BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cory McRae, President Email
Luis A. Valverde, Secretary Email
Charles E. Ellis, Treasurer Email
Philip Rochat, Game Master (Posthumous Honorary Director)
Luis A. Valverde, Secretary Email
Charles E. Ellis, Treasurer Email
Philip Rochat, Game Master (Posthumous Honorary Director)
Board of Directors Bios
Cory McRae, President
Cory is a native Texan who was raised in South Texas and spent most of his adult life in San Antonio. Cory started his first business at age 17 and has continued with his entrepreneurial endeavors ever since. Cory is also the Board President for Alamo City Performing Arts. During his tenure at ACPAA, Cory initiated a program that incorporates individuals with intellectual special needs in a special production of The Nutcracker, which is the first of its kind in the nation. Cory understands what it means to be a caretaker. Cory moved in with his Grandfather when he went blind. Later in life, when his Father was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, Cory moved his parents closer to his family to take care of them. Cory hopes to bring his business and caretaking experience to help grow PRESTIGE to an organization that helps people not only locally but on a national level.
Cory is a native Texan who was raised in South Texas and spent most of his adult life in San Antonio. Cory started his first business at age 17 and has continued with his entrepreneurial endeavors ever since. Cory is also the Board President for Alamo City Performing Arts. During his tenure at ACPAA, Cory initiated a program that incorporates individuals with intellectual special needs in a special production of The Nutcracker, which is the first of its kind in the nation. Cory understands what it means to be a caretaker. Cory moved in with his Grandfather when he went blind. Later in life, when his Father was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, Cory moved his parents closer to his family to take care of them. Cory hopes to bring his business and caretaking experience to help grow PRESTIGE to an organization that helps people not only locally but on a national level.
Luis A. Valverde, Secretary
Luis is also a native of Texas having been born and raised in Laredo. He has made San Antonio his home for over 17 years. It was in this new home where he met a group of individuals passionate (a better way to say "crazy about") table top role playing. In this group was Philip Rochat, the crowned king of gaming in the group. Phil personified the essence of gaming. Luis was made painfully aware of Phil's keen ability to dive into the weeds of gaming systems with all of their rules and mechanics. He was quick to point out their benefits and their short comings. Many a conversation was held over a myriad of lunch time food dishes with the most frequently visited restaurants having been Mexican. One Mexican restaurant in particular, which Luis passes by frequently, prompts a prayer from him for for his deceased brother, Phil. Many a great meal was eaten, a ton of gaming was discussed and a lot of hours had to be made up as the lunch discussions took longer then the hour allotted by Luis's company. Luis is a hard-working family man whose contributions to the organization are essential. Luis is always willing to help others. He embraces the value of charity and believes strongly in providing support and comfort to those who need it.
Luis is also a native of Texas having been born and raised in Laredo. He has made San Antonio his home for over 17 years. It was in this new home where he met a group of individuals passionate (a better way to say "crazy about") table top role playing. In this group was Philip Rochat, the crowned king of gaming in the group. Phil personified the essence of gaming. Luis was made painfully aware of Phil's keen ability to dive into the weeds of gaming systems with all of their rules and mechanics. He was quick to point out their benefits and their short comings. Many a conversation was held over a myriad of lunch time food dishes with the most frequently visited restaurants having been Mexican. One Mexican restaurant in particular, which Luis passes by frequently, prompts a prayer from him for for his deceased brother, Phil. Many a great meal was eaten, a ton of gaming was discussed and a lot of hours had to be made up as the lunch discussions took longer then the hour allotted by Luis's company. Luis is a hard-working family man whose contributions to the organization are essential. Luis is always willing to help others. He embraces the value of charity and believes strongly in providing support and comfort to those who need it.
Charles E. Ellis, Treasurer
Charles, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, is currently employed as a Litigation Adjuster with UPC Insurance and owns an Independent Adjusting firm: Service With Distinction, LLC. Prior to becoming a licensed claims adjuster, Charles was employed as a paralegal for 11 years. Charles graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and holds Associate of Arts degrees from Palo Alto College in liberal arts, English, psychology, economics, criminal justice, and humanities. Both of Charles' maternal grandparents suffered with dementia in the later stages of their lives. Charles is aware of the importance of social interaction in helping people cope with physical and mental disabilities and illness and hopes our organization can help as many people as possible in coping with their illness.
Charles, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, is currently employed as a Litigation Adjuster with UPC Insurance and owns an Independent Adjusting firm: Service With Distinction, LLC. Prior to becoming a licensed claims adjuster, Charles was employed as a paralegal for 11 years. Charles graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and holds Associate of Arts degrees from Palo Alto College in liberal arts, English, psychology, economics, criminal justice, and humanities. Both of Charles' maternal grandparents suffered with dementia in the later stages of their lives. Charles is aware of the importance of social interaction in helping people cope with physical and mental disabilities and illness and hopes our organization can help as many people as possible in coping with their illness.
Philip Rochat, Game Master (Posthumous Honorary Director)
Born July 5, 1971 in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Udall and then later in Winfield, Kansas. He moved with his best friend to Honolulu, Hawaii his senior year and graduated at Farrington High School in Honolulu class of 1989. After he graduated from high school he moved back to Winfield where he worked at Rubbermaid for several years. At the age of 21, he joined the US Army as a M1A1 Abrams Tank Crewman from 1992 to 1995 and was deployed to both Baumholder and Fulda, Germany.
After the Army, Philip moved back to Winfield and then later to California where he met his 4-legged best friend Louie. Philip (along with Louie) moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2003 and attended Technical College and received a degree in Electronics. Shortly after, he was hired at Avnet Technologies where he spent 15 years as an IBM configuration specialist. He enjoyed working at Avnet because he exceled at creating solutions and solving problems for his customers. Philip had an uncanny way to reach people in a deep and positive way and will always be remembered for his beautiful smile that brightened any room he walked into. His passions included camping, hunting, fishing, archery, shooting his guns at the range, leather working, motorcycles, gardening, and MOST of all creating fantasy storylines with his best buds.
Philip's wife, Monica Rochat, has been a generous supporter of our organization and we are greatly indebted to her for the love and care she gave to Philip in all the years they were married and especially in the years Philip struggled with cancer.
PRESTIGE was created to honor both Philip Rochat and Monica Rochat for their inspiration and strength.
Born July 5, 1971 in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Udall and then later in Winfield, Kansas. He moved with his best friend to Honolulu, Hawaii his senior year and graduated at Farrington High School in Honolulu class of 1989. After he graduated from high school he moved back to Winfield where he worked at Rubbermaid for several years. At the age of 21, he joined the US Army as a M1A1 Abrams Tank Crewman from 1992 to 1995 and was deployed to both Baumholder and Fulda, Germany.
After the Army, Philip moved back to Winfield and then later to California where he met his 4-legged best friend Louie. Philip (along with Louie) moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2003 and attended Technical College and received a degree in Electronics. Shortly after, he was hired at Avnet Technologies where he spent 15 years as an IBM configuration specialist. He enjoyed working at Avnet because he exceled at creating solutions and solving problems for his customers. Philip had an uncanny way to reach people in a deep and positive way and will always be remembered for his beautiful smile that brightened any room he walked into. His passions included camping, hunting, fishing, archery, shooting his guns at the range, leather working, motorcycles, gardening, and MOST of all creating fantasy storylines with his best buds.
Philip's wife, Monica Rochat, has been a generous supporter of our organization and we are greatly indebted to her for the love and care she gave to Philip in all the years they were married and especially in the years Philip struggled with cancer.
PRESTIGE was created to honor both Philip Rochat and Monica Rochat for their inspiration and strength.
