Maria Christie Dickerson
Maria, by trade, is a professional photographer. She has been involved in producing several national magazine covers highlighting such celebrities as Angela Bassett, Shemar Moore, Kimberly Elise, and Kandy Alexander for covers of Ebony Magazine. Maria has also done personal portraiture for NBA star/TNT Commentator Chris Webber; Los Angeles Lakers coach Brian Shaw; NFL Detroit Lion, Julian Peterson; Dr. Cornel West; Tavis Smiley; Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas; and musical sensations such as Gladys Knight, Teena Marie, Raphael Saadiq, as well as upcoming artists. She was selected to photograph one of six photographs to be highlighted and sponsored by Microsoft. She was also an honored guest in Washington D.C. for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for a photography book launch event. Maria has also helped produce a photo exhibit in Geneva, Switzerland as well as being on the team of creating several photography books.
As the Founder and Key Producer of A Day in the Life Project, Inc., Maria enjoys photographing special moments professionally as well as using it as a vehicle to give back to individuals and to the community. A Day in the Life Project has involved hundreds of photographers, which include grade-school children, high school students, college photography students, professional photographers and members of communities.
Jim West
Jim West is one of the original founders of the A Day in the Life photography events in Sacramento, California. Jim is also the Director of Photography of Cosumnes River College, a Professor of Photography, and a professional photographer. He has been teaching for 33 years at Cosumnes River College, Sacramento City College, American River College, The University of California at Davis, adult education programs and senior centers. He has photographed U.S. Presidents, shot the world from French Polynesia to Japan, and has taught thousands of students. Also, each summer, Jim teaches photography classes in exotic locations around the world.
Julie Young
Julie's affiliation with Valley Commercial Contractors began in 1987. She served as the Operations Manager when the northern California Region was opened in 1991. Since then, Julie has worked in a variety of project development roles including entitlement, program review, schematic review, design development, construction management, project management and has served on transition teams, bringing assets to operations. She is trained to seek out added value opportunities in both programming and value engineering.
With an eye on efficiency, Julie leads Valley's northern California Region, manages their resources and assigns the team to each project, insuring the needs of the clients are met and the highest and best result is achieved for each project.
Dr. Ronald Blanchette, D.D.S.
Dr. Ronald Blanchette is a highly respected professional in the dental industry and a strong community leader. He has provided outstanding dental services to the community for more than 25 years. He is a widely respected professional and serves on a number of boards and committees. He is a strong believer and supporter of community services and especially responds to the needs of underprivileged and at-risk youth.
Dr. Ronald Blanchette has a strong history of showing support and by serving on important boards to maintain integrity and to facilitate change when necessary. He also is a supporter by heading and planning golf tournaments for fundraising as well as coaching youth and adult basketball leagues. He believes in supporting and empowering individuals and local businesses.
Destinee Dickerson
Destinee is our youngest Board Member but yet, a very strong and important component of our team. She is our teen representative. She keeps our program fresh and on the edge to encourage and maintain the interest of our youth and teens. She brings a different level of technology and experience through not only the art of still photography but also video. She is a senior at an area college preparatory high school and has high goals and aspirations that include graduating from high school and going on to a 4 year college to study with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Pre-Law. She has held a coveted employed position at Sacramento area news station KCRA as a High School Playbook reporter which included her covering and reporting on stories at her high school and other high schools with footage available for viewing on the internet as well as sometimes showcased on the daily televised news.
Destinee has particiapated and helped plan A Day in the Life photography projects from the very beginning. She began as a photography participant and then grew into recording video for the project.
