Commissioner Biographies   Fel Anthony Amistad was appointed to the Commission in 2007.  He is a member of the Special Events, Legislative and Advocacy Committees.  Amistad graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Biology and holds advanced business (MBA) and law degrees (JD).  He is completing his PhD in Public Administration.  He is a financial analyst/executive, non-profit organization volunteer, professional instructor, newspaper editor and columnist.   Susan "Susy" Castoria was appointed to the Commission in 2005, and is a member of the ADA Committee and Co-Chair of the Arts Showcase this year.  Susy has a background in nurse case management and is an active volunteer on the Coastside with Senior Coastsiders and the Coastside Adult day Health Center.   Gerda Cohn was appointed to the Commission in 1998 to represent those with visual impairments.  She chairs the Special Events Committee and the Disabilities Awareness Curriculum Committee and is a member for the ADA Compliance Committee, and the Youth and Families Committee.  Gerda is also a member of the San Mateo Chapter of the California Council of the Blind.   Sarah Contreras is a 16 year old student who attends South San Francisco High School.  She serves on the San Mateo County Youth Commission, and become a member of the Commission in 2008.  Sarah is an astrocytoma brain tumor survivor which she had when she was 10 years old.  She feels that with her personal experiences, she is a strong advocate for youth with disabilities.   Jim Engvall was appointed to the Commission in 2003 to represent people with developmental disabilities.  Mr. Engvall is a Board Member of the Golden Gate Regional Center and Parca.  In addition, he is President of the Mid-Peninsula Chapter of People First.   Jessica Ertel was appointed to the Commission in 2008 and works as a manager at Community Gatepath, managing their programs which focus on employing people with disabilities in landscape and gardening industries.  She is a landscape contractor, and avid gardener, and believes that it is tremendously empowering to be able to effect on one's enviroment through the creation and care of a garden.  Jessica is also active with the American Horticultural Society.   Elizabeth "Liz" Furber was appointed to the Commission in 2001and currently serves as Co-Chair of the ADA Compliance Committee.  She has been dealing with the problems of hearing loss, both her own and others for over 30 years.  A member of the San Mateo County chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (formerly SHHH), Ms. Furber currently is serving as its Treasurer and Newsletter Editor.  She is also involved in a number of other volunteer activities in the community.   Alexa Johanson was appointed to the Commission in 2007 and is a member of the CoA/CoD Joint Housing Committee as well as the Commission on Disabilities Legislative and Advocacy Committee.  Alexa is employed as the Financial Benefits and Housing Coordinator for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, Inc. in Belmont.  Alexa is a Social Security Administration Certified Benefits Planner, Assistance and Outreach and Protection and Advocacy.   Helen Lo was appointed to the Commission in 2008 and has served as the Commission on Disabilities Liaison to the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee for several years.  She brings a wealth of experience serving on various comminuty boards and committees including the Advocates for Accessible Recreation, Inc. (AFAR) and the Burton Park Playground Equipment Committee.  Helen also does volunteer work at various agencies.    Robert Manchia was appointed to the Commission in 2004.  Robert is the Budget and Revenue enhancement Manager for San Mateo County Human Services Agency, and brings a business perspective to the commission.  He is the current President of the Commission and serves as Regional Commissioner, Coach and Coach instructor for American Youth Soccer Organization.  He has a deep passion and commitment for allowing all citizens to have a voice in their environment.   Kent Mickelson has served as a Commissioner since 1995.  He is employed as the Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, (CID) Inc.  He has served as the legislative Chair of the California Foundation of Independent Living Center and has been a member of the National Independent Living Council.  Kent was appointed to the State Independent Living Council by Governor Davis.   Allan Newlands was appointed to the Commission in 2001.  As a stoke survivor, he provides guidance to the Peninsula Stroke Association and is the publisher of a stroke survivors' newsletter, Catch the Wind.  Mr. Newlands owned and operated a marketing consulting firm and served on the Woodside Town Council, including a tern as mayor.   Craig Patterson was appointed to the Commission in 2008 and is a member of the ad-hoc Families and Youth with Disabilities Committee.  Craig is a Manager for Accenture and possesses a Masters in Policy Management from Georgetown University.  Craig has performed board of directors' work for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington DC and has acted as a project coordinator for Greater DC Cares and Hands On Bay Area.   Diane Smith joined the Commission in 2005.  She has worked with disabled children and adults for 31 years and is currently the Associate Director of Kainos Home and Training center in Redwood City.  Diane is the Co-Chairperson of the CoA/CoD Joint Housing Committee.