Board of Directors

Karen Egan

Board President

Karen has 5 children and two grandchildren. She is a native of Colorado and tenacious advocate for individuals with IDD, not only for her son but for individuals of varying abilities, particularly young adults with IDD who a seeking a place of purpose in this world after completing their formal education. She has a great desire to create educational opportunities for young adults to facilitate personal life skills avenues and to strengthen the road to independence. Understanding the need for The Arc-PPR presence in the lives of families who are just starting the IEP/Special Education process, Karen is also a proponent of getting families involved for a lifetime, starting as early as pre-school

Karen has served the Colorado Springs community in a multitude of ways over the years through her work in the hospitality industry, Palmer High School, District 11 volunteer and Special Olympics Colorado, volunteer. Karen’s involvement with Special Olympics and interaction with persons with IDD and their support people/families allows her to better understand individual needs and offer support through services The Arc-PPR and other non-profit agencies provide.

Association with The Arc-PPR and its mission jives so well with her own philosophies, she feels this is part of the progression in her role as a mentor, advocate and parent of an individual with IDD.

April O’Neil

Treasurer 

April O’Neil has been a proud resident of Colorado Springs since 1998. She shares her life with her husband, Ken O’Neil, a military veteran, their 20-year-old son, Jadyn O’Neil and their three dogs, Maxx (Golden Retriever, Lucy (Bull Mastiff) and their newest addition Pauly (Frenchie). Growing up in a military household, April values the sense of community and the resiliency that comes with it. Her hobbies include running, cooking/baking, decorating and gardening.

April has 31years of experience in the Financial Services and Customer Service industry. April maintains a deep commitment to her community, and she has volunteered with various organizations, including the Cerebral Palsy Association of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Challenge, Alzheimer’s Association, Junior Achievement, The Colorado Springs Chamber, Care and Share, and many others.

April’s dedication to supporting those living with disabilities is inspired by her son, Jadyn, who lives with Cerebral Palsy. She is driven by a desire to ensure that individuals with disabilities feel included and have equal opportunities. Her unwavering commitment to advocacy and community service is her passion.

Stefany Patriarca

Stefany Patriarcha is a mother of three. The Patriarca’s moved to Colorado Springs in 2017 for better healthcare for their child with special needs. Stefany is the Co-Owner of Slice420 Pizzeria, providing a space for inclusion and accessibility for all those in our community. As Co-Owner of Slice420, Stefany is dedicated to making Slice420 a model business for inclusion.

Stefany is an active member of the disability community through her volunteer work with Challenger Baseball and the Cool C.A.T.S. Club as well as Slice420’s financial contribution to local disability organizations as well as hosting School District 49’s Transition program for culinary opportunities. It is Stefany’s goal to be an active and dedicated voice for the IDD community.

Jonathan Walker

Jonathan Walker is a retired Attorney and a former County Court Judge in Colorado Springs, where he has resided since 1998. Prior to arriving in Colorado in 1996, he practiced law in Detroit, having graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 1977. He received a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan in 1970. Between his graduation from college and attending Law School, he served in the U.S. Army Special Forces in Southeast Asia and as an Active Reservist, until his Honorable Discharge in 1976. After Law School, he was a Trial Lawyer, specializing in Product Liability litigation.

In 1995, he resigned from his Firm and came to Colorado to do Public Service. He became an Attorney in the Colorado Office of the Public Defender and was assigned to the Colorado Springs Office. In 2007, He was appointed by Governor Ritter as a County Court Judge in the 4th Judicial District, where he remained until retirement in 2017.

In 2000, he joined the Board of the Arc, Pikes Peak Region. He has been a member of the Arc Board for 20 of the past 24 years. He served as Board President for 13 years.

Aubrey Carlson

Aubrey Carlson is a Colorado native and mother of two children with special needs. She has her Bachelor’s and Master’s in English Education from Colorado State University with a focus in multi-modal instruction through technology, and a secondary license in Social Studies. Aubrey grew up helping her father with his business, and after a move to Colorado Springs to follow her husband’s career, she found herself working in scheduling for a busy veterinary hospital. She quickly took on work in the financial and human resources sector for the hospital. Seeing a need to assist clients with their veterinary bills, she helped found a non-profit organization, Healing Pets Foundation, and also sat on their board for five years.

With her children’s needs, Aubrey realized she needed to be a full-time mother and caregiver in the home, so for the past three years, she has seen her children through countless hours of therapies, hospitalizations, and surgical procedures. With the help of The Arc’s Advocacy, and School and Life programs, she was able to successfully homeschool her son, after traumatic treatment at school left the whole family heart broken and in need of support, compassion, and understanding. 
 
During her transition to full-time caregiver, Aubrey was elected treasurer and executive board member at Dance Arts Studio, where she grew up dancing, a non-profit in Broomfield who brings the art of dance to the underserved of their community. Aubrey can often be seen at The Arc’s Cool C.A.T.S events, School and Life program events, cheering on her son and the Pikes Peak Wolves at Special Olympics, and supporting other mothers with special needs children through the non-profit, Labeled and Loved’s local Colorado Springs chapter. It is her life’s passion to use her knowledge, resources, and connections to ensure that other parent’s with special needs children never feel alone, and never go without help, or without a village to support them without judgement or agenda. In her free time, Aubrey enjoys table-top gaming, reading, writing, having afternoon tea, and spending time with her L & L sisters. 

Temeka Brom

Temeka Brom has dedicated her life to advocating for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her journey began at age 13 as a volunteer supporting youth with disabilities, later working as a paraprofessional for children on the autism spectrum. Her advocacy deepened when her daughter, born with a cerebellum brain injury and autism, inspired her to become a strong voice for special education, IEP reform, and disability rights. 

Temeka has stood before Congress to advocate for legislative change, contributing to the passage of two laws and supporting a current House bill in Washington.

She has participated in stakeholder meetings in Colorado, amplifying the struggles of families navigating dual diagnoses, and works tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard.

Beyond disability rights, Temeka has served her community as a volunteer and paid crisis counselor, supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and mental health crises, including through the national 988 crisis line. She also coaches Special Olympics, further advancing inclusion and empowerment for individuals with disabilities.

Through leadership in advocacy, crisis response, and community engagement, Temeka brings a collaborative, compassionate, and action-driven approach, and is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity for the neurodiverse and disability community. 

Robert C. Kent

As the parent of a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Robert understands the vital role community plays in fostering inclusion and opportunity. Deeply grateful to be part of the Greater Southern Colorado IDD community, he actively serves its residents–meeting immediate needs while also advocating and planning for a stronger, better-resourced tomorrow.

Robert and his family relocated to Colorado Springs in 2019, choosing the Pikes Peak Region as their long-term home for its strong sense of community, diverse population, and abundant opportunities. He will retire from Active Duty Military Service in December 2025. 

He is already an active Colorado Real Estate Advisor working to make real estate transactions transparent, thoughtful and inclusive.

Since beginning his military career in 1997, Robert has been dedicated to building meaningful connections and contributing to local causes. His leadership experience outside of leading Marines and Airmen includes service on the boards of public and private educational organizations in Texas, Maryland, and Colorado. Today, he is honored to serve on the Board of Adam’s Camp, act as an Ainsley’s Angels Ambassador, contribute to the D20 Special Education Advisory Committee, and support numerous organizations working to help children and young adults with disabilities realize their potential and develop their strengths. 

Dylan Osouna

My name is Dylan Osouna, and I have built a deep commitment to understanding, advocating for, and engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through both personal and professional experience.

This commitment grew when I transitioned from serving as a full-time Army soldier to becoming a father of three—a neurotypical 5-year-old son, as well as an 8-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, both on the autism spectrum. 

It has continued to grow through my work in the community, where I have learned from and formed meaningful connections with individuals who participate in programs such as The Cool C.A.T.S., Succeeding in Life, Include U.S.A., and Guys and Girls Night Out.

To enhance my understanding and ability to adapt to their world—embracing their unique ways of communicating and experiencing life—my journey has included working as a behavioral therapist, volunteering with The Resource Exchange and The Arc Pikes Peak Region, and now pursuing a Master of Social Work to advocate for, promote, and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

These experiences have given me valuable insight into the strengths and needs of the neurodiverse community, and I hope to bring this perspective, along with my dedication, to help the board shape policies and programs that reflect the evolving needs of the people The Arc Pikes Peak Region serves. I believe we are the loud horn that helps amplify their voices and ensure they are truly heard. As times change, so must we, to continue meeting their needs and supporting their goals.

Andrew Salazar

Andrew Salazar is an attorney with a passion for public service and a dedication to advancing justice. He is part of the Caplan & Earnest Litigation team.

Prior to joining Caplan & Earnest, Andrew clerked for Hoffmann, Parker, Wilson & Carberry, P.C.; as a judicial extern for the Colorado Court of Appeals under Chief Judge Steve Bernard; as a student attorney for the University of Colorado’s Criminal Defense Law Clinic; and as an intern for Colorado Supreme Court Justice William W. Hood. Most recently, he served as a law clerk at the 20th Judicial District in Boulder working with Judge Bruce Langer on the domestic relations docket. 

He also worked with other 20th Judicial District Court judges on criminal, civil and probate matters during his two-year tenure. These experiences gave him insights into appellate practice and have honed his skill for in-depth legal analysis on a variety of civil and criminal matters, including property law and equal protection claims.

Andrew is passionate about advocating for underserved communities. His work as a research fellow and judicial advocate for The Arc Pikes Peak Region exemplifies his commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the justice system. He has served as a researcher and judicial advocate, ensuring that the rights of marginalized individuals are upheld in court.

Andrew earned his J.D. degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and his bachelor’s degree from Colorado College where he was a first-generation college student and played on the varsity soccer team.

Raymond Smith

Self Advocate

 

My name is Raymond Smith. I have spent nearly 20 years involved with The Arc. I’ve served as Past President of Include USA and currently serve as Treasurer. Advocacy has been a big part of my life, and I’ve always believed in standing up for people with disabilities, including myself.

 

When I was younger, people told me I’d never get married, never drive, and never live a full life. Well, they were wrong. I’ve been happily married for many years, I drive myself where I need to go, and I stay busy with the work I care about.

People also know me for my sense of humor and the fact that I always show up early, whether it’s a meeting or an event. My wife and I are also active in our local cowboy church, which is an important part of our lives.

I’m running for the self-advocate board position because I believe in leading by example and helping others see what’s possible, no matter what others may say.

Arthur Wirth

Self Advocate

Arthur Wirth is one of the two self advocate members on the Board of Directors for The Arc Pikes Peak Region. He also serves on the CFC Council. He is is a member of the local chapter of Self Advocates, Include U.S.A. (Unique Self Advocates) and is the vice president of the statewide self advocacy organization, Speaking For Ourselves.

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