Staff

	Joan M. Jacoby, Chief of Staff, Assistant to the President Ms. Jacoby earned an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BA in Speech Communications from Kent State University. After earning her master's degree, she became involved in the Commercial Real Estate Development and Brokerage business. In 1992, she formed her own company, Jacoby Commercial Real Estate Services and was involved in the leasing and sales of shopping centers in California and Arizona. Before starting her own company, she worked as a Project Manager for DSL Service Company (the real estate division of Downey Savings & Loan). Before DSL, she worked as a Leasing Agent and Vice President of The Riley Companies. After meeting Fr. Robert J. Spitzer and becoming acquainted with the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, she decided to dedicate herself to the Center's mission and has been involved with the formation of the Center from its inception.
	Mark J. McElrath, Vice President, Operations and Development Mr. McElrath attended College of the Desert. Following a 9 year career in the hospitality industry, which included management positions with Marriott and Red Lion Hotels, he joined the family business, DaRue of California, Inc., a manufacturer and retailer of fine ladies wearing apparel as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. His responsibilities included strategic planning, implementing operational objectives, direct supervision of domestic manufacturing resources, off shore production, and direct supervision of 14 retail stores located in California, Arizona and Texas. Mr. McElrath has been active in parish based ministries, in particular those dealing with education and evangelization. He has served in senior leadership positions with several non profit and charitable organizations. He is a Fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He and his wife Drucilla have two grown daughters. Mr. McElrath sees the work of the Magis Center for Reason and Faith as a practical response to Pope John Paul II's call for the laity to embrace their role and responsibility in the New Evangelization, as outlined in his apostolic letter Novo Milleneo Ineunte.
	Barbara Hallett, Director of Communications and Foundations Barbare Hallett is a life-long Catholic who has a BA in history from the University of Idaho. She worked her way through college first as a student journalist and later as a professional reporter and editor. Upon graduation, she gave two years of public service through the VISTA program. During that time she managed a homeless shelter, as well as creating after-school study and mentoring programs for homeless children living in area shelters. She also helped create and manage a pro-bono legal clinic. All of these programs are still functioning. She then moved to Gonzaga University, where she worked as a development writer for several years before going freelance in 2002. It was at this time that she first met Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., who was president of the university. When Fr. Spitzer called her in early 2010 to discuss working for the Magis Center, she was thrilled with the opportunity to join a cause so critical to the future of faith in our society.