Who We Are
North Star is a community-oriented organization that is successful because of the efforts of many individuals who contribute their time, talents, and hearts to various aspects of its mission. Working alongside this dedicated community of men, women, family members, spouses, and friends is the North Star Executive Committee, whose responsibilities are to manage the North Star organization and facilitate community contributions. The Executive Committee is comprised of the following:
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noinneB ffeJ Jeff attended both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, receiving his Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology. He served a French-speaking mission to Belgium Brussels. His professional experience is primarily in software engineering and real estate development. He loves to read, travel, and scuba dive. He has lived in both Virginia and Utah, where he currently resides. He and his wife of six years are the grateful parents of one son. Jeff is a founding member of the Executive Committee. He served as North Star's Treasurer from its organization in December 2006 until January 2009 and has served as President since November 2008. |
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Ty Mansfield A life-long member of the Church, Ty served in the Manchester New Hampshire mission and graduated from BYU in Asian Studies and Business Management. Upon graduation, he worked in Washington, DC, for two years for a Department of Defense contractor, and currently lives in Texas doing doctoral work in family therapy. He loves hiking, running, eating, skiing, writing, strawberry cheesecake, beef ravioli, and Gladys Knight. He also loves to travel and has lived or studied internationally in Japan, China, Israel/Palestine, and Egypt. He is a co-author of In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Gender Attraction, published by Deseret Book, which includes a personal memoir of his spiritual journey as a member of the Church dealing with homosexual attraction. Ty is a founding member of the Executive Committee, serving as North Star's Vice President since its organization in December 2006. |
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senoterB naiD Dian attended BYU and the University of Wyoming back in the days when term papers were engraved in reformed Egyptian upon metal plates. She graduated with a new baby, a Bachelors degree in Music theory and composition, and one in piano performance; then spent three years as a graduate student and ended up with two more babies and a Master's degree in performance. She now operates her own private studio and performs and accompanies frequently. Aaron Bretones accepted Dian's marriage proposal during her second year at BYU. Their three amazing children manage to make life simultaneously joyful and bewildering. Because she has difficulty not becoming bored with just one thing, Dian trained to become a tax preparer and works with a financial services company, preparing the returns for their corporate and private clients. Three years ago she became a registered financial advisor and now serves as their compliance officer. In her spare time she indexes clips for an online film archive. Dian has been interested in North Star since the idea was first presented to her (before the website existed), and has served as person-who-helped-choose-the-pictures for the website. She has served as North Star's Treasurer since January 2009. |
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erooM relyT Tyler earned bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University after earning a culinary arts degree from Utah Valley State College. He attended graduate school in California, earning his juris doctorate in 2009. He loves spending time with his beautiful wife, and their three spry children. Tyler and his wife both grew up in Utah, and are glad to call it home. Tyler has a great passion for cooking and good food in general. His wife also holds a culinary degree; Tyler admits she is a better baker than he is. As far as the better cook, that title is still up for grabs (though Tyler's convinced it should go to him). Tyler began his involvement with North Star in April of 2008, and feels it an honor to give back to such a great community. He has served as North Star's Secretary from January 2009 to September 2010 and now serves as a Vice President. |
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ierF nevetS Steven was born and raised in Idaho Falls, where he currently resides. He served a mission in Milan Italy, and taught at the MTC for 2 1/2 years while attending BYU where he met his wife on a blind date. Luckily she has been blind ever since. They enjoy 3 three sons and a beautiful daughter, and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. He graduated from Boise State University with a degree in accounting, and is a recovering CPA. After coming to his senses, he embarked on his career in commercial real estate. Steven has served in numerous callings over the years, including scout master, gospel doctrine teacher, bishop, and dad. His involvement with North Star has included serving as a moderator and a member of the steering committee. He is grateful to enjoy the blessings of the gospel, in which he finds balance and peace. |
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llerreM ymmiJ Jimmy Merrell is native of Arizona. At 16 he picked pineapples in Maui, Hawaii for a year to finance his mission. He served his mission to the Deaf in Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Boston. Attended school at Arizona State University and became a Board Certified Music Therapist. Professionally, he has worked as an Interpreter, a Researcher and Music Therapist He has also served in various callings including Interpreter Coordinator, Sunday School President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Choir Director, Ward Mission Leader, and is currently serving as the First Counselor in the Bishopric Jimmy has found serenity in the knowledge that Heavenly Father loves and cares for His children and has found strength in the daily exercise of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Finally, Jimmy has been a member of North Star discussion groups since July of 2009 and has served as a moderator for the Men's group, on the steering committee, and is humbled to serve as Online Groups Coordinator, and Treasurer |
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onireM siuL Luis left the great state of Texas to attend Utah Valley University, where in 2010, he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Digital Media. He is proficient in a variety of multimedia technology ranging from graphic and web design to video editing and motion graphics. In addition to various freelance projects, Luis currently teaches introductory graphic design classes at a local career college, which he is loving more and more every day. Within the church, he has served as a Priesthood Instructor, Activities co-chair, and Counselor in two Elders Quorum Presidencies. Now residing in Nevada, he and his wonderful wife of three years, are the proud parents of a precious baby girl. In his down time, Luis loves watching everything he can on Netflix and Hulu, obsessively checking his Google Reader, bankrupting his opponents in Monopoly, and enjoying the occasional grilled chicken sandwich (with lots of honey mustard) from Chili’s. In 2010, Luis became an active member of the Steering Committee offering his perspective and technological expertise in current and future North Star online endeavors. He was invited to join the Executive Committee in October 2011. Having close family members who personally deal with these complex issues, Luis feels deeply about the mission of North Star and highly esteems its community. He is honored and excited to help move this great work forward. |