Staff & Board

Holly has over 20 years of experience as a Registered Dental Assistant and has been a CPR and First Aid instructor for community rescuers through EMS Safety Services for over 18 years. In addition, she managed a restaurant dealing with every aspect of management, from recruiting, training, and supervising to customer services. Holly is a community activist, volunteering on various boards, and loves working with people. She is an active member of her church in Arroyo Grande, CA. She loves the Lord, being a mom and a wife to her husband. Her newest and most precious passion is making 17 Strong® as successful as Ryan would have made it because, as her son, Ryan, would jokingly say, "I'm kind of a big deal!"

Steven Teixeira is Holly's husband and the proud father of Ryan and Aaron. Steve would do anything for his family and considers maintaining Ryan's legacy an honor! A fifth-generation native of the Central Coast of California, Steve brings the board a wide variety of experience from working in the medical profession, farming, purchasing, sales and service, the hospitality industry, and much more. He has also been involved with numerous non-profit boards and is an active member of his church and community.

Marlene has lived on the Central Coast since 1971. She currently lives in Arroyo Grande with her husband, John, and has two daughters. Marlene attended Cal Poly, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She worked for Hughes Aircraft Company and Raytheon while attending college. Now retired from Gold Coast Packing as a packaging specialist. One of her greatest joys in life is being a grandmother. In addition, she's been actively involved in the community as a volunteer, member, or sponsor of the Arroyo Grande High School Athletic Booster, Arroyo Grande High School Athletic Auction Committee, New Life Community Church, and more. She is humbled and honored to be part of 17 Strong® and looks forward to contributing to the legacy that Ryan envisioned.

Born and raised in Arroyo Grande, California, Christine has been married to her high school sweetheart, Gary, since 1984. They are blessed with two wonderful boys, Evan and Nathan, and two amazing daughters-in-law, Michelle and Megan. Christine has volunteered with several non-profit organizations and served as Treasurer with Brighten A Corner Ministry for over five years. Christine owns her own bookkeeping business and enjoys being physically active, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She feels honored to serve on the board of 17 Strong® to help fulfill Ryan's dream.

Jennifer Hawley is a lifelong Californian, graduating from Arroyo Grande High School and planting roots here on the Central Coast. Jennifer is a devoted wife to her husband, Russ; together, they have two children, Taryan and Aaryn. She is most excited about being grandma to three grandchildren. Jennifer's years of managerial experience in retail and hospitality are an asset to our board. Being very service-oriented, Jen and Russ enjoy giving back to their community and those in need. They have been Teixeira family friends for too long to remember and are eager for the opportunity to help carry Ryan's message of hope for years to come.

Teresa Long was born and raised in San Luis Obispo County. She married her husband, Steve, and they have two beautiful daughters. Teresa retired after twenty-four years at Arroyo Grande High School, working in the Attendance Office. She met Ryan while he attended high school and said, "he is one of those young people you will never forget." She is honored to have the opportunity to give back and be a part of Ryan's legacy through 17 Strong®.

Tracey has lived on the Central Coast since 2002. She currently lives in Pismo Beach with her daughter Alyssa and their son Andrew. Tracey attended UC Davis, earning a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Toxicology. She has worked in emergency management since 1994, beginning her career with the California State Office of Emergency Services and currently with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Tracey is actively involved in multiple charitable organizations providing goods, services, and support to some of the county's most vulnerable populations, including the homeless, at-risk youth, and mentally and physically disabled youth. Tracey watched Ryan and his brother Aaron grow into amazing young men and is beyond grateful to be a part of the wonderful foundation Ryan envisioned.

Justin Stoner is a Central Valley native who moved to the Central Coast in 2014. He is devoted to his girlfriend, Angela, and has two daughters, two stepdaughters, and a granddaughter, all of whom keep him on his toes. He loves photography, fiction writing, staying up with technology, and helping businesses and organizations find innovative ways to tell their stories.

Melissa Ward comes to us from Santa Maria. She is married to Justin, and they have three boys, Jake, Charlie, and Sam. Charlie is the one who coined our name. Immediately after Ryan was diagnosed, Charlie had '17 Strong®' embroidered on his baseball cap in support of Ryan, and the catchy title stuck! Melissa has been a director at St. Patricks Mercy Preschool in Arroyo Grande since its opening in 2008. She loves watching my boys play various sports, gardening, and cooking, and is passionate about giving back. Ryan was an amazing role model to her boys, and she is honored to serve on the 17 Strong® board and be a part of Ryan's vision.

Nicole Pitman graduated from Cal Poly with a major in Graphic Communication with a minor in Integrated Marketing Communications. She currently works at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo as the Graphic Designer and Marketing Assistant living in San Luis Obispo. A lifelong resident of Arroyo Grande, Nicole attended Arroyo Grande High School, where she met Ryan. They dated for four years, planning on spending their lives together. She loved the passion Ryan had for helping others and loves continuing the legacy of her best friend.

Dawn was born and raised in Northern California and currently resides in Orangevale, CA with her husband Gordon. She has always had a passion for travel, and loves it when her two adult children are able to tag along on her adventures. Dawn delights in helping people plan their dream vacation, and has booked a variety of unique and personalized trips all over the world. After her path crossed with the Teixeiras, Dawn was able to combine her passion for travel with her compassion for others through the 17 Strong® mission of helping young adults who have defeated life threatening illnesses.

Jennifer has lived on the Central Coast for over 40 years. Jennifer brings the board various experiences from her years in the food and beverage industry and banking, and she currently owns a registration company servicing CTE Conferences. Jennifer is active and involved in the local community, she is married to Ryan, and they have four amazing kids - Jordan, Alexus, Hannah, and Drew. Jordan and Ryan were very close growing up through junior high and high school. You could always find #17 and #21 right next to each other on the Arroyo Grande Football field. Ryan holds a special place in their family’s hearts, and Jennifer is honored to be a part of Ryan’s vision and serve on the 17 Strong® Board.

Chris Centeno works for Papich Construction Company. He and his wife have three children, Mackenzie, Asher, and Clayton. Chris is involved with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Committee and is an El Camino 4-H project leader. His priorities are much like Ryan’s were…God, family, and hunting. “To be on the board of 17 Strong has been nothing short of amazing, I feel that by having the opportunity to serve on this board it is an opportunity to serve to such a bigger cause and purpose and that’s to do anything and everything possible to help grow our organization so that we can help others fulfill their dreams and desires that have been affected by life threatening diseases.”

Though Daniell Gularte-Millerʼs life was cut short by
cancer, few lived a life as full and rewarding as hers.
Daniell was many things to many people — a devoted
wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who would do
anything for them, meticulously with creativity and focus.
She was dedicated to all things family and community,
including Nipomo High School FFA, Boosters and Girls
Basketball, Mission Hope Cancer Center, and Arroyo
Grande Hospital, as well as a founding board member of
17 Strong.
She loved life and spending time with friends and family.
Just hanging out with them was fine with her, but she enjoyed camping, party planning, shopping, and
being at the center of anything fun! 17 Strong acknowledges the life of our fierce warrior, who received her
ultimate victory on December 31, 2020; her passion for life and serving others left an indelible imprint on the
17 Strong Family. We will always remember her sparkle with gratitude and love!
Daniel continued to further his formal education and business management skills to relaunch a Finch Projects in 2013.

Daniel boast an impressive 20 years industry experience as well as qualification including Certifcates IV in Frontline Management, Trade Certifcate in Cabinet Making and Certifcate II in Emergency Medical Service.

Daniel has enormous respect for customer service and has the belief that there is no great compliment than a recommendation from a client.

John has served as youth & young adults pastor and is now lead pastor of Equippers Church Central Coast. John is married to his wife Lenae and the proud father to their four children. They share a love for people, church, travel, and Disneyland. To John, nothing satisfies more than seeing other people flourish which is why he is excited to be a part of 17 Strong.