Who's behind the action

Ivan Gooch, President and founder of About My Father’s Business.  Ivan grew up in Virginia and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology from the College of William and Mary. He later received his MBA with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Phoenix. Ivan is a 10 year Marine Corps veteran.  While serving, he was a CH-53E helicopter pilot and he also served as Quality Assurance Manager, Operations Manager, and Director of Safety and Standardization.  After his service, Ivan embarked on a career in the pharmaceutical industry in cardiovascular sales.  After several years he was promoted into Oncology sales where he was quickly promoted to Regional Operations manager and soon after District Manager.  He is currently the Area Business Manager for California for his company’s breast cancer portfolio.  Ivan has always had a compassion for mentoring youth and helping those in need.  He has served as Youth Director as well as Young Adult Ministries Director in his faith base organization. He has also served as a Logistics Event coordinator for his churches youth focused Pathfinder’s Club. Looking for additional opportunities to serve, he decided to start an organization to address the growing homeless crisis in California by providing much needed hygiene supplies for those awaiting temporary or permanent housing.  

Roy Martin is a member of the Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church in Riverside and has been a Seventh Day Adventist all of his life.  He presently is one of the Directors of Mt. Rubidoux's Adventurer Group teaching children about Christ.  Roy graduated from the University of Southern California and obtained a B.S. Degree in Business Administration.  He also obtained an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a focus in Real Estate and Finance.  Roy worked in Corporate America for 20 years and ended his corporate career working as a Chief Credit Officer of a Bank.  For the last 10 years Roy has owned and managed several Intermediate Care Facilities housing Developmentally Disabled individuals.  He has a love for real estate and has invested in several properties, some of which house low income individuals.  He has a passion for helping people and welcomed the opportunity to be on the Board of About My Father's Business addressing the needs of the growing homeless population.  Roy has been married to his lovely wife for 19 years and is the proud father of 3 girls.   

 Wanda Brackins. As Managing Director and Head of Diversity for RBC Wealth Management, Wanda Brackins is responsible for developing, executing and overseeing the progress of the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategy and initiatives that align with and support the overall business goals – including workforce representation and engagement, multicultural market outreach, and community involvement.  She has been a diversity and inclusion leader for over 20-years and has written and contributed to various articles on the subject.  Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management in 2004, she was the Global Program Director of Diversity and Work/ Life Innovations at PeopleSoft.  Wanda served as chair of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Diversity Committee for three years and remains an active member. She was named as one of the Top Influential Women in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine; Women Worth Watching by Profiles in Diversity Journal; and Outstanding Corporate Leader by the National Gay/Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the boards of Prototypes, an organization focused on self-sufficiency for women; Penumbra Theatre Company; Women’s Vision Foundation; and People Serving People, the largest and most comprehensive Minnesota-based homeless shelter.  Wanda earned a Master’s degree in business from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.   

Kia Thornton Gamble, CPA has over 25 years accounting and audit experience. After graduating from Oakwood University with a BS in Accounting, she started her career in public accounting with Ernst and Young in San Diego, CA, with a focus on biotech, healthcare, and retail. She then spent over 20 years in the private sector in various controllership positions in the media, health care and manufacturing industries in Orange County, CA. Kia is licensed to practice as a certified public accountant in Alabama and California. Currently, she is an Audit Senior Manager with Carr, Riggs & Ingram in Huntsville, AL.

Kia’s passion is give back to her community through education and service in the areas of business and finance. She has exhibited this dedication of service through her involvement church, school and community organizations throughout her career.

Dr. Maryam Crogman is a professor of psychology, child development and artist. Her main focus in life is service to the community and uplifting of the underserved, underrepresented and disenfranchised. Her interests are in childhood welfare, education, fairness and justice in diversity. Her unusual life and family experience led her to develop many skills from several languages, to writing books, creating educational games, leading a community health and food desert projects for the CDC, publishing scientific research and a chapter, leading art programs for a Boys and Girl Club, counseling international students, teaching all over the globe, managing several teams, and founding courses, symposia and an art school. At AMFB, she has engaged in spreading the word and supporting the community through the development of its social media outreach