Our Administrative Team…

These are the faces of a dedicated team of professionals, most of whom have been working with CIS or in human services for decades. They guide the daily operations of Community Interface Services...

Judy Jamell, Senior Unit Supervisor
Judy has been on staff at CIS since 1987. Before launching her career with us as one of the agency’s very first Resource Counselors, she worked mostly in office jobs. Judy says she found her life’s work at CIS. During her 20+ years on staff, she has supervised the Independent Living Program, helped countless people establish homes of their own and enjoy independent lifestyles, and trained many direct service professionals. Judy says “I am one of those lucky people who can say I have loved coming to my job every day for the last 20 years. I love my coworkers, the consumers, and the positive environment at the agency.”


Kimberly Larsen, Associate Director
Kim joined Community Interface Services in 1988 with volunteer experience in camp counseling and Special Olympics, and with prior employment in the developmental disabilities system. During her tenure with Community Interface Services, Kim has been a Resource Counselor, Program Supervisor and, for the past fourteen years, our Associate Director. Kim has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a Social Service Emphasis from California State University San Marcos; a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Administration from the University of San Francisco, and has completed post-graduate work in Rehabilitation Administration at the San Diego State University Interwork Institute Leadership Forum. “I truly enjoy what I do because of the quality people I get to work with everyday. Together, we do great things and make Community Interface Services a fabulous place to work.”


Cheryl Carman, Staff Accountant
Cheryl, also known as “Cat,” joined the Community Interface Services admin team in 2006. She comes to our organization with twenty-six years of accounting and bookkeeping experience in the banking, aviation, and food services industries. Cat’s prior experience with people who have developmental disabilities comes from her personal life - growing up with a brother who has cerebral palsy. Cat hails from Woodbury University, and she says she derives “great satisfaction” knowing that she is “now working for an organization that makes such great strides in the community.”


Kristine Simpson, Unit Supervisor
Kristine studied hearing impairments and speech problems and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University where she also attained fluency in American Sign Language. On staff since 1988, Kristine has worked in our vocational Community Integration Training (CIT) Program, starting out as a Resource Counselor in the Fallbrook area. Kristine moved up the vocational services ranks to become a Program Coordinator and then, in 2007, took over all the program reins as CIT Unit Supervisor. Kristine says she finds job reward in being a part of progress, and via the opportunity to assist with challenges. She observes that no two days are ever alike at CIS and, for her, that is the icing on the cake.


Christine Sheppard, Special Projects Director
With an undergraduate degree in Communicative Disorders and Sciences and a teaching credential from the State University of New York at Geneseo, Christine joined the Community Interface team in 1998 after working in Special Education classrooms. During her tenure with Community Interface, Christine earned a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University’s Interwork Institute. Christine has spent her years with Community Interface working as a Job Coach, Job Developer, Supported Living Coordinator, Supported Employment Supervisor, and most recently as Special Projects Director. Christine says, “I am proud to represent an agency dedicated to providing top quality services!”


Necole Vano, Supported Living Supervisor
Necole first joined CIS in 1995 after graduating from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She came on board as a Resource Counselor in our vocational Community Intergration Training Program, and has also served as a CIS Independent Living Program Resource Counselor and Supported Living Coordinator. After a two year stint as a Family Services Coordinator with Head Start in Utah, Necole returned to sunny Southern California and to Community Interface Services to head up her great team in the Independent Living & Supported Employment Programs. Necole says, “I am proud to be a part of the quality support we have given and continue to give to the people we serve.”


Rojane Jackson, Executive Director
Rojane founded Community Interface Services in 1983 with a vision to provide quality and innovative services for people with developmental disabilities. Her background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development with an emphasis in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Administration from the University of San Francisco, and post-graduate work in Rehabilitation Administration at the San Diego State University Interwork Institute Leadership Forum. Rojane serves as the agency’s Executive Director and as a Member of the Community Interface Services Board of Directors.


Chris Lubinski, Special Projects Director
Chris joined the Community Interface Services staff in 1989 after serving in the United States Marine Corps. Chris’ first job title was Independent Living Program Resource Counselor and he soon added Vocational Resource Counselor to his duties. In 1992, CIS started a new vocational program and Chris was chosen to supervise the program. As the agency’s Supported Living Services began to take shape in San Diego, Chris worked in the program as a Resource Counselor, Roommate, Relief Worker and filled whatever other gaps existed, wrapping up his service in that program as Supported Living Program supervisor. Currently, Chris is one of three staff Special Projects Directors. “What motivates me about Community Interface Services is our ability to see obstacles as opportunities,” Chris says.


Sherry Davison, Independent Living & Supported Employment Unit Supervisor
Sherry has worked at Community Interface since 2005. After graduating from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development, Sherry launched her career in social services by working at a convalescent hospital in Santa Rosa. Shortly after moving to San Diego, Sherry joined the Community Interface team where she has enjoyed working in several different positions within the Supported Employment and Independent Living programs. Sherry has worked her way up the ladder to the Program Supervisor position and says that “every day is a new experience at CIS. I am grateful to be able to work with so many fun, talented, and exceptional consumers and co-workers. It is exciting to see consumers find the jobs of their dreams, or move out on their own for the first time. Providing support services for people with disabilities that help them succeed at their goal of becoming more independent is a truly fulfilling and motivating experience. I am lucky enough to see it happen every day.”


Bruce Willbrant, Special Projects & Housing Supervisor
Bruce Willbrant arrived at Community Interface Services on a dark stormy night in January 1993, after traveling across country from New York via Alaska. With a BA in psychology and several years experience working with adults with developmental disabilities in the community and in residential settings, Bruce was hired as a roommate in the then-new Community Supported Living Arrangements program, which evolved into what is today known as Supported Living. Bruce was a roommate for several years while working with a small caseload of consumers in the Independent Living program, and then was promoted to an Independent Living supervisor. In 1997, Bruce headed up the agency’s new housing program, devoted to increasing affordable and accessible housing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Over the years, this program has helped 32 consumers purchase their own homes. While coordinating housing efforts, Bruce earned his Master’s in Business Administration at California State University San Marcos. These days, Bruce works part-time at the agency on housing and special projects while completing pre-requisites for veterinary school.


Iliana Keenan, Housing Coordinator
Iliana earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru and she is bilingual, being fluent in English and Spanish. She worked in supported employment and respite services prior to joining Community Interface in 2002. Since she’s been on our staff, she has served as a Resource Counselor for Vocational Services and the Independent Living Program, prior to being promoted to the Independent Living & Supported Employment Coordinator position. Iliana now coordinates housing services for Community Interface and oversees the CIS/San Diego Housing Commission program. Iliana says that “working with people with disabilities is very rewarding to me. It feels good when you see someone improving the quality of his or her life, especially as a result of your work. I love working for Community Interface Services because my work and my skills are recognized and my supervisors for all of these years have always given me the support and tools that I need to do my job and to increase my knowledge and expertise.”


Darcy Dahlen, Senior Unit Supervisor
Darcy came to Community Interface Services fresh out of college. Her double major in Sociology and Psychology, coupled with her bubbly enthusiasm, made her a sure bet! Her previous experiences included internships as an aide at a Senior Center and a parent advocate. But, perhaps her years as a wedding coordinator, dealing with high emotions and critically important details, served her the best as she juggled a difficult Independent Living caseload. Darcy excelled in direct service and was promoted to a Supervisor where she has worked in both the Independent and Supported Living programs. As a new mom, Darcy appreciates the supportive, family friendly work environment at CIS and the very rewarding work. Darcy says, “I enjoy the people and my coworkers. It’s just a fabulous place to work.”


Valerie Lee, Director of First Impressions, a.k.a. Administrative Assistant
Prior to moving to California and coming to Community Interface, Val lived in Maryland where she attended Howard Community College and worked at a developmental disabilities service provider organization serving adults. Since 2004, Val has been in the lead in the Community Interface Services front office. She says, “I’m very proud to be part of the entire Community Interface family. My position allows me to interact with so many wonderful people from staff to consumers, to see so many smiles on peoples faces as they come into the office and that’s what I see everyday... no matter how hard people’s days are, they seem to brighten up and lighten up when they get here.”