Board of Directors

Meetings of the TOKA Board of Directors are open to the public unless otherwise noted. Look for announcements of upcoming TOKA Board meetings in our newsletter, on our Facebook page, and at various gathering places on the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Marcos Ysmael,  Chairman

Housing Program Manager
Pima County Community and Workforce Development Department

Certificate in Public Policy and Management, University of AZ Institute for Local Government Housing Development Finance Professional Certification, National Development Council Healthy Homes Specialist Credential, National Environmental Health Association

Over 38 years of experience working with community development and housing programs in Tucson, including 30 years with Pima County, and currently the Housing Program Manager, overseeing federal and local housing funds supporting affordable housing development and preservation. Before employment with Pima County, coordinated housing programs at Chicanos Por La Causa and the Tucson Urban League.

Currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association for County Community & Economic Development, the Pima County Community Land Trust, and the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern AZ.

Sheila M. Espino,  Vice Chair

Tohono O’Odham, Sells District
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Emphasis on Elementary Education & Psychology from Northern Arizona University
Associate of Arts in General Studies from Pima Community College
Served on the Tohono O’Odham Gaming Enterprise Management Board for over 4 years.
Currently serving on the San Xavier Cooperative Association Board

Over 25 years of supervisory and management experience in areas of tribal, non-profit, and California schools. Served as TERO Director, school program manager for developing programs, Child Development Specialist for Federal Head Start programs, and a business owner for 10 years. 

Sandra R. Johnson,  Secretary

Retired law enforcement officer with 30 years of service with the Tohono O’Odham Police Department. Active community representative to the Baboquivari District Council; currently serving as an alternate. Former TERO Commission Board member. Active member in the Red Cross platelet donation.

David Perez,  Member

Chukut Kuk District, San Miguel Community
Master’s Degree in Public Administration & Policy with a focus on American Indian Governance

I am currently the Sr. Program Manager for the Nation’s Education Assistance Program. Before my position, I served as the Executive Administrator for Chairman Robert Valencia, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, from 2016 to 2020. In my early career, I worked in various construction positions, including but not limited to pipe-laying, framing, drywall, and block laying.