Our Staff

Fred Bell

Executive Director

Fred Serves as chief executive officer, recommends and participates in the formulation of new policies and makes decisions within existing policies as they have been approved by the Board of Directors. Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the staff, programs and activities of the association to assure that objectives are attained, plans fulfilled, and member needs met.

Fred returns to the Valley after working in Orange County for many years. While there, he was the Vice President of Exhibitor Relations for WorldStage LLC, a company that delivers Hi-Definition digital video via satellite to theatres across the country. Prior to that, he was a Vice President in the Operations Department of Edwards Theatres, the fifth largest exhibitor in the U.S. at the time.

A fourteen-year Valley resident, Fred is the past Executive Director of the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce, and has served on a number of boards and committees in the area. Most recently he was Co-Chair of the successful campaign to save Panorama Park in Cathedral City.

Lisa LaBonte

Sign Manager

Lisa began her career in the building industry about 20 years ago in her home state of Michigan and continued in it after her great California move. As a detail-oriented individual, Lisa is perfect as Sign Manager for the Desert Chapter's thriving Sign Program.

Her firm, yet soft-spoken, handling of sign clients makes her a favorite to local builder/developers since she took the job in September of 2001.

Lisa and her husband enjoy remodeling and creating mosaic stepping stones for their garden as a pass time.

Lisa Slam

Membership Director

When Lisa Slam joined the Desert team as our Office Receptionist/Assistant in September of 2002, an already lively, fun place to work blossomed into hilarity. It didn't take long for Desert Chapter to recognize Lisa's talents and abilities. When the position of Membership Director opened, Lisa immediately sprung into action to successfully sell herself for that position. With years of radio and television experience in her background, Lisa fits her position on the team at Desert Chapter like a hand to glove. A true southern belle, Lisa is a Georgia peach, with a hint of rebelliousness. She attended Arizona State University where she majored in physical education and theater. Besides her lovable pooches, her great love is playing the guitar, watching movie classics and performing for two or two thousand. Our Lisa is truly one of a kind.

James Brownyard

V.P. of Legislative Analysis

James was born and raised in San Diego earning his Master�s Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University. He joined the Building Industry Association Desert Chapter originally as Imperial Valley Area Coordinator after following his dream working in law enforcement. After eleven years, James was forced to take medical retirement from the force. He became active in the Brawley Elks Lodge and occasionally worked in the construction industry. Currently, James works out of the Desert office as Director of Legislative Analysis.

Amy Guizar

Director of Special Projects

Amy comes to the Coachella Valley after earning her Bachelor's degree in Sports Managment at Menlo College. She is the daughter of an almond farmer and was born and raised in the little town of Newman, located in the central valley of Northern California. Amy takes care of the staff at Desert Chapter and has proven herself to be an invaluable asset.

Bob Schmidt

Sign Maintenance

Bob, originally from New York, moved to the desert in 1999. For 15 years Bob was a Realtor and licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California. Prior to coming to BIA he was General Manager and a licensed pest control operator for a major pest control company in the desert and worked with many builders in the area with their "Pretreat" Departments protecting termite infestations in new construction. Bob signed on with the BIA Desert Chapter in October and works as our sign maintenance person.

Lisa West

Director of Administrative Services

Lisa was born and raised in Utah, spent a few years living in Europe and moved to the Coachella Valley in 1989 where she planted roots to begin a family and a career. She most recently joined the BIA after working for Alpine Development Group, a local land developer. Prior to that she spent ten years working for a local Indian tribe, where she was the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer and later as Director of Administrative Services. She joins the BIA in the same capacity and enjoys working in the building industry.

When not planning or attending a BIA function you can find her on the tennis courts, as a spectator, watching her three tennis stars.

Bethany Franz

Member Services

Bethany is one of those rare people that was actually born and raised in our beautiful valley. This Palm Springs native graduated from La Quinta High School in 2000 and spent the last few years managing Welty's Postal Connection in Palm Desert. When the position as our office assistant opened up, long time member Jennie Coffin with Hayward Capital said she had the perfect person for the job. And boy, was she right! It didn't take us long to realize Bethany's talents, and within months, she was promoted to Member Services.

When not working a BIA function you can find her with her six year old daughter Kaila or at the Colorado River.