Our Team

11000 Pescadero Road
La Honda, CA 94020
P 650 747 1200
F 650 747 0986
info@campjonesgulch.org

Meet our Year-round Staff


Joel Avila, Food Services Director

Joel was born and raised in Portola Valley, and first came to Jones Gulch as a camper with the outdoor education program in 5th grade.  He received a bachelor's degree from Chico State in Administration, and an associate's degree in Culinary Arts from the San Francisco Culinary Academy.  After working for various restaurants and running his own business he came to work for camp in 2005. Joel is very proud of his kitchen crew, and their ability to meet the needs of a wide variety of groups.  He enjoys providing quality nutritious meals, and working with guests to plan menus that are suited to their particular tastes and needs.

 

Andrew Boyd-Goodrich, Executive Director

Andrew joined the YMCA Camp Jones Gulch team in March, 2011, after working at YMCA Point Bonita in Marin County for over 17 years. His father managed Camp Sacramento (just southwest of Lake Tahoe along Highway 50) during the 1970’s, and through high school and college his summer job was at Camp Winthers (above Donner Summit). Andrew is excited to be in the redwoods again, since he received his B.A. in Theatre Arts at UC Santa Cruz. His life goal is to make millions of people happy. Serving and inspiring thousands of kids and adults each year at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch goes a long way to making Andrew's dream come true!

 

Gary Cockrell, Executive Director of Facilities

Gary was born and raised Cleveland, Ohio.  The proud Max Hayes High School graduate then received an associate’s degree in Management from Skokie Community College.  Since 1992, the YMCA Senior Director has served the YMCA of San Francisco, and now acts as the Executive Director of Facilities supervising the properties of all 15 branches and the Association office.  Gary enjoys the drive to camp from his home on the peninsula with his wife, Laura Bent, and his youngest sons, Vincent and William.  Gary says of his recent addition to the Camp Jones Gulch staff, “Once I’m here [at camp], I don’t hear a million people and horns.  I like the peace and beauty: it’s a nice break for me.  I LOVE the food, the swimming pool, and being able to work with the camp staff.  I really look forward to the new challenge of what I can learn and how I can assist camp to be successful.”

 

Thomas Deal, Administrative Services Director

Thomas was born and raised in Mooresville, NC, and relocated to San Francisco where he began working with the Chinatown YMCA. He recieved a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Mathematics. Thomas has experience teaching and working as an administrator in educational organizations. Thomas has worked with children all of his life and is looking forward to working with an organization that improves and shapes the lives of the children it serves. He is also an avid runner and walker: great ways to explore the beauty of Camp!

 

Lorraine Eberhardt, Group Services Director

Lorraine began her YMCA career in 1982 with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles where she worked as a day camp, resident camp, and travel camp counselor for their summer programs. She also worked as an After School and Summer Day Camp Director, and ultimately settled in to her role as the branch Child Care Program Director for many years before moving to Northern California where she joined the Jones Gulch team in 1995.

As our Group Services Director, Lorraine guides group leaders through their entire registration process beginning with a tour of our beautiful facility, to coordinating their stay, straight through the evaluation of their groups’ experience. The Buckeye Grove is one of Lorraine’s favorite areas of camp, the serene nature of the grove is one of the reasons this area of camp is one of her favorites.

 

Jim Marshall, Building & Grounds Supervisor

Jim was born and raised in Anaheim, California, and is proud to have twiced earned his way to YMCA summer camp by selling cans of butter toffee-coated peanuts. Jim enjoys music and loves the outdoors, which is why he was excited to join the Camp Jones Gulch facility department in 1992. He is joined by a dedicated staff who continue to make every effort towards seeing that every guest enjoys the time spent at the Gulch.

 

Erik McClain, Leadership Director

Erik was born and raised in Monterey CountyCA.  Since childhood, Erik has spent most of his summer days at camps around the country learning and teaching recreation activities and programs.  His first experience with the YMCA started in 1999 when he worked as a trip leader and lifeguard for the Monterey YMCA.  Erik now holds a BS in Recreation and Commercial Administration and a BS in Special Event Management and Tourism from California State University Chico.   Along with his passion for ropes courses and teambuilding, Erik also has a strong background in community development and marketing. Erik loves YMCA Camp Jones Gulch because of its great staff, the beautiful forest, and the opportunity to work with people of all types in a recreational setting.

 

Jerry Minjarez, Guest Services Coordinator

Jerry started in the mid-80's at Camp Jones Gulch working part time in programming as well as working for the San Joaquin Outdoor Education program at Jones Gulch. He likes the diversity in the groups we serve as well as the variety in ages, from little kids to seniors. Jerry enjoys giving tours and sharing the history and detailed information about the camp. Because he's participated in all aspects of camp he feels his answers come from the heart. His favorite spot in camp is Coyote Hill, a place where you can be by yourself that is sunny and warm for the majority of the year. He recommends our camp to groups because we are one of the largest on the West Coast. Come in for a tour with Jerry and you'll be asking to book the earliest date available!

 

Troy O'Leary, Associate Executive Director

Troy's first experience with YMCA Camp Jones Gulch was in 1994 when he participated in a parent/child conference while working for the Mt. Diablo YMCA, and has been tied to Camp Jones Gulch ever since! Over the years, Troy has enjoyed volunteering in Camp Jones Gulch's many travel camps and directing an array of YMCA of San Francisco's teen camp conferences such as Pacific Region High School Conference and World Camp at the Gulch. Troy, most recently, held the Senior Director of Community Programs position at Embarcadero YMCA and prior to that was the Youth Development Specialist for the YMCA of San Francisco.

 

Jessi Prevost, Youth and Family Program Director

Jessi began working with youth at the age of 15 for Park and Recreation programs in Nevada.  After moving to San Francisco in 1997, she began working at the Presidio Community YMCA and the Richmond District YMCA through Day Camps and Afterschool Programs.  Over the next 11 years she moved from a camp counselor and afterschool teacher to the Richmond District YMCA’s Youth Director while attending school.  Jessi comes to us with a BA in Liberal Studies with a minor in Recreational and Leisure Studies, emphasis in Non-Profit Organizations from San Francisco State University.  Jessi’s greatest loves are playing hockey, riding motorcycles and spending time at Camp. She brings over 20 years of experience in the youth development field and is excited about the opportunity to bring experiential learning to the hundreds of kids attending camp each year.