Our Team
Meet the OTSH Team
These are among the people who are interacting with our community on an ongoing basis
Jennifer La Liberte
Executive Director
Jennifer La Liberte’s public sector career has spanned 30 years. She has worked in economic development and redevelopment for the Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency (1987-1997) and the City of Napa (1997-2017). She managed the Napa Community Redevelopment Agency, which funded infrastructure improvements and stimulated economic activity in the downtown area and affordable housing citywide. Jennifer retired in 2017 and began consulting, focusing on economic development and community and government relations. She works with nonprofits and public and private sector organizations. Jennifer began working with OTSH in December 2020 to further its mission. Read more.
Victor Almanza
ADMINISTRATIVe assistant
Victor, who is bilingual and bicultural, grew up in St Helena and knows the importance of maintaining a diverse, vital community. He received his AA at Napa Valley College and is currently a student at California State University, East Bay studying Business Administration. Victor managing the accounting and compliance issues related to our USDA Brenkle Court project as well as providing bookkeeping service and general office management assistance.
Larry Vermeulen
project MANAGER
Larry Vermeulen is the Brenkle Court Project Manager. Larry began his construction experience while attending U.C. Davis. He founded UpValley Construction and was a residential contractor for many years before co-founding Occidental Technical Group, where he provided IT services. OTSH relies on Larry for his construction knowledge, community building and mentoring skills. It’s Larry who keeps the project moving forward—ordering materials, keeping his team focused from one weekend to the next. He’s teaching them carpentry skills, taking care of administrative details and scheduling inspections. Larry has played a key role in keeping our homeowners on track as they build their homes.
Maria Criscione Stel
OFFICE MANAGER
Maria Criscione Stel has lived in St. Helena for nearly 25 years, dedicating her time to many local non-profits. She was Director of Development at Ole Health for over 16 years, then Executive Director of the St. Helena Public Library Foundation for seven years. She is an active volunteer in the community, working at the Food Pantry weekly and tutoring individuals who are preparing to take their citizenship exams. Maria is an avid supporter of Our Town St. Helena’s work and is honored to be part of the team.
Vanessa Von Hessert
Documentary Filmmaker
Vanessa is a documentary cinematographer and director with a passion for vérité, a fly-on-the wall style of storytelling. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Vanessa was a web and graphic designer in NYC, working with nonprofits and independent international artists. Vanessa has an MFA in Social Documentary Film from NY’s School of Visual Arts and an Honors BFA in Multimedia and Art History from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Vanessa volunteers with several local nonprofits and is an enthusiastic advocate of affordable housing.
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