About our Directors
Richard J. Stimpel was born in Norman, Oklahoma. When he was in his twenties, he was a rodeo cowboy and rode horses and bulls. He moved to Redding in 1958 from Idaho for a highway construction job. In 1969, he started his own construction company: Stimpel Wiebelhaus and Associates. He retired in 2000, the same year he joined the Foundation Board. Dick and his wife Mary enjoy traveling and spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.
Doreeta J. Domke was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma. She moved from Southern California to Redding in 1956 when the population was just 12,000 people. In 1957, Doreeta went to work for Redding’s first television station, which later became KRCR. Doreeta joined the Foundation Board in 1993, and in 1995 she retired as the General Manager of KRCR Channel 7. Dee is very active in the nonprofit community. She and her husband Donald enjoy golfing, traveling in their motor home, and spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.
Robert P. Blankenship was born in Arcata, California, and has spent most of
his life in Redding as a career police officer. In 2001, Bob served as the President of the California
Police Chiefs Association, and in 2002, he retired after serving as Redding’s Chief of Police
for 13 years. The same year he joined the Foundation’s Board. Bob and his wife Jean enjoy gardening
and raising birds and miniature animals. They have two grown daughters.
John A. Mancasola was born and raised in Redding, where his family owned a chain of grocery stores. John attended Stanford University and earned a law degree from USC. As a partner with Carr, Kennedy, Peterson and Frost in Redding, John did legal work for Mrs. McConnell and the Foundation. In 1991, John joined the Foundation Board, and in 1993 he became an employee of Mrs. McConnell and of the Foundation. John became a full-time employee of the Foundation upon Mrs. McConnell’s death in 1995. John and his wife Molly live with their five children, and are involved in homeschooling and family activities.
Lee W. Salter was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He earned a degree in accounting at CSU, Chico and began his career as an IRS agent which led to him receiving his CPA certificate. Lee then attended McGeorge School of Law and in 1979 became a partner with Carr, Kennedy, Peterson and Frost. In 1985, he began representing Leah McConnell, joining the Board the same year. Leaving the law partnership in 1989, he became an employee of Mrs. McConnell and the Foundation. After Leah’s death in 1995, he became the full time President & CEO of the Foundation. Lee and his wife Judy enjoy road trips and spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.
Foundation Director Emeritus
Bill & Grace Nystrom
William B. Nystrom is a Foundation Director Emeritus. He was the founder of Nystrom & Company, a CPA firm in Redding. As a part owner of Redding’s first television station with the McConnells in the late 1950s, Bill developed a long standing business relationship with Carl and Leah. He joined the Foundation Board in 1987 and he retired in 2002. Bill and his wife Grace enjoy their cabin, and spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.