Governance
The Tallahassee Chan Center is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation. The mission of the Tallahassee Chan Center (TCC) is to offer the wisdom and compassion of Chan Buddhism to everyone, irrespective of their religious belief or background.
TCC is a branch under the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA). DDMBA regularly appoints a monastic advisor to the Board of Directors. Venerable Changwu, the director of our DDMBA Vancouver chapter, serves as the monastic advisor to TCC.
Board of Directors
The TCC is governed by a Board of Directors, which provides leadership and oversight in support of our mission. In accordance with the TCC Bylaws, the Board includes the following positions and current members:
Guo Gu
Founder & Resident Teacher
Guo Gu (Dr. Jimmy Yu) is the founder and teacher at the Tallahassee Chan Center. He first learned meditation as a child in 1972 with master Guangqin (1892-1986), one of the most respected Chinese meditation masters and ascetics who lived in Taiwan. In 1980, Guo Gu moved to the United States and began studying with master Sheng Yen (1931-2009). In 1991, Guo Gu was ordained as a monk and became Master Sheng Yen’s first personal attendant and assistant. In 1995, he was given permission by the master to teach Chan independently; his experiences were later recognized by other teachers as well. Wanting to bring Buddhism beyond monastic walls, Guo Gu left monkhood and re-entered the world in 2000. In 2008 he received his Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from Princeton University and is currently a professor of Buddhist studies at Florida State University.
For Guo Gu’s list of events, please bookmark his personal website: www.guogulaoshi.com
Fran Berry (Yan Peng)
President
Fran has been the President of the Tallahassee Chan Center since 2015. She executes the overall vision of the Center for the flourishing of Chan Buddhism in the West and oversees the administration and operation of the Center. She is professor emeritus of public administration and policy at Florida State University.
Maria Willianson (Yan Kong)
Vice-President
Maria serves as Vice President of the Tallahassee Chan Center. She supports Fran in overseeing the operation at the Center and takes on special projects. She retired from public service as a nutritionist.
Liz Conn
Treasurer
Liz has serves as Treasurer of the Tallahassee Chan Center Board of Directors (since 2026). She has been practicing with the sangha here since 2022. She is currently a special education teacher at a middle school in Tallahassee.
Kiki Litchford (Kuan Xiu)
Secretary
Kiki serves as Secretary of the Tallahassee Chan Center Board of Directors (since 2026). She is also a volunteer and timekeeper at the Center. In her professional work, Kiki directs professional development for senior living providers in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Phil Kiracofe
Phil serves on the Tallahassee Chan Center Board of Directors (since 2026). He was first exposed to Buddhism many years ago while traveling in the Himalayan state of Sikkim. He discovered the Tallahassee Chan Center in 2017 and has been a regular practitioner ever since. He supports the Center by volunteering for workdays, preparing lodging for visiting retreatants, and helping with other tasks. In addition to his practice and volunteering at the Chan Center, he volunteers at the elephant refuge near Attapulgus, Georgia. Phil is retired after a 39-year career in law enforcement.
The Board of Directors meets on the second Monday of each month at 5:00 PM at the Chan Center, in the foyer. If you wish to join the advisory board and attend the meeting, please contact us at Tallahassee.Chan@gmail.com
Advisory Board
We welcome those of our Sangha who have established a regular meditation practice and volunteer regularly at the Center to join our Advisory Board. Advisory Board members may attend the meetings of the Board of Directors but will not be voting members of the Board. The purpose of the Advisory Board is to give advice to the Board of Directors on large issues, and to include members with expertise relevant to the Board of Directors’ responsibilities.