EVIT Education Foundation Board of Directors

Larry Christiansen is the Chief Executive Officer of Christiansen Associates Inc., launching the company in 2010. From 2007 to 2009 he served as a Sr. Consultant and then CEO of Outsource International, a management consulting firm in Scottsdale Arizona. 

In 2007 Larry retired after 40 years in education with the final 19 years as President of Mesa Community College. He built a number of innovative business and educational partnerships at the local, state, national and international level. Larry has been involved in a number of key community projects including public bond elections, a leader in the reuse of the closed Williams Air force Base, and the development of technology and business and industry centers and a new college campus. 

Larry served as President of the East Valley Partnership, a large business and industry group in the greater Phoenix area. He chaired the United Way annual fund drive, served on numerous boards and foundations, and a Rotarian. He joined the EVIT Board of Directors in 2010 and has chaired the board for the past 5 years. 

Larry has published several books and written numerous articles. He has received a number of local, state, national and international awards and recognitions. Larry has Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees. 

Larry serves as head coach for three youth flag football teams and coordinates two golf groups. 

 Roc is engaged in consulting, focusing on opportunities including transportation, education, and economic development. For almost 14 years, Roc was President of PHX East Valley Partnership, leading the non-profit business coalition advocating for issues of regional significance in the PHX East Valley. Prior to accepting the PHX-EVP assignment, Roc enjoyed 38 years’ experience brokering risk and insurance services to clients ranging of complexity including self-insured as well as more traditional fully insured programs. Roc serves on the Maricopa Association of Governments Transportation Policy Committee and ASU’s Research Park Board. He previously served 20 years on the MAG Regional Council, also as a member of the AZ Sport and Tourism Authority Board and President of the Grand Canyon Council - BSA. 

An established business litigation attorney, Tricia Schafer joined the EVIT Foundation board in 2021. After working at large and small firms, the public sector, and a handful of nonprofits, Tricia founded Vitality Law PLLC in 2017. The firm’s name governs its engagements – harmonizing professional excellence with positivity, quality of life, and community service. 

Tricia also serves on the City of Scottsdale Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, the Maricopa County Bar Association Section of Litigation Board, the Scottsdale Bar Association Board, and the Arizona Women Lawyers Association Maricopa Chapter Steering Committee. Vitality Law is an active member of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.

Raised in a small town on the Oregon coast, Tricia moved to Arizona in 1998 after earning her law degree from Georgetown and a BA in Economics from U.C. Berkeley.