Valerie Allums

Valerie Allums is the outreach coordinator for the West Oakland Asthma Coalition and the newest member of the PEOPLE’S board. She is also working toward a BA in Human Services with a goal of becoming a forensic nurse. Valerie joined the board to act as a community spokesperson. She spends a significant amount of her time working in West Oakland, and she feels an obligation to ensure that the credit union will not lose sight of the community’s needs as it continues to grow. Prior to joining the board, Valerie actively participated in PEOPLE’S outreach walks and car sales while serving as a tireless advocate for the credit union. Valerie serves on the marketing and fundraising committees.

Ollie Arnold

Ollie Arnold brings extensive community building experience from her professional work as a Housing Outreach Coordinator with Eden Information and Referral. With Eden I&R, she develops and manages outreach to property managers, leads media campaigns, and develops housing seminars.

Eric Cone

Eric Cone worked as a computer programmer and analyst for 13 years. Now retired, he currently works as a full-time volunteer for the San Antonio Community Development Corporation. He has served on the Corporation’s board since 1978.Eric is an active community member, also serving on the board of San Antonio Commercial Revitalization, Inc. in Oakland in addition to his extensive work with People’s. He served as a member on the PEOPLE’S planning committee that established the credit union, and he became one of Peoples’ original board members when the credit union opened in 2001. During his long association with the credit union, Eric has participated in a wide variety of activities including event tabling, outreach walks, and our VITA site. He currently serves on Peoples’ finance committee.

Elissa Dennis

Elissa Dennis is a housing consultant with Oakland-based Community Economics, Inc., providing technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and public agencies in the development and financing of affordable housing. She has long been a housing advocate, serving six years on the board, four as president, of the East Bay Housing Organization. She continues to work as a statewide advocate for affordable housing through her work with Housing California. Elissa joined PEOPLE’S as a natural extension of her work on behalf of the low-income community. Elissa has spent five years on PEOPLE’S board, serving on both the marketing and the outreach committees.

Silvana Hackett

Silvana Hackett is Manager of Community Program with Eden Information & Referral. Her organizations 211 number links low-income people in the Oakland target market with social and disaster recovery services.

Peggy Jen

Peggy Jen is Senior Housing Program Officer with Bay Area Local Initiatives Support Corporation. She assembles the financial resources necessary to implement comprehensive neighborhood development strategies which benefit low-income people and communities throughout the Bay Area.

Byron Phillips

Byron Phillips is a loan officer for the Low Income Investment Fund. He attended Florida A&M and received a BS in Finance. He brings a strong background in banking and financial services to PEOPLE’S. Byron is able to develop economic plans that would be able to help revitalize low income urban areas such as West Oakland.

Carole Wagner

Carole Wagner is a Certified Credit Counselor with 17 years of experience in credit counseling related to debt management, credit card issues, medical issues and home buying.

Alton Wilson

Alton Wilson is a customer service representative at the Best Western Airport Inn & Suites. Alton, a lifelong West Oakland resident, attended Laney College. As the board’s only West Oakland resident, Alton serves as a strong voice for the low-income members of his community. In addition to his work with PEOPLE’S, Alton has been active in many other community organizations, including volunteering at the Oakland Airport information booth and his church as well as serving at-risk Oakland residents in the Allan Temple anger management program. Alton has been an active board member, participating at PEOPLE’S VITA site and taking part in outreach walks and tabling events. He has served as a board member since 2003 and is active on PEOPLE’S outreach committee.