Meet Our Staff

Leadership Team

Armando Contreras, Chief Executive Officer

Signaling its commitment to strengthen fundraising efforts and develop new alliances, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona (UCP) has appointed longtime Valley business leader Armando Contreras Chief Executive Officer. Contreras began his new post June 21, leading one of the state’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations.  

“It is a true honor to be selected as executive director for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona,” said Contreras. “I look forward to joining an organization already well known for bringing hope and promise to many with disabilities. My goal in the coming years will be to support UCP’s core mission by leading and expanding the organization’s efforts to build and maintain enduring partnerships aimed at enhancing its future and ongoing programs and initiatives.”

Previously, Contreras served Arizona’s fastest growing consumer and business sector as President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  He has also served under former Governor Napolitano as Director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.  Contreras also held the position of Executive Director for the Governor’s Council on Small Business and was designated the Arizona Small Business Advocate.  He also served as Executive Director of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry for more than 10 years.

Contreras earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from the University of Southern California and holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from the University of San Francisco. He has also attended the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. In the community, Contreras serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Luke’s Medical Center, the Board of Directors of the Arizona Latino Research Enterprise (ALRE), and the Board of Trustees for the Phoenix Boys Choir.

Perry Bramlett, Chief Human Resources Officer

Perry came to UCP in 2000, after serving as Sr. Vice President of Human Resources for another Metro Phoenix non-profit organization. Prior to that, his career was in internal auditing, serving as Internal Audit Manager for an international electronics manufacturer and as Vice President, Internal Audit for an international hotel chain. Perry is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation.

 
Garth Espe, Chief Financial Officer

Garth has a BS in Accounting from Arizona State University and spent a year as the guinea pig for ASU’s Masters in Accounting Information Systems.  He worked for Ernst & Young in their audit and consulting practices for six years before starting his own consulting firm that specialized in Activity Based Costing, Accounting System Implementation and CFO/Controller support.  In 1991, Garth was asked by the Chairman of the UCP Board to take a look at the affiliate’s financial health.  Garth remained with UCP as a part time Controller until becoming CFO in 2007 when the agency was too large to keep up with demands on a part time basis.

 Alma Chavez, Director of Development

Alma began working with UCP as the Development Director after spending several years in fund development with another highly reputable Valley not for profit organization.  Alma received her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Public Administration from Arizona State University.  Alma is a graduate of the Hispanic Leadership Institute and the MALDEF (Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) Leadership Development Program.  She is also a member of the Greater Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).
 
Jerry Jones, Director of Programs

Jerry comes to us from Ohio.  He was the Day Treatment and Training Program Manager prior to becoming the Director of Operations.  He has over thirty years of experience in Social Service delivery, regulation, consulting, and twenty years of experience in adaptive recreation.  He has a variety of accomplishments in the area of competitive and recreational adaptive athletics and is a strong supporter and advocate of recreational activities for people with disabilities.  Jerry is a member of several professional organizations and has been involved in nonprofit organizations for close to twenty years.  Jerry is an amazing asset to our administrative team.

Program Managers

Tammy Ellis, Home and Community Based Services

Tammy is originally from Michigan, but has lived in Phoenix for over twenty five years.  She has worked in the disability field for over eighteen years.  Tammy originally began in the field through participation in volunteer programs for services to people with various disabilities.  In 2001, Tammy and her family’s lives completed changed because John, a gentleman with disabilities, came to live with them full time after his mother passed away.  Tammy and her husband became guardians for John, and have provided him a home and loving care since.  John has become an integral part of Tammy’s family.  Tammy worked as an in-home provider with a previous agency, prior to coming to UCP as a provider.  Tammy began working as an Assistant Coordinator for the Home and Community Based Services Department in 2004.  She became the department’s Program Manager a year later in 2005.  Through Tammy’s leadership the program has grown from eighty to over two hundred employees, and continues as the largest division of UCP of Central Arizona’s services.

Carol Proch, Early Learning Center

Carol started with UCP in January 2004.  She began as lead teacher of the preschool class in the Early Learning Center.  She became ELC Director in January 2006 and led the staff to NAEYC accreditation where they continue to be a nationally recognized early learning center.  Prior to UCP, Carol has worked in the early childhood field for almost twenty five years.  She received her education in Connecticut before making her home in Arizona for the past 17 years.

Erin Robinson, Therapy Services and Early Intervention

Erin has been with UCP since 2003, she initial came to the organization as an Occupational Therapist.  At UCP, she has been serving clients from birth to adult in the home and clinic setting with a range of diagnosis such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities. She received her Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Arizona and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis.  Her Master’s thesis was published in the Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics.  She has brought a variety of skills to UCP due to her experience working with children and adults on the Navajo and Hopi reservations, in-patient rehabilitation, and the local school district.  Erin will tell you that her most important job is being a wife and mother.  She is confident that working at UCP allows her to be a good role model for her children, as it shows them how important it is to help others.

Marilyn Zepeda, Day Treatment Services

Marilyn is originally from New York, where she completed her education.  She has over fifteen years of experience in the disability service field.  After moving to Arizona she began working for UCP in the Day Treatment Program for Adults in November of 2003.  Marilyn started as a Program Aide/Driver and then became the Program Lead.  She is now the Manager of the Day Treatment and Training Program.