Burdena Pasenelli
Board Chairperson

Birdie Pasenelli moved to Tonto Verde 10 years ago to escape the rains of Washington and enjoy the Tonto Verde life style. Birdie has been active in women’s golf serving for several years as the treasure of the ladies golf association, working on and chairing the Women’s invitational and other tournaments. Birdie and George have willingly donated their cooking talents to raise money for worthy causes. Birdie is an active cyclist and most years she leads a group of her friends from around the county on a bike trip. Birdie is currently serving as co-chair of the first ever Tonto Verde Cookbook.

Birdie was appointed to the Fire District Board after she raised questions about why District taxers increased almost 40 percent in one year. She was allowed to examine the books and learned that more taxes were collected than were needed to operate the district. After going on the board, she insured that this money was saved for future expansion and she became committed to the work that the Fire District does Birdie wants to insure that this community asset not only continues to operate at its current level, but increases services to the community.

Birdie attended Skagit Valley Junior College, Washington State University and Carthage College.

Birdie spent her entire career in law enforcement. It began with the Seattle Police Department as a Policewoman/Detective and then for 27 years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Birdie rose through the ranks of the FBI from street agent to Special Agent in Charge and finally to the position of Assistant Director of the Finance Division where she served as the FBI’s Chief Financial Officer. For her final 3 years, she directed FBI operations for the State of Washington.

Jerry Fickes
Board Clerk

The Fickes’ first visited Rio Verde in the early eighties.  Captivated by the area they, joined the club in 1990 and purchased their current home site.  They built their home in 1998 and moved here.  Both enjoyed golf.  In the past few years they have been a host captain for the college girls tournament each March.  Donna was a regular in the craft show and lately has kept the Rio Verde Red Hats busy as the Queen. Jerry schedules his Friday golf group and organizers its annual tournament.

In 2000, Jerry asked by the late Commissioner Marvin Glink to run for the Rio Verde Fire Board.  In 2004 and 2008 he was re-elected.  Active in the separation from Rural Metro, he aided in the ISO changes, lowering the fire insurance premiums for most of the residents of the Verde’s, arranged the insurance to protect the assets of the Fire District and structured the insurance benefits for the firefighters.  Jerry worked on long range planning to control costs an eliminate peaks and dips in taxation.  He wants the Verde’s residents to feel secure from hazards with the comfort and understanding emergency medical care from a group of firefighter, that are as proud to serve the Verde’s as we are to have them.
Jerry received a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and Actuarial Science from Drake University.  He also graduated from the American Management Association in executive management and advanced business administration.  He is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and completed a fellowship, with distinction , specializing in Financial Management with the Life Office Management Association.

After 39 years in the insurance industry, from the file room to executive suite, Jerry took early retirement in 1988.  His duties were to serve the three Life, Health and Annuity Insurance Companies of ERC CORP. as President, CEO, and Director.  The next ten years Jerry became an insurance regulator in New Mexico.  As Chief Actuary, he was responsible for life, health and annuity insurance and the financial solvency of insurers.  He served on legislative task forces and as an advisor to the legislature and various Governors.  Jerry wrote The New Mexico Health Alliance Act.  This Act provided health insurance for small businesses.  Supported by both the insurance industry and the government.  The Act passed in 1994 and Jerry was named Chairman of the Alliance Board.  He retired from the Board in 2000 two years after moving to Rio Verde.

Clarence Hein
Board Commissioner

Clarence practiced as a CPA for forty-two years. After being married in 1959 at the age of nineteen, and a short stint as a farmer, he graduated from the University of Denver in 1963 with a degree in accounting. By 1971 he was the youngest partner in a Big 8 accounting firm and Partner-in-charge of a large office. After a successful career in the world of big business, Clarence founded HEIN & ASSOCIATES LLP, one of the leading regional accounting firms in the United States, and was its Managing Partner for twenty-six years.

Clarence served as a member of the Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants SEC Practice Section for 20 years, the Executive Committee of the ninth largest accounting association in the world, and on the Boards of Directors of two public companies.

Dr. Neal Vanselow
Board Commissioner

As a retired physician he has continued to be interested in health and healthcare. While serving as a member of the Rio Verde Community Association Board of Directors, he learned about the Resource Specialists Program from Jim Isaacson. He joined the program and served as a Resource Specialist for over seven years. Marv an Peg Glink then stimulated his interest in serving on the Rio Verde Fire District Board and when Peg resigned her board membership several years ago he was appointed to succeed her.

Neal holds an A.B., from The University of Michigan, an M.D., from The University of Michigan, and an M.S in Internal Medicine, also from The University of Michigan.

Neal is Chancellor-emeritus and Professor-emeritus of Medicine at Tulane University Health Sciences Center. He served as Chancellor of Tulane University Health Sciences Center from 1989-94 and as Senior Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute of Medicine during the 1994-95 academic year. He has served as Chairman of the Department of Postgraduate Medicine and Health Professions Education at the University of Michigan, Dean of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Vice President for Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota. He is an allergist who received his training in internal medicine and allergy/immunology at the University of Michigan.

George Kattermann
Board Commissioner

In December of 2009 George was appointed to the position of District Resident Member of the Local Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) Board to fill a vacant position. He was appointed to the Fire Board in January 2010. His assignment on the Board is Human Resource policies and procedures and is also currently overseeing the construction of the new addition to house the new rescue unit. George has served on the Rio Verde Community Association Board since March 2009 and was elected Vice-President in March of 2010.

George attended the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University.

George served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1961. He spent his entire career in banking at the following institutions: Dover Trust Company, Dover, N. J. Industrial Valley Bank, Philadelphia, PA, Northeast Bank and Trust, Bangor, MA, American Federal Savings, Des Moines, IA, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, IA.