Who We Are
The People Behind OneMorgan County
Brenda Zion, Executive Director
OMC has one employee—an Executive Director. Brenda Zion is the 4th generation of her family to call Morgan County home. She has a background in psychology, organizational leadership, adult literacy, nonprofit management and immigration law including a State of Colorado Literacy Instruction Authorization and Board of Immigration Appeals Accreditation. Brenda has been with OneMorgan County—an immigrant integration focused nonprofit organization serving the residents of Morgan County, Colorado—since 2008 including leading the organization as it transitioned from a grant-funded program of Morgan Community College to an independent nonprofit. Under her leadership, OneMorgan County has been recognized with Group Publishing’s Community Service Award in the area of Civic Community Services and Fort Morgan Police Department’s Citizen Citations for Meritorious Service. Brenda believes in the benefit of cohesive communities, the effectiveness of collaboration, the strength of servant leadership, the advantage of building social capital and the power of synergy.
OneMorgan County Board Members
Darin Sagel, Chair
Darin is a Lieutenant with the Fort Morgan Police Department. His educational background includes graduating from Fort Morgan High School and attending approximately 2.5 years of college. He received a training certificate in law enforcement. Darin has always felt that OMC is a needed organization within the community. Morgan County has a very diverse population and OMC assists the community to integrate and understand the different cultures that immigrants bring to the community. He believes OMC has been a great asset to the Fort Morgan Police Department and the City of Fort Morgan.
Damaris Cooksey, Vice Chair
Damaris has a Bachelor of Science in Small Business Management from the University of Northern Colorado. She has worked in the insurance, construction, mortgage and agricultural industries. She is committed to the principles of OMC and to the education of immigrants and receiving communities.
Julie Vannoy, Secretary
Mary Gross, Treasurer
Mary has a Bachelor of Arts in Adult Education and an Associate of Applied Science in Electronics. Mary is the Executive Director of the Morgan County Family Center. Mary has worked with family support, parent and adult education for 15 years. Mary believes that OMC is important to the community as it adds another level of education and support for not only immigrants and refugees but for the whole community.
Sandra Baker, Board Member
Sandra is the Director or Northeast Colorado Area Agency on Aging and has held that position for the last 19 years. She has worked for the Northeast Colorado Association of Local Governments for the last 30 years. Sandra has lived in Morgan County all her life and is invested in promoting Morgan County.
Don Coloroso, Board Member
Don is the Coordinator of Identification and Recruitment for Centennial Board of Cooperative Education Services. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling. Don had acted as a Disability Coordinator (Adams County Head Start), Director of Support Services (Envision), Chief Executive Officer (kids are worth it! Inc.) and Executive Director (Boulder County Board for Developmental Disabilities). Don’s purpose in serving on the Board of Directors of OMC is assisting its commitment to community integration of all of its members. Don is a believer in the potential of all human beings, and each person’s inherent gifts to give and receive from the community.
John Crosthwait, Board Member
John’s family members have been Morgan County landowners and residents since the late 1800s. They still own and reside on the same farm that their immigrant great-grandfather homesteaded and purchased. They have been involved in water rights, cash crop and livestock production for well over 100 years. John is presently the Director of Northeast Colorado Health Department that serves and has an office in Fort Morgan. Prior to that John was a Morgan County Commissioner from 1993-2004. John has been the active owner and operator of his family’s farm for over 30 years. His undergraduate degree was earned from Colorado State University with a major in cconomics. He graduated from Brush High School, and attended elementary school in Hillrose, Colorado. John’s support of OMC has been solid since its inception. He believes that there exists many elements of success that will not only bolster the support within the community, but work as a valuable collaborative partner to service agencies that provide support and assistance to immigrant populations. He also believes that OMC provides inclusive services to immigrants regardless of their origin, and works toward the goal of inclusion in our communities. John is proud to be a part of OMC and support the mission, goals, and vision.
Patricia Farrell, Board Member
Anna Goncharova, Board Member
Anna is native to Russia. Currently she enjoys living in Fort Morgan and raising her daughter. Anna has degrees confirmed in the U.S.A. as a Master Degree in Social Work and as a Doctor of Philosophy in Russian Legal Study. She had been teaching for 7 years at Siberian Federal University (Russia) and has published over 30 scientific works, including 3 monographs, 2 manuals and numerous articles. She has extensive experience in grant writing and developing and realizing innovative social projects. Anna appreciates the considerable impact of OMC on immigrant’s lives and cross-cultural relationships and thinks that helping people to fulfill their potential will benefit our community.
Cynthia Kindel, Board Member
Julie Oliver, Board Member
Julie has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, with Masters Education in Special Education; Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity; English as a Second Language; and Educational Management. Julie has directed the Adult Education program for 13 years and has provided supervision for the OMC Coordinators since the inception of the program. Julie believes OMC provides opportunities for building relationships across cultures which creates a welcoming community.
Karen Temple, Board Member
Karen has a very diverse background in sales and marketing, public relations, web design, desk-top publishing, fund-raising, grant writing, and video production in a variety of fields such as healthcare, Fortune 500 business, banking, and entrepreneurship. She has an Associate of Arts degree from MCC. She is currently employed with the Morgan County School District as well as self-employed as a Mary Kay Sales Director. Karen believes a strong and vibrant community is made up of people from diverse nationalities each bringing a unique set of talents and perspective. She believes OMC can be a catalyst to help weave those differences into a rich tapestry of life and small town living, creating a community she is proud to call home.
Greg Wagers, Board Member
Greg is Superintendent of Schools for Morgan County School District RE-3. He has a Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Master of Arts in Middle School Education, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. Greg has worked in the Re-3 School District since 1984 holding the positions of classroom teacher, Testing Specialist, Curriculum Director, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Assessment, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Superintendent of Schools. Greg was involved very early in the OMC initiative and was a long-time member of the Advisory Council. His perspective, as a school administrator, has given him an opportunity to have a positive impact on the evolution of OMC as well as an opportunity to leverage district and OMC resources to provide increasingly effective educational services to immigrant/refugee students and their families. The school district, in particular, and community, as a whole, has benefited from the OMC initiative. As Superintendent of Schools, Greg remains fully supportive of OMC and appreciates the wide-range of services it provides.
