grandchildren. He loves family activities, sailing, camping, kayaking, golf and the challenge to create something good.

Jennie Vildosola, CSACI, RAS
Primary Counselor

Jennie joined the Benchmark Transitions Primary Life Coaching & Counseling team in October, 2010. She holds California certificates in Alcohol/Drug Studies, Dual Diagnosis, Addiction Severity Index, Child Abuse Awareness and Motivational Interviewing and has earned her AA Degree in Human Services. Prior to joining Benchmark, Jennie was a Primary Counselor at CDCR, Norco Prison in the (SAP) Substance Abuse Program. She also worked for San Bernardino County, Department of Behavioral Health, in collaboration with the Department of Child Services, Mental Health, Dependency Drug Court and Substance Abuse Providers. As a Primary Counselor, Jennie will conduct daily/weekly mentoring & counseling sessions with the students in her peer group, will facilitate process groups, recovery groups, teach life skills curriculum and classes, participate in emotional growth outdoor/wilderness activities and will be responsible to communicate directly with parents and related educational consultants or referring practitioners. Jennie will be participating in the Life Coaching Certification process at the next available opportunity and will continue to work towards finalizing her CAADAC certifications. Jennie enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and writing poetry and spending quality time with her family.

Terry Hammond

Resident Life Coach Supervisor (ACSTH Certified)

Terry joined the Benchmark Young Adult School staff in November, 2005 as a night-watchman. Terry has held positions such as Weekend Resident Counselor and Educational Assistant, assisting the students with high school and college registration/enrollment, tutoring and homework time management. He is currently the Night Manager at State Street Apartments, supervising apartment security and any student issues that may arise during the evenings. Terry’s experience includes effective staff communications skills and helping people to overcome their challenges. Terry holds a Certificate in Anger Management, Certificate in Parenting and Certificate in Framework for Recovery and his ICF Certified Life Coach certificate.

Ronnie Armendarez

Resident Life Coach (ACSTH Certified)

Ronnie has taken several classes that deal with self-help skills. He has a certificate in CARE, and coursework in Living Skills, Drug and Alcohol, Anger Management, and Parenting Skills. He brings a rich history of work environments to Benchmark. He has worked in restaurants in the kitchen as a cook's assistant and caterer. He also was once a steel worker and also worked at one time for City of San Bernardino, in facility management. As Ronnie pursued his own recovery from drugs and alcohol, he began working at Cedar House Rehabilitation Center, helping others in recovery. At Benchmark, he is involved with students assisting them in life skills areas, including attendance at AA/NA meetings, wilderness trips, extra-curricular activities, and helping to maintain a healthy peer atmosphere. He is a father of four children. Ronnie enjoys cooking, and brings his culinary skills to our kitchens. He also loves to restore his 1965 Chevy Impala.

Sheri Martin

Resident Life Coach Supervisor (ACSTH Certified)

Before joining Benchmark, a school for troubled teens & Sheri Martin was working at Cedar House, a drug and alcohol recovery center. Sheri joined the Benchmark staff in January, 2001. In 2003, Sheri was promoted to Weekend Resident Counselor Supervisor. Sheri has experienced many of the same challenges that our students face and she believes that her background suits her to work closely with the students. She brings her organizational skills and the ability to get the job done to her position as supervisor. “I form trusting relationships with the kids and I provide a safe and approachable atmosphere. The kids know they can count on me and that I’ll always be there for them. My nick-name is ‘mom’ and many of these kids look to me as a motherly figure while they are transitioning into their independent living,” stated Sheri. Sheri has a daughter and she enjoys spending time with family, her dogs and reading in her spare time.

Meghan Frawley, Benchmark Graduate

Resident Life Coach (ACSTH Certified)

Meghan came to Benchmark Young Adult School in September, 2005 as a student. She admits to having no self-esteem, no coping mechanisms, anger issues and an addiction to alcohol and drugs. Meghan spent 18 months as a student at Benchmark. In that time, she rebuilt her self-confidence, re-establisher relationships with family and friends and took control over her life. She served as Benchmark’s Student Government President and was honored as Student of the Year for 2006. She has achieved almost two years living clean and sober. She worked as a Benchmark Resident Advisor when she was in the graduate program and is now a Weekend Resident Counselor. Her duties include assisting the students with their weekend independent living skills such as meal planning, shopping and household chores. She provides emotional and behavioral support and helps students with problem solving issues in addition to participation in activities such as bowling, roller skating, BBQ picnics, sporting games and charity runs. Meghan is studying to become a California State Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She has completed her first year of classes in counseling, crisis intervention and also in public speaking. Meghan enjoys spending time with her friends and going to Starbucks.

Yvonne Spann

Night Watch

Yvonne joined the Benchmark team in May, 2006 with over four years experience working in the mental health field. Yvonnne has completed a medical code billing program and plans to further develop her career in working with young adults by continuing her education, with an emphasis in Social Work. Yvonne’s duties at Benchmark include supervising students after business hours, ensuring their safety, providing emotional support and initiating the morning program. Yvonne holds a certificate in First Aid and CPR. In her free time, Yvonne enjoys spending time with her family with weekend trips to the local beaches.

Jonathan Hushaw

Resident Counselor

Jonathan is currently enrolled in courses, working toward obtaining his counseling certification in drug and alcohol studies and has a background in recovery work. Jonathan brings with him an experience in customer service and retail sales combined with his enthusiasm and ability to relate to the young adult milieu.

Margo Brandon, CAADE

Resident Counselor

Margo has worked in the field of addiction and behavior modification for 15 years. Margo is CAADE certified and completed 2 years of college for Human Service in Drug and Alcohol Studies. She attended continuing education workshops regarding the treatment for women; relapse and relapse prevention; healing children and families from the trauma of addiction. Other workshops she has attended include: Anger Management, Behavior Modification, Managing Dually Diagnosed Individuals and Mental Health Services. She has corresponded with Drug Court, Court Officials, Child Protective Services, Licensed Mental Health Professionals and Social Workers. Margo is dedicated to helping people learn how to help themselves, having overcome obstacles and barriers in her own life. She enjoys the gym, painting and theater. Margo’s goal is to continue with education to become a Licensed Therapist.

Florence (Flo) Reynolds, B.A.

Dean of Educational

Flo began working at Benchmark in 1995 as a resident counselor and has been our Dean of Education since 1998 managed the educational services department since 1997. Flo facilitates academic, vocational and intern programs for Benchmark students. She is responsible for assisting students with enrollment in college courses as well as assisting students who are interested in finding classes in certificate and work programs. She is our liaison person with all the local colleges. Flo holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. Flo is a Certified Scotopic Testing Screener for Irlen Syndrome since 2002. The Irlen process, which helps resolve issues with academic and work performance, behavior, attention and concentration, has been a tool that Benchmark has utilized to assist with their academics for over 13 years. Flo brings a history of experience toour school. Her energy and enthusiasm helps to inspire students who have experienced unsatisfactory school experiences to new heights. Flo loves animals, reading and traveling.

Donald J. Harper

Dean of Work Education

Don’s expertise includes years of extensive experience working in a variety of areas, and as a result he exhibits a wide range of skills, abilities and knowledge. Much of his work life included employment in the newspaper business, trucking business, and eventually he ran his own small business. He describes himself as a jack-of-all trades and it is this expertise that he brings to our Benchmark students as he teaches the elements of learning how to work, how to start and finish projects, and how to take pride in accomplishments. He worked with youngsters over the years by coaching Little League and Pony League Baseball. Don has been employed at Benchmark for over 3 years. He helped to shape the work program into what it is today, as well as coordinated the interior construction finish work at our new education center. Don is married to Jayne Longnecker, and between them they have 6 grown children and 10 grandkids. He loves to hunt and fish.

Romana Trippel, B.A.

Creative Arts Instructor

Ramona has been with Benchmark since March 3, 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is a Certified Scotopic Screener for the Irlen Method. She began her career with Benchmark as a resident counselor, assisting students with their independent living curriculum. Over the course of her employment, she has worked as an instructor in many different aspects of Benchmark’s curriculum, managing projects such as: college enrollments, study-groups, drug/alcohol screening, job skills and job assessment testing. Ramona also worked as an instructor in the Work Education program, assisting students to learn the skills in wood building, electrical and basic plumbing. Ramona was inspired to launch Benchmark’s Creative Arts Department and has been teaching Creative Arts, featuring Stained Glass and Ceramics class, since 2000. She established Benchmark’s Student Art Gallery, which is located in the main hallway of the Education & Life Skills Center. She takes great pride in the work that students complete. In her free time, she enjoys art, music, reading, gardening and her pets.

Steve Kruse

Work Education Instructor/Maintenance

Steve was a medical and psychiatric tech in the USAF, which began his work with special needs populations. He worked at Eglin AFB in a drug and alcohol treatment center. He also worked for Riverside County in the Department of Social Services. Steve assists with various workshops, process groups, and work education projects. He teaches work skills class. Steve coaches the student work crew with repair projects at State Street Apartments and at the Education Center.

Carrie DeGroff

Academic Aide

Carrie joined Benchmark in January of 2011. She works in the onsite education resource center assisting with tutoring and study skills, college placement and testing, curriculum guidance and career testing. Carrie is currently a fulltime student at Crafton Hills Community College pursuing an AA in Psychology with goals to attain a Ph. D in Psychology the future. Her ambition is to work with children and adolescents that are both mentally and motivationally challenged. This work would also include issues such as depression, addiction, social disorders, and how to deal with relationships and rejection in a positive and productive manner, specifically with children and young adults at risk.

Debi Jacobson

Academic Aide

Debi has been employed with the Redlands School District for 30 years as a paraprofessional in the classroom. Her experience includes 17 years in the Adult Education High School Diploma Program at Redlands Unified School District and the remaining time mainly with Special Education classes. Debi has been affiliated with Benchmark since 1997, working via a partnership between Benchmark Transitions /Benchmark Young Adult School and Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) to facilitate high school curriculum and high school diplomas for Benchmark students, as well as students at RUSD. Debi will maintain her position at Redlands School District while working at Benchmark. Her duties will include integration of the Redlands School District high school curriculum at Benchmark, classroom instruction and facilitation of the high school curriculum as well as tutoring student with both high school and college coursework.

Sharon Scoggins

Business Manager

As Benchmark’s Business Manager, Sharon brings her extensive experience in accounting and emotional-growth school business management to the position. Sharon has served in her position for over 12 years. She worked in the accounting department for the CEDU Schools from 1989 until she came to work for Benchmark in 1994. In addition to her accounting experience, she has worked in real estate industry. She has also worked as a Level III mechanical inspector, providing quality control for an optics laboratory. Sharon is responsible for all phases of accounting and risk management, tax preparation, and payroll. Sharon has lived in Redlands for over 19 years, is married and is the mother of two grown daughters. She has two grandsons and enjoys attending their football and baseball games. In her spare time, she loves to read and work crossword puzzles.

Thomas Kennedy

Assistant Business Manager

Thomas is taking college coursework. He has been at Benchmark since 1996. His duties are to assist our Business Manager with bookkeeping and data entry. Thomas plays the trombone and is involved in local bands. He is involved with the Renaissance Faire each year.

Dianna Randles

Office Manager

Dianna has been with Benchmark Young Adult School since 1996, where she started as a transportation coordinator, delivering students to various appointments and activities. She was promoted to Assistant Office Manager, where her primary duties include assisting the Dean of Program, coordinating staff and student schedules and other projects as they arise. She coordinated the daily driving schedule as well as the student appointments schedule. In her current role as Office Manager, Dianna is in charge of all front office duties. She handles the busy phones, orders all student medications, sets up student files, structures student doctor and dental appointments. Dianna is married and the mother of two young adult sons. She has completed some college coursework and holds a certificate in CPR and First Aid for children and adults. Dianna enjoys spending quality time with her family and cooking.

Ann Maggiola

Office Associate

Ann is currently attending San Bernardino Valley College focusing on general education requirements. She holds certificates in CPR and First Aid training. Ann has worked for Benchmark for 6 years. She has been a resident counselor assisting students to learn life skills. She is currently a weekday resident counselor, living in our off-property apartments where she assists off-property upper level students in maintaining independent living skills. She assists students to meet important appointments, makes purchases for Benchmark, assists other staff in running groups, and wilderness trips, helps students in registration for college, and is an assistant to our front office staff. She brings her years of personal growth and recovery to share with our students. She is the mother of two young adult sons and a 10 year-old son. She loves to cook, read and to garden.