Who We Are
North Star is a community-oriented organization that is successful because of the efforts of many individuals who contribute their time, talents, and hearts to various aspects of its mission. Working alongside this dedicated community of men, women, family members, spouses, and friends is the North Star Executive Committee, whose responsibilities are to manage the North Star organization and facilitate community contributions. The Executive Committee is comprised of the following:
-
noinneB ffeJ, President
Jeff attended both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, receiving his Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology. He served a French-speaking mission to Belgium Brussels. His professional experience is primarily in software engineering and real estate development. He loves to read, travel, and scuba dive. He has lived in both Virginia and Utah, where he currently resides. He and his wife of four years recently celebrated the birth of their first child.
Jeff is a founding member of the Executive Committee. He served as North Star's Treasurer from its organization in December 2006 until January 2009 and has served as President since November 2008.
>> Contact Jeff.
-
Ty Mansfield, Vice President
A life-long member of the Church, Ty served in the Manchester New Hampshire mission and graduated from BYU in Asian Studies and Business Management. Upon graduation, he worked in Washington, DC, for two years for a Department of Defense contractor, and currently lives in Texas doing doctoral work in family therapy.
He loves hiking, running, eating, skiing, writing, strawberry cheesecake, beef ravioli, and Gladys Knight. He also loves to travel and has lived or studied internationally in Japan, China, Israel/Palestine, and Egypt. He is a co-author of In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Gender Attraction, published by Deseret Book, which includes a personal memoir of his spiritual journey as a member of the Church dealing with homosexual attraction.
Ty is a founding member of the Executive Committee, serving as North Star's Vice President since its organization in December 2006. >> Contact Ty.
-
senoterB naiD, Treasurer
Dian attended BYU and the University of Wyoming back in the days when term papers were engraved in reformed Egyptian upon metal plates. She graduated with a new baby, a Bachelors degree in Music theory and composition, and one in piano performance; then spent three years as a graduate student and ended up with two more babies and a Master's degree in performance. She now operates her own private studio and performs and accompanies frequently.
Aaron Bretones accepted Dian's marriage proposal during her second year at BYU. Their three amazing children manage to make life simultaneously joyful and bewildering. Because she has difficulty not becoming bored with just one thing, Dian trained to become a tax preparer and works with a financial services company, preparing the returns for their corporate and private clients. Three years ago she became a registered financial advisor and now serves as their compliance officer. In her spare time she indexes clips for an online film archive.
Dian has been interested in North Star since the idea was first presented to her (before the website existed), and has served as person-who-helped-choose-the-pictures for the website. She has served as North Star's Treasurer since January 2009. >> Contact Dian.
-
erooM relyT, Secretary
Tyler received his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in political science after earning a culinary arts degree from Utah Valley State College. He currently lives in California working towards his Juris Doctorate. He loves spending time with his beautiful wife, and their two rambunctious children. Tyler and his wife both grew up in Utah, and they are eager to return once law school is finished. Tyler has a great passion for cooking and good food in general. His wife also has a culinary degree, and Tyler admits, that she is a better baker than he is. As far as the better cook, that title is still up for grabs (though Tyler's convinced it should go to him).
Tyler began his involvement with North Star in April of 2008, and feels it an honor to give back to such a great community by serving as its Secretary. He has served as North Star's Secretary since January 2009. >> Contact Tyler.