Board of Directors
In Memoriam
C. Fredrick Cornforth
BA, MDIV
​Chief Executive Officer
Using his gifts as a visionary leader, Fred guided CDI in its continued growth and success. He had over 18 years of experience in management and oversaw the operations of CDI.
Donald Bedney BA, MDIV, MSA, JD (Notre Dame), CFRE
Chairman of the Board
Born and raised in Southern California, Bedney has served as an elementary and secondary school teacher, a pastor, a Stewardship, Trust Services & Religious Liberty director, a local conference executive secretary and director of human resources, Senior Development Officer, Director of Development and most recently as Vice President for University Advancement at Andrews University.
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Bedney brings a wealth of experience to the role of Board Chair by providing strategic leadership and oversight in all areas of organizational planning and operations. In addition to being an alumnus of Andrews University, Donald has a law degree from the University of Notre Dame and holds the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) professional designation.
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Donald’s wife, Elynda, serves as the assistant vice president for Student Financial Services at Andrews. The Bedneys are blessed with two adult sons, Donald III and Daniel, two lovely daughters-in-law, Taidine and Lauren, and five grandchildren, Sofia, Aidan, Liam, Sienna and Jalen. For recreation and relaxation, Donald enjoys spending time with Elynda, singing and listening to music, walking, writing, reading, golf and traveling with family and friends.
Twyla Leiske Bechtel
BA in Business Management
Director Member Executive Board
Twyla has experienced a varied career in business. While a college senior, Twyla served as the first female president of the associated student body. After graduation, she managed an employment agency and then worked as an administrative assistant in a hospital before starting independent businesses in product sales while raising her two children. Twyla was marketing manager for Christian radio and then spent 14 years as an OR Principal Real Estate Broker and WA Real Estate Broker. Also, she was chairman of the continuing education committee. Twyla managed the Walla Walla University Havstad Alumni Center, where earlier she served as alumni president and alumni board chairman.
Ed Cornforth
Director Member Executive Board
Ed has been with Community Development, Inc & Somerset Pacific, LLC for 15 years.
He has served as the Chief Asset Manager, President of Somerset Pacific, and now serves as President of CDI's Group of Companies.
Early in Ed's career, he served in management with UPS in the Seattle are for 13 years. He then went on to serve in management with Target stores, where is specialized in logistics for 10 years.
Ed and Kay of 3 kids, 5 grandkids, and enjoy living in the Treasure Valley.
He serves on the CDI board as well as the Love Heals board of directors.
Donna Collins Lewis
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Director Member Executive Board
Former Councilwoman for the East Baton Rouge Parish and the City of Baton Rouge for 12 years, served as CDI's housing director in Louisiana for 7 years before retiring. She previously worked for the Baton Rouge Housing Authority, the Louisiana Family Recovery Corp in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrine in recovery and response, the YWCA, among others. She's a community servant at heart, and she has also served on the volunteer staff of several Love Heals clinics in Baton Rouge, along with her husband Cliff (East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Member, and former Green Bay Packer), she's a treasured friend to CDI and the people it serves.
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Eric Cornforth
Director Member Executive Board
Eric got his start in operations and logistics in the corporate world where he worked in management for Target Corp and Gap Inc.
He takes pride in being able to identify key variables and deliver results that improved efficiency.
Eric has experience with implementing training policies, performance management, and most importantly believes in training development to ensure everyone is prepared for what obstacles may arise.
Alexis Yon, CPA
Director Member Executive Board
Alexis has been with Somerset Pacific, LLC and Community Development, Inc for 5 years.
She began as the Accounting Manager for Somerset Pacific and is now the Senior Vice President over CDI and Somerset Pacific.
She brings over 15 years experience in accounting for property management and development. She has led the accounting departments to successful fiscal management in affordable housing, nonprofits, and commercial developments.
Alexis lives in the Treasure Valley with her husband and three children.