BAFB Staff

Juan
Warehouse Material Handler/Truck Driver

With over 17 years of hands-on experience in warehouse operations, Juan ensures that every donated piece of furniture finds its perfect new home. Whether it’s organizing a full warehouse of inventory or delivering furniture to our clients, Juan brings positive energy and a can-do attitude to work each day. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym and spending the day outdoors while hiking.

Melody
Senior Program Manager

Born and raised in San Jose, Melody values her close-knit family and strong network of supportive friends. After more than 22 years in the financial industry educating, advising, and assisting individuals with their financial needs, she discovered that her greatest passion is serving others and making a meaningful difference in people's lives. Before joining Bay Area Furniture Bank, Melody worked with organizations focused on addressing food insecurity and connecting families with essential resources. She is now proud to support Bay Area Furniture Bank's mission of helping individuals and families create comfortable, stable homes through furniture assistance. Her philosophy is: “Together we can make a difference—people helping people.”

Mario
Warehouse Material Handler

Mario enjoys starting his workday early to ensure the warehouse is organized, ready to receive inventory, and that the truck is loaded with furniture to deliver for families throughout the Bay Area. He finds the most joy in assisting families as they settle into their new home, which includes selecting items that meet their needs and ensuring a clean and comfortable space for them. In his spare time, Mario enjoys cruising in his beautifully restored Chevrolet Silverado, bike riding, attending local festivals, and spending time with family and friends.

Carla
Logistics Coordinator

Carla has been the logistics coordinator at the Bay Area Furniture Bank since 2022. Her role involves overseeing the logistics of the organization’s operations, as well as furniture deliveries. Prior to her work with the Bay Area Furniture Bank, she was responsible for developing and implementing programs that have had a positive impact on the lives of many individuals and families in need. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking in the beautiful Bay Area hills, visiting local beaches, and spending time with friends and family.

Robert
Warehouse Material Handler/Truck Driver

Robert has more than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial moving. He has devoted himself to the moving industry. In addition, he co-owned multiple companies by a very young age. Now in his mid-30s, he has found purpose at the Bay Area Furniture Bank. He is professional, dedicated, and passionate about giving back to his community. Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and kids. He also pursues passions such as dirt biking, fishing, and RC car collecting. Ready for new challenges, Robert strives for excellence and aims to help the Bay Area Furniture Bank thrive.

Diego
Warehouse Material Handler/Truck Driver

Diego is a marketing and advertising professional from Colombia, with experience in the airport industry at some of the most important international airports in North and South America. Passionate about aviation and soccer, he combines his interest in the aviation world with a dynamic approach to work and communication. He is characterized as a responsible, honest individual with a cheerful personality, qualities that reflect the way he interacts in both his personal and professional life. For Diego, family is his top priority and main source of motivation. His life approach is focused on consistent work and continuous effort, as he views his job not only as a responsibility but also as one of his greatest passions. His dedication and commitment define him as someone who always gives his best in every project he undertakes.

Richard
Retired

Towering at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Richard is an owner-operator who drove nearly two million miles as a three-way van-lines specialist in high-tech trade shows and computer systems. Richard’s greatest joy now is watching the faces of the young children we assist when they get a second chance after we deliver furniture to their new living quarters. When not on the road, you can find Richard on a golf course, a sport he picked up in high school.

Honoring BAFB’s Founder

We honor the amazing work of Bay Area Furniture Bank’s founder, Ray Piontek. He created and built BAFB, which has helped so many people across our community. Ray passed away in October 2022 and is dearly missed.

Ray Piontek
Founder

Prior to founding Bay Area Furniture Bank, Ray held key leadership roles as a Senior Sales Executive with international experience. He led sales operations and marketing functions for small and large technology companies including Xerox, Apple, Autodesk, and Hilti. Ray also served 27 years in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviator, while holding positions of senior command. Ray holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston College. Originally from New Haven, Connecticut, Ray lived in our local community for more than a half-century - from 1969 until his passing in 2022.