Geronimo “Jerry” Diaz, who spent the past three years handling executive responsibilities with Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic) and the previous 16 years with the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Phoenix and Pleasanton, CA, has been named Development Director for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix (RMHC).

Diaz will manage fund-raising and community outreach for RMHC, which recently announced plans to build a third Ronald McDonald House in the Valley on the campus of Banner Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.

“Jerry brings an important depth of experience which will be vital in our fund-raising efforts for both the new Ronald McDonald House and for our ongoing mission to serve families whose children are undergoing medical care in the Valley at the two existing Houses in the Valley,” said Ronald McDonald House Executive Director Nancy Roach.  “We’re thrilled to have him on our team.”

Most recently, Diaz, a Tempe resident, was Vice President at Learning Ally where he developed new systems and processes, including a board-relations plan supporting 16 boards across the nation.  Previously, he had been Regional Executive Director for the organization.

At the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Diaz served as Regional Director from 2005 to 2009.  Among his accomplishments during his tenure was to negotiate more than 10 television telethon contracts.  Before his promotion to Regional Director, Diaz served as Regional Coordinator in both Pleasanton and Phoenix from 1997 to 2005 and he was District Director of the Las Vegas MDA for two years.

Diaz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University.

For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, visit www.rmhcphoenix.com.