Luis J. G. Castaneda, Jr. – Board Chairman
Email Your Board: lcastanedajr@avfire.org
Mr. Castaneda was first elected to the Avra Valley Fire District Governing Board in 2008. He served as Chairman of the Board from 2010 through 2014 and was recently re-elected to serve in that capacity through 2015. Chairman Castaneda, the eldest of six children born to Louis E. Castaneda and Betty G. Castaneda, was born on January 4th, 1967, in Tucson, Arizona. He attended Marana Elementary School, Wakefield Junior High and graduated from Pueblo High School in 1986. Mr. Castaneda graduated from Pima Community College in 1988, earning a degree in Business Administration. Chairman Castaneda was elected to the Marana Domestic Water Improvement District Board in 2006 where he served as the Vice-Chairman in 2007 and 2008. Mr. Castaneda has been an active member of the Legislative District 11 Democrats since 2004. He has served as Democratic Party Precinct Committeeman for Precinct 5, and as a Democratic Party State Committeeman.
Thomas Armendarez, Board Vice-Chairman
Email Your Board: tarmendarez@avfire.org
Mr. Armendarez is currently employed by Ventana Medical Systems as engineering support working on cutting edge technology in cancer research. He owns and operates Old Pueblo Promotions which is a small business focusing on custom graphic arts and promotional products. Mr. Armendarez is a current member of the Tucson C.E.R.T. team and was formerly a first aid/CPR instructor for the American Red Cross.
Cody Bren, Clerk of the Board
Email Your Board: cbren@avfire.org
Mr. Bren has been a resident of Red Rock, AZ since 2015. He serves as Senior Pastor of Village Church, located in Red Rock. He and his wife, Jessica, have 3 beautiful daughters together. Prior to being elected to the Avra Valley Fire Board, Mr. Bren served four years on the Red Rock Elementary School Board.
Eric Neilson, Board Member
Email Your Board: eneilson@avfire.org
Eric was raised in Florida, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1979-1983 as an avionics man on C-130’s. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida in 1988. Upon graduating from Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy in 1995, he moved to Tucson. Eric has practiced both hospital and community pharmacy at many venues in southern Arizona. On his off time, he raises tortoises and peacocks on a former Titan II missile site.
Michelle Stark-Goss, Board Member
Email Your Board: mgoss@avfire.org
Ms. Goss has lived in the Missile Base area for 16 years. She earned a Criminal Law Degree graduating with honors, but decided to pursue selling Real Estate. She was a Realtor for 30 years. Ms. Goss grew up in a fence construction family, Stark Fence Company, where she is in charge of managing the financial side. She has a successful Dutch Warmblood breeding program and is a top dressage competitor as well. Ms. Goss has 6 amazing grown children.
