Tena Slaughter retired from OG&E after 39 1/2 years of service, and has served on the Board of RSVP of Central Oklahoma since 2018.  While at OG&E, she worked in various areas, and her last position was Community Relations Coordinator for Oklahoma and Logan counties, which provided support for nonprofits and schools. In addition to currently serving on the RSVP of Central Oklahoma board, she serves on the boards of Areawide Aging Agency Advisory Council, March of Dimes and Our Kidz United.  While at OG&E, she served on the boards of Community Action Agency, Oklahoma Alliance Boys/Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Possibilities, Inc., United Way of Logan County, Black Chamber of Commerce and Salvation Army Boys/Girls Club Advisory Council.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Human Resources and an Associate’s Degree in Management and Marketing.  She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and is a certified basketball and volleyball official.  She has one son and three grandchildren.

Maria F. Martinez is a dedicated Community Outreach Specialist with over 15 years of experience in health-related community engagement and public service. She currently serves at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, where she develops and implements outreach strategies, builds community partnerships, and delivers impactful presentations and workshops that promote health access and awareness—particularly among Oklahoma’s Latino population.
Her career reflects a deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities. Prior to her current role, she worked with the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, managing mobile vaccine clinics, and with the Health Alliance for the Uninsured, coordinating specialty referrals for charitable care clinics. Her ability to connect, organize, and lead has made her a trusted partner in public health initiatives across the state.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Gerontology from Southern Nazarene University. She is a proud graduate of the Latino Leadership Class V with the Oklahoma City Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Graduate of Board Serve Class VIII with United Way of Central Oklahoma.
She also serves on the United Way Community Investment Committee and is a board member for RSVP of Central Oklahoma, supporting local volunteerism and senior engagement initiatives. In recognition of her outstanding dedication, Maria was named Volunteer of the Year by the Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2025.

Mr. J. Derek Miller is a dynamic leader with a passion for STEM outreach and workforce development. Derek Miller brings a wealth of experience from his roles as a Plans & Programs Engineer at Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters, his decade of experience in Silicon Valley, and over 20 years of business consulting in the private sector. He spearheads initiatives fostering agile, responsive science and engineering teams, notably founding the STEM Explorer Scout Post Network, which provides long-term STEM mentorship to youth and the Culture of Competencies Development Program paving the way to keep scientists and engineer on the cutting edge of technology.  His background spans engineering, program management, and executive coaching, equipping him with a unique perspective on organizational leadership, change management, and data-driven decision making. Derek is a certified leadership trainer and improv enthusiast, dedicating his time to empowering individuals and teams to reach their full potential. He is certified to teach Situational Leadership, Team Leadership, and Leading People Through Change, and developed his own Leadership Through Laughter workshops for teens and adults. Mr. Miller is a PADI certified Master Trainer SCUBA instructor, an Emergency First Response CPR, Primary and Secondary Care instructor, and performs Dinner Detective theater at the Skirvin. He lives in Midwest City with his sweet dog Lucy and a few friendly rescued cats.

Karen Jacobs retired from Oklahoma Human Services in 2023. During her 45-year career, she served in many capacities, including Special Assistant to the Director. In 2013, she was named Administrator for the Office of Community and Faith Engagement, overseeing statewide volunteer efforts in DHS county offices, faith-based initiatives, as well as domestic violence awareness efforts. She coordinated the OKDHS Volunteer & Community Partner recognitions, State Charitable Campaign, Foster Care Christmas efforts for more than 63 counties, Community Collaborative Thanksgiving efforts for over 3,000 families. In May 2008, OKDHS established the Karen D. Jacobs Volunteer Award, which is given to an individual or organization that exemplifies the character of volunteerism that was established under her leadership.  She has received several DHS and community service awards.

For more than 40 years, Ms. Jacobs continues to volunteer and support the Spencer community, as well as communities across Oklahoma. Karen serves as Bridges Across Route 66 Program Director, Board Chair of the Ralph Ellison Foundation, RSVP Advisory Council Chair, Credit Union One Supervisory Committee Vice-Chair, a member of the Regional Food Bank Board, Bonnie’s Helping Hands Food Pantry Board, United Way of Central Oklahoma Stay United Committee, Spencer Senior Center Council, and the Interfaith Alliance Community & Social Action Committee.

Karen has completed many leadership trainings, Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification and completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Ms. Jacobs is very active in her church, Jesus First Baptist Church of Stroud, Oklahoma, where her husband, Ronnie, serves as Pastor. Karen is also the proud parent of three children, TaKisha, Tamara and Myron, and three grandchildren, Braden, Amari and Jaron.

Chris Mostek joined RSVP’s Board in March of 2025. He works in consulting for oil & gas financing and lending, and he is a former banker with business manager with expertise in energy lending, profitability analysis, financial analysis, and process change management. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and an Masters in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University, and has over 25 years of professional experience in management, sales, banking and lending, team management, and decision making. Chris and his wife live in Oklahoma City, and in his spare time, he enjoys running, reading, and participating in his Bible study fellowship men’s group.

Gus Pekara was appointed to RSVP’s Board in June 2025. He is a retired professor, dean, and vice-president who served many years in higher education. He taught and led mostly at OCCC but also at OSU and Lake Land College in Illinois. A native of Chicago, he holds a Bachelors in Math Education and Masters in Math from Eastern Illinois University, and he earned his Doctorate in Education in Math at OSU. Gus currently serves as a volunteer on the boards of RSVP of Central Oklahoma, NewView Oklahoma, Leadership OKC – Youth Leadership Exchange, and Rotary Club of Midtown OKC. He also served as co-chair of the Arts Council OKC 2025 Festival of the Arts and is an Ambassador for the Greater OKC Chamber.

Gus has been married to his wife Emily for 59 years, and has a daughter, son-in-law, 2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter-in-law, 1 grandpartner-in-law, and 2 great grandchildren all in OKC.