Desert AIDS Project Announces
Management Appointments
And Changes

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – May 23, 2005) Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) has appointed a new Director of Education and Prevention, Jeffrey Bernstein; a new Grant Writer/Community Relations Coordinator, Jim Quinlan; and a new Regional General Manager of Revivals Resale Marts, Michael Scarff. In addition, three staff members, Alex Christensen-Finlay, Robin Johnson and Mary Kay Plock, have been given additional responsibilities and new titles.

Jeffrey Bernstein, Director of Education and Prevention, manages HIV education, addiction services and HIV counseling and testing. His background includes 14 years of experience in diverse areas of HIV services. Immediately prior to D.A.P., Bernstein was Project Director for a collaborative program between the California Department of Health Services/Office of AIDS and the University of California San Francisco/Center for AIDS Prevention Studies focusing on HIV prevention research and evaluation.

Jim Quinlan, Grant Writer/Community Relations Coordinator, is responsible for filing and following up on grants to fund various medical and social service programs at D.A.P. He will also establish cooperative relationships with the many community service organizations throughout the Coachella Valley. Jim was previously a local news reporter and staff writer for The Bottom Line magazine, a role he took on to occupy his spare time after retiring from a career in the field of neuropsychology.

Michael Scarff, Regional General Manager of Revivals Resale Marts, oversees four Revivals stores in Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. Scarff’s role includes maximizing sales and inventory in the stores, and researching potential sites for additional stores throughout the Coachella Valley. Scarff was previously Director of Retail for The Salvation Army in Pasadena.

Alex Christensen-Finlay, who previously held the position of Director of Administration, has taken on the new position of Director of Community Relations. Her responsibilities include acting as an external liaison for communities outside Palm Springs, establishing relationships with community-based organizations in the eastern Coachella Valley, and developing private funding sources from large corporations. Christensen-Finlay has been with Desert AIDS Project for 17 years.

Robin Johnson, formerly Assistant Director of Social Services, is now Manager of Addictions and Prevention Education Services. Johnson has worked in the field of addictions counseling and treatment for the past 18 years, the last nine of which have been spent at D.A.P. as Addictions Specialist.

Mary Kay Plock, formerly Senior Development Communications Manager, has been appointed Senior Manager of Communications and Brand Management. In addition to media, public relations and advertising responsibilities, Plock is responsible for maintaining a consistent identity and position for D.A.P.’s services. Plock came to Desert AIDS Project in September 2004 from Eisenhower Medical Center.

Desert AIDS Project at the Greenburg-Peet Campus is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive services to help manage HIV disease. D.A.P. offers primary medical care through its Wells Fargo HIV Health Center. The Project provides widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. Confidential HIV testing is also provided.

For more information, call 760-323-2118 or visit www.desertaidsproject.org.

Information Contact:
Mary Kay Plock, 760-323-2118 ext. 221