Meet the members of the Board of Directors who help guide HCMA.
We are always looking for new Board members. If you have a recommendation, please contact the HCMA Office.
David Armstrong
David grew up in Southern California. As a youth, he attended Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona. After leaving the church for about 10 years, he found a deep relationship in Jesus Christ and was born again. He returned to church at baseline Community Church in Claremont where he attended for 17 years. He has been at Christ Church of the Valley in San Dimas for the past two years.
He has a passion for helping people emotionally, physically and spiritually. He began by focusing on their emotional needs as a Marriage and Family Therapist, then later on their physical needs as a health economist working as a Director for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. he has served the global church by being an usher, going on missions, participating in small groups and service projects. After being asked to serve, he believes he is being called, and is working to be obedient to God, to serve on the HCMA Board of Directors.
David currently lives in La Verne, CA with Pam, his wife of 28 years. He has two daughters: Nicole, a graduate of Azusa pacific University and a graphic designer; and Erin, a biology student at Point Loma Nazarene University.
He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology and a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Psychology from Cal Poly, Pomona.
Irene Brodersen-Durham
Irene and her husband, William (Bill), have a blended family with seven children that range from 30 to 41 years of age. Their 14 grandchildren keep them extremely busy with activities including FAA, Cheer, Baseball, Gymnastics, and Youth Group. In addition, God has graciously blessed them with two 14 year olds, Britani and Austin, who they are rearing. Irene and her husband reside in Mesa, AZ and attend Bethany Community Church in Tempe, AZ.
Irene has served at Maricopa Integrated Health Systems in Mesa, AZ for the past eight years in the Department of Psychiatry, in which she is currently a Chaplain Manager. Irene obtained her Doctorate of Theology from Andersonville Seminary, and has served in leadership roles as an Aglow President, Rotary Program Coordinator, Superintendent of Religious Education for the Department of Defense at Ramstein AFB-Germany, Tour/Travel Consultant for the Department of Defense at Osan AFB-Korea, as well as being a Chaplain.
She currently serves as Secretary of the Board.
Linda Burkett
Linda lives in Canyon Country, CA. She is a Registered Nurse and is currently working as a Clinical Education Specialist for a medical device company. Linda spends most of her time teaching health care providers and developing education materials. She is involved in her professional nursing association and serves as the Treasurer.
Linda came to know Christ at the age of 12. She had neighbors that took her to church from the age of three. Linda serves the Lord by teaching Sunday School, and is currently with 4th grade girls.
Linda enjoys reading, quilting, gardening, and traveling in her spare time.
Richard Gonzalez
Richard has been an HCMA Chaplain since 1994. He did his training at USC Medical Center, which included USC County General Hospital, Woman’s & Children’s Hospital, Norris Cancer Institute and USC University Hospital. Following completion of his training, he remained with the USC system of hospitals as a BCC.
In 2001, he moved to San Diego, CA and served briefly as a Chaplain at the World Trade Center Disaster with the Salvation Army and at Ground Zero of the disaster area. Richard volunteered briefly, as well, with the Veteran’s Administration in La Jolla, CA. In 2002 he started volunteering for the Palomar Pomerado Healthcare District. In 2004 he was hired as a Chaplain Coordinator and in 2006 he became the Lead Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care of the hospital district. During this time, he has been involved with restructuring of the Pastoral Care Programs, participating in the design and completion of the new hospital of the future and raising funds for the completion of the new hospital Chapel. While there, he oversaw three staff Chaplains and fifty-two Chaplain Volunteers that provide spiritual support for patients, families, and medical staff in the hospital district. Richard is currently a Teaching Chaplain with HCMA and is the chair of the Annual Conference Committee.
Richard has been married to his wife, Linda, for forty-eight years. Together they have pastored several churches in the Southern CA area. They classify themselves as church planters for both English and Spanish congregations. They are the parents of three children: two boys, and one girl who has special needs. All are over forty years of age. Prior to answering the call to chaplaincy, Richard was employed by Los Angeles County where he held management level positions for about twenty-nine years of his thirty-three years of service. He retired from County service to go into full time Ministry as a Chaplain.
Jonathan Harrell
Jonathan fellowships at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, where he has held various leadership positions, including the restructuring and oversight of small groups and training of their leaders. For 20 years, he has practiced estate law in Los Angeles and Orange counties. In his prior life, he was an insurance broker, real estate broker, securities broker, Certified Financial Planner and educator. Jonathan now serves as Chair of our Board.
Don Jentes
Don grew up attending Grace Brethren Church in Wooster, OH. He graduated from Grace College with a BA in Social Studies in 1964 and also from Grace Theological Seminary in 1968 with a Diploma in Theology. Don met Sylvia at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. and they were married June 15, 1968, in La Habra CA. Don pastored two churches, one in Garwin, IA and one in Albuquerque, NM. In May 1982, Don and Sylvia moved to Hemet CA. After a month there, he found out that the local hospital was looking for a Chaplain and applied through HCMA.
Don has served at Valley Health System (Now Physicians for Healthy Hospitals) as a Staff Chaplain since October 20, 1982. He has been the HCMA Area Director for the Inland Empire for 15 years. He oversees 12 volunteer chaplains at two hospitals: Hemet Valley Medical Center and Menifee Valley Medical Center. Don brings the experience of a Chaplain, Area Director, and Teaching Chaplain to the Board to provide insight of Chaplain’s needs.
Kirk Stevens
Kirk currently works at Beckman Coulter leading a group of software engineers in the Clinical Chemistry Development group for the past 19 years. Previously he has worked in the defense industry on projects for NATO as well as for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on various space exploration projects for 12 years. During his career, he was active on the elder board at Granada Heights Friends Church in La Mirada, CA for the past 12 years. Kirk is currently co-leading a home fellowship/Bible Study group in various homes during the week. He is also co-leading a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace seminar at Granada Heights. He has been a member at Granada Heights since the earth cooled, and has served on many committees. Kirk is married to his wife, Gretchen, for 34 years and has 2 married children, Philip and Heather. Kirk was born in California and has lived in La Habra for 26 years. He received his Bachelors degree from Cal Poly University and his Masters from the University of California, Riverside.
