Jon is honored and humbled to serve as Executive Director – the work we do is the most important and fulfilling work he has ever been part of.

Growing up he was raised primarily by a single mother with 8 brothers and sisters. His mother worked hard to rise above the need for welfare support and earned her RN certification while raising 9 children. She taught him that he could achieve whatever he applied himself to, as long as he worked hard enough.

Years later, Jon is know for his leadership and organizational development skills. He has built many businesses throughout California ranging in size from one staff member to a team of 700. Prior to his transition to the non-profit sector, he built and opened seven restaurants in Southern California. He also founded, developed and managed Manhattan Denim in Manhattan Beach and Pure Tan in Hanford.

Jon earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations from Davenport University in Michigan and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of California, Irvine. As someone who believes that more human connection and empathy is key to greater fulfilment for all, he loves inspiring at-promise youth. In the past he has been a board member for Positive Coaching Alliance, a mentor with Junior Achievement, a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a mentor at 1736 Family Crisis Center, a mentor at the Boys and Girls Club, and an instructor at PS I Love You. Most recently he increased mission results by 50% in one year as Executive Director of Caring House.

Jon has his commercial pilot’s license, is a retired professional mountain biker, current professional beach volleyball player, has hiked the Annapurna Trail through the Himalayas, and is the father of an amazing 15-year-old young man.

Stephanie joined BLAST in 2017, originally as an intern. It wasn’t long before she was formally hired as Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper. Over five years, Ms. Valencia was consistently promoted, took on many new challenges, and received top accolades from all leadership (and anyone who knows her). After completing her Sociology Degree at CSULB, she took an opportunity to try something new.

After a 2-year period expanding her professional development, Stephanie is coming back to the BLAST family as Operations Manager. She will be using all her office management, fundraising, bookkeeping, social media, HR, operations, and team organizational skills, along with taking on new challenges and bringing the unique X-factor that she carries with her everywhere in life.

Stephanie will be a valued asset to our growing team. I look forward to working together with her and all of you to work hard, challenge each other to improve our personal and professional development, offer and award growth opportunities, promotions, and compensation increases, and most importantly, thoughtfully and lovingly serve and inspire every youth that needs our help in Long Beach.

On a personal note, Stephanie is a mother of a beautiful daughter named Lunamarie and loves to go camping, go to concerts, or be outside with family in her free time.

My name is Angela Alvarez, and I am proud to serve as the Director of Programs at Long Beach BLAST.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from California State University, Dominguez Hills, along with an Associate of Science in Child Development, an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, and a Certificate in Preschool Teaching from Rio Hondo College. I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at California State University, Long Beach, to deepen my ability to lead transformative initiatives and champion equity in education.

For more than eight years, I have dedicated my career to empowering underrepresented students by designing programs that meet their immediate needs while unlocking their potential for long-term success. As a first-generation Latina, my journey has taught me the value of perseverance, the life-changing influence of mentorship, and the critical role of community support. These experiences fuel my passion for ensuring others have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.

Rooted in servant leadership, my approach emphasizes fostering collaboration, practicing empathy, and cultivating inclusivity. By prioritizing the growth and well-being of both staff and students, I strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to contribute their best. This collective effort enables us to build sustainable programs that address immediate needs, uplift our team and community, and empower individuals for long-term success.

Driven by my own journey as a first-generation Latina, I understand the challenges of navigating barriers to education and opportunity. This fuels my commitment to creating pathways for others to thrive, ensuring that education becomes a foundation for empowerment and systemic equity.

*In my free time, I stay active through workouts and walks, continuously seek knowledge through reading and learning, and enjoy exploring new places like museums and restaurants. I also cherish quality time with loved ones, who are an essential part of my support system.

Hello! My name is Kassandra Velasquez Beltran. I am a first-generation Mexican-American with over 10 years of experience in education. Growing up as the daughter of a single mother, I had to navigate secondary education, the workforce, and financial literacy on my own. This journey fueled my passion for helping others, especially those with similar backgrounds. As a former BLAST mentor, I joined BLAST to continue my career in making meaningful impacts in the community. I’m excited to support my team in providing the best possible services, fostering positive relationships, and growing in my role.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Sacramento and a Master’s degree in Education from National University. I’m also thrilled to continue my education at CSULB, where I’m working toward a teaching credential. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my puppy and playing pickleball.

My name is Marquel Reid. I am a LA native and I primarily grew up in Carson and Compton. My background is in advocacy and youth development particularly working with system-impacted youth. I am the oldest of 3 sons; I enjoy music, writing poetry, reading, traveling, and exercising, especially going hiking. I hike at least once a week.

I have worn multiple hats in the nonprofit space, I have been a Program Coordinator, Youth Organizing Program Manager and Graduate Advisor. Throughout my professional career, I have focused on inquiry-based learning and curating culturally enhanced curriculum to bolster engagement with my students. It has been rewarding to see so many young people develop and move on to the next academic and life pursuits. They make me feel old when they reach out to me.

I am hoping to bring my experience to ensure that our students are supported, see themselves in our programs, and feel safe.

Hello, my name is Mary Krystel Lorenzo, and I am proud to serve as a Student Success Mentor with Long Beach BLAST. I hold a BA in Sociology from Cal State Long Beach and an American Sign Language certificate from Santa Ana College. As a Filipino-Canadian and first-generation college graduate, I understand the unique challenges that students face. I moved to the United States in 2008, and my journey has been deeply shaped by the experiences of navigating a new country and educational system.

I began my journey with BLAST as an intern, volunteering as an academic mentor. Now, I have the privilege of working directly in the classroom, where I collaborate closely with our at-promise youth, guiding them as they prepare for their futures. BLAST has offered me countless opportunities for growth, and I am incredibly grateful for each one. Interacting with students brings me immense fulfillment—while I teach and witness their growth, I am also constantly learning and evolving alongside them.

I see much of myself in the students I work with, remembering the challenges of navigating school without a clear guide. My goal is to be the mentor and support system that I didn’t have growing up, ensuring that these students know they are not alone. I lead with empathy, optimism, and determination, driven by a desire to inspire future generations. I am committed to setting a positive example for our youth, helping them to realize and develop their potential. This is the impact I intend to make with Long Beach BLAST.

Greetings everyone! My name is Trenita Turner, I am a Student Success Coach here at Long Beach Blast.

As a Long Beach native, I hold a deep pride for my city with its diversity, rich history, and inherent possibility it offers. I have always wanted to work with children so with my faith guiding me, I recently took the leap toward a career change returning to college in pursuit of my degree in childhood education. I began working with Blast this past year as a mentor and immediately loved it. This current opportunity is special in affording me the ability to work with students to explore more opportunities and achieve all that they can. Some of my hobbies consist of hair styling, reading, working out, traveling, fairs and amusement parks, bowling, skating and many more. I am excited to be a part of the Blast team and pour into the scholars that Blast serves!

Hello! I’m Gisella, I am a first gen Mexican American. I was born and raised in Long Beach and have never left. As an only child I grew up mostly with cousins, I have always valued having a close relationship with family.

I am currently a student at Long Beach state, working towards a degree in Child Development and Family Studies. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Denmark, where I learned a great deal about how they support their youth. This experience has helped me understand how I can better myself in this field. Since 2018, I’ve been volunteering with the Assistance League of Long Beach, which has deepened my commitment to exploring community opportunities to support those in need.

What drew me to BLAST was their commitment to help and serve our youth. I am excited to be a part of a team who shares my passion. I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge on how to help and make students feel comfortable in growing. My goal at blast is making a positive impact on the youth and helping inspire them.

Outside of work, I enjoy a range of different hobbies that keep me balanced. I love reading and doing spontaneous activities with friends and family. On weekends you might find me at an amusement park or enjoying a movie at the theatres.