Board Members
Jovani Ford, President
Kristen Smith Eshaya, Vice President
Kevin Burge, Treasurer
Kevin Burge was appointed to the Children’s Museum of Yuma County’s Board of Directors in November of 2013 to fill a vacancy. He currently serves as the board President. Kevin is employed by Core Engineering Group, PLLC and has with them since November 2013.
Kevin previously has served as the president of the local chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers as well as serving as the president of the Yuma Rotary Club July 2006-June 2007.
Kevin is a native who is excited to move this endeavor forward for area children to enjoy. Kevin is a 1997 graduate of Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff) receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering. Kevin and his wife reside in Yuma with their two children.
Kevin previously has served as the president of the local chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers as well as serving as the president of the Yuma Rotary Club July 2006-June 2007.
Kevin is a native who is excited to move this endeavor forward for area children to enjoy. Kevin is a 1997 graduate of Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff) receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering. Kevin and his wife reside in Yuma with their two children.
Jenny Kaste, Secretary
Jenny Kaste is a transplant to Yuma but has made this community her home. Jenny was part of a military family and moved frequently and traveled often. Her variety of experiences bring a wide perspective to the board. She joined the board in 2014 and serves as the board Secretary.
Jenny moved to Yuma directly after graduating from Elmira College in upstate New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Anthropology & Sociology. She began working in 5th grade at Valley Horizon with Crane School District. She has collected a variety of teaching experiences in her 10 years with the district.
Jenny first ignited her passion for education when she served as a youth volunteer and logged over 600 hours at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. She later served on a youth committee to help build a Children’s museum in Bangor.
She currently lives and works in Yuma county with her husband and young son. She is very excited to be overseeing the educational development of the Children’s Museum of Yuma County.
Jenny moved to Yuma directly after graduating from Elmira College in upstate New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Anthropology & Sociology. She began working in 5th grade at Valley Horizon with Crane School District. She has collected a variety of teaching experiences in her 10 years with the district.
Jenny first ignited her passion for education when she served as a youth volunteer and logged over 600 hours at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. She later served on a youth committee to help build a Children’s museum in Bangor.
She currently lives and works in Yuma county with her husband and young son. She is very excited to be overseeing the educational development of the Children’s Museum of Yuma County.
Jim Larson
Jim Larson was elected to serve on the board in March of 2014 and has been actively involved since then. In March 2017 he was elected by the board to be board president. He currently serves as Vice-President.
He is a 2005 graduate of North Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently working as an Engineer at Southwest Gas.
He and his family have called Yuma home since they relocated in 2010 to be close to family. Jim, along with his wife and three small children, are very excited about having our very own children’s museum right here in Yuma!
He is a 2005 graduate of North Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently working as an Engineer at Southwest Gas.
He and his family have called Yuma home since they relocated in 2010 to be close to family. Jim, along with his wife and three small children, are very excited about having our very own children’s museum right here in Yuma!
Greg LaVann
Greg was appointed to the museum board in 2020. He is the Senior Vice President of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation. His primary job is to increase the economic activity of the Greater Yuma region by attracting and expanding base industry within the community.
He has previously served as the Vice Chairman of the Arizona Educators Association Federal Credit Union along with The Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Arizona Young Professional board, and the Southwest Technical Education District - Workforce Council.
Greg is a native of the Bronx, New York. He has called Yuma home since 2007 when he moved to the area immediately after graduating from Belmont Abbey College. He is super excited to open the museum because he understands that vibrant, healthy communities invest in their children's education from an early age.
He has previously served as the Vice Chairman of the Arizona Educators Association Federal Credit Union along with The Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Arizona Young Professional board, and the Southwest Technical Education District - Workforce Council.
Greg is a native of the Bronx, New York. He has called Yuma home since 2007 when he moved to the area immediately after graduating from Belmont Abbey College. He is super excited to open the museum because he understands that vibrant, healthy communities invest in their children's education from an early age.
Miriam Limon
Rose Anne Forte