Foothill Unity Center Names Attorney Donald Schweitzer to Its Board

Foothill Unity Center has appointed attorney Donald Schweitzer to its board of directors, adding a veteran legal and civic leader to help guide the nonprofit as it delivers food, health care and crisis assistance to low-income residents across the San Gabriel Valley.

Schweitzer is a certified Family Law Specialist with more than three decades of trial experience and the managing partner of Schweitzer Law Partners. His résumé includes leadership roles in local institutions: he has served as president of the Pasadena Bar Association and the Pasadena City College Foundation, and as chair of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Before entering private practice, he spent eight years as a deputy district attorney in Orange County, where he recorded a 95 percent conviction rate in more than 70 cases. He began his career as a police officer, accumulating nearly a decade of law-enforcement experience.

Founded in 1980, Foothill Unity Center describes its mission as providing critical support to vulnerable residents, including food, health services and crisis assistance. The organization serves foothill communities including Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena and Temple City.

The board is led by President Roberta Preskill. Officers include First Vice President Greg Vanni, Second Vice President Gary Kovacic, Treasurer Mary Saenz and Secretary Kay Kinsler. Members-at-large are the Rev. Ulises Gutierrez and Linda Vidov. The board’s members are Cruz Baca, Brian Barreto, Tom Daly, Keshia Darden, Reyna Diaz, Lois Gaston, Margaux Gibson, Mr. Schweitzer, Mary Ann Lutz, Karen Nobrega, Pete Siberell, Larry Spicer, Brian Vosberg and Alice Wang. The board oversees policy, ethical compliance and the organization’s mission.

Foothill Unity Center lists Jhoana Hirasuna as executive director and Josephine Anderson as founder. The nonprofit invites the public to learn more about its programs at foothillunitycenter.org.