Amy Forrest, 211 Senior Database Specialist
Amy Forrest puts her heart and soul into serving community members as a Certified 2-1-1 NorCal Resource Specialist. She also participates in disaster-related relief groups in the North State, the Tobacco Education Coalition, and Tehama County Housing and Homeless Stakeholders Collaborative, and assists with outreach events and Local Assistance Centers (LAC's). Amy adds a unique skill to the program department by serving as a bilingual translator in American Sign Language. Before becoming a Resource Specialist, Amy coordinated the Door Dash Free Food and Delivery Program for three years. Amy has resided in Shasta County for over 24 years and attended Shasta College for her Social Science associate degree. Amy values her customer service experience in various medical clinics, adult disability day centers, and massage therapy. Amy is a devoted mother who enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending quality time with family, friends, and colleagues.
Michael Allen McNair, 211 Program Manager
Originally from New York, Michael relocated to Redding from the Bay Area. He holds a BA in Liberal Studies, an MA in Christian Ministry- Leadership, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Quantum Computing. With a Diverse background spanning telecommunications, education, athletics, and technology, Michael has accumulated valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of utilizing our gifts to assist others. In 2021, Michael made the decision to move to Redding to foster spiritual growth and pursue higher education. He has found the Redding community to be welcoming and inclusive. Prior to joining United Way, Michael served as a contractor at Access Home as a Grant & Program Specialist. It was during this role that he gained firsthand insight into the homelessness issues facing Redding, igniting his desire to contribute more significantly to the community.
Hayley Huttenmaier, 211 Database Manager
Hayley Huttenmaier served as the Database Manager for 211 NorCal for 12 years, starting with its launch in Shasta County in 2011, followed by Tehama County in 2014, and Siskiyou County in 2020. Throughout her tenure, she has worked diligently to add and maintain agency programs and services, ensuring they are up-to-date and accessible for those who contact 211. Notable highlights include her participation on a committee to develop a statewide Style Guide and her contributions to the CA Shared Database with valuable statewide and national resources. Additionally, from 2013 to 2020, she was highly involved with Shasta/Tehama Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), networking to provide essential resources to wildfire survivors. Currently, Hayley is focused on the expansion of 211 services to surrounding counties. Holding a B.S. in Social Science, she has always had a passion for helping others.
Mesha Pixton, 211 Senior Disaster Lead
Mesha has been a dedicated staff member of the United Way of Northern California team for nearly four years, where she plays a vital role in disaster response and community support. As a key member of the 9-county region Disaster Team and the Lead for the 211 Disaster Watch in Shasta, Tehama and Siskiyou counties, Mesha oversees critical operations and coordination during emergencies. Her expertise is backed by FEMA certifications in various disaster scenarios, and she actively participates in Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs), assisting with both immediate responses and public preparedness for natural disasters. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Mesha is a devoted mother to two young children. On her days off, she treasures time with her family, enjoys nurturing her animals, and tends to her garden, balancing her demanding career with cherished moments at home.
Lindsay Gordon, Connecting Point Manager
Lindsay Gordon has been with Connecting Point for 6 years, starting as the 2-1-1 Contact Center Manager, and is now in the role of 2-1-1 Program Manager. Lindsay has been instrumental in the growth of 2-1-1, from serving Nevada county as the 2-1-1 provider to taking on 2-1-1 service in Placer County in 2020.
Ulysses Palencia, Program Manager
Originally from Southern California, Ulysses moved north seven years ago to embrace a quieter lifestyle away from the big city. He joined Connecting Point’s 211 Contact Center as a call agent, steadily advancing to Contact Center Supervisor and now Program Manager. Ulysses is passionate about serving underserved communities, with a focus on helping people access information and resources equitably. A proud father of two young children, he has never regretted trading skyscrapers for pine trees since the day he made the move.
