S.O.A.R. BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Darrell Gremillion
Board Member/ CIO
Dr. Darrell Gremillion is the founder and CEO of Gremillion Technical Consulting, a service-oriented firm specializing in systems analysis and design with the goal of developing profitable, sustainable, and equitable economic best practices in government and industry.
Dr. Gremillion has served in various supporting roles, including lead technical advisor for large urban systems integration projects, public utilities commissioner, and faculty at Tulane University, with over 30 years’ experience in the design and implementation of solutions at the highest levels of government, business, and industry.
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dr. Gremillion currently resides in Roswell, Georgia with his wife, Kathleen. Dr. Gremillion earned his PhD from the University of Southern Mississippi, MBA from William Carey University, and BS from Tulane University.
Susanne Condon
Board Member
Susanne Condon is the founder of Coast 2 Coast College Counseling and has been helping students with the college search and application process for over 20 years.
Susanne is the mother of three and grandmother of five. Her children attended Georgetown, USC, Duke, and Columbia Business School.
Susanne Condon brings 20 years of marketing experience to Coast 2 Coast. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Southern California/Marshall School of Business with an emphasis in marketing.
Susanne has held the position of director of marketing for the Koenig Company. She has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She was co-producer and host of the cable television show, Entertainment Profile.
Susanne has been instrumental in the development of the Coast 2 Coast methodology and is very creative in highlighting the strengths of each individual student. She provides coaching for college admission interviews as well as guidance for resume building and development. Susanne is a dynamic and motivational mentor who stimulates students to achieve their greatest potential.
Susanne is a sought-after consultant in the field of college admissions. Her speaking engagements have addressed key topics such as the “College Admissions Frenzy” and she is the author of: “The Twelve Simple Steps to Success in the College Admissions Process.” Susanne co-wrote, “Get the College Edge,” a monthly column in the Palos Verdes Peninsula News.
Susanne visits colleges throughout the United States and builds contacts within the admissions staff in order to stay current with admission trends. In order to provide the best possible service to her students, Susanne attends national and regional conferences, including the National Association of College Admissions Counselors.
Ariana Ulloa-Olavarrieta
Board Member
Ariana serves as the Small Business Coordinator for the City of Columbus’ Economic Development Division. Deeply rooted in the world of business development, with degrees in Economics, a background in the banking industry and a small startup company on her resume, Ariana was already considered a leader in her field when she joined the City.
Previously, she was an Executive Coach for the LIGHTS Regional Innovation Network at Ohio University and Director of the Ohio SBDC at Columbus State Community College. She serves as chair of the board of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective; and the board of Community Capital Development Corporation (CCDC). Previous boards include Avanza Together, New Directions Career Center, the Hispanic Chamber of Columbus, and ACEnet. With her previous work experience in the financial industry and as a business owner herself (Aleri Business Strategies and Next Level Trainings), she focuses on helping entrepreneurs work in their business while working on their overall vision. Ariana believes planning for the future while working on the present is key to success.
Ariana is a graduate of Ohio University, holding a Masters in Financial Economics and a BA in Economics with specializations in Latin American Studies, Spanish and German. Born in Mexico City, Ulloa-Olavarrieta immigrated to the United States when she was 5 years old. She has been supporting the small business community as a coach for new and existing entrepreneurs throughout most of her career.
Jessica Burrell
Board Member
Jessica Burrell serves as a Leadership and Business Coach and Transformational Leadership Trainer. She has been serving as the CEO of Amplify Your Vision for the last 3 years and COO of Next Level Trainings for the last year.
She leads her organizations through her core pillars of vision, integrity, courage and trust. Ultimately, creating a sustainable strategy for the businesses, implementing proven systems and processes, taking action and creating the space for everyone to be able to focus on their zone of genius as well as be in humble service to change the world through leadership and emotional intelligence.
Jessica has been leading teams & projects for over 20 years in both the corporate and private sectors, including as an entrepreneur herself. She is passionate about personal development, knowing that businesses around her grow to the degree that she grows (as well as supporting others in their growth) and has spent thousands of hours on personal development and execution.
When she’s not training students, leading teams or working on her own mindset, you can find this sagittarius seeking adventure through travel, being in nature, hanging out with her daughters or friends and likely making them laugh with her incredibly dry sense of humour or having spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen while making dinner.
Jennifer Routte
Board Member
Jen Routte is an attorney and title agent in Gahanna. Jen focuses her practice on supporting her clients to build a solid foundation to grow their lives and protect their families through real estate transactions, business deals, starting businesses, estate planning, real estate transactions, and probate.
As a business owner and attorney, she finds great reward in educating, empowering, and shifting people into the possibility of something more. Sometimes that is more courage, more wealth, more security, more confidence to follow their dreams. Now she is excited to join the board of SOAR to empower kids as the grow and follow their dreams.
Christopher Martinez
Board Member
Chris Martinez is the Founder of Resilience Recovery Resources, LLC. With a deep passion for behavioral health and addiction treatment, Chris has dedicated his life to this field since 2012. His expertise lies in extended care and crisis intervention, and he holds a degree from Loyola Marymount University’s Drug and Alcohol Counseling Program. Additionally, Chris is a certified NARM (Neuro Affective Relational Model) Practitioner.
Chris Martinez is the owner of Resilience Recovery Resources. Chris recognized the need for true extended care and aftercare within the continuum of care for individuals struggling with alcoholism and substance use disorder. While traditional sober living or halfway models suffice for many, he saw the demand for a more structured and client-centered approach. Thus, Resilience Recovery Resources was established. Chris's vision led to the creation of a gender and age-specific program, filling a crucial gap in South Florida.
Having faced his own battle with addiction at a young age, Chris possesses a deep understanding of the challenges his clients encounter. His personal experiences have allowed him to make a genuine impact on this population. Alongside his dedication to helping others, Chris is also devoted to his family. Despite enduring the loss of his father at a young age and his own struggles with addiction, he has persevered through personal obstacles to fully immerse himself in guiding others on their path to recovery. Chris truly embodies the resilient spirit that Resilience Recovery Resources stands for.
Robert Marra
Board Member
Robert is a seasoned theater actor, director, choreographer, and coach who has dedicated over three decades to the enriching world of the performing arts. Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, theater has been Robert's safe haven since a young age, nurturing him into the confident artist he is today. Through theater, he learned invaluable life lessons, igniting a profound love for storytelling and expression.
With a plethora of stage experiences at renowned venues such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, Disneyland, and global performances with Princess Cruises, Robert's journey as a performer has been nothing short of extraordinary. Transitioning seamlessly into the roles of Director and Choreographer, he has breathed life into numerous productions across the nation, showcasing his visionary artistic approach from NY to LA and beyond.
Recognizing the significance of imparting his wealth of knowledge, Robert derives immense joy from coaching and mentoring aspiring artists. As a vital member of the SOAR team, he dedicates himself to empowering young talents through weekend workshops, shaping the next generation of leaders not only in the arts but across various careers.
Currently calling Long Beach, California home, when Robert isn't in a rehearsal room, he finds solace in cooking, gardening, interior decorating, and nurturing his two young sons. Robert's theatrical success is a testament to a lifelong commitment to the arts. His unwavering passion, artistic prowess, and dedication to mentorship has established him as a cherished figure who has left a lasting impact on every stage he graces and in the hearts of those he inspires.
Kyra Belle Johnson
Board Member
Kyra is a Palos Verdes, CA native, and got her start in the arts as a student of Debbie’s in the community theater program. She earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas State University, and played Sophie in the Broadway National Tour of Mamma Mia. Kyra currently resides in New York City and works professionally in film, television, and theatre. She is a passionate advocate for equitable opportunity and accessibility in the arts, and couldn’t be more thrilled to join the board.
Dean Alan Thomasson
Board Member
Dean’s lifelong passion has been to serve others. As a successful business owner, he has launched three thriving contracting businesses. His dedication to the community is evident through his roles as Chair of the Economic Development Authority, President of the State chapter of Plumbing Heating & Cooling Contractors, President of Qualified Gas Contractors, President of Barrett Haven Transitional Home for Women, Vice President of the Norfolk Rotary Club, and his service on the Hampton Roads Public Transportation Alliance, among other engagements.
Dean takes immense pride and is devoted to his children and grandchildren. Personal growth and development are key to keeping him youthful and energized, and nothing brings him more joy than connecting with people.
Julia Mirkovich
Board Member
Julia Mirkovich is the Founder and Executive Director of Puttin’ On Productions (POPs) a Premiere Youth Musical Theater Company in Manhattan Beach California since 2007 producing, directing, and/or choreographing five full length productions a year for elementary, middle, and high school aged children. In 2012 Julia opened a performing arts studio for younger living room performers called TADA Stages. She is on a mission to grow whole hearts through the arts.
Born in a small town in Iowa, her love of the performing arts began in the ballet studio which was the gateway art that led to her becoming a professional dancer, actress, and singer all the while cultivating her craft of teaching. After having her two sons she furthered her passion for the arts directing, choreographing, and coaching young people on and off the stage. It 2009 she won Hollywood’s Teacher Icon Award. She has directed, choreographed, and/or produced nearly fifty youth productions. Some of her favorites have been The Nutcracker Ballet, Seussical the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Matilda, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Peter Pan to name a few. She has written and directed two original works that speak to tolerance, acceptance, and letting love lead the way entitled, The New Conformity and the other entitled Day One. She has a certification in Success Coaching for all ages, supporting her self-empowerment curriculum for children, The Hero’s Journey which is taught in all POPs programs. This workbook parallels the rehearsal and character development process allowing students to strengthen their inner voice while tapping into the humanity of their character. That is why she is honored to sit on the board for S.O.A.R. and harkens back to the saying invention is the motherhood of necessity. The need is great and the time is now!
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