Complaint Review: Picasso Strategic Solutions Lisa Benson Jerry Heikens - Phoenix Arizona

I run a non-profit that does community and economic development and I had the fortunate opportunity to meet with Ms. Benson through a mutual client. Although I have never worked with her personally I can say that in the time we met she demonstrated her knowledge of how to build the capacity of non-profits. Her step by step approach I believe would help many have a clearer direction in building their organization.

I also have met with Jerry Heikens through Lisa and can speak to his passion to help others.

I would hope with all the rebuttals on this matter that the owners of the site consider removing this posting. Unfortunately sometimes working in underserved areas can lead to this kind of slander. I too have been the victim of slander that was unwarranted and unsubstantiated and I would be lying if I said it didnt bother me. I now consider it, unfortunately a cost of helping in our highest need areas. When resources are scare, often people look for someone to point a finger at, whether right or wrong. At the end of the day I always come back to what matters is that we stay the course and help the millions that can benefit from being connected to resources that can help them get out of poverty.

As a member of Phoenix Philanthropists, I have had the opportunity to work with Jerry and Lisa on various projects and have been (and still am) completely impressed with both of them.  They not only exhibit a love for what they do, but also for the people that they strive to help. 

Not only does Jerry organize events for our group, he is also in attendance, working side by side with the volunteers at nearly every one.  Actions speak louder than words and certainly all one need do is look at the way Jerry Heikens conducts himself and cares for others to know that the WORDS of someone who calls themselves "TVET from Tucson" are FALSE.  If this person TRULY had legitimate concers (instead of just an unfounded axe to grind) they would use other means and methods to address the problem (or at the VERY LEAST they'd use their actual name).

I have to question the motives (and mental stability) of a person who cloaks themselves and then comes onto a public site spewing hate about a person like Jerry Heikens who has chosen to live his life in the service of others and of his community. 

I suppose Jerry, Lisa and the other members of Phoenix Philanthropists and Piccso Strategic Solutions (ACTUAL GROUPS, doing ACTUAL GOOD) could all spend copious amounts of time on here defending the truth and pointing out all of "TVET's" falsifications, but we have a more important work to do and more important people to spend our time on, so lets get back to it!

I am a member of Jerry's group the Phoenix Philanthropists. This report is absolute rubbish. I know Lisa Benson and Jerry Heikens and have volunteered with them helping to make the world a better place. They are two of the most loving selfless people I know. $9,000? Really? I would like to see the bank statement from said 'TVET' that he paid Lisa's company nine grand. I would also like to know this persons company and the work they supposedly paid them to do. This person goes into great detail about Jerry and Lisa and talks about private investigators but won't even divulge anything personal about his or herself? That sounds like a liar to me, someone afraid of telling the whole story. Calling someone who dedicates their life to volunteering a "crook" is horrible and I hope this TVET person knows of Karma and what it entails because writing a rip off report about these two people is not my idea of good karma. I will continue to volunteer with Jerry and help the homeless children and people with cancer and all of the other great foundations he brings his volunteers too and I will continue to fight the good fight and spread positivity in this world. I hope this 'TVET' person can do the same. Leia Volunteer Phoenix Philanthropists

I have not worked for Picasso Strategic Solutions. However, I did assist with the fund raising project at Clicks Billiards with Jerry and Lisa last year, and I am playing a small part on a fund raiser that Jerry is doing for cancer at the same place, next weekend. We met to discuss which non profit organization to assist, simply because a manager at Clicks wanted to raise money for cancer. No organization asked us to do this fund raiser, we chose to do it because we want to stop cancer from killing people. It is really that simple. I am not sure why anyone would question the fact that he was on the board of Packages from Home. I volunteered not only for the fund raiser at Clicks, but at the Packages From Home main location. Jerry had his own office there, and I saw this myself. Both Lisa and Jerry were eating, drinking, and sleeping PFH. More than a year ago, I joined Jerry as an assistant organizer of the Phoenix Philanthropists. I have not been very active in this group lately because of my current job, but I was there from the beginning. Jerry, Lisa, and I, met to discuss our vision for the volunteer group. We wanted to do for others, and we wanted to get other people to feel the same passion about altruism as we felt. We were each looking for individuals or non profit organizations that we could help. Jerry was not using this group for his own personal gain. However, if he ever does find work through his unselfish ways and this group, there would be NOTHING wrong with it. He has put in hundreds and hundreds of hours to do for others, asking nothing in return. I have had numerous discussions with both Jerry and Lisa, about doing things for the right reasons, as opposed to others who schedule volunteer events just for bragging rights. This rip off report makes ridiculous accusations, obviously made out of malice, and not facts.

I have not worked for Picasso Strategic Solutions. However, I did assist with the fund raising project at Clicks Billiards with Jerry and Lisa last year, and I am playing a small part on a fund raiser that Jerry is doing for cancer at the same place, next weekend. We met to discuss which non profit organization to assist, simply because a manager at Clicks wanted to raise money for cancer. No organization asked us to do this fund raiser, we chose to do it because we want to stop cancer from killing people. It is really that simple. I am not sure why anyone would question the fact that he was on the board of Packages from Home. I volunteered not only for the fund raiser at Clicks, but at the Packages From Home main location. Jerry had his own office there, and I saw this myself. Both Lisa and Jerry were eating, drinking, and sleeping PFH. More than a year ago, I joined Jerry as an assistant organizer of the Phoenix Philanthropists. I have not been very active in this group lately because of my current job, but I was there from the beginning. Jerry, Lisa, and I, met to discuss our vision for the volunteer group. We wanted to do for others, and we wanted to get other people to feel the same passion about altruism as we felt. We were each looking for individuals or non profit organizations that we could help. Jerry was not using this group for his own personal gain. However, if he ever does find work through his unselfish ways and this group, there would be NOTHING wrong with it. He has put in hundreds and hundreds of hours to do for others, asking nothing in return. I have had numerous discussions with both Jerry and Lisa, about doing things for the right reasons, as opposed to others who schedule volunteer events just for bragging rights. This rip off report makes ridiculous accusations, obviously made out of malice, and not facts.

I represent a humanitarian organization that deals with border security issues. Picasso Strategic Services was incredibly forthright and results driven in the time we worked with them. These accusations strike me as baseless and mean. The fact that the person who posted won't identify themselves says a lot about just what kind of person they are."

I represent a humanitarian organization that deals with border security issues. Picasso Strategic Services was incredibly forthright and results driven in the time we worked with them. These accusations strike me as baseless and mean. The fact that the person who posted won't identify themselves says a lot about just what kind of person they are."

I represent a humanitarian organization that deals with border security issues. Picasso Strategic Services was incredibly forthright and results driven in the time we worked with them. These accusations strike me as baseless and mean. The fact that the person who posted won't identify themselves says a lot about just what kind of person they are."

I represent a humanitarian organization that deals with border security issues. Picasso Strategic Services was incredibly forthright and results driven in the time we worked with them. These accusations strike me as baseless and mean. The fact that the person who posted won't identify themselves says a lot about just what kind of person they are."

I find it incredible that there is a site devoted to defamatory and libelous accusations that does not hold the posters accountable for their words. As a PR professional I have worked closely with Lisa for quite some time and have nothing but the highest respect for her and her organization. Lisa could have her own site that would be filled with nothing but grateful statements from all those she has helped through the years. If the person who posted these accusations against Picasso Strategic Services feels so strongly, and can really back them up, why not post them to a reputable site where they are accountable for what they write? Enough is enough! Have enough gumption to come forward or don't open your mouth in the first place! Emilio D of Drive PR

I had never heard of the Ripoff Report before being told about the recent (and in my opinion liabelous) posting by a coward that could not even give their name but signed off as Tvet of Tombstone, AriZona. Having know the Picasso Strategic Solutions founder and employees for many years, I was not only shocked by the outrageous and fabricated allegations made of a company that I hold in high regard, with whom I have not only worked, but attached my name, which is of great import to anyone that is in the Development arena, that I felt the need to display a depth of understanding about anyone that could actually write such an expose and think that they should not be taken to task or to court for libel. I do not find that this person could possibly be so much in personal crisis as to actually post verbiage that is turbulent, unsubstantiated and full of almost manic stress, because they are apparently not able to be productive in their vocation. It is, nevertheless, easy to understand why. In my lifetime and in many others that I know, we have found ourselves in situations that are not pleasant, and in business, have had to take the hard knocks of "win-some-lose-some" clients. NEVER have I ever been privy to someone that has the need to take public action, blaspheme the reputation of hard-working, productive, and forthright professionals, and actually have the guts to put it on the web. There are so many other productive things to do with time. I read and reread lines like "They have pushed away several of our former donors and wasted a crazy amount of our time", and "They have pushed away several of our former donors and wasted a crazy amount of our time". Or, many listed have recently gone through major losses, some are no longer operating. WELCOME TO TODAY'S REALITY, Tvet!!!!! Are you familiar with the Madoff scheme and what that did to fundraising, coupled with our current economic downturn. Do you read the papers, and are you aware of the many non-profits that have had to close their doors!!!! Do you even have a clue!!!!!! It sounds rather like sour grapes to me. What's even worse, is that this person has some kind of vendetta against Jerry Heikens and has chosen to take along others like Lisa Benson in their most unprofessional tirade, to make he/she feel better. DO YOU FEEL BETTER, Tvet, whoever you are? Would it not have served you better as a professional, a human being, and self-proclaimed Robin Hood, to save the world in a far more beneficial approach. Would it not have been more intelligent to try and help the organization that you are professing was so misguided by those you assault. I personally can respond to each allegation aimed at Ms. Benson, line by line, but I'm still so much in shock at this approach, this vile attempt at fixing the world's inadequacies, that I cannot believe I am even responding to this non-person. Don't you think there is enough anguish in this world that truly needs attention, that truly could use advocacy, and that could better use your energy or perhaps your volatility, to do some good. Picasso Strategic Solutions has worked for more than 20 years as an advocate for social, educational, and emotional support to organizations that need advancement. I BELIEVE THAT Tvet, MIGHT BETTER BECOME AN INDEPENDENT THINKER AND NOT TRY TO ACCUSE AND SLANDER HONEST WORKING PEOPLE. BETTER CHECK "YOUR FACTS" BEFORE YOU ACCUSE, AND CHECK THEM AGAINST RESUME'S, THEIR WORDING AND ACCURACY. THEN GO BACK TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ARE SO WORRIED ABOUT, AND HELP THEM, NOT MAKE THEM LOOK FOOLS FOR BEING EXPOSED IN YOUR SHORT SIGHTED ANGST. JUST REMEMBER THAT EVERYONE'S PERCEPTION IS THEIR OWN REALITY!!!!!!!

I have known Jerry Heikens for almost a year now. I couldn't be more dismayed at the falsity of this report. I first began to know Jerry when he helped me to acquire a grave marker for a 12 year old girl, Trenay Duchane, who was beaten to death by her step mother a year ago last November. Not only were we successful in raising awareness for child abuse, we were able to help out the family with the 7 remaining children. We gave them a Christmas they will never soon forget. It might well have been the first one they ever truly had. That took a period of about 3-4 months and in that time I met with Jerry everyday. I was able to get to know him quite well, and I learned about the volunteer group that he is the director of. I will respond to this opening statement from TVET....."Jerry Heikins - aka partner in crime since 2008, he is really a rip off artist. He runs a volunteer operations on a site called meetup.com called the Phoenix Philanthropists to posture himself as a social advocate." In my best Nancy Grace voice....."BS!!!" Here is where reality takes a turn into absurdity. Because of Jerry, I joined the Phoenix Philanthropists in order to help others. Anybody that is a part of that group, and that would be about 500+ active members, knows that Jerry puts his heart and soul into this volunteer meetup. A great many of us are their solely because of him. He spends countless hours of his own time to organize 7-10 meetups a week! We are active with St. Mary's Food Bank, Tuffies Animal Rescue, Boys and Girls Club and numerous civic activities...ad infinitum. Jerry is at 99% of these activities so he puts his heart where his mouth is. I take great, great offense to somebody putting any kind of smudge on his character the way that TVET has. I could list off every one of TVET's accusations of falsehood against Jerry and discredit them easily. But why defend false accusations? As well as the false accusations against the business and the $9,000.00 contract. That contract never existed. This is all a false claim. A case of sour grapes. Somewhere or other someone got mad at Jerry and came on here in a vain appempt to discredit him and Picasso Strategic Solutions. If you know anything about Ripoff Report you should know that anybody can come on here and post anything about someone, true or not. Its easy to come on here and cast aspersions towards somebody or an organization. And that's all this is. Jerry Heikens is a man of high moral fiber. His character is without peer, and I consider him to be one of the most honorable men I know. I would trust Jerry with my life, my children's lives, and in any business dealing. I would not hesitate to call on him or Picasso Strategic Solutions if you need their help. You will be well rewarded. When it comes to people helping people....Jerry Heikens gives his heart and soul to help others. I am proud to call him my friend. BLJ

This is Jerry Heikens and I am not an employee of the company, but my name is mentioned and slandered quite nicely by the original poster. I would suggest that whoever decided to slander my name to do a much better job of research, or at least you should have not posted things that can be easily shown to be false. Let's start out with the facts. I am a freelance consultant that has done contract work with Picasso Strategic Solutions. I have worked on two different projects with Picasso Strategic Solutions. I do know both of the clients I worked with would not say anything negative to say about the work I did for them, so whoever wrote this was not a client I worked with or never was an actual client of Picasso Strategic Solutions. To the poster...if you were a Picasso Strategic Solutions client, did you voice your displeasure and concerns of the areas you are complaining about? Shouldn't you have the professionalism and courage to post your company and name, or are you afraid of a possible suit for slander, thus leaving out that information and hiding behind a fake name in Tombstone? Based on your inaccurate information, it sounds like you are just someone who has a personal vendetta and you were probably never a client of Picasso Strategic Solutions. Let's address what you have stated as far as me personally: 1. Anyone is free to visit the Phoenix Philanthropists website at www.volunteerinphoenix.com. The members of this great group of people know that this claim is completely false. I have never approached any of the organizations we work with to solicit business for Picasso Strategic Solutions. I know the integrity that I keep with the group and I will let anyone know they can reach me at [email protected] and I can give you a list of the organizations we have worked with (or you can see it on the website) and they will tell you what kind of person I am and the heart I put into the group. Someone seems to be going out of their way to try to discredit me, but it won't work. My reputation with the work the Phoenix Philanthropists have done cannot be questioned. 2. I served on the Executive Board of Directors for Packages From Home from March 2008 and resigned on August 7, 2008. To keep it simple, anyone can look up and feel free to contact Raya Tahan, who was the acting attorney at that time for Packages From Home. She will confirm I served on the Executive Board of Directors. I can also suggest that anyone can request a copy of the Board Minutes from meetings held during that period of time, as they are matter of public record and the minutes will clearly show I served on the Executive Board. 3. As for Northern Food & Dairy, Inc., the poster certainly didn't do much research there as they are not a soy milk farm. They are a manufacturer of dried food ingredients and did happen to be one of the largest processors of liquid soy milk in the country. I worked as an Executive Assistant to the owner, Dennis Anderson for close to 6 years and then moved into the role of Human Resources Director. That can also be backed up. I would be more than happy to provide names of prominent members of the community in Alexandria, Minnesota, including the Chamber of Commerce and law enforcement, who were very aware of my role and title at Northern Food & Dairy, if someone wishes to contact me for those names. The current Director of the Chamber of Commerce there was the Director when I held the Human Resources Director position. 4. Funny, I am trying to remember when I helped someone on a campaign. Nevertheless, I was a legislative aide for Representative Bob Anderson House District 9. Of course, someone can contact former Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown. He would confirm this as well. Come to think of it, I did help some with his prior senate campaign, but not necessarily in an official capacity. As to the final note, most who have worked with me will confirm that I know what I am talking about when it comes to nonprofit financial and governance/compliance issues. It sometimes doesn't make me the most popular person with nonprofits when I have to let them know where they are falling short, but it is an area I know well. I have very good media relationships here in Phoenix, but it is almost to the point of ridiculous that I even am needing to defend myself anymore at this point. Some people don't have anything better to do than to try to make others look bad. Judging from the way this was written, I don't think this was even written by a client of Picasso Strategic Solutions. I tend to find out through this site who posted though, as what is stated is absolutely false and I have the backup to substantiate that. If the poster was smart, they wouldn't have posted things that can be so easily researched and backed up. Anyone who questions my integrity or background can feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to provide you with any of the information to discredit the claims made against my name. I would hope people are smart enough by reading my disclosures above, that it wouldn't be necessary, but I have nothing to hide and anyone that has worked with me and knows me is aware that my integrity is of the utmost importance to me.

Dear Readers, Only a coward posts a note on this site to defame the character of decent people and signs it "TVET" from Tombstone. I am not sure who reads a web site that anybody can post anything about anybody and sign a fake name to it. Certainly not the people in my circle. My career has spanned 25 years with clients all over the world. I am a decent, hardworking woman who fights for the disenfranchised members of our world. The "coward" who wrote this trash obviously has a vendetta toward Jerry and I. Perhaps, he/she isn't getting any business or they don't like my political affiliation or my religion. I think I know who you are, "coward" and I am going to use every means I know to take all the legal action available to me to fight your lies. Furthermore, you must have a great deal of time on your hands. You spent hours and hours digging up some factual information and then twisted the truth to try to ruin lives. It is not going to work; I/we have a plethora of references and people who value our expertise. I, personally, am not worried about you or will I lose a night's sleep over your lies. Those who want to work with Picasso Strategic Solutions, LLC will quickly learn from my former, and past, clients that I am a hardworking talented woman. Tomorrow, we will put out a press release, call the attorney, call Homeland Security and the police. Make no mistake.....I will find you and take appropriate action. Sincerely, Lisa Benson Proudly President of Picasso Strategic Solutions, LLC