Name: Morrie Rice
Position: President
Committee Assignments: Executive, Development, Fundraising
Bio: After attaining his B.S. Degree in Packaging from Michigan State University, Mr. Rice worked for major corporations in the aerospace and medical device industries designing packaging for their products. He later worked for companies selling packaging machinery. Since 1999, he has operated his own business in packaging materials sales as a sole proprietor. This business provides packaging solutions to commercial accounts in the medical device, bio-medical, fresh produce and beverage industries. Throughout his business career, he has dedicated much of his spare time to non-profit organizations serving people in the special-needs community. He has been a founding member and treasurer of the Board of Directors of Ride to Fly, an organization providing equestrian lessons to the disabled, and was also a founding member, past president, and current member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes, who provide competitive athletic opportunities for people with special needs. He also serves as President, Board of Directors of the Mountainback Condominium Owners Association in Mammoth Lakes. In his leisure time, he enjoys a full schedule of fishing, hunting, skiing, gardening and cooking with friends and family. His daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: Karen Shimabukuro
Position: Vice President
Committee Assignments: Fundraising
Bio: Mrs. Shimabukuro graduated from Michigan State and was employed by Chapman College. She has been a great help to STAR in the area of fundraising. She devotes countless hours to volunteering in the Palos Verdes Resale Thrift Shop on behalf of STAR, and has been invaluable in contributing to the success of STAR’s various fundraising efforts. Her daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: Mary Grace Grammatico
Position: Treasurer
Committee Assignments: Executive, Development, Fundraising, Election
Bio: Mrs. Grammatico was raised in the South Bay area. She has been employed by the Wiseburn School District in Hawthorne since 1995. She is a member of the Torrance Centinela Valley Lodge Order Sons of Italy in America and has served this organization as Lodge Queen and as Recording Secretary. Mrs. Grammatico's mother was a member of STAR since its inception, and her brother moved into STAR House 1/Ben and Helen Scalabrini House on the day that it opened for business. Mrs. Grammatico has been a board member for many years, and her brother currently resides at STAR House 3/Wynn House.
Name: Shigeyoshi Yoshida
Position: Secretary
Committee Assignments: Fundraising, Election
Bio: Mr. Yoshida began his professional career in 1961 when he joined Honda Motor Company in Japan. Six years later, he became the purchasing manager at Suzuka Factory, which was Honda’s largest motorcycle production plant at the time. In 1973, he was given an overseas assignment and came to Gardena, California as Vice President of Honda International Trading Corporation. Just three years later in 1978, he established Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, serving as Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Between 1979 and 1986, he oversaw the beginnings of Honda motorcycle, automobile, and auto engine production in the United States. In 1987, he became the Executive Vice President and COO for Honda North America before retiring in 1992 per company policy. After retirement, he served as a corporate advisor for Kumon, North America from 1995-2008 prior to establishing the Yoshida & Associates, Inc. management consulting business in 2009. His daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: Theresa Mossberg
Position: Member
Committee Assignments: Fundraising
Bio: Mrs. Mossberg became very involved in STAR in 1993. She spent the better part of her career working for American Airlines. She also devotes a great deal of time to working at P.V. Resale on behalf of STAR and contributing to the overall success of our fundraising efforts. Her daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: David Yates
Position: Member
Committee Assignments: Executive, Fundraising
Bio: Mr. Yates previously served as STAR’s Chairman of the Board for several years. He was an active member of the Torrance Sertoma (Service to Mankind) Club for many years and was instrumental in planning the organization’s annual golf tournament. Unfortunately, the Torrance chapter of Sertoma folded in early 2019. From 1979 to 2003, David and his wife owned BHY Clothing Manufacturers. Their daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Position: President
Committee Assignments: Executive, Development, Fundraising
Bio: After attaining his B.S. Degree in Packaging from Michigan State University, Mr. Rice worked for major corporations in the aerospace and medical device industries designing packaging for their products. He later worked for companies selling packaging machinery. Since 1999, he has operated his own business in packaging materials sales as a sole proprietor. This business provides packaging solutions to commercial accounts in the medical device, bio-medical, fresh produce and beverage industries. Throughout his business career, he has dedicated much of his spare time to non-profit organizations serving people in the special-needs community. He has been a founding member and treasurer of the Board of Directors of Ride to Fly, an organization providing equestrian lessons to the disabled, and was also a founding member, past president, and current member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes, who provide competitive athletic opportunities for people with special needs. He also serves as President, Board of Directors of the Mountainback Condominium Owners Association in Mammoth Lakes. In his leisure time, he enjoys a full schedule of fishing, hunting, skiing, gardening and cooking with friends and family. His daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: Karen Shimabukuro
Position: Vice President
Committee Assignments: Fundraising
Bio: Mrs. Shimabukuro graduated from Michigan State and was employed by Chapman College. She has been a great help to STAR in the area of fundraising. She devotes countless hours to volunteering in the Palos Verdes Resale Thrift Shop on behalf of STAR, and has been invaluable in contributing to the success of STAR’s various fundraising efforts. Her daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: Mary Grace Grammatico
Position: Treasurer
Committee Assignments: Executive, Development, Fundraising, Election
Bio: Mrs. Grammatico was raised in the South Bay area. She has been employed by the Wiseburn School District in Hawthorne since 1995. She is a member of the Torrance Centinela Valley Lodge Order Sons of Italy in America and has served this organization as Lodge Queen and as Recording Secretary. Mrs. Grammatico's mother was a member of STAR since its inception, and her brother moved into STAR House 1/Ben and Helen Scalabrini House on the day that it opened for business. Mrs. Grammatico has been a board member for many years, and her brother currently resides at STAR House 3/Wynn House.
Name: Shigeyoshi Yoshida
Position: Secretary
Committee Assignments: Fundraising, Election
Bio: Mr. Yoshida began his professional career in 1961 when he joined Honda Motor Company in Japan. Six years later, he became the purchasing manager at Suzuka Factory, which was Honda’s largest motorcycle production plant at the time. In 1973, he was given an overseas assignment and came to Gardena, California as Vice President of Honda International Trading Corporation. Just three years later in 1978, he established Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, serving as Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Between 1979 and 1986, he oversaw the beginnings of Honda motorcycle, automobile, and auto engine production in the United States. In 1987, he became the Executive Vice President and COO for Honda North America before retiring in 1992 per company policy. After retirement, he served as a corporate advisor for Kumon, North America from 1995-2008 prior to establishing the Yoshida & Associates, Inc. management consulting business in 2009. His daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: Theresa Mossberg
Position: Member
Committee Assignments: Fundraising
Bio: Mrs. Mossberg became very involved in STAR in 1993. She spent the better part of her career working for American Airlines. She also devotes a great deal of time to working at P.V. Resale on behalf of STAR and contributing to the overall success of our fundraising efforts. Her daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
Name: David Yates
Position: Member
Committee Assignments: Executive, Fundraising
Bio: Mr. Yates previously served as STAR’s Chairman of the Board for several years. He was an active member of the Torrance Sertoma (Service to Mankind) Club for many years and was instrumental in planning the organization’s annual golf tournament. Unfortunately, the Torrance chapter of Sertoma folded in early 2019. From 1979 to 2003, David and his wife owned BHY Clothing Manufacturers. Their daughter currently resides at STAR House 2/Caribou House.
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