The members of ILRC's Board of Director represents California's diverse disability and ethnic populations. They volunteer their time and work together to govern through oversight, policy and procedure so that ILRC staff can do their best to serve people with disabilities living in the tri-counties region.
Board of Directors
(Roll over each board member's photo to read their bio.)
Elizabeth Sorgman President
Elizabeth Sorgman was born and raised in Santa Barbara and graduated from Santa Barbara High School and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is an architect and has worked both in the private and public sectors. She worked for the City of Santa Barbara for about 17 years reviewing plans for permit compliance and issuance. She is a certified California Access Specialist and active with accessibility training. Elizabeth and her husband Ken raised their three children in Santa Barbara and are fortunate to have them all living in town. They continue to be active with their extended families and enjoy their two “grand-pugs Winnie & Maggie”. They adopted “Lucy the terrier” from the Little Dog-house and hope you also consider adopting from this great local dog rescue group.
Elizabeth Sorgman was born and raised in Santa Barbara and graduated from Santa Barbara High School and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is an architect and has worked both in the private and public sectors. She worked for the City of Santa Barbara for about 17 years reviewing plans for permit compliance and issuance. She is a certified California Access Specialist and active with accessibility training.
Elizabeth and her husband Ken raised their three children in Santa Barbara and are fortunate to have them all living in town. They continue to be active with their extended families and enjoy their two “grand-pugs Winnie & Maggie”. They adopted “Lucy the terrier” from the Little Dog-house and hope you also consider adopting from this great local dog rescue group.
Jim Marston Vice President
After losing much of his central vision, Jim Marston attended UCSB in 1994 to pursue an advanced degree to study what kinds of technology could be used to expand the activity space and independence of people with various disabilities. He has more than 20 years in academic research and published many papers and presentation on disability, as a Postdoctoral Researcher, Assistant Researcher, and Assistant Project Scientist, Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara. He also was a Research Scientist, VA Rehab R&D Center of Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Affiliate, Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), and Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Architecture, School of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta GA. He also serves on the board of Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center. He is currently the President of the City of Santa Barbara’s Access Advisory Committee, which reviews projects and policy for City staff.
After losing much of his central vision, Jim Marston attended UCSB in 1994 to pursue an advanced degree to study what kinds of technology could be used to expand the activity space and independence of people with various disabilities. He has more than 20 years in academic research and published many papers and presentation on disability, as a Postdoctoral Researcher, Assistant Researcher, and Assistant Project Scientist, Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara. He also was a Research Scientist, VA Rehab R&D Center of Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Affiliate, Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), and Adjunct Assistant Professor, College of Architecture, School of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta GA.
He also serves on the board of Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center. He is currently the President of the City of Santa Barbara’s Access Advisory Committee, which reviews projects and policy for City staff.
Ericka Dixon Treasurer
Ericka is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a specialty in supporting those living with neurologic and orthopedic injury, illness and progressive disorders as well as chronic pain and difficult to diagnose “mystery illnesses”. Ericka is an alumnus of Santa Barbara High School and UCSB, and completed her graduate work at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, yoga, and attending concerts… lots and lots of concerts! Ericka has been a fan and supporter of ILRC for many years and is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with the Board of Directors.Ericka is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a specialty in supporting those living with neurologic and orthopedic injury, illness and progressive disorders as well as chronic pain and difficult to diagnose “mystery illnesses”. Ericka is an alumnus of Santa Barbara High School and UCSB, and completed her graduate work at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, yoga, and attending concerts… lots and lots of concerts! Ericka has been a fan and supporter of ILRC for many years and is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with the Board of Directors.
Kit McMillion Secretary
Kit McMillion graduated from Westmont College, then went into business with her parents at Burbank Blueprint. After working there for two years, Kit decided she wanted to serve at-risk youth and moved to San Jose, California to work at Advent Group Homes. She worked with at-risk girls and boys in the probation system, while simultaneously graduating with her MA in Counseling at Western Seminary. During this time Kit was diagnosed with a mental illness, which inspired her to commit the remainder of her career to working with and being an advocate for the mentally ill. Kit has retired from paid work and now volunteers throughout the community. She is associated with Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara, and enjoys the living environment and their support. Kit appreciates the Independent Living Resource Center’s focus on helping those that need their services. She presently serves as Secretary.
Kit McMillion graduated from Westmont College, then went into business with her parents at Burbank Blueprint. After working there for two years, Kit decided she wanted to serve at-risk youth and moved to San Jose, California to work at Advent Group Homes. She worked with at-risk girls and boys in the probation system, while simultaneously graduating with her MA in Counseling at Western Seminary.
During this time Kit was diagnosed with a mental illness, which inspired her to commit the remainder of her career to working with and being an advocate for the mentally ill. Kit has retired from paid work and now volunteers throughout the community. She is associated with Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara, and enjoys the living environment and their support.
Kit appreciates the Independent Living Resource Center’s focus on helping those that need their services. She presently serves as Secretary.
Kathleen Riel Member at Large
Kathleen Riel is a native of Santa Barbara who attended local schools at SBHS, SBCC and UCSB. She has a close knit family with a son and daughter that both live locally and 2 granddaughters. She recently adopted a senior cocker spaniel from the local Humane Society that she loves. She began working with people with disabilities in the late 70’s as a Job Site Developer/Counselor. In 1981 Kathleen Riel joined the team at the Independent Living Resource Center, Inc. (ILRC.) As Program Manager at the ILRC, she has supervised service staff and monitored service delivery in adherence to national and statewide certification standards for over 37 years. She has been a local, national and statewide advocate for disaster planning inclusion of persons with disabilities for several years. She was chair of the Santa Barbara County VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) during the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flood. Additionally, she has served on the Santa Barbara County Public Authority/In-Home Care Network board commission, Adult and Aging Network, Santa Barbara County Transportation Access Advisory and Voter Access committees. She has continued to volunteer at the ILRC since her retirement, facilitating a peer support group and participating in various advocacy campaigns. As a person with a disability herself, she is also a long time activist on such issues as the civil rights of persons with disabilities and the ADA, accessible voting, transportation and civic participation. After 5 years of retirement, she is thrilled to join the team again in a new capacity as a member of the board.Kathleen Riel is a native of Santa Barbara who attended local schools at SBHS, SBCC and UCSB. She has a close knit family with a son and daughter that both live locally and 2 granddaughters. She recently adopted a senior cocker spaniel from the local Humane Society that she loves. She began working with people with disabilities in the late 70’s as a Job Site Developer/Counselor. In 1981 Kathleen Riel joined the team at the Independent Living Resource Center, Inc. (ILRC.) As Program Manager at the ILRC, she has supervised service staff and monitored service delivery in adherence to national and statewide certification standards for over 37 years. She has been a local, national and statewide advocate for disaster planning inclusion of persons with disabilities for several years. She was chair of the Santa Barbara County VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) during the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flood. Additionally, she has served on the Santa Barbara County Public Authority/In-Home Care Network board commission, Adult and Aging Network, Santa Barbara County Transportation Access Advisory and Voter Access committees. She has continued to volunteer at the ILRC since her retirement, facilitating a peer support group and participating in various advocacy campaigns. As a person with a disability herself, she is also a long time activist on such issues as the civil rights of persons with disabilities and the ADA, accessible voting, transportation and civic participation. After 5 years of retirement, she is thrilled to join the team again in a new capacity as a member of the board.
Nick Koonce Member at Large
Nick Koonce has over 30 years of experience as a Web Developer. He worked for Yardi Systems for over 20 of those years. He serves the City of Santa Barbara on the Access Advisory Committee and the Building and Fire Safety Code Board of Appeals, where he advocates for the disabled members of our community. He is a lifetime member of the Little People of America and has served as their Information Technology Chair. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where he is a homeowner, husband, father, pet rescue, and accessibility advocate. Nick has Diastrophic Dysplasia, a progressive autosomal recessive genetic disorder of cartilage and bone development. His mother, Marian N. Koonce, was appointed to the National Disability Council, by then-President Regan, where she helped to draft the legislation that we now know as the Americans With Disabilities Act.Nick Koonce has over 30 years of experience as a Web Developer. He worked for Yardi Systems for over 20 of those years. He serves the City of Santa Barbara on the Access Advisory Committee and the Building and Fire Safety Code Board of Appeals, where he advocates for the disabled members of our community. He is a lifetime member of the Little People of America and has served as their Information Technology Chair. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where he is a homeowner, husband, father, pet rescue, and accessibility advocate. Nick has Diastrophic Dysplasia, a progressive autosomal recessive genetic disorder of cartilage and bone development. His mother, Marian N. Koonce, was appointed to the National Disability Council, by then-President Regan, where she helped to draft the legislation that we now know as the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Adam Liff Member at Large
Adam Liff is a retired entrepreneur and counselor and a continuing advocate for children. After business school at Indiana University and a successful business career, Adam completed a master’s degree in counseling psychology and worked for the Davidson County, Tennessee Crisis Hotline and he also maintained a private family counseling practice. Additionally, Adam has been deeply involved for over 22 years with CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocate, a national organization that assists the judiciary in matters of Family Law. Adam recently retired as a Trustee and the Treasurer of National CASA/GAL Association for Children. He is passionate about helping fulfill the mission of ILRC and is an enthusiastic newcomer to the Board.Adam Liff is a retired entrepreneur and counselor and a continuing advocate for children. After business school at Indiana University and a successful business career, Adam completed a master’s degree in counseling psychology and worked for the Davidson County, Tennessee Crisis Hotline and he also maintained a private family counseling practice. Additionally, Adam has been deeply involved for over 22 years with CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocate, a national organization that assists the judiciary in matters of Family Law. Adam recently retired as a Trustee and the Treasurer of National CASA/GAL Association for Children. He is passionate about helping fulfill the mission of ILRC and is an enthusiastic newcomer to the Board.
