DEREK C. FINKS
Derek C. Finks is a devoted humanitarian that has dedicated most of his life to effectively assisting youth and adults how to adjust from being unaware and immature into a place of maturity and awareness. He has specialized in investing in the intellectual, social and spiritual well being of individuals. He is an alumni of CSULB and ULV studying philanthropy and psychology. This brought him to dedicate over 30 yrs of service to the L.A. County dept. of Probation and State of California dept. of Corrections and Youth Authority, retiring in 2009. While in that capacity he worked in the areas of counseling, training.program development, implementation and administration. He was responsible for writing several treatment programs which continue to be in use today. Additionally, he was involved in staff development and training in a variety of counseling and treatment modalities. These methods of counseling were established to structure and/or restructure clients and staff to guide them on a successful path for the complete wellness of an individual beginning with their innermost being to the fullness of adulthood. Mr. Finks enjoys family, traveling, outdoor activities, golf and studying the Bible from its original written language.
CARLTON AUSTIN
Born on July 16 1950 in Lafayette Louisiana, moved to Los Angeles California in October 1963 and graduated from Gardena High School in June 1968. Atended Los Angeles City College for one year. In June 1970, enlisted into the US Navy and was honorably discharged in february 1972. Attended Mt. San Antonio Community College for 1 year. Began working at the California Youth Authority in June 1975 as a youth counselor and staff trainer. Worked in the alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, lock up and general population programs. Ritired in July of 2000. Founded the West Coast Gazelle youth track and field program in February 1991. Developed 29 national Champions, 3 national record holders and 4 Olympians. Began as a Head Track and Field coach in February 2000 at Rancho Cucamonga High School until June 2006. Founded the Gulf Coast Hurricane Youth Track and Field program in Jennings Louisiana in 2009. Began as Head Track Coach at Citrus Valley High S'chool in Redlands, Ca. in January 2017.
LAVERNIS S. MARTIN
In September 1988, Lavernis Martin accepted a Group Supervisor position with the Department of the California Youth Authority at Fred C. Nelles School for Boys. Within a year, he was promoted to the position of Youth Counselor where he spent ten years counseling, supervising, coaching youth in sports, and managing various living units that housed up to more than 100 youthful offenders. In 1999 he was again promoted to a Senior Youth Correctional Counselor until the Department of the Youth Authority became absorbed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2010. During this transfer to the Adult Division he worked as a Correctional Counselor I until his retirement in 2014. His experience totaled 26 years.
BOB RICHARDSON
Bob was employed at Heman G. Stark Youth Training School (YTS) for 29 years 6 months. He worked in the capacity of a Group Supervisor, Youth Counselor, Therapist, Trainer for Small Group Therapist for the Department of the California Youth Authority. Additionally, as a gang investigator, coordinated intelligence for the safety of institutional housing units. He later became a part of the California Department of Corrections and the Division of Juvenile Justice as a Parole Agent.