TheTIAS ARMS Board

	Joanne Baker - Founder and President of TIAS ARMS "I was born and raised in South Africa until 21 years of age. California has been my primary home for the last 32 years. I practice as an Operating Room Nurse in a trauma centre in Orange County, California. I owned Timbuktu Folk and Tribal Art in Costa Mesa, California for 6 years where the threads of other cultures created the tapestry of my current life. TIAS ARMS has now become my consuming passion in life as I long to serve the children in this beautiful country of South Africa."
	Victoria Smith Porcello - Vice President of TIAS ARMS Mrs Porcello brings a background in business, law and family counseling to her commitment to TIAS ARMS. Her interest in the purpose of TIAS ARMS came out of her prior experiences in working with troubled children and families, and her awareness of the need to look at the problems of children globally, without regard to geography.
	Monique McCue - Secretary of TIAS ARMS "Through my travels, often times in 3rd world countries, I've encountered many terribly impoverished people. Many travellors become immune to what they see. However, these memories have always remained with me.I came to this country as a child. My siblings and I had to overcome many obstacles, namely language and culture, but we at least had a chance to make something of our lives because we lived in a developed society. Many children in third world countries don't have this chance. Poverty compounded with a killer disease makes their plight even worse. My heart has ached over what I've seen.My husband and I have always wanted to do something to help these childrem. By meeting Joanne and getting involved in Tias Arms, I hope that I may be given a chance to help these unfortunates in South Africa.I've been a teacher, as well as a banker. Hopefully, my experience with children and business development can be used by TIAS ARMS."
	Len Porcello- Chief Financial Officer of TIAS ARMS Len Porcello has had a long career as a scientist and engineer, as a University Professor, and as a senior manager overseeing the activities of a large business group within one of the nation's premier technical corporations.  For much of his career he has been accountable for financial as well as technical and managerial performance on key projects and across organizational structures.  Although he remains involved professionally on a part time basis, he has elected to bring his experience to bear on the organizational and financial issues facing TIAS ARMS, as we develop ourselves from a very modest base to one which can truly help to make a difference in the lives of HIV/AIDS-affected South African children.
	Gabriella Miotto is an Honary Board Member "I am a family physician and a public health care specialist, with a focus on affirming human rights through \health care, with work experience in community clinics in Los Angeles County,in Alaska and with the displaced and refugee populations in Chiapas Mexico, Guatemala, Macedonia and Kosovo. I am fortunate to know Joanne for about 10 years, and experienced an incredible trip to South Africa with her in 2001, which included several visits to local clinics, hospitals, and after-school programs in Capetown, Durban and Soweto areas..I am so inspired by Joanne's desire to create a place of nurturance of the human sprit in her homeland, in the face of HIV..."
	Kim Baker is a Board Member Kim Baker is the daughter of Joanne and an Honorary Board Member. She has played a vital role in the formation of TIAS ARMS right from its inception.

A special thanks to the law firm of Latham & Watkins whose pro-bono efforts navigated us through to non-profit status. We will always be grateful.