Foundation Board Meeting Materials:
Meet our 2012-13 Board of Directors
From Left to Right: Ron Alling, Pete Sonntag, Jeff DeFranco, Jeff Tillman, Dr. Deanna Brothers,
Jan Smith, Robert Novasel, Kindred Murillo, Peter Bostic, Bob Cliff, Nick Behney, Kerry David.
A message from the Foundation Board President, Bob Novasel:
It has been an honor serving the Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation as president for the last few years. With the leadership position at the college now stabilized, the interaction between the students, faculty, staff and Foundation Board seems to be greatly improving. The Foundation's goals are to provide as many benefits as possible and we look forward to promoting the Foundation and college in an effort to develop future success.
Ron Alling is active in the Douglas County Sheriff's Advisory Council, Douglas County Community Foundation, and Raymond H. Berner Educational Trust. Ron also has past affiliations with the Douglas County Educational Foundation and Tahoe Douglas Chamber of Commerce. Ron joined the Foundation in 2004 and carries his organizational talents to the board. He also enjoys athletics, finance and investment, art, and being involved in scholarships among others.
Cynthia Ferris-Bennett is the owner, creative director and principal designer of Events, Ink. who brings over 20 years of marketing, public relations, graphic design, photographic, product development/placement, event design, and planning and coordination experience to the table. Events, Ink. provides unique gifts and stationery which features local and USA made products.
Diane Bisbee has been a resident of South Lake Tahoe since 1975 and a retired High School guidance counselor. She is a wife, a mother of four, and a grandmother of five. Diane is passionate about inspiring students and encouraging students, she loves the outdoors, photography, and her family and friends.
Deanna Brothers, DDS, has been a resident of South Lake Tahoe since 1969. Dr. Brothers is an LTCC alumni, graduating with an AA degree in Social Science; she studied biology at California State Sacramento and received her doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Pacific School of Dentistry, in San Francisco. Dr. Brothers has a general dentistry practice in South Lake Tahoe and is active in the community and enjoys being involved in the educational success of Tahoe.
Bob Cliff, Ph.D., holds his degree in Industrial Engineering from UC Berkeley where he also taught for four years following graduation, holding memberships in Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering honor society, and Alpha Pi Mu, National Industrial Engineering honor society. He started an operations improvement consulting company that specialized in working with major businesses in the San Francisco area and this company is now over 40 years old. Bob has been a full-time South Lake Tahoe resident since 2009 and is also a member of the South Lake Tahoe Yacht Club, the Wind Jammers Yacht Club, and volunteers for the Lake Tahoe Marathon. Bob joined the Foundation in 2010 and brings his program and project management, finance, and computer systems skills to the board. He is passionate about higher education both to create meaning in one's personal life, and to create a strong, competitive economy for our future.
Kerry S. David has lived in Tahoe for 31 years, and is very active in the community. He is on the Board of Trustees for Lake Tahoe Community College District, the Board of Directors for Tahoe Youth and Family Services, Treasurer of Tahoe Magic, and a member of the South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club. "We have a great group of individuals who work well together and are focused on contributing to the needs of the college community," says Kerry.
Jeff DeFranco is the Vice President of Administrative Services at Lake Tahoe Community College.
Ryan Forvilly is the CEO of Bleu Wave Cruises and H2O Sports, LLC. He is an active local business leader on the South Shore and part of Northern Nevada's Young Entrepreneurs Club. He is an active youth coach and participates in many youth programs on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe.
Adele Lucas was born in Burbank, CA and moved to the Tahoe area 37 years ago. She is active in the South Tahoe Association of Realtors, the St. Theresa Church, and Soroptimist International. She is a great supporter of all educational events, including athletics and scholarships. After joining the Foundation in 2004, Adele says, her "terms on the Foundation Board of Directors has enabled her to help promote and sustain the various college programs and higher education of South Lake Tahoe in general." In her spare time, Adele enjoys biking (the Death Ride), skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, and water skiing.
Kindred Murillo, Ed.D. is the Superintendent/President for the Lake Tahoe Community College District. She began her higher education in 1996 when she was hired as a part-time faculty member at the Desert Community College District. She has also held public office as the Mayor and Councilmember for the Town of Yucca Valley, and then became a field representative from the Third District Supervisor in San Bernardino County. Kindred is a product of the community college system, graduating from Barstow Community College with a liberal arts degree. She went on to complete her B.S. in Business Administration at Redlands University, and her M.S. in Organization Development at Pepperdine University. She completed her doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University in 2010. Kindred enjoys hiking, bicycling, and the outdoor activities with her husband, son, and Oso (a very loyal Akita).
Robert Irwin Novasel, Foundation Board President, was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to the Tahoe area in 1972. He is on the board of the El Dorado Community Foundation and the Community Athletic Counsel. After joining the Foundation in 2007, Bob says, "So far it has been quite an enlightening experience. It can be rewarding helping students pursue a college education."
Marla Sharp has been the Fitness Education Center's program technician at Lake Tahoe Community College for 12 years.
Janet Smith is a full time English faculty member for Lake Tahoe Community College. She's the director of the Tutoring & Learning Center, and is also a published author and poet.
Pete Sonntag is the Vice President and General Manager for Heavenly Mountain Resort for Vail Resorts.
Jeff Tillman is the president of South Tahoe Refuse.
Joe Tillson is an attorney at law.
Past Foundation Board Members
2010
Back row Left to Right: Melonie Guttry (Former Executive Director), Ellen Dauscher, Adele Lucas, Dr. Don Yamaoka, Marla Sharp, and Nancy Specchio
Front row Left to Right: Michael Ward, Ron Alling, Robert Novasel, Bob Cliff, Jeff Tillman, Joe Tillson, and Kerry David
Not Pictured: Cristi Ellingford, Diane Bisbee, Deanna Brothers, Ryan Forvilly, Dr. Kindred Murillo, Adele Lucas, and Yesha Shaw, Student Trustee
2008
Back row Left to Right: Michael Ward, Paul Killpatrick, Ron Alling, Ryan Forvilly, and Jeff Tillman
Front row Left to Right: Kerry David, Ellen Dauscher, Melonie Guttry (Former Executive Director), Nancy Specchio, Adele Lucas, Nancy Gardner, Diane Bisbee, Daunelle Wulstein, and Joe Tillson
Gala 2007
Back row Left to Right: Ron Alling, Kerry David, Dr. Guy Lease, Nancy Barclay, Jeff Tillman, and Dr. Don Yamaoka
Front row Left to Right: Marla Sharp, Chris Janzen, Melonie Guttry (Former Executive Director), Ginny Schankerman, Adele Lucas, Shelley Hansen (Foundation Assistant), and Robert Novasel
Gala 2007
Left to right: Robert Novasel, Don Yamaoka, Nancy Barclay, Adele Lucas, Nancy Specchio, Kathy Cocking, Nancy Gardner, Melonie Guttry (Former Executive Director), Marla Sharp, Robert Chester, and Kerry David
2006
Left to right upper: Joe Tillson, Chris Janzen, Jeff Tillman, Nancy Barclay, Ryan Forvilly, Diane Bisbee, Kerry David, and Ron Alling
Left to right lower: Kitt Barkley, Nancy Gardner, Kathy Cocking, Melonie Guttry (Former Executive Director), and Adele Lucas
