Board & Key Staff
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EXPERT TEAM
Meet Our Board
President
Lorie White
Lorie has been an optician and office manager for over 20 years at her husband’s private Optometric practice in San Diego, California. She enjoys pretesting patients and helping them discover their new look. She has been a study coordinator for over 250 clinicals at the office. Lorie has been marred to her high school sweetheart for 43 years. They are blessed with three sons and 3 beautiful grandchildren. When Lorie is not working or playing with her grandchildren, she loves making cards of all kinds to send to family and friends.
When her children were young Lorie was Cub Scout den leader to all 3 boys. She also was soccer coach to the boys along with being involved in the PTA. She was always very involved in each of the boy’s upbringing.
Lorie has been involved with Bible Study Fellowship for 25 years and has served as a group leader for the last 22 years. Bible Study Fellowship is an interdenominational Bible Study. Lorie volunteers at her church and is an active member of The San Diego Center for the Blind board of directors. This year she was elected as the board president. Lorie has a passion for working with people with eye disabilities. Her uncle was blind from birth and her father was legally blind after injuries took his sight. Lorie hopes to make a difference in someone’s life through her work at the center for the blind.
Vice President
Brian Clapper
Brian Clapper is a lifelong South Bay resident with a deep commitment to community service and leadership. A Sweetwater High School graduate, he has dedicated over 50 years to youth development through Little League baseball as a coach, league president, and district administrator. Professionally, Brian spent 15 years as a general supervisor in the shipyards and later served his community through extensive volunteer and leadership roles within the National School District, including eight years on the School Board.
Brian has been an active member of Lions Clubs International since 2006, serving in numerous leadership roles, including District Governor for San Diego and Imperial Counties. Through Lions and OneSight, he helped provide free eye exams and glasses to underserved communities for over a decade. Brian is passionate about expanding access and equity for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and is proud to serve on the Board of the San Diego Center for the Blind.
Secretary/Treasurer
Eric White
Eric White, O.D. is in private practice, since 1986, in San Diego, California. He is a clinical Investigator for several contact lens companies having participated in over 450 clinical studies. Dr. White is a consultant to many advisory boards and numerous professional optometric organizations. He has published several articles on contact lenses and given numerous talks on contact lenses, eye safety, computer vision syndrome and practice management. He was awarded the 2002 Melvin Jones Fellow by the Lions Club International Foundation. He was awarded the Transitions Optical 2012 Eyecare Practice of the Year, Vision Monday 2014 Innovator of the Year and 2015 Transitions Brand Ambassador of the Year. In 2017 he was awarded the San Diego Optometrist of the Year.
Director
Ken Burke
Ken Burke is a lifelong San Diego County resident and retired U.S. Army officer with decades of leadership experience. Raised in Lemon Grove, he attended Mt. Miguel High School and later served in the Army following his studies at San Diego State University. His military career included overseas assignments in Vietnam and Panama, as well as senior leadership roles in the U.S. and at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Since 1991, Ken has worked as a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in San Diego County. He remains deeply engaged in community service through the Lemon Grove Lions Club, the San Diego Early Ford V8 Club, and the Mt. Miguel High School Foundation. Ken has been married to his wife JoAnne for over 55 years and is proud of his three adult children and strong roots in Lemon Grove.
Director
Jack Dapra
Jack Dapra is a longtime advocate for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Originally from Pittsburgh, he moved to California after serving as a Military Police officer in the U.S. Army and earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Los Angeles State College. He spent his career in retail asset protection, ultimately rising to Director of Investigations.
Jack’s commitment to the blind community began after a colleague was permanently blinded in the line of duty, leading him to join the Lions Club and later the San Diego Center for the Blind. A board member for over 15 years, Jack is deeply proud of the Center’s impact and culture of care. He remains actively engaged, continually inspired by the professionalism of staff and the resilience of students, and brings both personal passion and lived perspective to his service.
Director
*vision impaired
Keith Kerchenfault
Keith was born and raised in Fresno, California. He has one son, Kevin. After graduating from Fresno State with a B.S in Industrial Technologies, he worked for an Engineering Company. Later he became a “captain in the Colonel’s army” and managed a KFC.
Keith has been Hard of Hearing since birth and in his early twenties he was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, Ushers II. He was declared legally blind in 1974. He learned about and
passed the tests for the BEP “Business Enterprise Program for the Blind” Training Program after which he ran a number of food services including CalTrans, United States Postal Service San Diego main Post Office facility, and the US Naval Supply Centers at the 32nd street Naval Station, and in downtown San Diego.
Keith then decided to return to Fresno State to earn his Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. He worked for the California Department of Rehabilitation as a Visually
Impaired/Blind caseload counselor from 1993 to 2017, during which he received many awards and recognitions for outstanding service. SDBC was helpful to him not only in assisting more than 1000 clients, but also in teaching him to use his white cane after he lost his eyesight completely in 2000. He is now happily retired.
Keith was proud to have participated in the Blind Stoker’s Club for over 6 years, and was a member of the Hillcrest-Mission Valley Lions Club for over 15 years. He has been on the board of SDCB since 2018 and enjoys giving back to the organization which was helpful to him both personally and professionally.
Board Advisory Committee
Warren Wise
Warren Wise has been with the SDCB since 1984, serving as a skilled computer systems designer, programmer, and consultant. He specializes in operating systems, database management, and software support, contributing to significant military and corporate projects. With expertise in various programming languages, he has worked on influential systems such as CDC, DEC, IBM, and Univac.
Warren’s passion for electronics led to a Bachelor of Science in Electronics from Northrop Institute of Technology, with further studies at the University of California Extension and specialized programming courses via Naval Training.
Throughout his varied career, he has provided expertise in software and hardware systems across multiple sectors. Warren is also a dedicated family man with two married children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, valuing personal connections alongside his professional commitments.
Board MEMBER
Isreal Stanley
Israel “Coach Izz” Stanley serves as a Board Member of the San Diego Center for the Blind, bringing a strong commitment to leadership, mentorship, and community empowerment. A former NFL player, Israel played professionally with the San Diego Chargers and the New Orleans Saints, and later served as a scout for the St. Louis Rams. His career in football has been grounded in discipline, teamwork, and developing talent at every level.
Following his professional playing career, Israel coached at the collegiate level and continues to shape young athletes through his work as Founder of Phenom Flag Football Pros and Director of Football at Dehesa Method Sports Academy. His work focuses on building confidence, character, and opportunity for youth through sports and mentorship.
As a board member, Israel brings valuable perspective on leadership development, community engagement, and strategic growth. He is passionate about supporting organizations that remove barriers, foster independence, and create pathways for individuals to thrive. Israel is honored to support the San Diego Center for the Blind and its mission to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired to live full, independent lives.
Board MEMBER
Dr. Jaimes McNeal, PhD
Dr. McNeal, is a psychologist, author, and award-winning educator dedicated to advancing equity, accessibility, and inclusion through education, research, and consulting. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Business Psychology.
Dr. McNeal serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Center for the Blind, bringing his expertise in Industrial-Organizational Psychology to support strategic planning, leadership development, and community engagement. He teaches psychology and organizational leadership at The Chicago School and Southwestern College, and leads ConCISE—Consulting: Communities through Innovation, Service, and Education, mentoring graduate students in applied community projects.
A sought-after consultant and keynote speaker, Dr. McNeal also teaches in correctional education settings, conducts pharmaceutical and market research, and is developing textbooks that make research and statistics more engaging and accessible. An international presenter and doctoral mentor in the emancipatory and liberation psychology traditions, Dr. McNeal exemplifies inclusive learning and community partnership aligned with SDCB’s mission to empower individuals with vision loss to live independent and fulfilling lives.
Board MEMBER
McKenna Turrill OD, FAAO
McKenna Turrill OD, FAAO is a dedicated optometrist in private practice specializing in pediatric optometry, vision therapy, low vision, and providing care to those with special needs. A Michigan native, Dr. Turrill fell in love with California while attending the prestigious UC Berkeley School of Optometry. She further honed her expertise through residency training at the SUNY College of Optometry in New York City, where she provided continuing education for fellow optometrists and gained valuable experience treating patients in diverse settings, from hospitals to elementary schools. Dr. Turrill is passionate about serving the community and promoting early eye care as an InfantSEE provider with the American Optometric Association. She also serves on the board of the San Diego County Optometric Association and has received her fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry.
Dr. Turrill is a nature enthusiast and enjoys trail running, camping, and spending time outdoors. She grew up riding horses and is an animal lover, both domestic and wild!
Dr. Turrill loves providing compassionate and specialty eye care to her patients of all ages and dedicating time to serve her community. As she began providing eye care to patients with low vision, she was inspired to find ways to better serve this population. She looks forward to advocating for her patients and the whole community of people with visual impairment or blindness through her involvement at the center for the blind.
Meet Executive Staff
CEO
Marianela Camarillo
Marianela Camarillo, an accomplished leader driven by mission, brings a wealth of experience from both non-profit and for-profit sectors, thriving in challenging environments. She assumed the role in mid-July, succeeding Dr. Dennis Smith, who relocated to northern California in late 2023 after years of dedicated service. Kimberly Taylor, who served as interim CEO during the extensive search, has resumed her position as Director of the Vision Rehabilitation Program.
Ms. Camarillo had several years’ experience as Executive Director of Miracle Babies Foundation. For the past seventeen years, Marianela has been supporting families with critically ill children and has been involved with Miracle Babies since its inception in 2009. She specializes in aiding parents of hospitalized infants, many of whom have experienced vision loss due to medical complications and premature birth. During her tenure, Miracle Babies’ support to NICU families has tripled.
As a co-operator in three McDonald’s restaurants, she gained expertise in various financial and operational practices. As the House Manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, she supervised family care services and operations.
After a national search, it was concluded that Marianela’s extensive experience in management and leadership across profit and non-profit sectors renders her excellently qualified to serve as the CEO of the San Diego Center for the Blind leading administrative, financial, operational and programmatic initiatives.
Marianela expressed, “I am a firm believer in advocating for underserved communities and addressing disparities for marginalized groups. I am thrilled to join the San Diego Center for the Blind with a strong history of empowering visually impaired individuals to achieve their full potential.“
Controller
Linda Flower
Linda is the Controller for the San Diego Center for the Blind, where she manages the Center’s business, human resources, and financial operations. A results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience in non-profit administration, accounting, and management, Linda brings strong attention to detail and a commitment to operational efficiency. Since joining the Center in 2021, she has significantly contributed to reducing costs and increasing revenue, ensuring the organization’s long-term financial health. Passionate about supporting marginalized and disadvantaged communities, Linda has dedicated her career to the non-profit sector, driven by a deep alignment with its values of helping others and her desire to make a meaningful impact.
Director of Programs
Kimberly Taylor
Kimberly Taylor, MSW, is Director of Vision Rehabilitation Program at San Diego Center for the Blind. Kimberly supervises program staff and oversees the program at SDCB, striving to evolve our rehabilitation and counseling services in line with our mission.
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Kimberly’s passion for helping others started at a young age, taking advantage of community service opportunities and participating in her local chapter of National Charity League. Kimberly’s grandmother also became a major influence in her life to support others without judgment and to take time to spread kindness wherever possible.
Kimberly attended Trinity University in San Antonio for her undergraduate degree in Psychology. Upon graduation, Kimberly began working in college access, working with the College Advising Corps to assist low-income, underserved students in attending postsecondary education. Through this experience, Kimberly gained direction in her passion for helping others and uplifting marginalized populations.
Years later, Kimberly then attended San Diego State University for her Master’s of Social Work and graduated in 2020, at the start of the pandemic. During that time, she came across SDCB’s position for the Program Manager position and found her latest passion working within the visually impaired community. Since then, she has helped the program succeed in a fully virtual format to transitioning back to largely in-person services.
The community of clients, volunteers, and staff at SDCB is unlike any other Kimberly has come across. She is continually inspired in seeing clients grow throughout their time at SDCB, often starting in a place new to vision loss or striving to learn new skills, and growing to a place of confidence and independence. It has been extremely rewarding for Kimberly to witness clients discovering a fulfilling life following vision loss. She continues to learn from the SDCB community to better herself professionally and personally.