Staff

Executive Director Jill Jones, LCSW joined Operation Jump Start in October 2011. She brings with her over 12 years of experience in non-profit management, program planning and fund development. After graduating from Kennesaw State University, she received her Master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. Prior to Operation Jump Start, she worked for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as the Senior Director of Regional Operations.

Case-Manager Irene Quevedo joined Operation Jump Start in July 2009. She is responsible for identifying the incoming students and recruiting the mentors for the program. She also manages the progress and performance of Operation Jump Start students and the student-mentor teams. Partnering with the Program Coordinator, she coordinates the events calendar which includes the educational workshops, cultural activities, community service events and social activities each semester for the student-mentor teams. Irene has worked in many areas of human services, from a college access program that hosted overnight campus visits for under served high school students to being a case manager for the Junior Blind of America (JBA). Irene received a dual Bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara in Sociology and International Studies.

Case-Manager Filipina Nanthavongdouangsy joined Operation Jump Start in November 2010. She has spent over 7 years in the non-profit sector providing services that range from case management to counseling with a wide range of populations in the Orange County area. Filipina has worked with the Orange County Bar Foundation’s Youth Transitional Intervention and Short Stop programs providing risk assessment and case management to youth incarcerated in the Orange County juvenile system. She has joined Operation Jump Start as an additional Educational Case Manager and will be managing the progress of OJS students and the student-mentor teams. Filipina received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from The California State University, Long Beach.

PFMP Case-Manager Erik Miller joined Operation Jump Start in December 2010. Erik is responsible for planning the event calendar, development of new programs, and working to expand the leadership talents of OJS scholars. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Design from Woodbury University in Burbank California. He has also worked with youth in a number of different settings including the Children's Defense Fund's Freedom Schools. Erik is also a graduate of the OJS College-Access Mentoring Program Class of 2002!

Development Coordinator Jhofelle E. Maruzzo joined Operation Jump Start in May 2008. Jhofelle is responsible for acquiring resources to support program operations. She also plans and coordinates all fundraising events which include the annual Scholar’s Day Celebration, Fashion Show event and the prominent Holiday Gallery of Trees. Furthermore, she works with the Executive Director to maintain and establish donor relationships. Jhofelle received her Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Program Assistant Yanira Losoya joined Operation Jump Start in February 2011. Yanira is responsible for assisting with the case-management functions of the organization and providing Spanish-language translation as needed. She also works closely with the Program Coordinator on new initiatives. She is currently attending California State University, Long Beach to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Italian Language. Yanira is also a graduate of the OJS College-Access Mentoring Program Class of 2009!