About ACCEL

Raymond Damm has been working with ACCEL since March of 2016, starting as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Development Officer, and transitioning to the role of Chief Executive Officer in June of 2018. Ray holds a B.S. from The University of Virginia – Wise and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Having held executive positions in both the public and private sectors, Ray is driven to apply private sector best practices to sustainably address issues the public sector is driven to solve. This is especially true for underserved groups of individuals and those whose voice isn’t heard. He is motivated by ACCEL’s 300+ students and 100+ adults that overcome incredible obstacles each and every day. Outside of work, Ray is happiest spending time with family, making and repairing watches, playing golf and being in the mountains or on the beach.Read Less

Mitchell Moore has made Arizona home for more than 25 years working with fast paced, growing organizations in diverse industries. Financial Executives International recognized Mitchell as the Arizona CFO of the Year in 2018. Mitchell has helped organizations grow from startups through maturity and in some cases helped to manage successful turn-arounds. After two successful decades as a senior financial leader within the transportation industry, Mitchell chose to contribute his skills within the nonprofit sector in 2015. He is now able to align his passion for building community and helping people, especially youth, by joining ACCEL in March of 2020 as CFO. Mitchell has degrees in business and the arts from Mesa Community College and attended California State University-Bakersfield for finance and philosophy. It’s a miracle Mitchell is alive. At barely two years old, he was diagnosed as the fifth known case in America with a life threatening form of acute hemolytic anemia, the second to live through it and the first to survive without major complications. To say Mitchell has been a fighter all his life is no understatement.Read Less

Originally an English teacher in Utah and Arizona (Mesa Junior High School), Gordon and his family moved to Washington State where he served in administration for three high schools, ultimately becoming the principal of Richland High School.While principal, Gordon served on the board of directors for Goodwill Industries of Columbia where he then became the CEO. After his time at Goodwill, Gordon founded and operated a software development company with global sales and was also elected to the local school board. Most recently, Gordon has run his own consulting company and helped a family operated manufacturing company in Chandler.Gordon is fluent in English and Spanish, has a pending Ph.D. in business, a master's degree from Harvard University, and a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University.Gordon, his wife Carrie, and their five children live in Gilbert, AZ.Read Less

As the Chief Advancement Officer, Jessie is focused on the fundraising, marketing and community outreach efforts for ACCEL. Prior to this role Jessie has had a variety of fundraising and leadership roles within health and human services organizations including the American Lung Association and American Heart Association. As a nonprofit leader, Jessie is passionate about serving others to reach their full potential. Jessie graduated from the University of Arizona (go Wildcats!) with her undergraduate degree and then went on to complete her MBA. In her free time, you can find Jessie traveling the globe to visit her 12 nieces and nephews, volunteering in the community or catching up with friends. Although originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Jessie resides in Scottsdale with her husband, Luis, and Australian Shepherd, Cujo.Read Less

Jonathan Evans has been teaching and working with students with developmental disabilities including autism since 2001. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Miami University, a Master’s degree in Cross Categorical Special Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Arizona State University. Jonathan has been a Special Education administrator since 2011. Special Education is a passion of Jonathan’s and there is nothing more exciting for him than seeing his students succeed. His educational philosophy is to make sure that all of his students achieve a life of dignity and self worth. Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. He also enjoys outdoor activities, spending time in the mountains or at the beach, and watching his children play sports.Read Less

Working with those who have developmental and behavioral health disabilities since 1976, Kay Moore’s vast experience includes the spectrum of services from children to the elderly, from group homes to semi-independent apartment living and from all types of day programs to the full menu of employment programs. Kay Moore is an active accreditation CARF surveyor for Employment and Community Based Services, currently entering her 25th year of reviewing disability programs across the U.S. and Canada. Ms. Moore is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRCC #28414) for disability services. Kay has two grown children, a son and a daughter, and three grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors including mountain biking, hiking and reading in her pool.Read Less