Our Team

Fire Family Foundation Board of Directors

Dixie Abramian

Chair
Dixie Abramian
President & CEO Firefighters First Credit Union

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Firefighters First Federal Credit Union since 2017, Dixie Abramian oversees the Credit Union’s strategies and operations. With over $1.8 billion in assets and over 53,000 members, Firefighters First Federal Credit Union is the largest Credit Union in the country exclusively serving firefighters and their families. Her commitment to placing the member first leads the Credit Union’s vision of improving the financial lives of firefighters everywhere.


Her twenty-nine years of experience in Financial Services showcases her commitment and dedication to ensuring a legendary experience for all Firefighters First members. She is a proven builder and leader of effective organizations. Her curiosity and forward thinking has positioned her as the driving force behind national expansion, membership growth, and branding of the Firefighters First Federal Credit Union’s footprint in key markets. Her focus on the future ensures sustainability, adaptability, and continuous improvement as the Credit Union adapts to ever-changing technology and market conditions.

Having served as an officer on professional and philanthropic Boards, Abramian is well-versed in Board governance. As Co-Founder and Board Chair of the Fire Family Foundation, she is committed to the Foundation’s mission of ensuring a compassionate response when tragedy affects firefighters and their families. Abramian also helped create, launch and today serves as a Board Director for Firefighter Insurance Services, which has the primary purpose of safeguarding the future of firefighters and protecting their property.

Abramian holds an MBA from Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management and a bachelor’s in finance from Cal State University, Northridge. She resides in Sun Valley, California with her husband and two sons. In her spare time she likes to travel, attend shows, and gather with friends and family.

Mike Barilla

Vice Chair
Mike Barilla
Retired Firefighter

Mike Barilla recently retired as Battalion Chief from the City of Pasadena, after a 32-year career as a firefighter. In his retirement, he works special events at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. His hobbies include teaching, saltwater fishing, boating and outdoor sports. He recently assisted the Fire Family Foundation staff in interviewing our 2019 scholarship finalists. He and his wife, Melanie, have three grown children.

Orin Saunders

Secretary
Orin Saunders
Assistant Chief and Assistant Fire Marshall
Los Angeles Fire Department

Orin has been a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department since 2001. He currently works as an Assistant Chief and is the Assistant Fire Marshall in the Fire Prevention and Public Safety Bureau. Orin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinematic Arts from the University of Southern California and a Master of Science Degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. He resides in Southern California and his hobbies include traveling, hiking, mountain bike riding and photography.

Kari Jenkins

Treasurer
Kari Jenkins
Firefighter/Paramedic
Pasadena Fire Department

Kari Jenkins is currently a Firefighter Paramedic with Pasadena Fire Department. She has been a firefighter for a little over 14 years with the last 11 as a Paramedic and EMS/CPR instructor.  She is married with 2 kids and enjoys spending time with her husband and children, camping in their motorhome and indulging in any outdoor activities. When not with family or working, she also serves as a Director for PFFA Local 809.

Ara Hoonanian

Board Member
Ara Hoonanian
Fire/Paramedic Captain
Glendale Fire Department

Ara Hoonanian is currently a Firefighter / Paramedic Captain with the Glendale Fire Department. He has been with the department for the past 15 years in a variety of positions including Firefighter, Fire Engineer, and Firefighter / Paramedic. He is currently a Fire Instructor at the Verdugo Fire Academy at Glendale Community College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

When not working, he spends time with his wife and two sons who play little league and traveling baseball. He is also a Glendale Fire Department’s Peer Support Team member, a board member with the Verdugo Woodlands Homeowners Association, a Manager / Coach with the Crescenta Valley Sports Association and a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and a volunteer with Quest Burn Survival.

Joseph Kendricki

Board Member
Joseph Kendrick
Firefighter- Paramedic and Acting Medical Services Officer
Marysville Fire District, Washington State

Joe Kendrick is currently a Firefighter - Paramedic with the Marysville Fire District in Washington State. He has been with the department for nearly 5 years. He was also a paramedic with Central Skagit Medic One for three years. Before that, he was a lieutenant and paramedic with the Mason County Medic One. In 2018 he graduated from the Washington State Fire Training Academy. In 2010 he earned his AA degree from NTCI/Portland in Milwaukie, OR.

When not working, he spends time with his wife, Nicole, and two children – Sloan his daughter who is an infant and her big brother, Carson. He is also the Secretary/Treasurer of his local union. Joe is an active Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation Representative.

Fire Family Foundation Council

Lea Alley

Governance Analyst
Lea Alley
Firefighters First Credit Union

Lea Alley is a Governance Analyst for Firefighters First Credit Union with an extensive background in the Financial Services industry. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with a Bachelor’s of Science in Recording Arts and Entrepreneurship. It was during her college career that she became heavily involved in community service with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as volunteering for local charities through her involvement as Election Commissioner of the Student Government Association, and as a Student Ambassador of the MTSU Alumni Association. Over the last several years, Lea has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, coached for local recreational sports teams, and served on the Board of her hometown flag football league. Giving back to her community is a passion of hers, especially when it involves first responders that put their lives on the line every day on our behalf.

 

Lea came to Firefighters First Credit Union with 17 years of experience in financial services, most recently as a Senior Manager of Compliance for a large bank headquartered in Conway, Arkansas. As a Governance Analyst, she will be building out the Credit Union’s policy and procedure management program to ensure accuracy and compliance goals are reached as the regulatory environment continues to evolve.

Lea lives in Cabot, Arkansas with her husband, Jason and three youngest children, Peyton, Gavin, and Amelia. She also has two bonus adult sons, Layton and Britton who are both Navy veterans. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, music, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

Severyn Aszkenazy

Severyn Aszkenazy
Aszkenazy Development
Retired Firefighter and Owner

Severyn Aszkenazy was born and raised in the San Fernando area and attended San Fernando High School. After attending Loyola Marymount University, Sev served with the Los Angeles City Fire Department for six years. He is President of Aszkenazy Development, Inc, a real estate development firm specializing on infill development since 1992. Aszkenazy Development, Inc. was formed with a vision to create developments of quality in every way. With safety and quality as the basis of all decisions, national and local organizations have recognized Aszkenazy Development for excellence including the American Institute of Architects for Library Plaza in San Fernando. Aszkenazy’s approach to development demands quality, innovation, flexibility and inclusiveness. It is with this approach that Mr. Aszkenazy has distinguished himself as an innovator and pioneer in delivering successful and unique affordable housing, commercial, office and retail developments that reflect the respect Aszkenazy has for the community.

 

Mr. Aszkenazy understands that sustainable development has to extend beyond the property line and therefore community involvement is integral. In addition to real estate development and construction Mr. Aszkenazy is co-owner of the San Fernando Valley Sun newspaper, the longest running community paper in the San Fernando Valley since 1904. Sev serves on numerous Boards of Directors and Committees, including current Board Chair for The Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley and a board member for Campbell Hall, Family Fire Foundation, and Kiwanis Club of San Fernando. He previously served as Chair of the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles and a member of the Development Advisory Committee for the City of San Fernando.

Tom Daly

Tom Daly
Partner
Lewis, Roca, Rothgerber, Christie

Thomas Daly is a partner and chair of Lewis Roca’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. Clients appreciate the more than 25 years of experience in intellectual property law that he brings to a team. With a litigation background, Tom now focuses on helping clients with strategies to obtain and protect trademarks and patents.

Tom procures, licenses, and enforces patent portfolios for medical devices, chemical processing, and pharmaceuticals, among others, and has a special proficiency in working with design patents and protecting rights of publicity. He has been named to the Southern California “Super Lawyer” list of intellectual property practitioners every year since 2005. In addition, Tom routinely assists clients with their global portfolios and serves as a member of the firm's Korea Business Team where he works with Korean businesses to protect and enforce their patents in the U.S. and internationally. Tom is an avid reader, mostly of mysteries, and has developed a passion for baking while locked down during the pandemic.

Cristian Foronda

Cristian Foronda
Business Banking Specialist
Firefighters First Credit Union

Cristian Foronda has been with Firefighters First CU Business Services since June, 2019. He is currently working as the Business Banking Specialist, and his responsibilities include developing and deepening new and existing business relationships. Cristian is also an administrator for the member-facing treasury management platform.

Prior to Firefighters First CU, he had 13 years of experience within the financial services. In his most recent previous role he was a Business Banking Specialist for Wells Fargo and worked with businesses that included startups to entities with $5 million in revenue. Cristian received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with concentrations in both entrepreneurship and finance from Syracuse University.

Martha Shenkenberg

Martha Shenkenberg
Senior Manager, Consulting Services
Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Region

Martha is a Registered Nurse with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Virginia. She has spent her career in health care combining clinical and business expertise to improve clinical operations throughout the country. For the last several years, she has focused on implementing clinical programs for Kaiser Permanente's Medi-Cal population. Martha Shenkenberg has a long history of community service starting in high school as a member of Tri-Hi-Y. Upon moving to Pasadena, she started STARS tutoring and served on the Leadership Pasadena Board of Directors for six years, with being Chair for more than two terms. Martha will be forever grateful to the Pasadena firefighters for saving her home—they found and put out an electrical fire on her deck in the middle of the night about five years ago.

Michael Treger

Michael Treger
Partner
Straussner & Sherman

Mike Treger earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Washington in his hometown of Seattle. He then obtained his Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law and was admitted to the Washington State Bar. He began his law career as a public defender and subsequently practiced complex civil litigation in Seattle for several years until he relocated to Southern California. He was admitted the California State Bar in 2010 and thereafter joined the law firm of Straussner Sherman, where he is a partner.

Currently, Mike concentrates his law practice on representing law enforcement officers and firefighters in disability retirement matters. Mike has successfully litigated hundreds of cases at the trial and appellate levels. Mike is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Kymber Ward

Kymber Ward
Licensing Specialist
Vicente Sederberg LLP

Kymber Ward is a licensing specialist at Vicente Sederberg LLP, focusing on cannabis licensing and regulatory matters for California clients. With over ten years of cannabis industry experience as the COO of a female-owned manufacturer in Costa Mesa, CA, she is well-versed in merging the application of cannabis regulations and business practices in a practical manner.

Along with her passion for propelling the industry into the future by streamlining licensing and regulatory processes, Kymber’s knowledge and experience are significant assets to her clients. She obtained the first cannabis manufacturing license in Orange County, CA and received the 21st annual license in California. As a successful cannabis consulting business owner, she assisted in obtaining several licenses throughout the state—ranging across all commercial cannabis functions.

 

Before joining the cannabis industry, Kymber built a successful career in the fashion industry. She studied international business and fashion management at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. She then returned to Los Angeles, where she graduated summa cum laude from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Jeff Klinger

Jeff Klinger
Founder and President
Anderson Bradshaw Consulting

Jeff Klinger is the founder and president of Anderson Bradshaw Consulting, a full-service tax consultancy that has been providing top-notch services to its clients for nearly a decade. With over 20 employees and 2600 clients nationwide, Jeff has built a reputation for excellence in the industry.

Jeff's passion for charitable donations has been a driving force throughout his career, and he is committed to helping his clients maximize their charitable giving while minimizing their tax liability. He has also been actively involved in various charitable organizations over the years, using his expertise to make a positive impact in his community and beyond.

 

Jeff holds a degree in economics and business administration and has spent his entire career in the tax and financial industry aside from a small detour into standup comedy where he learned taxes are not particularly funny. His commitment to perfection and dedication to his clients and employees have made him trusted advisor and leader in his industry.

In addition to his work, Jeff has a love for the outdoors and spends his free time hiking, camping, and fly fishing. He believes that being in nature is essential for one's mental and physical well-being and often incorporates his love for the outdoors into his charitable endeavors.