Board Candidate Elections

New Board Members for Election

Christine Plentyhoops

Christine has been an Investment Advisor with Primerica since 2002; she works to develop and implement successful financial game plans for families and small businesses. “The best part of this job is providing the education, resources, and understanding necessary for my clients to make the best decisions for their financial and life goals.”

Christine has served on a number of Boards over the years, always working to help the underserved in the community. She knows that The Arc makes a huge difference to the people they serve and wants to support the mission by serving on the Board. 

Born in upstate New York, she moved to Denver in 2001. She has a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University and completed a Women in Leadership program at Cornell University. She is married and lives in Parker with both dogs and cats among the members of the household.

Jacob Hollars

Jacob is a partner at the law firm of Spencer Fane and is a trial and appellate lawyer specializing in employment issues, real estate, special district and commercial matters.

Jacob currently serves on the board of Bootstraps, Inc, an organization that provides scholarships to help Evergreen and Conifer students to reach their educational dreams. His interest in The Arc continues his desire to help the underserved by supporting the current work of The Arc and helping to navigate the future for people with IDD.

Jacob is married and lives in Evergreen with his wife; they are expecting their first child in August. His personal interests include Formula 1 racing, hiking and international travel.

Molly Kirkham

Molly first learned about The Arc as she was preparing to go to Lakewood High School, and her counselor suggested the family contact The Arc for support in selecting the best classes to help her achieve her goals.

She subsequently learned about self-advocacy, and joined People First, the local chapter of self-advocates, and Speaking for Ourselves, the statewide organization that supports the self-advocacy movement. “I went from being a member to being President” of both organizations.

She has learned that she must be involved, not just sit and listen; her desire to serve on the board of The Arc will give her more opportunity to affect real change by providing a voice of self-advocacy.

Molly lives in Lakewood; her personal interests include theatre, running, and swimming.

The following seated Board members are standing for reelection. Board members who have reached the 8-year term limit may be renominated to serve on the Board upon nomination by the Governance Committee and election by the Membership; however, at no time may the percentage of such Board members exceed 25% of the total number of Board members.

Dave Norwood

Dave is a Senior Vice President and Commercial Banker at Pueblo Bank & Trust. He has served business owners in Colorado for more than 30 years, with experience in manufacturing, service, hospitality and technology. He especially enjoys working with business owners to help them overcome financial challenges in order to strengthen their businesses and accomplish their dreams.

Dave sees the mission and vision of The Arc as vitally important to the people served as well as the community at large; he has been a Board Member at The Arc for four years and is the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Dave also serves on the Board of Directors at the Action Center, which provides food and other necessities to those in the community experiencing hardship.

Dave and his wife have lived in Lakewood for 25 years; he enjoys spending time with family, the EV experience and tasting fine whiskey.

Helen Pietranczyk

Helen is retired but continues to find ways to help small businesses and organizations make progress with their goals. She has been on the Board of Directors of The Arc for 11 years, serving as Board President for 5 of these years. She is currently the Chair of the Governance Committee and serves as the Secretary.

Helen came to The Arc with her daughter Jennifer; the advocacy and support of Jenn’s self-advocacy was the turning point on her journey to independence. With The Arc’s support, she gained self-confidence and joined the self-advocacy movement. Helen wants to continue to support the Board in helping people with IDD achieve their dreams.

Helen has lived in Littleton for 21 years, after moving here from Buffalo, NY; she enjoys cooking and international travel.