Mindy Morgan
Foundation President
Mindy was elected Foundation President in July of 2018 after serving several years as Secretary.  She previously served as President of the Foundation,  Co-Chair of LEAGUE at AT&T, co-founder of LEAGUE Arizona and planner of LEAGUE conferences, she currently serves as secretary of the LEAGUE Foundation.  Mindy works as a human resources generalist for a local university. In her spare time, she volunteers for local nonprofits, travels, reads, and enjoys what the world has to offer. Mindy shares her Phoenix castle with her two crazy kittens, Muy and Olive.
 
 

Eric Gutshall
Foundation Vice President
 Eric is the Executive Director of the State Public School Building Authority and the Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority. Previously, he served as Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and held roles in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the United States Congress. In addition, he was the Democratic Nominee for Dauphin County Controller in 2015 and led the Capital Region Stonewall Democrats PAC. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Central Pennsylvania College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Center City Philadelphia.
 

Joe Gauss
Foundation Secretary / Public Relations
Joe is a Clinical Coordinator working in the Telemetry / Stroke Nursing Unit at Northshore University HealthSystem – Skokie Hospital in Skokie, Illinois. Joe previously had a long-time career at AT&T and was LEAGUE at AT&T Co-President 1998-2000.  Joe is also part of The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory, a Christian Community of The Episcopal Church.  Joe is active in Brotherhood and Parish Ministries.  He was elected Secretary of the Foundation in July of 2018.
 

Ron Kirk
Foundation Treasurer
Ron Kirk served as Treasurer for the LEAGUE Foundation for ten years before handing over the reins in 2014 to Joel Stango.  He was recently elected back into the position in July of 2018. He is the Vice President & Controller for Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (Seedco), a New York City-based national non-profit organization that advances economic opportunity for people, businesses and communities in need. He resides in Hoboken, NJ with his partner Timothy.
 
 

Mark Patterson
Executive Director
Mark leads Diversity & Inclusion programs and initiatives for AT&T Technology & Operations (ATO), a 95,000+ AT&T business organization with 8 unique divisions.   He was the National CEO for a 501c3 Employee Resource Group with 5500+ members.  Mark holds a degree from Anderson University in Organizational Leadership with honors. He is a member of Lambda Zeta, the Anderson University Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honors Society.  He is a 2018 recipient of the Tolerance to Understanding - AT&T Spark Award, for leading by example. 

Mark is a recent transplant to Dallas, TX., moving over a year ago, from Indianapolis, IL.

 
 

Mark Barfield
Board Member

Mark is a marketing professional at AT&T where he has held positions in Sales, Operations, and Marketing. Mark is currently a Vertical Channel Manager on the AT&T Business Solutions Manufacturing team responsible for developing integrated marketing campaigns designed to retain and grow revenue across large businesses.

Mark continues to be energized through the profound experiences that applicants share in their essays and is grateful that he is part of a group dedicated to supporting continuing education and developing tomorrows LGBTQ leaders. He serves as LEAGUE at AT&T’s National Strategy Director and LEAGUE-DFW Treasurer. He previously served as LEAGUE at AT&T’s National CEO, COO, Public Relations Officer, and Communications Chair.

Mark received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of California Berkeley and his MBA from the University of Phoenix. He resides in the Dallas metroplex with his partner Bobby.

 


Ernie Renteria
Board Member
Ernie has been actively involved locally and nationally in the LGBT community for over 30 years, having served in various Employee Organizations in leadership positions such as: President and Vice President of the local Austin LEAGUE at AT&T Chapter (previously Spectrum), Vice President Membership for the Austin HACEMOS Chapter, Committee Chair for the Austin HACEMO Scholarship Committee and VP-Membership for the Austin PWSWB (now Women of AT&T). Other local experience includes: Austin LGBTQ community, Officer and Board member of ALLGO (Austin Latino Lesbian & Gay Organization). He has been employed with SWBT/SBC/AT&T for over 35 years and is currently based in Austin, Texas, and retired as a Lead Channel Manager in Consumer Wireline & Direct Marketing Department for the Home Solutions Business Unit. Ernie is single and enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, mentoring and my 2 boys (dogs) Colt & Martini.
 

Matthew Becher
Board Member
Matthew is an enthusiastic believer in the power of the written word, fine art, and social advocacy. He has pursued multiple passions throughout his life, and is always looking for opportunities where he can channel his many interests into projects that make a difference in the world.
 
The LEAGUE Foundation is one of projects and passions.  Matthew is currently a Sr. Communications Manager at Xandr and previously served as the Fundraising Director for LEAGUE at AT&T.
 

 


Joel Stango
Board Member
Joel Stango is a founding LEAGUE Foundation member and was elected as LEAGUE Foundation  Treasurer in 2014, serving in this role until July of 2018.  He is currently employed as a Service Executive with the AT&T Signature Client Group and has supported AT&T sales efforts since 1990.  After serving on their capital campaign committee which raised over $3 million, Joel was appointed to the board of the Delaware Humane Association in 2014 and currently leads the DHA development committee.   Since October 2011, Joel has served on the board of Brandywine Gateway Neighbors (formerly INF) which provides urban planning, development and housing renewal to Wilmington’s Eastside.  He is also a past president and current board member of the Midtown Brandywine Neighborhood Association working on streetscape efforts for the Wilmington neighborhood.  Joel has worked with the capital committee of Easter Seals of Delaware and has participated with the annual Volleyball event for more than 10 years.  He also, serves on the Transportation Committee of the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation.
 

John Klenert
Board Member
 
John Klenert
Board Member / Founder

John Klenert retired from AT&T after a wonderful 25 year career primarily in AT&T Government Services where he held positions in sales and marketing, project management and public relations. He has been involved in LEAGUE since its inception back in 1987 serving in many capacities including LEAGUE national president. He founded the LEAGUE Foundation in 1995 during the New Orleans LEAGUE five year planning conference. Today, besides the LEAGUE Foundation Board, he has been honored to be a member of the Board of Directors of several local and national organizations including GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, One In Ten/Reel Affirmations and DC Vote. John lives in Washington DC most of the time but summers in Rehoboth Beach, DE.