Board Members:

John Kane

John is a divorced father of four, most of them grown, that is currently enrolled in the BSB/A program of The University of Phoenix with nothing but core classes remaining. Originally from South Florida; he has lived in Arizona since 2004 and loves it out here. In his words, "The people and the scenery are just wonderful."

He was employed until July of 2009 as an Operations Manager for a small vocational school but he resigned for personal reasons. He has since started his own computer tutoring and repair company and as of November 2009 currently is employed as a server at a well known Mexican Restaurant in Fountain Hills.

He is an exceptionally organized; results oriented Senior Operations Manager with 14 years of practical and progressive management experience achieving company goals to increase profitability and organizational efficiency. John is an ambitious individual committed to leading and inspiring staff and peers through team driven, continuous innovation and improvement.

With strong operations, customer service, education, sales, technical expertise and passion John has the experience and determination necessary to guide Begin Anew to the successful organization he envisioned it to be.

Josh Luithle

Josh Luithle, while born in Glendale, AZ, grew up in a poor neighborhood on Cleveland Ohio's East side. Josh's early childhood was spent witnessing firsthand what effects substance abuse, poverty and a lack of a real education, had on families both from within his own and among the community in which he lived. These experiences formed an enduring impression on Josh and he developed a deep empathy for what he calls 'The Underdog', seeking a means as often as he can to help another member of society find his/her own 'path'.

Josh, until recently, was the Director of Education for a small Vocational school but resigned for personal reasons as well. During his time at the school Josh regularly sought ways to deliver more than an education, but rather touch lives and change them for the better; in this he feels he was more than successful. Currently Josh is working as a freelance graphic and website designer while pursuing further education.

Josh brings to the Begin Anew a wealth of knowledge and experience ranging from basic Sociology to Marketing and Sales. He has an adept technical knowledge covering a wide array of computer sciences. Most importantly though Josh has an empathetic relationship with the world around him and offers a keen insight and perspective and has a genuine and sincere desire to help those in need.

Tahnee Kirk

Tahnee Kirk is a high school teacher in the Phoenix Union High School District. She has been a professional educator for eight years and has taught elementary, middle, and high school students during that time. Ms. Kirk is also a proud single mother of one son.

She was raised by a Vietnam veteran and learned how difficult it was to grow up with a victim of post-traumatic stress. She brings a passion for justice and a desire to help to her work as a Begin Anew board member.

Michael Garcia

Michael was born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised with two brothers and a sister by his single mom who came from a family of share croppers. As a result of having no real skills or support from family Michael grew up watching his mother struggle in every way possible raising four kids alone.

Michael never saw his mother with an alcoholic beverage in her hand, she never thought of giving anyone of us away, and he never woke up to find a strange man in their home, mom was just mom. In retrospect Mike has stated how amazed he is of the love and dedication she showed to all of them and he has so much respect and love for her and people like her that struggle just as she did every day.

Michael often found himself wondering, "What gives them the strength to smile and press on no matter what the circumstances?" What he found was that in nearly every situation it was faith in a higher power. Michael's mother always said that as long as you have faith in God, continue to do the next right thing and put others before yourself you will always be blessed.

With his time spent at Triple R Behavioral Health, Community Bridges and Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC) Michael brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience and no how that will be invaluable to Begin Anew as we establish ourselves within our community.