YMOW Board
Tara Truax, Chair
Tara Truax first joined the YMOW board in October 2020, but her knowledge of our organization and its work in the community spans decades. With over 20 years of experience as a social worker in and around Washtenaw County, Tara referred clients to YMOW over the years and volunteered for meal delivery several times before becoming a board member.
Tara currently works as a Program Officer in the Community Engagement program at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) at the University of Michigan Medical School, where she is responsible for administration of the Promoting Academics and Community Engagement (PACE) grant. This grant funds community and academic partners to disseminate their research findings to communities of interest with an emphasis on engaging all community members in the research process, resulting in reduced health disparities, and increased trust in science and between researchers and the community.
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Tara is passionate about improving systems of care, increasing access and improving services for vulnerable sectors of the population, particularly older adults. A licensed social worker with a master’s degree in health services administration, Tara is proud to share her knowledge and experience with YMOW and the community.
Tara is a native of northern Michigan and has lived in Ypsilanti since 1995. She shares her home with her cat, Phoebe.
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Scott Godbold, Vice President
Scott Godbold joined the YMOW board of directors in March 2021.
A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Engineering, Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He works as a Senior DevOps Engineer for New York-based Audigent, an ad tech firm.
Scott learned of Meals on Wheels from his grandmother, who was involved with the program in her hometown of Owosso, Mich. From a young age Scott heard stories of the program’s impact on peoples’ lives. When his grandmother passed away, Scott made the decision to continue her life of service by getting involved with his own local Meals on Wheels program.
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Scott delivered meals for about a year before stepping onto the board.
“The fact that YMOW is able to help provide nutritious meals to our homebound seniors is so important,” Scott said. “But the drivers and volunteers don't just deliver meals. They provide great social interaction for our seniors who may not see many other people very often. This additional level of support is something I never thought about until I started delivering meals and hearing YMOW clients share their stories.”
Scott said he is proud to serve his neighbors in need while honoring the memory and legacy of his grandmother.
Scott lives in Ypsilanti Township with his wife Emily and their cat, Bailey.
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Steve Smith, Treasurer
Steve Smith, chief technology and security officer at Vibe Credit Union in Novi, joined the YMOW board of directors in July 2023. Along with a long history of bringing IT solutions to the businesses with which he has worked, Steve volunteered with several organizations before joining the board at YMOW.
“Housing and food are two very strong needs. It brings me a lot of pride to be able to help with that,” Steve said.
As a board member he hopes to make YMOW fiscally stronger while also helping to grow the volunteer base by recruiting coworkers and friends.
“I really want to be a team player,” Steve said.
Steve became familiar with Ypsilanti as a student at Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a degree in marketing. He loves hockey, football, and cheering on the Detroit Lions, as well as his alma mater. Steve and his wife, Teresa, have three grown children and live in Northville.
Brent Kolb, Secretary
Brent Kolb, DDS, joined the YMOW board in October 2021.
Brent is a graduate of Miami University and earned his doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry before completing his residency at University of Michigan. He established Dexter Family Dentistry in 2006 and credits his commitment to community and to giving back for its continued growth and success.
“Giving back to the community is a guiding principle in my life,” said Brent, who is a member of the Dexter Rotary Club. As a member of the YMOW board, Brent hopes to use his expertise as a dentist and business owner to help YMOW serve the Ypsilanti community.
In his free time, Brent enjoys teaching at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and spending time with wife Liz and their two children, Meghan and Sam.
Dan Carleton
Dan Carleton’s storied history includes stints as a lobster fisherman, English teacher and auto parts salesman. He now works as a consultant to the gear industry through his self-owned company, Gear Gear, Inc.
Dan holds a master’s of fine arts degree from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and added YMOW board member to his list of credentials in November 2017.
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In addition to his service on the YMOW board, Dan also serves on the Marketing and Communications Committee and volunteers to help deliver meals whenever possible.
“I got involved with YMOW because I have a need to contribute to the people of my adopted community,” Dan said. “I believe in direct human-to-human service. And I get plenty of that delivering meals to the homebound.”
Dan said YMOW delivers life to its neighbors in the form of food and human contact.
Dan also volunteers at Huron Valley Humane Society is a member of the American Gear Manufacturers Association. He is a writer and poet, and enjoys preparing vegan meals.
Dan lives in Ypsilanti with Boewulf, an American Staffordshire Terrier/Great Pyrenees that he rescued from HVHS.
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Jamie Guise
Jamie Guise’s relationship with YMOW began years before joining the board of directors in 2024. As senior vice president and community marketing and engagement director at Old National Bank, she has facilitated the bank’s support of YMOW’s work and events.
“It’s such a great organization,” said Jamie, who immediately said yes when invited to take on a closer relationship with Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.
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As a member of the board, Jamie said she hopes to provide a connection between YMOW and other organizations and businesses in the community. She also plans to spread the word throughout the community about YMOW’s role in supporting senior neighbors.
Jamie graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in psychology and communications. She serves as chair of YMOW’s Marketing and Development Committee.
A resident of Dexter, Jamie shares her home with her husband and two golden doodles.
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Anna Jackson
As a member of the YMOW board of directors and the Ambassador Committee, Anna Jackson wants to leverage her position with DTE Gas to help drive the YMOW mission through fundraising and volunteerism.
“I love the mission,” said Anna, who made the final decision to join the YMOW board after joining in on a delivery day.
“I was very impressed with the organization and how it is run,” she said.
Anna’s career has focused on gas and utilities since graduating from Ross School of Business. She currently hold the position of manager at DTE Gas.
Anna shares her southwest Canton home with her husband, Mike, and a spoiled cat named Gizmo. She enjoys golf, reading, and previously served on the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan Board Development Committee.
Jeffrey D. Miller, CPA, CFE
Jeffrey D. Miller, a partner with Melo USA PC of Ann Arbor, has given his time to several non-profit organizations during his long tenure as a certified public accountant in the Ann Arbor area.
“I’m happy to provide my experience,” said Jeff, who serves on the Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels finance committee as well as the full board. He said he hopes to use his vast experience to help YMOW meet its financial goals, and therefore, its goals for the community.
The son of two former Meals on Wheels volunteers, Jeff said he was well aware of the importance of Meals on Wheels before joining the board in 2024.
Jeff is a graduate of of University of Michigan Dearborn. He and his wife live in Wayne County and have two grown children.
Jim Phelps
Over the years Commercial Banker Jim Phelps has gifted several non-profits with his time and expertise, but Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels holds a special place, Jim said.
“Food is always the centerpiece,” said Jim. “I look forward to being involved with Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels. I believe it is important to help provide one of the essentials of daily life – food – to those in need.”
As someone with aging parents, Jim said it’s comforting to know that organizations like Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels exist.
Show more... A native of Michigan and a longtime resident of Washtenaw County, Jim is first vice president of commercial lending at NorthStar Bank in Ann Arbor. He studied economics and management at Albion College, where he played varsity basketball. Jim lives in Saline with wife Karen and their two cats. Show less...
Francisca Tehoda
Francisca Tehoda comes to YMOW with hands-on experience as a caregiver to older adults. A former home health aide, Francisca helped seniors with the physical challenges that often come with aging.
“I saw firsthand how important Meals on Wheels was to them,” Francisca said.
Show more... After graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in healthcare administration, Francisca went on to earn a master’s degree from Ohio Dominican University. After several years working in healthcare administration, she now spends her days caring for her daughter. But her senior neighbors have never been far from her mind. “I have always found a way to give back to seniors in my community,” Francisca said. While growing up in Ghana, Francisca said she was taught to appreciate older adults and their contributions to their families and to society. She’s happy to now do that through her work at YMOW, and as owner of her own home care and housekeeping agency, Auntie’s Angels Home Care Services. Show less...
Kathy Wyatt
Recent retiree Katherine Wyatt wasted no time finding new ways to work for her community. The former Executive Analyst/Assistant to the Sheriff in Washtenaw County, Wyatt accepted the role of YMOW board member even before her final day at work in late 2024.
“I’ve thought for years that YMOW does wonderful work,” Kathy said. While working for the sheriff’s office, Kathy helped to collect fans to help YMOW clients stay cool during the summer months.
“I was able to see the impactful work that YMOW does to make peoples’ lives better,” she said, making the decision to join the board an easy one.
Show more... Kathy began her long tenure in the community as a student at the University of Michigan, where she earned an undergraduate degree and attended the University of Michigan Law School. She later earned a degree in criminal justice at Eastern Michigan University. As a member of the YMOW board, the YMOW marketing and development committee, and the nominating and governance committee, she hopes to create more connections between YMOW and the community. Show less...
Paula Dykstra, board emeritus
Paula Dykstra joined the YMOW Board of Directors shortly after her retirement in 2014. After serving as board treasurer and interim board chair, Paula began a two-year term as board chair in February 2021.
A graduate of Michigan State University, Paula earned her master’s degree in developmental psychology from Purdue and an MBA in finance from EMU. She worked several years for two state bar associations before beginning a 30-year career in enrollment and registration/records for three major universities.
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Paula became an advocate for seniors as a member of the Housing Bureau for Seniors board several years before joining YMOW.
“YMOW is vital to the health and well-being of our low-income seniors. We provide a lifeline to many of these people and the need is only growing as the population ages,” said Paula, who said she is grateful for the opportunity to support YMOW’s mission.
A resident of Ypsilanti, Paula also volunteers with the Friends of the Ypsi District library. She is enjoying a new career as an independent travel agent specializing in all-inclusive resorts, cruises and land tours.
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