About us
Creating opportunities for people with disabilities since 1947.
Our Values
Everyone at Gompers shares one belief: people with disabilities deserve every chance to learn, work, connect and live life on their own terms. Five values guide how we show up for our members every day:
- Equality
- Independence
- Empowerment
- Employment
- Networking
Our Legacy
Gompers has been part of Arizona since 1947. That’s nearly 80 years of people with disabilities learning, working and building lives with greater independence, right here in the Phoenix area.
Think about how much the world has changed since then. Through every one of those years, Gompers has kept its doors open and kept making room for more possibility.
Today, members are riding the light rail, creating with laser cutters and 3D printers, and heading to jobs in their communities.
As we look toward our next 80 years, one belief keeps guiding us: every person brings their own abilities, ideas and potential, and deserves the chance to use them.
Board of Directors
Gompers is guided by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, community leaders who give their time and expertise to help our members thrive.
They bring experience from business, law, health care, media, communications and more, and that range of perspectives has helped guide Gompers for nearly 80 years.
Payton LaCivita
- Chairperson
MiaBella Foods
Leigh Campbell
- Vice Chairperson
Salt River Project (SRP)
Greg Lechowski
- Treasurer
Bonneville International
Edward James
- Secretary
Edward L. James, III & Associates, LLC
Greg Frost
- Board Member
Plane View Partners
Rick Koseor
- Board Member
Tom Weir
- Board Member
Plane View Partners
Cary Pfeffer
- Board Member
Communications Consultant
Ashley Abaie
- Board Member
PDS Foundation Dentists for Special Needs
Christopher D. Thomas
- Board Member
Perkins Coie LLP
Staff Leadership
Behind every Gompers program is a leadership team that shows up for members every day, working alongside families, staff and community partners across our Phoenix, Glendale and Peoria locations.
Mark Botterbusch
- Executive Director
Chiyama Martinez
- Director of Human Resources
Starla Jewson
- Director of Day Training for Adults - Phoenix
Tierra Ojeda
- Director of Day Training for Adults - Peoria
Juan Angulo
- Director of In-Home Services
Steve Tolle
- Director of Facilities
Xavier Conde
- Director of Employment Services
Ken Fomby
- Director of Transportation
Heather Peralta
- Training Manager
