JoanElaine Anderson, MBA

Executive Director

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Joining EmpowerTech in January 2009, Joan Anderson has an extensive background in fundraising, marketing and human resources in both the private and non-profit sectors. Previous experience includes teaching in Japan, working with the non-profit agency Angels' Flight West and recently as Executive Director of the American Heart Associations Ventura County Chapter. Joan holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communications from Lynn University, and a Masters of Business Administration, also from Lynn University.

Chris Kraiss

Information Technology Director

ckraiss@empowertech.org

Chris has been serving the networking needs of EmpowerTech for over five years. He has twenty years of experience in the computer support and networking fields and brings a wealth of diverse skills to meet the technical needs of the center.

Carrie Matthews

Administrative Assistant

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Carrie joined EmpowerTech in June 2013.  She has a 7-year background serving as an Administrative Assistant for several companies.  Also, she attends Cerritos College pursing an AA Degree in Business Administration.  In addition, she grew up with a sister that was diagnosed with a learning disability, giving her personal experience dealing with people with disabilities for majority of her life.

Ismael Herrera

Blind and Low Vision Services Director

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Ismael has been working with access technologies since 1986.  During his two years at LAVC, he started developing his skills in the area of assistive technology.  A passion to empower parents and persons with various disabilities through assistive technologies for the end-result of becoming members of their communities. 

In 1995, Xerox invited Ismael to participate in the development of the first of its kind “stand alone” reading scanner for the visually impaired. This “stand-alone” reading device came to be known as “Reading Edge.”  In early 2000, he was the person who developed and demonstrated to FreedomScientific speech access on the MAGIC magnification software mouse.  Thus, enabling vocalizations to the mouse, allowing totally blind assistive technology trainers to train persons who are partially sighted. 

In 2005, he almost obtain a perfect score 99.5 in his Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) from California State University Northridge (CSUN).  Furthermore, he continues to play a part in the development of mobile apps for iDevices to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities.

Rickell Lewis, BA

TRADE Program Assistant Instructor

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Joining EmpowerTech in May 2013, Rickell Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Early Childhood.  She has ten years experience working as a Site Director/Teacher for Center for Community and Family Service.  She also has twenty four years of personal experience working with people with physical and developmental disabilities.  She has twin sons born with Spinal Bifida, both having learning disabilities and mild cognitive disability.  She is also a member of The Pathway Volunteer Hospice Program.