Meet the UCP Staff

Mark Shaffer

Mark is the Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy and Ride-On Transportation.  He founded UCP in San Luis Obispo County in 1985.  He has guided UCP to develop support services for greater access into the community.  Mark attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before moving to San Luis Obispo in 1980.


Jason Portugal

Jason is the Director of Operations for UCP of SLO County and the Director of Administration for Ride-On. He’s worked with UCP/Ride-On for over ten years and had the pleasure of working numerous positions and roles for the organization. Outside of his work, he’s a father, a surfer, a martial artist, a backpacker, a novice but passionate plant caretaker, and a devoted admirer of the cosmos.


Kim Janas

Kim Hoyt Janas, UCP of SLO Program Manager, brings a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal Poly in Psychology and Human Development along with years of experience working with youth, adults, and the community. Kim started volunteering 10 years ago sharing her passion for working with individuals with a developmental disability; helping them dream, set goals, and build a social community. Kim‘s vision is to support the UCP of SLO mission of bringing a “Life Without Limits” to all members who participate in UCP of SLO programs.


Serra Eckrote

Serra Eckrote comes with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a background in hospitality where her passion for social event planning started 10 years ago. She is proud to be able to apply these skills to create fun and exciting activities, parties, and trips for our UCP Members. Serra feels the best part of being UCP’s Program Coordinator is seeing the members’ reactions and joy when attending activities that she plans.


UCP of San Luis Obispo Logo

Kelly Gonzalez

Kelly, UCP of SLO Member Coordinator, comes from many years of experience in the local legal community. She has worked for the County of SLO with the Superior Court, Office of the County Counsel and Child Welfare Services. She also worked for local non-profit organizations such as, SLO Legal Assistance Foundation and Community Counseling Center. Her experience has led her in search of a career that enables her to encourage, empower and help eliminate barriers for the people she serves. UCP of SLO is her “dream job” and she is both energetic and dedicated to following her path of giving back to the local community.