Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders with expertise in a wide range of areas, including training, advocacy, education, finance, law, fund development, and business management. The Board is responsible for taking care of the strategic and financial health of the organization on an ongoing basis. Each member contributes a tremendous amount of time, energy, and talent to ensure the vitality of our organization.

Meet Our Board

Rick Trawick

Founder

Rick is Founder of Second Chances Garage. Rick and his wife Cindy started Second Chances in 2010 with a vision to help those in need with transportation issues. His background in engineering and passion for cars of all types has been used to help create and grow an organization that can assist with low-cost cars, car repairs and reasonably priced used cars for our clients. In his spare time, Rick works on restoring his small fleet of old cars, reading history and hanging out with family.

Laura Johnson

President

Laura Johnson is the owner/founder of Hummingbird Wealth Management located in Walkersville, MD.  Laura has been a financial professional for almost 40 years.  Hummingbird Wealth Management was created in 2013 as a place where EVERYONE is welcome.  They believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn about planning, finances & investing to better their future.  Laura joined Second Chances Garage as a board member in 2020 and became the Chairman of the Board in 2024.  She brings many years of experience working with non-profit organizations to include Warrior Canine Connection, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Boy Scouts of America.  Laura appreciates the mission of Second Chances Garage – she has had personal experience with family members struggling through and beyond addiction and mental health issues.  She believes that the mission of Second Chances Garage is one that would’ve helped her family members tremendously through their journeys.  Laura and her family live in Frederick County and can be often found outside enjoying nature through hikes, camping, boating, etc.

Ben Trawick
Ben Trawick

vice president

Ben is an engaged member of the Frederick community and Director of Marketing & Development at DCM BioServices located in downtown Frederick. He is a graduate of the 2023 class of Leadership Frederick County and an active member of the Key City Rotary Club.

Ben has had the opportunity to serve Second Chances Garage in different volunteer and contractor roles over the years including creating marketing assets and managing IT and website needs for the organization.

When he isn’t working you can find Ben at his Frederick home with his wife and son or playing board games at one of Frederick’s local breweries.

Holly Schor

secretary

Holly Schor is the Vice President of Mission Services & Community Engagement for the Goodwill of Monocacy Valley, serving Frederick and Carroll County.  Holly has been with the Goodwill family since 2011, and joined the Frederick team in 2020 to support the merger between Goodwill of Monocacy Valley and Goodwill of Central and Northern AZ.  Her recent leadership efforts include rebuilding a new mission services experience in Maryland and creating an inviting work culture for Goodwill of Monocacy Valley team members.  

Holly is both personally and professionally aligned with the mission of Goodwill of Empowering Individuals, Strengthening Families, and Building Stronger Communities.  At an early age, Holly learned how the power of work can create a lasting impact on a family.  Watching her father struggle for years with significant barriers, she has made it her mission to redefine how people connect to work. 

Garrett Zaino

Treasurer

Garrett Zaino is the founder of Digital Ronin, LLC, established in 2022, where he offers Salesforce development and consulting services. With 13 years of experience in business analysis and software development from his family’s company, MBO Partners, Garrett has dedicated his career to helping individuals achieve self-reliance as independent consultants.

As a board member of Second Chances Garage, Garrett is excited to apply those same values and goals to support Frederick County residents gain independence through reliable low-cost transportation. After falling in love with the city and its active community, Garrett moved to Frederick with his wife and two dogs in 2021. In his spare time, he enjoys walking and playing with his dogs, exercising, and playing board games with friends. 

Russ Clark

Board Member

Russ is a native Marylander, and only resided outside of the state for his college years at Elon College in NC. Russ majored in Leisure and Sports Management with an eye on the park service. He served as a Summer intern (1995) at Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, MD, thus solidifying that Frederick County would someday be home.

Russ has supported Second Chances Garage through 2 donated vehicles and 1 purchase off the lot before becoming a Board Member in January 2023.

Russ is a career homebuilder and works with Lennar Homes as the Construction Scheduling Manager for the VA/WV/DC Metro Division. He lives with his wife, Brandy, and their 3 kids in New Market, MD. The Clark’s also work with several agencies fostering dogs. In addition to their 3 rescued dogs, they have fostered over 20 dogs over the past several years. 

Jose Bueso
Jose Bueso

Board Member

Jose Bueso has over 50 years of experience in the automotive industry, working for GM dealerships from 1972 to 1995. He co-founded Dynamic Automotive in 1995, serving as president of the company till 2018, he currently serves as Vice President and COO.

Jose has been an ASE Master Certified Technician since 1982 and currently retains advanced-level certifications as well.

His community involvement includes:

  • The Frederick County Career and Technology Center (CTC) and serving as the President of the Frederick County Students Mechanical Trades Foundation (FCSMTF), 2007- present.
  • Chair of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council 2017 – present
  • Member of the AutoCare Associations Government Affairs Committee, 2016 – present.
  • Member-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Member.
  • Past president of Carroll Creek Toastmasters.

Jose and his wife Laura live in Walkersville and enjoy much of what the area offers.

Taner Hassan

Board Member

Taner Hassan was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. He completed his education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University earning multiple degrees in Aviation Business Management. He has worked in various finance, marketing, and distribution roles at US Airways and in business development while at USA Today, before starting his own business. He has also held various management positions in the automobile industry, since 2001, buying and selling cars both retail and wholesale.   

Taner is currently the Senior Partner at F.C. Tax and Accounting Services, Inc.  He and his wife Stephanie live between Monrovia, MD and Vero Beach, FL and enjoy spending time with their children and love traveling.

Amanda Pemperton
Amanda Pemberton

Board Member

Amanda is an automotive professional and enthusiast with over ten years of experience working at auto manufacturers. Her passion lies in creating positive customer experiences and closing the knowledge gap for women to make purchasing and servicing their cars easier. Amanda has a history of volunteerism serving with a variety of organizations while growing up in Middle Tennessee. She achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award through her work fundraising for Education for the Children Foundation, providing educational opportunities to youth in Guatemala. She lives in Frederick where she and her husband are usually hiking, tinkering on or racing cars.

Jake Butt - Photo
Jake Butt

Board Member

Jake is a nearly lifelong resident of Frederick, MD. He graduated from Walkersville high school before attending the University of Maryland, and now lives just outside of Downtown Frederick with his wife, son, and dog. Jake is a graduate of the 2023 class of Leadership Frederick County and runs his own consultancy business, GxP Solutions, where he helps other local businesses with technology and infrastructure needs.

Outside of his work and volunteer efforts, you’re likely to find Jake on hiking trails, at the Monocacy River, or playing baseball or tennis or soccer or football or pickleball with his son.

Matt Trendell

Board Member

Matt Trendell is the Director of Construction at The Eco Companies in Frederick, MD. Originally from upstate NY, Matt came to Maryland as an intern in 1997 and has been in the construction industry ever since.  Having a father that was an auto mechanic and an uncle who owned a used car lot, Matt had a lot of exposure to the auto industry growing up and still enjoys working on his own vehicles.  

He is a member of the Key City Rotary Club, and a 2012 Leadership Frederick County Graduate.  Matt volunteered with SOAR (Supporting Older Adults Through Resources) from 2020-2024 and has been an active volunteer with the Sailing Through the Winter Solstice fundraiser since 2021.

Matt, his wife Renee and their two children have resided in Jefferson, MD since 2005 and enjoy numerous outdoor activities together.  Other interests include attending concerts, riding his motorcycle, watching Yankees/Buffalo Bills games, or just tinkering on things in his garage.