Our Board of Directors
Amy Torrez
Founder, CEO, President
Amy founded the organization and named it after her father, Paul Torrez, after their 6 month experience with temporary medial housing while her father was diagnosed and treated for lymphoma.
Jim Shovlin
Board Member at Large
Jim is a Fort Wayne native and local sports fixture. Over the last 25 years, Jim served in a plethora of media outlets across northeast Indiana, most notably as Sports Director for 1190 WOWO Radio from 2009-17. Jim is active in the community, serving as President of the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association and performs public address announcer duties for the University of Saint Francis Cougars football team. His 14-year local sports show, Talkin’ Sports continues to air on ESPN 1380am/100.9 fm. Fans at the Coliseum will continue to hear Jim’s voice as the PA announcer for your Fort Wayne Mad Ants and the NCAA Division 3 Men’s Basketball Final Four.
In addition to Jim’s role with the Northeast Indiana Baseball Association, he serves as the Junior Varsity Baseball Coach at Leo High School, he is also active with the World Baseball Academy serving as emcee for multiple annual events and has also emceed Fort Wayne Sports Corp fundraisers, has been an instructor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Summer Camp and has emceed several fundraisers for Paul’s Place.
Valerie Lloyd
Board Member Treasurer
Valerie is the Commercial Treasury Management Officer for the
PNC Financial Services Group in the Northern Indiana market. In
this role, she consults with clients to deliver customized treasury
management solutions and maximize cash flow efficiencies. She
provides working capital management tools that optimize growth,
performance, and liquidity.
Ms. Lloyd has served the financial services industry for over 15
years in various consumer and commercial roles. Most recently,
she worked as a Treasury Management Officer for a major financial
services holding company in Central Indiana. Prior experience
includes design and implementation of a video banking/virtual
terminal concept for a private, family owned Indiana-based
community bank.
Cecilia Rolf
Board Member at Large
Cecilia Rolf is a business developer for Hays + Sons Restoration. Hays + Sons is a family-owned company that originated out of Indianapolis. It has expanded over its 40 years of operation. We now have 8 offices all over Indiana with one being in Ohio. I am beyond grateful to work with them.
Paul’s Place is very near and dear to Ceci's heart. Her brother passed away in 2008 from cancer when he was just 29 years old. After hearing Amy’s story of why she created this origination she related completely. Ceci and her family traveled to Indianapolis where he was being treated most times throughout his journey. At one point he had to stay there for a few months straight. It was a very stressful time for her family to say the least. Not only were they in pain watching her brother fight for his life but the financial burden of travel and hotel stays was very real.
Joshua Burkhardt
Board of Directors, Vice-President
Joshua professionalism, legal background, attention to detail, and heart are key to this young non-profit.
William Curry
Board Member, At Large
Will is currently a chaplain at Parkview Regional Medical Center and is the Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Church of Fort Wayne.
Holly Ripke
Board of Directors, Secretary
Paul's Place has held a special place in Holly's heart after seeing Amy's passion and drive in helping others and giving back. Holly's legal background and compassion bring a unique perspective to the board.
Nick Mesaros
Board Member at Large
Nick Mesaros is a successor of his family’s independent agency that has provided insurance for Indiana residents for the past 30 years. Family Insurance keeps their clients covered with competitive rates by shopping for them with over a dozen preferred companies. Whether you are refinancing or purchasing a new property or just wanting to compare current insurance rates, the Mesaros family and their staff make customer service a priority. Auto and home insurance are their specialties; however, they also provide commercial and life insurance. Putting customers and partners first has earned them “Agency of the Year” in 2019 and again in 2020.