Board of Directors
Dick Ponzi, Chair, has been a YEI board member since 1997. Mr. Ponzi graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Mechanical Engineering degree and owns Ponzi Vineyards with his family. Mr. Ponzi was a founding member and first president of the Oregon Winegrowers Association and he served as a founding Director of the Oregon Wine Advisory Board. He also founded Oregon's first micro brewery, BridgePort Brewing Company.
Reiko Williams, Treasurer, joined the board in 2002. Ms. Williams earned her Master of Social Work from Howard University and manages Community and Family Support programs for the Portland Public School district. She has worked with youth and their families for twelve years. In addition to her work with YEI she is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the African American Health Coalition.
Bennie N. Boggan is the Youth Employment Institute's Executive Director and has served on the board since 1998. Mr. Boggan has 28 years experience in youth services in teaching, program management, work force development, coaching, nonprofit management, crisis management and social work. Since becoming Executive Director of the Youth Employment Institute he has become an Advisory Board member for Casey Family Programs (1995), a member of the Board of Directors (1997), Mayor's Task Force Member (1993), a member of the Construction and Apprenticeship Workforce Solution (CAWS) board (2007), and a member of the Advisory Board for both Lifeworks NW and Oregon Youth Authority (2008).
Buddy Cushman
Marnella Mosley, Secretary
Marvin Dean
Jeremie Mitchell is a product of the Youth Employment Institute. As a proud veteran of the United States Army, he has been working with youth for over ten years. Currently, he is the Manager of Security for the Lloyd Center Mall. Jeremie is a community volunteer as a member of the Making Positive Choices for Youth Forum, which provides youth forums for schools throughout the state of Oregon. He is also a volunteer member of the Portland Police Gang Task Force and the Lloyd District Public Safety Committee.
Sherrelle Owens
Roy Pittman