Meet the Team

Executive Leadership

Kari Photo

Kari Kingsolver

Executive Director

Kari is the Executive Director of The Arc of Benton County. With more than 28 years of experience supporting people with disabilities, she is deeply committed to helping every person live a full, meaningful, and connected life in their community.

Her leadership spans the public, nonprofit, and private sectors: a decade in vocational rehabilitation leadership with the State of Oregon, founding a nonprofit in Southern Oregon, directing programs at therapeutic boarding schools, and owning CrossFit gyms in the United States and Mexico.

A licensed school counselor, licensed therapist, and certified life coach, Kari is committed to strengthening The Arc’s impact and ensuring people with disabilities in Benton County are seen, supported, and celebrated.

Program Staff

Aaron Smith

Program Manager

Oversees program staff and operations

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asmith@arcbenton.org

Abby Guzman

Assistant Director of Programs

Supports the Director of Programs with overseeing our programs

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aguzman@arcbenton.org

Ash Ri'chard

Independent Living Program Coordinator

Oversees our Supported Living program and facilitates our SLLEDD life skills program

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arichard@arcbenton.org

Sarah Simmons

Community Advocate

Provides perspectives from lived experiences with neurodiversity

Julie Hardenburger

Art & Exercise Instructor

Leads our ceramics, glassmaking, Tai Chi, and exercise classes

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jhardenburger@arcbenton.org

Krystina Montesi

Music & Dance Teacher

Leads our performance-based TAAP activities

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kmontesi@arcbenton.org

Jen Hernandez

Art Instructor

Leads our ArtFocus painting classes

Jeff Forty

Program Support Specialist

Provides individualized support in building life skills, connecting with their community, building meaningful relationships, and pursuing goals through individualized support and engaging activities

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jforty@arcbenton.org

Gracie Herrick

Program Support Specialist

Supports individuals in building life skills, connecting with their community, building meaningful relationships, and pursuing goals through individualized support and engaging activities.

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gherrick@arcbenton.org

Zak Van Dyke

Program Support Specialist

Supports individuals in building life skills, connecting with their community, building meaningful relationships, and pursuing goals through individualized support and engaging activities.

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zvandyke@arcbenton.org

Thrift Store Management

Ann Morey Ross

General Manager of Thrift Stores

Oversees day-to-day operations at our thrift stores

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amross@arcbenton.org

Anna Stevenson

Philomath Store Manager

Oversees day-to-day operations at our Philomath thrift store

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astevenson@arcbenton.org

Jill Gerlach

Volunteer Coordinator

Oversees thrift store volunteers

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volunteer@arcbenton.org

Administrative Staff

Brianna Bleiwas

Administrative Assistant

Manages our office, marketing and provides support to other departments

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office@arcbenton.org

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