During Richard’s 39-year career in banking, he has served on many boards, including Compass Health Care’s Board of Directors. There he played a crucial role in developing Glenstone Village Apartments, which was the seed for forming Compass Affordable Housing, Inc.

Richard is a proud CDO High School graduate and an alumnus of Northern Arizona University, where he studied business. After college, Richard returned to Tucson and began his career in banking. For Richard, “helping people succeed in their business and watching them grow and succeed” is very gratifying.

Looking to the future, Richard’s focus is on sharing the Compass mission and message with the community through its projects and programs. “As a larger population wants to partake in society, we need the public to better understand what affordable housing organizations do.” He believes tenant service is critical to providing affordable housing—CAH services enable people to become self-sufficient.

“I joined the Board because I wanted to bring my financial experience to a local nonprofit organization benefiting the community. Compass Affordable Housing fits the bill because they provide safe, affordable housing to low-income individuals and families and also provides valuable support services.”

 

 
Jim Tofel joined Tofel Dent Construction in 2002. He began his career in construction as a field superintendent learning the business from the ground up. Since 2003, he has provided preconstruction services on over 300 projects in partnership with developers, architects, engineers and subcontractors. Preconstruction services include assisting the design team with project design, performing plan reviews, developing budgets, value engineering, and coordinating with governmental jurisdictions.

He now serves as a Managing Member of Tofel Dent Construction leading the Development Department and specializing in multi-family housing for both public and private clients throughout the western United States. Through Jim’s memberships in non-profit organizations, he gives back to the communities we serve by advocating for and improving upon affordable housing programs.

Charlene Robinson is a professional Civil Engineer serving government agencies throughout Arizona. She has been in the industry for over 34 years. She began working with Consor North America, Inc. in 2019 as the Tucson Office Manager. Her experience includes managing large multi-discipline teams to develop final construction documents (plans, specifications and estimates) for transportation projects.

Charlene has actively supported and led southern Arizona non-profit organizations including Arizona Society of Civil Engineers (AzSCE) and Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) as a member of their boards of directors and as president. She currently serves on the Pima County Technical Advisory Committee as the Chairperson.

“As a Compass Affordable Housing board member, it affords me the opportunity to be involved in the planning and development of affordable housing and other services for those in need, promoting a more stable and healthier environment.”– Charlene Robinson

“Having grown up in a large family, and having lived in public housing, I know firsthand that people who rely on public/affordable housing do so because of very difficult circumstances, many of which are transitory.  I have devoted my professional and volunteer energies and resources toward the goal of ensuring that people who need quality affordable housing have access to it.  When I moved from Minnesota to Tucson, I found Compass Affordable Housing to be the ideal organization with whom I could continue this work.”

 

“We are facing an affordable housing shortage, leaving many on the streets. In a repeat of 2008, wealthy developers today are building their real estate empires on the backs of longtime local residents who find themselves displaced. Government moves slow, but when community comes together, we can tackle the root causes of poverty. “

 

 

Ozzie Smith is a training and leadership development professional with more than two decades of experience in military service, federal instruction, and workforce development. After serving 20 years in the United States Army as a cavalry and information operations officer, he retired with extensive experience leading teams and supporting complex missions across international environments. His military service included deployments to Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan, where he developed expertise in leadership, operational planning, and strategic communication.

Following his military career, Ozzie continued his commitment to public service through roles with the Department of State and the Department of Defense, working as a leadership instructor, curriculum developer, and training analyst. Today, he serves the State of Arizona as the Southern Arizona Regional Training Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Transportation, supporting workforce development and professional training for employees throughout the region, including Tucson and surrounding communities.

“There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.” –Malcolm X