Board of Directors

Brendan Bartic
Chair

Brendan is a Colorado native, a real estate titan, an elite coach, and national trainer with over two decades of incredible success in the real estate industry. As the founder and CEO of the #1 Real Estate Team in Denver and a top listing agent, he ranks in the Top 1% of all Realtors in the Nation. His Real Estate Team, Elite Home Partners, reflects his passions of helping others grow and succeed, as well as serving and giving back to the community. Brendan is a United States Army Infantry Veteran and served multiple tours in Iraq and Kuwait. In his youth, he benefited as a resident from the services at Third Way Center while living at several of their facilities. Now, giving back to the community that provided him so much, Brendan has helped raise over $1 Million for Denver’s disadvantaged youth as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Third Way Center.

Gary Gray
Vice Chair

Gary has served on the Third Way Center Board of Directors since 1999. In the 70’s, Gary worked as a Counselor at Third Way and has been involved with the organization ever since. This experience allows him to bring a unique perspective to the Board, with insight into working with our clients. He is self-employed as a stock and options trader.

Patrick Sobers
Treasurer

Patrick is the retired, former President of Community Banks of Colorado and Head of Business and Personal Banking of NBH Bank. He served in those positions from 2016 to 2021. He was previously the Executive Vice President and Head of Small Business and Consumer Banking for NBH Bank’s Community Banks of Colorado and Hillcrest Bank divisions. Patrick has served on NBH Bank’s board of directors since January 2017. Patrick has over 30 years experience in the financial services industry, and held several executive leadership positions with Bank of America prior to joining NBH Bank. Patrick has been very active in the communities where he has resided, serving on the boards of numerous civic and charitable organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Administration from Boston University.

Jean Smith Gonnell, Esq.
Secretary

Jean is a successful attorney practicing in Colorado and North Carolina. As a teen, she benefitted from the resources at Third Way Center’s Lincoln Apartments. She went on to attend the University of Colorado and graduated from the University of Denver Sturm School of Law with her JD. She credits Third Way Center for a large amount of her success and remains a fervent supporter.

Stacy Ohlsson
Board Member

Stacy has a master’s degree in special education, focusing on learning disabled and emotionally disturbed k-12 students. She understands the population that TWC serves and the issues affecting residential treatment. For years, Stacy was a mentor to a resident at the Lincoln house. As a long term supporter of TWC events and an organizer of others, she brings expertise around planning and promoting special events.

Sally Johnston
Board Member

Sally comes to Third Way Center with a background in education and psychology and a passion for investing in our future generation. She owns Christiania Lodge resort in Vail, Colorado and invests a lot of time in supporting the Vail Mountain School through her service. Her son is a former State Senator and the former Educational Director of the Joan Farley Academy, operated by Third Way Center. She brings expertise in education, policy and community fundraising events.

Melanie Schoninger
Board Member

Melanie’s professional background includes sales, marketing, management, new location openings and special events roles in the restaurant industry including Morton’s, The Capital Grille, and for acclaimed chef Troy Guard in Denver. She has also worked for the Democratic National Convention. Melanie is now a mother of two and has taken a step back from the business world, and spends as much time as possible exploring Colorado with her family and getting involved in her community.

Matthew McCormick
Board Member

Matthew is a graduate of Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California. He works as a real estate broker and is married with two sons. His family has been long standing supporters of Third Way Center with multiple family members serving on the Board, and his mother was awarded Third Way Center’s service award.

Meg Everett
Board Member

Meg is the Director of Operations for Elite Home Partners and has been involved with Third Way Center’s Associate Board for several years. Meg has a passion for helping others and giving back to the community. Meg has assisted with the Third Way Center internship program and has led her company’s annual day of giving back by renovating Third Way’s Bannock house. She is dedicated to supporting her community, empowering her peers through leadership opportunities, and connecting and collaborating with others to grow the Third Way Center community.