Board of Directors

Region I

Rob Gregory, President

Rob is married with four adult children and one precious granddaughter. He is a proud owner of a Keeshond (pet!). A  graduate of the University of Idaho (BA), Rob then attended graduate school at Eastern Washington University, where he received his MSW. He retired after 33 years with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, serving 13 years as a Program Manager for Children and Family Services. He enjoys the outdoors, fishing, hunting, golf, and travel.

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Marilyn Delgado

Marilyn Delgado has three children ages 6, 12 and 15 years old.  Being a mom has been and continues to be her greatest achievement and challenge.  It is where her life’s lessons are best taught and learned.  Marilyn has her undergraduate degree form the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and her Masters of Social Work degree from Eastern Washington University.  She has been affiliated with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare since 1997.  Marilyn has worked in a psychiatric residential facility, was a school social worker for the Community Resources for Families program and later was coordinator for the program in Reg 1, served as a child protection investigator and currently holds the position of Regional Program Specialist for Children’s Mental Health program.  Marilyn serves on several Boards and community coalitions as a Department and community representative.  Marilyn also works with the Hispanic community with the Latino Outreach Project, a community based organization that promotes outreach efforts to the Latino community of North Idaho.  Marilyn recently joined Boise State University adjunct faculty, teaching graduate level courses for the Social Work Department.  Marilyn enjoys music, dancing, and enjoying the beauty of North Idaho while boating, camping, hiking and running. 

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2007 Board Retreat

Region II

Vacant

Kathie Garrett

Kathie Garrett has a life time of experience and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.  Kathie started working in the California State Hospital system in 1963.  Of that time she said, “The only way I could survive was to focus on how I could make things better for people living in these institutions and how to get them back into our communities.”

In 1982, Kathie and her family moved to South Carolina where Kathie finished her degree in Political Science at Clemson University.  Next they moved to Oregon were Kathie completed a Masters in Public Administration from Portland State University.

The Garrett’s moved to Idaho in 1991 and they were more that ready to put down roots.  Kathie immediately got involved pursuing her passion for politics and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities and their families.

Kathie served as an Idaho State Representative from 2002 through 2006.  She served as Vice Chairman of the House Health and Welfare Committee and served on the Health Care Task Force, the Mental Health Subcommittee, and the Mental Health Transformation Work Group.

Kathie currently works as a Legislative Advisor for several health care and disabilities groups.  Kathie serves a Co-Chair of the Governor’s Council on Suicide Prevention.  She is also a member of the State Planning Council on Mental Health, a Board member of NAMI-Idaho and the Family Medicine Residency.

Kathie has taken leadership to establish Partners in Crisis, a group of individuals and organizations who are interested in improving Idaho’s mental health and substance abuse system and impacting public policy.

Kathie is married to Vern Garrett who is co-owner of Assent Behavioral Health specializing in substance abuse treatment especially for those with co-occurring mental health disorders.

Kathie and Vern have two grown children and are proud grandparents of two with another one on the way.

Email Kathie: kgarrett@idahofederation.org

Region III

Mike Burgess

As a Father of a son with special needs, I have a love and passion for those individuals who suffer from mental, emotional, developmental, or physical handicaps. Like many parents, I was in denial for the longest time thinking that this was a developmental condition that he might outgrow. Then reality set in and I realized that he needed help. Working through each process, different services, and agencies was a learning curve unlike any other. Not only have I become an advocate for my own son, but for all of those with disabilities.

I have two associate degrees, one in liberal arts and one in political science; I have a BA in Trade and Industrial Vocation Education, taught at the College of Southern Idaho as a Law Enforcement Associate Professor; and retired after 28 1/2 years with the Idaho State Police as a Sergeant in Criminal Investigations. I also retired from the Idaho Air National Guard with 30 years as the Law Office Manager. I have been working on my Masters in Psycho-Physiology. I am an ordained Pastor and have a professional/honorary doctorate in Divinity, DD.

I love people and have an honest desire to serve.

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Region IV

Jesse Leib

Jesse is married with three young children. He attended Idaho State University, earning a BBA in Accounting and an MBA with emphasis in Accounting. He earned CPA\ABV, CMA and CVA professional designations, during his 10 years in public accounting. Currently, he is the controller of a private mining company based in Boise. His current employment allows him the freedom to enjoy hobbies such as small scale gold mining, camping and hunting.

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Region V

Vacant

Region VI

Deana Molinari

Deana is the mother of 15 children. She began her professional nurse in a children's hospital and over the years earned a PhD in educational psychology and technology. She teaches nurses at Idaho State University when she isn't caring for her children with special needs. She has conducted research and published several articles about family, student, and nurse stress. Deana enjoys delegating gardening, Italian cooking, quilting, writing, and traveling.

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Region VII

Fred Kirn

Hi, my name is Fred Kirn and I am the dinosaur on the Board of Directors, not because I'm old, but because I am the last original member and held the distinction of being the Board's first President. I am the father of two young ladies, Amy and Gabrielle, and the spouse of Mary for the last 29 years. Gabrielle, a child with BiPolar and severe anxiety disorders, challenged my education and experience in the mental health field for most of her adolescence and young adulthood. Even with advanced degrees in counseling and 24 years of experience in the field, it was impossible to be your child's therapist and father at the same time, so enter the Federation, with its parent support, training in IDEA and education.

I am the Region VII Field Program Manager for Children and Family Services (CFS), and oversee public child welfare and child mental health. Previously I was the Chief of Children's Mental Health, supervising foster care and adoptions, and was a practicing child therapist. I have a Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Idaho and a B.S. in Psychology from Washington State University.

I am patriotic, being born in Washington D.C. on George Washington's birthday, in the Garfield Memorial Hospital. I enjoy golf, or as some say, am a fanatic about the sport. I do maintain a 10 handicap, which isn't bad for a guy who didn't take it up until his mid-40s. I love the outdoors and do a lot of hiking and backpacking in Idaho, Arizona and Utah. I am an Apple Mac lover and believe everyone should be one too. I have an artistic side, painting and drawing, and photographing the great outdoors, from Yellowstone to Arizona's Superstition Mountains to the beaches of southern California.

Email Fred: