Glendale Arizona Historical Society
Governing Board
Brenda Bartels | President
Brenda has lived in the valley for 46 years with 20 of them right here in southern Glendale. After a mini tour of the Manistee Ranch house, she was bitten by the history bug. Soon after, she and her husband Anthony joined and became lifetime members in 2019. Brenda's volunteerism began at Discovery School, where all three of her children attended. During that time, she was a member of the PTO and served as the treasurer for many years. She also gave of her time to serve on several district wide committees. Brenda is a current member of the Glendale Elementary School District Governing Board. Over the past eleven years. She has served as a member at large. clerk. and board president. She still volunteers when and where she can to help support the students, staff and the community of which she belongs. Since joining the GAHS, she has assisted with tours at the Manistee Ranch House when her schedule allows. She loves learning something new every time she volunteers at the house and when hearing the stories from the members who know so much more of Glendale's history.
Gary Sherwood | Vice President
Gary Sherwood is a native of Michigan, and has lived in Glendale since 1979. Gary holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, emphasis in marketing from Grand Valley State University in Michigan and a Master’s degree in Industrial Management from Western Michigan University, and has a strong background in program development, finance and marketing.
Currently Gary is a Special Events Coordinator of the Glendale Ambassadors, and board member of the Glendale Sister Cities organization. In the past Gary has served his community as Glendale City Councilman of the Sahuaro District, served on the Board of Directors of Valley Metro Reginal Public Transportation Authority (RPTA), Vice Chair on the Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors, and chairman of Valley Metro’s Budget and Finance subcommittee. Sherwood is a Certified Ambassador for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) as an active participant. He is also active in the Arizona Town Hall organization.
Additional previous volunteerism with the City of Glendale includes serving as chair of the Personnel Board, and as chair of the Planning Commission; as an evaluator for From the Heart; a member of Glendale’s Water & Sewer Task Force; and a graduate of both Glendale University and the Glendale Citizens Police Academy. Sherwood has also held leadership roles in such organizations as the YMCA and the Ironwood High School Boosters, and is a 24K Gold Award Donor with United Blood Services.
On a national level, Sherwood served on the National League of Cities Transportation Infrastructure and Services Steering Committee in addition to serving on the NLC’s First Tier Subcommittee as Vice Chair.
Martha Noble Pitts Cole "Marty" | Treasurer
Marty was born and raised in Glendale. She attended Unit 1 (Landmark Grammar School), Glendale High School, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University. Years ago she was the co-owner of the original Glendale Floral, which is no longer in existence. Marty loves to fill her time with travel, spending time with her family, and actively volunteering in Glendale's community. In addition to the time she donates to the Historical Society, she often volunteers to the Glendale Pride Ambassadors and the Glendale Women's Club.
A long time Historical Society volunteer, she was elected to the Board of Directors as Treasurer in 2012. She helps conduct tours at Sahuaro Ranch's Guest House on Sunday afternoons and special events, such as the Folk & Heritage Festival and Tractor Days. Marty also helps facilitate Rose Garden weddings and helps with the set up of the Guest House's exhibits, including the military and wedding gown displays.
Jessica Koory | Secretary
Jessica was elected to the Board of Directors as Secretary in 2012. She moved to Glendale many years ago and immediately fell in love with the people and the history of Glendale. Jessica generously donates her time to the Historical Society, she serves as the Accessions Chairman, keeps the Board of Directors' meetings minutes, acts a docent at Manistee Ranch, clips and compiles GAHS's obituaries and distributes name tags at the Historical Society's meetings. Jessica enjoys collaborating with other people who also want to preserve the history of Glendale for future generations.
Martha Dennis | Director
Martha was born and raised in Glendale. She attended Unit I (Landmark Grammar School) and Glendale High School and graduated from Arizona State University. She taught in the Washington Elementary District until retiring in 1995. Martha and her family have always been involved in Glendale activities and preserving Glendale's history. She joined the Glendale Historic Society in 1982 and became more active when she joined the Board as a Director in 1995.
Martha conducts tours at Sahuaro Ranch, helps facilitate weddings and works with the City on special events and school tours. She works with members to showcase the history with displays. Martha is also a member of the Glendale Civic Ambassadors and the Glendale Woman’s Club. The City of Glendale awarded the Ruth Byrne Historic Preservation Award to Martha in 2016.
Randi Turk | Director
Randi LeGendre Turk is a third generation Arizonan from a pioneer ranching family in southern Arizona. She was born in Tucson and moved to Glendale when she was three. She graduated from Glendale High School, as did her grandmother, great aunt, her two brothers, her two children, and three of her nephews.
She attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, then traveled the world on Word Campus Afloat, now Semester at Sea. She finished her bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Art at the University of New Mexico. She attained her Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University.
While in New Mexico, she met and married Tom. They have two children and one grandson, and in retirement they enjoy traveling.
Randi taught English, Newspaper, and Student Government at Central High School in Phoenix. She served as vice president on the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association Board, and in 2007, she was Central High School’s Teacher of the Year. She is an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, where she serves on two committees at the state chapter level, and she serves on the Board of Directors of the Cottey College Alumnae Association. In her spare time Randi enjoys reading, painting, and playing bridge.
Kathy Hoynes-Goreé | Director
Kathy Hoynes-Goreé is an artist and Chicago native, has resided in Glendale for 17 years. She currently volunteers in the GAHS archive library, administers the GAHS Facebook and Instagram pages, and assists with the website and newsletter.
Al Lenox | Director
Al Lenox is a 40-year Glendale resident who moved here from Tacoma, Washington. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley in California. After high school, he joined the Navy and served in Vietnam in Special Forces. He finished his military service in Bremerton, Washington where he met his wife, Nancy. They have been married for 52 years and have two daughters and two grandchildren. He has worked most of his life in the marine industry and has owned his own (lake) boat repair service for 27 years.
Al has volunteered in many capacities for the City of Glendale over the past 27 years. He has served on numerous Boards and Commissions during this time, including Chair of the Citizens Transportation Oversight Commission (CTOC), Chair of the Personnel Review Board, and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission. Additionally, Al is a founding member of the Glendale Ambassadors (1994), having served as President, Treasurer, and Director, as well as chairing many all-volunteer special event booths and projects for them. He is also a founding member of Glendale AZ Sister Cities (2017), and most recently served as their Treasurer.
