Barbara Howell
Chief Executive Officer
Barbara Howell assumed her role as Chief Executive Officer of Burbank Temporary Aid Center in 2004. Prior to joining BTAC, she worked with several non-profit organizations including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Greater Los Angeles and Easter Seals of Southern California. Having spent most of her career working with healthcare-related organizations, she has enjoyed learning about and working with the needs addressed through BTAC services.
Barbara is very active in Leadership Burbank – as a graduate of the program – and has served on both Leadership Burbank and Alumni boards. She is a member of the Burbank Noon Rotary Club, including several leadership roles and as President in 2013–2014.
Growing up, Barbara lived in Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and Minnesota. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she lived in Maryland and Washington, before arriving in Los Angeles in 1991. In 2010 Barbara received a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Burbank-based Woodbury University. This has helped prepare her for the challenges of future development and changes at BTAC, and in the region. The study included several individual and group analyses of BTAC’s operations, and those of other non-profit agencies in the area.
Area organizations have recognized Barbara for her work and leadership role in the community. These honors include 2008 Non-Profit Executive of the Year from Assemblymember Paul Krekorian and State Senator Jack Scott (ret.), and 2009 Citizen of the Year from the Burbank Association of Realtors. The Zonta Club of Burbank named Barbara Howell its “Woman of the Year” for 2009–2010, acknowledging not only her remarkable record of accomplishment at BTAC, but also her well-known efforts on behalf of several community organizations, and recognizing her renown as a community leader.
Barbara enjoys reading, films and spending time with family and friends. She plays piano, sings with a quartet and choir, and regularly attends the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Edward Stapleton
Pantry and Facilities
Edward Stapleton was born in Dublin, Ireland. With the Irish economy in dire straits, his family moved to England when he was 11 where they lived in the slums of London. His father later left for America in search of a better life for the family, and they followed in 1971. At the age of 18 Edward returned to London to attend East Ham Technical School under its fine arts program, and a year later came to Los Angeles to complete his fine arts degree.
Edward pursued his career as an artist and musician in the Los Angeles underground scene. In 1999 he became a student of Eastern Philosophy, and came upon a book entitled “Your Life Is Your Message.” After reading it, Edward decided to pursue volunteer work with the poor and homeless, a community he felt close to and a part of given his experience, and that of his family. A Burbank resident, Edward approached BTAC and asked if volunteers were needed.
Edward began as a volunteer in what was known as the “clothing house,” an accessory structure behind what was then BTAC’s facility. In 2001 he officially became an employee as BTAC’s Pantry Manager, and by 2007 Facilities Manager was added to his responsibilities. Edward also supervises some of BTAC’s part-time staff, and our large team of volunteers.