Born in Toledo, Ohio DeeAnn attended the University of Toledo and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1972. Her 43-year career saw 20 years with Libbey Owens Ford Co. (now Pilkington, NA) and 23 years with Corning, Inc. Notable distinctions include two patents, holding a Professional Engineer’s License in Ohio for 30+ years and presenting a paper before an international conference in 1988. Working globally, including six years as an expatriate in Taiwan, led DeeAnn to a better understanding of different cultures and perspectives. With Corning, DeeAnn was involved with various employee affinity groups including serving as president for 3 years of an affinity group for Black engineers and technicians. She was also a member of their company-wide LGBTQ employee affinity group for 12 years. Upon retirement, DeeAnn and her wife of 18 years moved to Cathedral City in 2016.
“It is important to me to align myself with organizations and people who are not happy about the current state of affairs and are working to do something about it. In addition, visibility within the LGBTQ community, and in this area at large, is also very important.” And with that philosophy, DeeAnn previously served as a Board Member for what was the Transgender Community Coalition and a Steering Committee Member for the local Human Rights Campaign group. Currently she serves as the Community Liaison Officer for Great Autos, a former Chair of the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission, a Volunteer Coordinator with Palm Springs Pride, the Vice-Chair of Desert Stonewall Democrats, and a Docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum. She remains active in other local organizations, including Your Women’s Circle and OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change). She is also a member of The Society of Automotive Historians (Motorsports Section) which feeds her lifelong passion for motorsports. Other interests include building computers, being a fan of professional cycling and mid-century architecture, specifically the works of Frank Lloyd Wright.
