Executive Team

John David Arnold, CEO & Founder

In 1967, while working for the Head Start Program, Dr. Arnold wrote the first PPEP, Inc. grant proposal submitted to the Tucson War on Poverty Program, which was initiated by the Presidents Kennedy/Johnson Administrations.  The initial funding was for $19,000, from which he bought a 48 passenger 1957 Chevrolet school bus known as “La Tortuga” (the tortoise).  Dr. Arnold was the driver, mechanic and school teacher imparting practical educational teachings to help the Bracero farmworkers prepare themselves to be productive in our society.  Having lived in Mexico, he understood first-hand what it was to live and study in an unfamiliar society with a different language and culture.

From PPEP’s humble beginnings aboard La Tortuga 49 years ago, Dr. Arnold, the PPEP Board of Directors and dedicated staff have sought to carry out the dreams to “improve the quality of life” of the farmworkers and rural poor whom visited the bus in those formative years.  His work has been cited as national models 10 times in U.S. Congressional Records, including citations by U.S. Congressmen Udall, Kolbe, Pastor, Grijalva, Giffords, and Senators: DeConcini, McCain, Kyl and Enzi of Wyoming. His programs have been honored twice at the White House, among numerous other recognitions nationally and internationally.  US Congressman, Ed Pastor wrote “It is your vision and energy that transformed ‘La Tortuga’ into a major force for ‘Improving the quality of life in Arizona and the world”.  US Senator, Mike Enzi wrote, “you may be the most innovative person I know.  It’s always fascinating to learn of your new and intriguing advances, plus being a voice for the migrant farmworker and their kids.”  Senator McCain stated “Ultimately much of our future depends on programs such as PPEP” www.ppep.org.

Barbara Coronado, Chief Operations Officer/Director of Finance

Barbara Coronado joined the PPEP administration in 1999; bringing over 20 years experience in finance for non-profit organizations. Prior to joining PPEP, she was a Contract/Audit specialist for Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, Inc. In 2002, Barbara was appointed Director of Finance for PPEP Inc. responsible for the overall financial operations of the organization. In 2006 she was named a Chief Administrative Officer and appointed to PPEP’s Management Team.

In 2012 Barbara was appointed as PPEP’s Chief Operations Officer, responsible for the daily operations of all PPEP office functions and managing the organization’s day-to-day operations and reporting them to the Chief Executive Officer. Barbara also works to ensure the ongoing maintenance and updating of various information systems and infrastructure to provide accurate and relevant programmatic and financial information.

Barbara was awarded the PPEP Employee of the Year in 2003. A native Tucsonan, she is active in her community and volunteers by providing accounting services and assistance to various small businesses.

 

Kari Hogan, Deputy CEO

In July of 1987, Kari began working with PPEP, Inc.  Kari has been with the organization going on 33 years. She holds the position of Deputy CEO and oversees eight of the program divisions and staff for the corporation.  She Kari holds a BSB in Business Management, graduated with honors Lamda Sigma Delta Mu Delta Honors Society for International Business and held the position of Chapter Vice President for 2 years.

Kari is involved in two regional associations to include the Rocky Mountain HI Association and the Western Alliance of Farmworker Advocates, is on the Executive committee of the National Association of Farmworker Opportunities Program and sits on the National Board for YouthBuild USA.  In Arizona, she sits on the WIOA workforce board in Pima County and is involved as a partner with Yuma, La Paz, Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal, Graham/Greenlee, and Santa Cruz workforce boards.  Kari has participated and been involved with the Marana Prevention Alliance to educate on topics to decrease underage drinking and drug use, and a part of other community coalitions and programs supporting youth and adult initiatives in Arizona.  She has worked to develop sustainable partnerships in the creation of innovative training programs, to include an Aircraft Structures program in partnership with Bombardier and Pima County Workforce, providing career pathways in demand occupations and a pipeline of trained individuals for industry.

Kari is a lifelong learner, an avid reader, an advocate to those who are less fortunate and advocates for staff development in areas of understanding trauma based behaviors, motivational interviewing and pathways to progress. Her motto: “Dream Fearlessly, for your desire to succeed to should be greater than your fear of Failure”. Her mission: “We Change Lives” and incorporates that in all that she does and in the programs she operates.  Her goal is to become an independent consultant, develop programs that promote opportunity, deal with at risk populations, and provide an avenue encompassing economic development and self-sustainability.

 

Dimetri Gudino, Executive Director PPEP Integrated Care

Dimetri Gudino is the Executive Director of PPEP, Inc. IDD (Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled) program. Dimetri began his journey with PPEP in May of 2008 as a Certified Caregiver in the rural town of Globe Arizona. In the course of his employment, Dimetri was promoted to DTA Coordinator (Globe, AZ) Program Manager (Casa Grande, AZ) Program Director (Casa Grande and Globe AZ). Through his tenure with PPEP, Dimetri has shown compassion, commitment, and his ability to advocate for individuals with Intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Dimetri is the recipient of the annual DES/DDD Direct Support professional of the year award in 2009 for the state of Arizona. Dimetri was also the recipient of PPEP Employee of the Year award in 2019.

Dimetri’s mission is to offer individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to maintain or move toward their highest level of self-sufficiency with dignity through an ongoing commitment to comprehensive quality services, advocacy, and partnership in the least restrictive setting while fulfilling PPEP’s mission to assist under served and un-served individuals in rural communities throughout Arizona.

Jacob Herrington, Chief Administrative Officer of Property, Insurance, and Transportation

In June 2016 Jacob (Jake) Herrington was named Executive Director of Property Management, New Construction, New Development, Transportation and Property Insurance for PPEP, Inc.

Jake Herrington began his career in the multifamily property management industry in Tucson.  Over his twenty five years of on-site management, Jake was privileged to work with two of the most esteemed property management firms in Tucson, both Accredited Management Organization® (AMO®) firms. He was charged with turning around troubled assets as well as overseeing large luxury apartment communities. Over the course of his career, Jake was the recipient of many achievement awards, including the Administrative PPEP Employee of the Year in 2012.

In 2008, he was one of two finalists for Manager of the Year awarded by the Arizona Multi-housing Association. Jake has made a difference in each role that he has held and is focused on surpassing expectations in all of his endeavors.

In conjunction with his new role, Jake will continue to serve as a member of the PPEP & Affiliates Inc. executive management team and lead PPEP & Affiliates Inc.’s efforts in corporate planning and operations of Single Family, Multi-Family Housing and New Commercial Development projects and assist in the planning efforts in corporate planning and operations.

 

Wayne Tucker, Superintendent PPEP TEC High School

Wayne Tucker is the Superintendent of PPEP TEC High School, a network of six alternative high school campuses stretching across Southern Arizona. The mission of PTHS is to provide innovative, high quality educational opportunities to students whose needs have not been met by traditional schools and who are at risk of disengaging from the educational system. Wayne began his academic career as a biology student in his home state of Florida but transferred to Bennington College, in Vermont, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, concentrating in epistemology and cognitive systems. Some years later, he earned a Master of Secondary education degree from the University of Arizona and has been devoted to the study of Alternative Education throughout his entire teaching career.

Wayne was a member the first teacher team at Buena High School’s Alternative Learning Center, located in Sierra Vista, AZ, which was subsequently designated an Exemplary Program by the Arizona Department of Education and included for national replication in its Dropout Prevention Toolkit. He has turned around high school programs in Douglas and Bisbee, where he served as a Lead Teacher and Department Head, respectively. He is also a board member of the Arizona Alternative Education Consortium and has been appointed by the Arizona State Board of Education to its Alternative Accountability Technical Advisory Committee. Since moving into the role of Superintendent of PTHS, Wayne has committed himself to developing leadership capacity within the sites and fostering a culture of safety, support and intellectual challenge.

Suzette Benitez, Executive Team Member, Payroll Director

Suzette Benitez is the Payroll Director of PPEP, INC. Suzette began her journey with PPEP in March of 2001 as a Data Entry Clerk. In the course of her employment with PPEP, Suzette was promoted to Payroll Specialist, Payroll Supervisor. Through her tenure with PPEP, Suzette has shown dedication, commitment, and compassion for the employees of PPEP.

Suzette is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of MITC, a time-and-attendance program for the PPEP Integrated Care department. Oversees the processing of the bi-weekly Payroll. Suzette provides quarterly trainings to PPEP staff to ensure PPEP stays in compliance with payroll law. Suzette is also responsible for the quarterly submission and annual payroll reports to federal and state agencies, prepares all other payroll related payments for A/P, prepares monthly employee benefit invoices for payment, and reconciles payroll liability accounts. Responsible for the agency’s cell phones, issuing equipment and ensuring costs are charged to the appropriate fund. Suzette is the person in charge for the annual grant submission to E-Rate for the Charter Schools and prepares E-Rate billings after funding has been awarded. Suzette also works to ensure the ongoing maintenance of PPEP’s accounting system.

Suzette was awarded PPEP employee of the year for 2008, 2011, and 2019. Suzette is active in her community by providing accounting services to small businesses and donating school supplies to less fortunate students throughout Tucson, AZ.

Rosy Muñoz De Ochoa, Director of Human Resources

Rosy Muñoz De Ochoa brings over 11 years of comprehensive Human Resources experience to her role as Director of HR at PPEP, Inc. With expertise spanning employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, staff training and development, compliance, benefits administration, and workplace safety, Rosy is dedicated to fostering a supportive and dynamic workplace environment.

Rosy’s leadership style is hands-on and solution-focused. She believes in rolling up her sleeves to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. Her greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing others succeed, especially when they’ve doubted their abilities, and she takes pride in encouraging and contributing to their accomplishments.

Her professional philosophy is grounded in mutual respect, continuous learning, and the belief that clear communication is key to overcoming challenges. By understanding the “why” behind situations, Rosy helps her team and colleagues navigate with purpose and clarity.

Rosy was born in Yuma, Arizona, to a proud family of agricultural workers in Somerton, Yuma, and San Luis. Though she has lived in various cities and states, Tucson, Arizona, is where she calls home. Rosy treasures time with her husband and son, her biggest supporters, and enjoys taking road trips and creating memories with her family.

Rosy is honored to join PPEP, Inc. and is eager to work alongside its dedicated and hardworking team, contributing to the organization’s mission and success.

Eddie Vera, Director of Information Technology

Eddie Vera is the Director of Information Technology at PPEP, Inc, where he is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s technology systems and services are efficient, effective, secure, and aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives. With years years of experience in information technology, Eddie has a proven track record of implementing new technologies, managing complex IT projects, and ensuring security across the organization. His unwavering commitment to excellence and forward-thinking mindset makes him a valuable asset to the executive team at PPEP, Inc.