MECAC Membership

Dr. Ellsworth James - Chair

Dr. Ellsworth James has 15 years of experience in the field of Industrial Psychology and Social Research. In 1992 as a consultant for Sigma Consulting Group, Dr. James provided coaching, program development and conflict resolution for expatriate executive personnel based in Europe. In 1995 he became the senior partner at Psychological Consultants International GbR, in Berlin Germany. While there he developed cross cultural communications seminars and cultural diversity training programs for multi-national corporations in Europe and Asia. Returning to the United States in 1998, he participated in several international social research and community development projects and in 2006 became a senior partner in the consulting group James, Velox and James. Dr. Ellsworth James has been married for 17 years, has 3 children, and continues his work in the field of cultural genetics and environmental trauma. His lectures topics include: Cultural Genetics, Traditional Grief, Intergenerational Trauma, and Diversity Management Strategies.

James LaBelle - 1^st  Vice-Chair

James LaBelle Jr. has more than 16 years of experience working in areas promoting the empowerment of youth and families.  James currently works for Cook Inlet Tribal Council as a child welfare liaison, working with federal, state and community agencies around improving the child welfare system through improved policy and practice.  James also has experience working with business and community partners that assist young people to reach their full potential through education and training experiences that lead to career opportunities.  Mr. LaBelle was born and raised in Anchorage and spent his summers in his mother’s village, Port Graham, in the Kachemak Bay.  He is of Aluutiq, Inupiaq, Filipino and French heritage and takes pride in knowing who he is and where he comes from.  James and his wife, Rhonda Wulf-LaBelle who is an Athabascan Indian, are raising their three children, Cody, Anthony and Suzanne to learn, know and be proud of who they are as well. 

Lamin Jobarteh
2^nd  Vice-Chair

Ed Graff
Assistant Superintendent of Instruction

James C. Beverly

Mr. Beverly has been married for 23 years and is the father of five.  He is a 21-year retired Air force MSgt, an 18-year ordained pastor, mentor for the Alaska Military Youth Academy, and Juvenile Justice Officer.  He has a passion for the spiritual and mental health of youth and their families.  He earned his B.A. in human services from Wayland Baptist University, and his M.S. in counseling psychology from Alaska Pacific University.  Presently, he is working toward a doctorate in school psychology from Walden University.  He has lived in Alaska for 11 years in both Fairbanks and Anchorage.  Mr. Beverly is committed to serving the needs of students, parents, and community by creating positive experiences throughout the course of his board tenure.

Jonathan Larson

Jonathan Larson is one quarter each of Yupik and Inupiat Eskimo, Filipino and one eighth each of German and Swedish. Given this diverse background, Jonathan is living in a one-of-a-kind world view. From birth through childhood, including enrollment in public schools in both rural and urban Alaska and the attainment of a Business Administration degree to a career with the federal government, Jonathan has been provided with distinct perspectives to life’s challenges. Most important in Jonathan’s life is being a single father to three active ASD students who are half Athabascan. Jonathan’s daughter (age 6), and two boys (ages 13 and 9) and their extracurricular activities provide Jonathan consummate rewards as a proactive parent. The challenges Jonathan has faced in his own life, coupled with knowledge acquired over time, allow him to advocate not only for himself and his children, but for those who are not able or willing to do so for themselves. Two guiding principles which Jonathan adheres to are “do what you gotta do” and “managers do what they’re supposed to do, but leaders do what’s right.” Both have helped him in life and in his service as a director for his Alaska Native Village Corporation.

Atisa Logo (Aumoeualogo)

As the mother of eight (her oldest is 24), Ms. Logo serves as guide, counselor, teacher, cook, coach, friend, homemaker, chauffeur, disciplinarian, and companion to those eight both in times of joy and sorrow.  Atisa is an early morning Seminary teacher for the juniors in the Northern Lights Ward of the LDS church.  She is also Ward chorister in their Sunday sacrament meetings and a Ward Relief Society Visiting teacher coordinator.  She is a board member and secretary for the Polynesian Association of Alaska (PAOA) and represents PAOA wherever she is asked to go.  She is also active in the T-Bird Forum for East High School parents and a member of Bridge Builders.  In addition to being an on-and-off student at UAA, Atisa describes herself as a “single mother, sister, aunt, daughter, cousin, friend, neighbor, child of God.”

Dan Loring

Mildred “Polly” Miller

Polly is the great-grandmother of two racially mixed children who currently attend an ASD elementary school.   She is a military widow and a retired elementary school teacher with a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in human behavior from the University of Wisconsin.  She has served as a volunteer for a crisis intervention hotline, as a Hospice home caregiver, and as an aid for over 10 years.  As an active member of the LDS church, she has served in many callings.  At the present time, she is serving as an English teacher in the Hmong Branch of the LDS church in the Muldoon chapel.  Polly has helped raise three generations of children, and she believes she has much to share with the families of this area and the Anchorage School District.  She is a strong advocate for a safe and happy school environment for all children, no matter their culture, race, religion, or economic background.  Polly is very grateful to be serving on the MECAC.

Damito Owen

As the mother of one son, Ms. Owen has a passion for spiritual growth; the advancement and strengthening of families; and the safety, education and empowerment of women and children.  She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside and her MS in Business Organizational Management from the University of LaVerne.  Presently, she is working toward a MS in Community Mental Health Counseling in order to become an LPC.  She has worked as an entrepreneur and in management in both the public and private sectors.  She is currently working at Anchorage Literacy Project and serves on the Board of Directors for the Alaska State Federation of Business and Professional Women and is committed to representing parents and students as a positive voice to the Anchorage School Board.

Lori Pickett

Lori Pickett is the mother of two boys, Parker and Ethan, who both attend school in the Russian Immersion program at Turnagain Elementary School.  Her spouse of nine years is John Pickett, Jr.  Since 1996, she has worked at the Alaska Literacy Program, a volunteer-based organization, focusing on the areas of Adult and Family Literacy.  She is passionate about education and realizing the full potential of all students regardless of ethnicity, economic status, or learning differences.  She currently serves as a board member of the International Dyslexia Association, Alaska Branch (group in formation).  She enjoys being active with her family through long bike rides, playing hockey, skiing, & coaching soccer. Before moving to Alaska in 1995, she worked in the child protection field, led children’s therapeutic groups for victims of incest, and worked in book stores.

Fa’aana Tosi