WHO WE ARE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rev. Miguel A. DeGuzman, Treasurer, a retired United Methodist clergy with 48 years of pastoral ministry in the Philippines, Seattle and Everett, Washington, and Southern California. Miguel's served as one of the community chaplains at Temple City Sheriff’s Department and the Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, CA. Miguel remains active in the life of the church, in the retired group of United Methodist Ministers, and at Baker Home for Retired Ministers, editing and publishing their newsletter.
Chris Paul, Vice President served with Jean on the Board of Directors of the Funeral
Consumers Alliance of Stanislaus and Merced Counties and continues to serve as an active board member. Chris has been serving individual and business clients in multiple states with Planning in the areas of Income Replacement, Pre and Post Retirement (emphasis on health care, including extended care (home, assisted living, and nursing care funding), Guaranteed Income, Estate, and Charitable Giving since 1988.
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Chris has also participated as a public speaker and Chartered Lifetime Assistance Planner for the California Center for Life Planning for Persons with Disabilities, a non-profit organization now operating as the National Center on Life Planning that provides special needs life planning in a team approach with families and professionals to plan for the future care, supervision, security, and quality of life of a loved one with special needs.
Janet Cornwell, Corresponding Secretary is a retired publications specialist with decades of experience in writing, editing, illustration and document design. Janet has served as a board member and advisor to several nonprofit organizations. In Janet's spare time, Janet is also a professional folk-singer and living history performer.
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Jean Okuye, Director became aware of this advocacy organization many years ago in 1965 when her father, who was a member, died. Jean became a member soon after thinking, "We never know when our time comes."
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After caregiving for three loved ones who died within 5 months, Jean realized how important it is to know where to go for information. Jean has been involved with this organization since 2002 as a volunteer. Jean is a retired teacher, a farmer, and an advocate for sustainable living.
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Jean is a past President of both the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Stanislaus and Merced Counties and the Funeral Consumers Alliance of California.
F. Allison Boyle, Director, became a member of the Funeral Society of Los Angeles in the ’80s. Allison has had two family members pass and has used FCALA services. Allison has two children who live in Pasadena.
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Allison has a BA from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from San Fernando Valley College of Law.
Allison was Vice President, Operations Manager for a small company for 22 years that represented employers in Unemployment Insurance and Tax matters. Allison also consulted in Human Resources and Labor Law. Allison retired in 2017. Allison has been a member of several small charitable organizations and President of a small political group. Allison is also presently working with California Election Integrity Project and California School Choice Organization.
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Jolena Grande, CFSP, A.S., B.S., M.F.S., M.S., Director
Cypress College, Cypress, CA Mortuary Science | Health Science
In addition to being a Cypress College Professor, Jolena is a certified funeral service practitioner and California-licensed funeral director, embalmer, cemetery manager, and crematory manager, who began her funeral service career in 1989 working for a large mortuary/cemetery combination operation in Southern California. With more than 25 years of professional practice, she shares her insights and experiences in an enjoyable and often humorous way with students seeking a career path as a funeral service practitioner.
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Jolena believes that the Mortuary Science Program at Cypress College is a life-changing experience for those students who are interested in making a difference in their own lives as well as in the lives of others. Although an intensive and rigorous academic endeavor, the program thoroughly prepares men and women for employment in the funeral service industry as embalmers, funeral directors, cemeterians, cremationists, and preneed salespeople.
Dale Lesseck, Director, (Bio pending.)
Karen Reid, Director, (Bio pending.)
Phil Downs, Emeritus FCALA President and Director, as well as Amicus Tabulam Directoribus (Bio pending.)
Note: All Board of Directors were elected to serve from January 2025 to January 2027 and serve FCALA on a 100% volunteer basis.
VOLUNTEER
Stephanie Lymon will begin her volunteer career with us in the near future. Stephanie brings her passion for helping others and her caring spirit for making a difference in her community. Stephanie also brings her friendly disposition and social media and other digital skill sets to help us increase our exposure to the people in the community along with mortuaries willing to provide special pricing for our members.
Stephanie is studying psychology in her junior year at California State University at Long Beach. After graduating, Stephanie intends to join a local mortuary or funeral home to serve their customers as a grief counselor and funeral service assistant.