Barbara Gholar, a Monrovia High graduate (Class of 1972), is a dedicated community leader with a legacy of contributions in education, financial literacy, and civic engagement. After retiring from teaching in 2014, she established a business focused on financial literacy for middle-class families, especially people of color, and conducts workshops for youth and adults. A longtime member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Monrovia, she advocates for interfaith collaboration and has held leadership roles in various organizations, including the Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association and KGEM Studio, where she has hosted multiple shows. Barbara has served as Chair of Community Media of the Foothills (KGEM Studio) and has been a board member for six years. Her activism spans the O2 Breathe Walk for Pulmonary Hypertension, NAACP Pasadena Branch, the Monrovia Community Coordinating Council and Monrovia ChangeMakers. Her work fosters inclusivity and community unity, and she was honored as the 2021 Older American of the Year for her volunteer efforts.
Jason Vance Board Vice President
As a lifelong resident of Monrovia, I bring a deep understanding of the community. My role as an Instructional Assistant has honed my skills in education, communication, and collaboration. Additionally, I am a creative and out-of-the-box thinker, which enables me to bring fresh, innovative ideas to KGEM, enhancing our content and engagement strategies. My connection to KGEM dates back to when I was 15 years old, appearing on a show with the legendary Ralph Walker and Mimi Mency.
Fred Wasson Board Treasurer
I am retired after a 40-year career as an investment professional with commercial real estate and financial corporations. I’m seeking to employ my general business and financial skills to fix strategic and financial problems in nonprofit organizations as an unpaid consultant and board member. It’s time to give back and connect with people within my community.
Sheila Spicer-Batice Board Secretary
I am a lifelong Monrovian with a deep passion for community building. After 39 years of dedicated service to the City of Monrovia, I recently retired but continue involvement in various community programs. I am honored to serve on the Board of Community Media of Foothills (CMF), an organization that plays an essential role in fostering community connections through the services it provides. I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members to support and enhance these invaluable services. Together, we can continue to strengthen our community through the important work CMF provides.
Stephanie Rosa Board Compliance Officer
I am a proud native of Monrovia and a graduate of MHS Class of '94; go Wildcats! It is a privilege to serve the San Gabriel Valley and collaborate with community leaders in supporting the mission of Community Media of the Foothills (CMF): "empowering local voices and celebrating the rich diversity of our community." With years of professional legal experience, community partnering, and being of service to my community, I seek to enhance CMF's framework to ensure its enduring presence in our community.
Gautam Godse Board of Director
Gautam Godse is the founder and CEO of Appmosis, Inc., a consulting powerhouse based in Monrovia, CA. Since launching Appmosis in 2011 to create cutting-edge Apple ecosystem products, he has grown it into a global firm that advises and invests in startups.
With a 30-year tech career spanning startups and roles at Fortune 500 companies like Yahoo, Belkin, LegalZoom, and ZenBusiness, Gautam combines innovation with leadership. A Monrovia resident for over 21 years, he is deeply involved in the community as Secretary and past President of the Monrovia Tennis Club, a 90-year-old institution. Outside work, Gautam is an avid tennis player, budding pilot, and video podcast creator. His family—wife Hoofrish, a graphic designer and ceramic artist, and two daughters thriving in academia—call Monrovia home. Recently, Gautam launched Tech Tips with Gautam, filmed at KGEM, and has been a panelist for KGEM TV’s Digital Dialogue series. He’s eager for more creative collaborations with CMF and KGEM.
Barbara McNellis
Board of Director
My passion is working with people. I was an elementary teacher for 17 years and an instructional coach for two years. I met my future husband and moved to Apple Valley, California, to be closer to his job. He was a captain at the local fire department and a teacher at the college. I became an elementary teacher and we stayed up in the desert for 20 yrs., raising our family. Since then, my husband has passed away and my kids are grown and out of the house. I moved back down to Monrovia a little over a year ago. It was the best decision I could have made. I am so happy living back in this community. I loved living in Monrovia. It always felt like a safe, tight knit community.
I am so impressed with what KGEM offers to the community and I hope to contribute my strengths and talents to the studio. I look forward to working closely with CMF and see how I can help support programming that serves the citizens in our community.