Directors of Emeriti
Bernard Bernstein
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1997
Bernard Bernstein was named Fair director in 2004 and became an emeritus member in 2016. He is
managing partner of Bernstein and Rathman Inc., certified public accountants in Pomona. He is
affiliated with a number of service organizations including treasurer of Pomona Rotary Club and
a trustee for Cal Poly Associates. He is also on the board of directors at Pomona Valley
Hospital Medical Center and American Red Cross in addition as a trustee of Pomona Valley
Hospital Foundation. Bernstein is past president of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, California
Jaycee Foundation and serves as a member of LeRoy Haynes Finance committee and city of Pomona
investment committee. His firm was named Small Business of the Year in 1996 and he was awarded
Pomona’s Community Service Award in 2001. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and a native
of Phoenixville, Penn.
Robert Burwell
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1982
Bob Burwell was a Fair director from 1982-02 and named director emeritus in 2002. He is the retired
president of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. He served as a board member of Pomona
Chamber and won the Chamber’s Community Service Award in 1992. Burwell earned a bachelor
of arts degree and master’s degree in business administration at University of Michigan.
Richard Crean
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1997
Rich Crean was LACFA chairman of the board 2008-2012, having served as vice chairman 2002-07. He was
named director emeritus in 2013. He is vice chair of The Learning Centers at Fairplex and serves
on several TLC committees. He is retired CEO of Averbeck Company Insurance Brokers and currently
a senior financial advisor with California Financial Partners in Glendale. Crean is a member of
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Foundation Board and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
Board. Crean served as a Board Member and Chairman of the Board of the National Orange Show
during the 1990’s, grows olives and produces olive oil.
Robert Dukes
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Robert Dukes was named Fair director in 2003 and director emeritus in 2015. He currently serves on
the hall of fame committee, Claremont community committee, as a board member of The Learning
Centers at Fairplex.and a member of several TLC committees. He is a Los Angeles County Superior
Court judge and formerly had a private law practice. Dukes served as Los Angeles County Deputy
District Attorney from 1976-1981. He is a member of the board of directors at Haynes Family of
Programs Center forFamilies and Children in La Verne. He is a former Adjunct Professor Law,
University of La Verne Law School. Dukes earned a B.A. from University of Redlands and a Juris
Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law. He is a native of Pomona, Calif.
Juan Gamboa
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1979
Juan Gamboa became a Fair director in 1993 and named director emeritus in 2011. He is a realtor with
Coldwell Banker Real Estate and retired from special sales and leasing at Citrus Motors Ford in
Ontario. He serves on the LACFA emeritus outreach committee. He is former president of Gamboa
Enterprises Inc. Also past president and current member of Pomona Kiwanis Club; served as 1987
lieutenant governor for Division 15 of Kiwanis International; board member of Inland Valley
Economic Development Corp.; past board member of Pomona Red Cross; Claremont Community
Foundation; President's Society of Western University of Health Sciences; Pomona Valley
Historical Society; and Pomona Chamber of Commerce. Gamboa holds an accounting degree from
Escuela de Ensenanzas Especialis No. 24 in Tijuana.
Sue Hyland
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Sue Hyland became a director in 2009 and was named director emerita in 2015. She serves on The
Learning Centers board. She previously served on the Capital Campaign Cabinet for the Child
Development Center, celebrating the results of the Center’s first capital campaign, with
donations of more than $2 million. She is owner and chairman of the board of The Claremont Club;
and, named Business Woman of the Year in 2002-03 and awarded Claremont Chamber’s
nationally recognized Athena Award. She served on Foundation Board at Pomona Valley Hospital
Medical Center and on the board of Claremont Red Cross.
Molly Johnson
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 1979
Molly Johnson was inducted into the Los Angeles County Fair Association’s Hall of Fame in 2005
for outstanding leadership, counsel and dedication. She was the first woman to serve on the Fair
board when named director in 1979. She was named director emerita in 2001. Johnson was the first
chairwoman of the Child Development Foundation in 1999 and the first woman president of the
board for Pilgrim Place in Claremont. She attended Stanford University, Rockford College in
Illinois and graduated in field studies in Harlem, NY, in group work administration.
Linda Keagle
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Linda Keagle was named a Fair director in 2003 and director emerita in 2015. She is chair of the Hall
of Fame Committee, a member of LACFA investment committee, vice chair of the community committee
and co-chair of the Upland community committee, and is a member of the MSCA Art Advisory
committee. She has served as a judge in the Fair’s Creative department and the Wines of
the World packaging design competition. Linda is a restaurateur and an owner and founder of Cask
‘n Cleaver restaurants and also owns the historic Sycamore Inn in Rancho Cucamonga. She
was named a Woman of Distinction in the California 63rd Assembly District in 2006 and
Entrepreneur of the Year by the Riverside Press Enterprise in 2011. Linda is a former grower of
wine grapes. She currently farms 8 acres of avocados in Upland. She has served on the board of
the Upland Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Governors of Webb Schools. She is a member of
the Rotary Club of Upland. Linda is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and is a native
of Evanston, IL.
Hugh La Bounty
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1984
Hugh La Bounty became a Fair director in 1990 and was named director emeritus in 1997. He is retired
president of Cal Poly Pomona, a position he held 1977 to 1991. La Bounty earned a bachelor of
arts and master’s degree from Redlands and doctorate from University of California, Los
Angeles.
Arthur Ludwick
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Art Ludwick was named Chairman of the Board in January 2012, having served as a Fair Director since
2002 and named Director Emeritus in 2014. He is currently Chairman of The Learning Center Board
at Fairplex. He also serves on the Glendora community committee. He is retired Chief Financial
Officer and Senior Vice President of Rain Bird Corporation and currently serves on its Board of
Directors as non-executive Chairman of the Board. He is a member of Glendora Kiwanis and
Chairman Emeritus of Foothill Hospital Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of
Citrus Valley Health partners. He formerly served as Chairman of the Glendora Parks and
Recreations Commission. He is a graduate of Stanford University, earning a B.S. in Civil
Engineering and M.S. in Civil Engineering Administration. He and wife Sarah were named Citizens
of the Year by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce in 1987, and were honored at the 2004 LA County
Fair Premiere Party for their many years of community service and dedication to education.
Thomas Nuss
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1984
Tom Nuss was inducted into the LACFA Hall of Fame in 2005, honored for outstanding leadership,
dedication and participation in the Association. Hi is currently on the LACFA Hall of Fame
committee. He served as the first chairman of the Millard Sheets Gallery Foundation upon its
inception in 1999. Also served as co-chair of Millard Sheets Center for the Arts advisory
committee and on The Learning Centers board. He became a Fair director in 1990 and director
emeritus in 2002. Nuss also serves as director on PVHMC board. He retired as full-time superior
court judge in 1994 and currently serves as private judge for arbitrations, mediations and
settlement conferences. Nuss is the former mayor of San Dimas and was named San Dimas 1965
Citizen of the Year. He is a graduate of Fordham University School of Law.
Janet Paulson
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 1982
Janet Paulson was named Fair director in 1992 and director emerita in 2003. Served as Chair PVHMC
Foundation Chair Hillcrest Board of Directors Currently serve as director on PVHMC, IVHP and VNA
Hospice and Palliative Care of Southern California boards. Serves as an Ambassador Volunteer and
CDC Auction committee member.
James Piatt
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1975
Jim Piatt was named Fair director in 1981 and director emeritus in 2003. He retired as full-time
Superior Court judge in 1993, where he served since 1984. He practiced law until 1971 before
teaching business law and ethics courses at Cal Poly Pomona and University of La Verne Law
School. He served on LeRoy Haynes board of trustees; is past president of Pomona Rotary Club;
and member of California Judges Association. Piatt is a graduate of Pomona College and UCLA Law
School.
Larry Rinehart
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1995
Larry Rinehart served as a Fair director from 2002 to 2009, named director emeritus in 2009. He
retired as president and CEO of the New York Stock Exchange listed PFF Bank & Trust in 2006.
Prior to retirement, Rinehart served on many local and national boards including president of
the La Habra Neighborhood Association, president of the Pomona Downtown Business group, Chairman
of the Pomona Valley chapter of the American Red Cross, Chairman of the Old Baldy Boy Scouts of
America, member and treasurer of the board of trustees of the University of La Verne, board
member Casa Colina Hospital, member of the board of trustees of Cal Poly Pomona Development
Foundation, board member of the California Bankers Association and the United States Bankers
Association, board member of the Inland Empire United Way, and several other local civic
organizations. Rinehart earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of La Verne and was
selected for their President's Award in 1996.
Jil Stark
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 1979
Jil Stark served on the Los Angeles County Fair Association board of directors 2002 to 2010. She
joined the Association in 1979 and was named director emerita in 2010. She currently is a member
of The Learning Centers board, chairs CTEC steering committee and sits on The Reed Art Board.
She has served on a number of committees including as chair of the Fairplex Education
Foundation; community committees; Big Yellow Bus program; and FairKids Field Trips program. She
is a member of Curtain Raisers of the Claremont Colleges, the Foothill Philharmonic, The Napier
Council at Pilgrim Place and Campus Women of the Claremont Colleges. Stark is the former
director of Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum at Claremont McKenna College and former lecturer and
dean of freshman at Scripps College, Claremont. She has served on the Board of Trustees at
Scripps College, was moderator of United Church of Christ, and was a founding board member of
Claremont Community Foundation. Also served on the committee on aging, on the board of Mt. San
Antonio Gardens, and on the board of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. She was born in
Tokyo, Japan.
Jack Todd
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1969
Jack Todd was named LACFA director in 1972, named director emeritus in 1997. He is chairman of the
board Todd Memorial Chapel and retired owner and president of Todd Memorial Chapel in Pomona. He
was named Funeral Director of the Year by California Funeral Directors Association in 1987;
named Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service and Boss of the Year award winner; and
granted honorary life membership with Pomona chapter of the American Red Cross. Todd is a
graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara and is a native of Pomona, Calif.
Ronald Vera
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 2001
Ronald Vera was named Fair director in 2002 and director emeritus in 2014. He is an attorney and
partner in the law firm of Vera & Barbosa in Claremont. He served on the LACFA’s
investment and audit committee and La Verne Blue Ribbon committee. He is a former adjunct
professor of law at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Law and serves on the board of
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and the California Community Foundation and the California
Consortium of Education Foundation. He earned a B.S. from Michigan State University and a Juris
Doctorate law degree from UCLA and is a native of Pomona, Calif.
Reginald Webb
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Reggie Webb was named Fair director in 1997, named vice chair in 2007 and director emeritus in 2012.
He is owner/operator of 12 McDonald’s restaurants in the Pomona area with the latest
acquisition opened June 1, 2001, in La Puente where Webb was employed by McDonald’s more
than 20 years ago. He is past chairman of the National Black McDonald’s Operators
Association, after serving as chairman from 1994-1998. He opened his first two McDonald’s
in 1985, followed by additional restaurants in 1988 and 1996, after beginning his career with
McDonald’s in 1973, working his way from manager trainee to regional vice president. He
served on the board of directors of McDonald’s of Hawaii and the Ronald McDonald’s
Children’s Charities; serves on the board of the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and
McDonald’s National Leadership Council; and is a member of 100 Black Men. He served in
United States Coast Guard. The Webbs were honored at the 2006 L.A. County Fair Premiere Party
for their philanthropy and community service.
Association Members
Bernard Bernstein
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1997
Bernard Bernstein was named Fair director in 2004 and became an emeritus member in 2016. He is
managing partner of Bernstein and Rathman Inc., certified public accountants in Pomona. He is
affiliated with a number of service organizations including treasurer of Pomona Rotary Club and
a trustee for Cal Poly Associates. He is also on the board of directors at Pomona Valley
Hospital Medical Center and American Red Cross in addition as a trustee of Pomona Valley
Hospital Foundation. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and a native of Phoenixville, Penn.
Elizabeth Bingham
Life Member 2013
Joined Fair Association: 1995
Beth Bingham is president of Claremont Unified School District Board of Education and senior minister
at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona. Bingham serves as moderator of Calwest
Congregational Churches and on the executive committee National Association of Congregational
Churches. She is a member of Pomona Rotary Club. Bingham is a graduate of Cornell University and
Yale Divinity School, and received a doctor of ministry from Garrett Seminary.
James Blancarte
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2011
Court Commissioner, Co. of Los Angeles. He is on the board of Claremont University Consortium.
Blancarte is a graduate of UCLA School of Law with more than 30 years of business and
intellectual property litigation.
Jon Blickenstaff
Life Member 2015
Joined Fair Association: 2010
Jon Blickenstaff is the former mayor of La Verne. He serves as chair of Inland Empire Regional
Composting Authority. He is retired from 35 years in public education in the Azusa Unified
School District as a teacher, assistant principal and principal for 27 years. He serves on
several CTEC committees including as chair of AXC and CTEC Automotive Arts Advisors Committee
and CTEC agriculture advisory committee. Blickenstaff is a graduate of University of La Verne
and University of California, Los Angeles where he earned a master’s degree. He is a
lifelong resident of La Verne.
Laura Bollinger
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2003
Laura Bollinger is a volunteer and supporter of the Millard Sheets Gallery at the fair. She is a
long-time community volunteer, and has served on many boards locally, including Friends of the
Claremont Library, Curtain Raisers of the Claremont Colleges and St. Lucy’s Parent Club.
Currently she served on the board for the Los Angeles County Library Foundation. She belonged to
4-H as a child, entering in fabric arts and showing chickens at the LA County Fair. Bollinger is
a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in human resources.
Bob Bush
Life Member 1997
Joined Fair Association: 1979
Bob Bush is retired senior vice president of Donrey Media Group- Western Newspaper Division and
former publisher of the Pomona Progress Bulletin. He is a member of Calif. Press Association and
served on the boards of California Newspaper Publishers Association and the Pomona Valley YMCA.
Bush is a member of Pomona Rotary Club and a graduate of Chaffey High School.
Charles Cable
Life Member 2014
Joined Fair Association: 2005
Chuck Cable is retired president and chief executive officer of Brethren Hillcrest Homes. He serves
on the TLC board and on several committees and is a member of the La Verne community committee.
He is a member of La Verne Rotary and the University Club of Claremont. He also serves on the
board of San Gabriel/Pomona Valley Chapter American Red Cross and on University of La
Verne’s School of Business advisory board. Cable earned a bachelor’s degree from
University of La Verne and a master’s degree from UCLA School of Public Health.
Peter Clifford
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2015
Named the fourth president of the National Hot Rod Association in 2015, having joined NHRA in 1997.
Clifford plays a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning,
as well as the organization’s current growth initiatives. He was also responsible for
streamlining the business relationship between NHRA and its national event facilities.
Soraya Coley
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2015
Named the sixth president of Cal Poly Pomona in 2015 and the first woman to serve in that role. Coley
has more than 25 years of academic and administrative experience and is dedicated to creating
access and opportunity to those who are the least likely to afford that an education is
possible. She is often referred to as “community minded” and is recognized as
building bridges between the university and the community through her service, her research and
her work as an administrator.
Scott Dilley
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2009
Scott Dilley is president of Sanders Towing and Lock & Key Inc. He served on the board of
directors for San Dimas Chamber of Commerce and served as commissioner city of San Dimas
development plan review board. He was also treasurer for San Dimas Sheriff’s Booster Club
and chairman for San Dimas Birthday BBQ. Dilley is a member of FairKids committee and the San
Dimas Day at the Fair community committee. He was honored by San Dimas Chamber of Commerce as
2005 Businessman of the Year and 2008 Citizen of the Year.
Michael Driebe
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2005
Michael Driebe is president of Methodist Hospital Foundation in Arcadia. He serves on the CTEC
steering committee. He is a member of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals –
Greater Los Angeles Chapter, president-elect of Southern California Association for Healthcare
Development, and a member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Greater Los Angeles.
He also serves as president of Rotary Club of San Marino and chair of its foundation committee.
Driebe served as chairman of the Pomona General Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee,
president of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce and of Pomona Rotary, has twice received the Pomona
Chamber’s President’s Award, received the Pomona Jaycees’ Distinguished
Service Award, and was honored with the California Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Californian
Award. Driebe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of
Phoenix and a Master of Science degree in leadership and management from the University of La
Verne.
Robert Eggert
Life Member 2004
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Bob Eggert is retired public affairs manager for Southern California Gas Company. He served as Air
Intelligence officer in the United States Navy. He volunteers for Recording for the Blind. He is
a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles.
Jimmy Espinoza
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2006
Jimmy Espinoza is president and managing partner of De Oro Properties LLC, a multi-million dollar
real estate services firm in Ontario, recognized as one of the largest Hispanic-owned firms in
the IE. He is president of Inland Valley Assn. of Realtors. He was awarded Ernst and
Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, as one of the top 10 Hispanic entrepreneurs in the
nation. He established the Espinoza Scholarship Fund to assist students finish their education.
Espinoza served as a U.S. Army flight engineer flying more than 1,000 hours on combat missions
in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star. He is a graduate of University of California earning a degree
in business administration.
Jeffrey Fairley
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2011
Jeff Fairley is owner and principal treating therapist at The Body Center Physical Therapy in
Claremont. He serves on a number of committees and boards within the area. He earned a doctoral
degree from University of Southern California and his residency and post graduate education at
Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles.
William Fox
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2009
William Fox was named to the Association in 2009 and elected a director in 2012. He stepped off the
Board in 2018. He is the former president of William Fox Group and William Fox Homes Inc.
located in Ontario, CA. Bill is a graduate of University of Southern California with a degree in
business administration. He is a resident of Claremont.
William Fujioka
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2015
Currently principal, WT Fujioka Consulting. Retired, CEO County of Los Angeles, since 2014, a
position he held since 2007.During that time he was responsible for managing the largest county
in the nation with more than 100,000 employees and was also responsible for countywide policy
and program leadership. His career with the County of Los Angeles and the city of Los Angeles
spanned four decades.
Donald Galleano
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2005
Don Galleano is president of Galleano Winery, a third generation Southern California winegrower and
producer of Old Vine Cucamonga Valley Wines. He is a professional member Society of Enology and
Viticulture; member Monday Morning Group; member Jurupa Chamber of Commerce; board member Wine
Institute; and president Western Municipal Water District. Galleano is also a board member with
Wine Institute and president Western Municipal Water District. He is past president of National
Orange Show and a judge in international wine competitions. He is a native of Los Angeles.
Heidi Gallegos
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2010
Heidi Gallegos is currently vice president of the Rowland Unified School District Board of Education.
She serves as a delegate to the California School Board Association Region 23; is member of
Regional Economic Association of Leaders of California’s Education Subcommittee; president
and chief executive officer of Regional Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel Valley; and chair Mt.
San Antonio College bond oversight committee. Gallegos is recipient of California PTA’s
Golden Oak Service Award and California State Assemblyman Bob Huff’s 2008 Woman of the
Year Award. She served in law enforcement for 12 years as a police officer and trainer at the
Los Angeles Police Academy. She is a graduate of Biola University, Glendale Community College
and the Los Angeles Police Academy. Heidi is a resident of Walnut.
Jimmy Gutierrez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2003
Jimmy Gutierrez is an attorney in Claremont and a partner in the Law Offices of Gutierrez & Vera.
He has been Chino’s city attorney since 1975. He serves on the board of Children’s
Museum; Chino Boxing Club; and Kiwanis, Rotary and Chino Valley YMCA. He is a graduate of Pomona
College with a bachelor of arts degree in government and earned a Juris Doctor from UCLA Law
School. Gutierrez is a Pomona native with fond recollections of attending the L.A. County Fair
each year of his life.
Roger Hanawalt
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Roger Hanawalt is a longtime La Verne resident and La Verne dentist, in practice since 1980. He
serves on La Verne’s Community Committee. He serves on the CDC finance committee. He is
also chairman of fundraising for Bonita High School; is a longtime chairman and director of
Inland Valley High School All-Star Games for La Verne Rotary. Hanawalt earned a bachelor of arts
degree from University of La Verne and doctor of dentistry surgery from Emory University.
Gilbert Ivey
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2008
Gil Ivey is the retired chief administrative officer of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California. He serves on numerous boards and commissions, including executive boards of the Los
Angeles Central City Association; the Valley Industry and Commerce Association; and the American
Association of Blacks in Energy. He is a member of San Diego’s prestigious Catfish Club;
Greater San Diego and Los Angeles Area Chambers of Commerce; and serves on city of La
Verne’s Youth & Family Action Committee Executive Board. Ivey is the recipient of
American Society for Public Administration Los Angeles Metro Chapter, Tom Bradley Equal
Opportunity Award in 2004; and Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce award in
2005. Ivey earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State
University, Dominguez Hills and numerous professional designations and certifications in
management from both Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California.
Don Kendrick
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2003
Don Kendrick serves on the TLC board and on several committees and is a member of La Verne community
committee; 11-year-president La Verne Friends of 4th of july committee; member; member La Verne
Senior Advisory committee; member La Verne-Bonita Unified School District Liason committee;
member La Verne University. He is a past member of La Verne planning commission; 28-year-member
of La Verne SOLVE/Historical Society including 3 years as president; and 21-year-member of La
Verne Youth and Family Action Committee; first vice president PVHMC Foundation; and chair PVHMC
community committee. Kendrick is founder and president of Hands-On History grade school program
with Bonita Unified School District. He is owner of Don Kendrick Real Estate in La Verne.
Chris Kersting
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2013
President of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) since 2002. He represents the $29 billion
specialty automotive industry which provides government affairs advocacy at the federal and
state level and is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth
information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry.
Patrick Leier
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Patrick Leier is retired superintendent of Pomona Unified School District and currently an education
consultant. He serves as commissioner of Technology in Education for California commission. He
pioneered the Educational Village Construct, a nationally recognized model to meet the needs of
students and the community. He is chairman of Pomona Valley Educational Foundation and the
Pomona Valley Educational Joint Powers Authority; and chairman of YMCA United Way Campaign.
Leier was recipient of 2003 American Association of School Administrators’
President’s Technology Award. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton.
Devorah Lieberman
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2011
President of University of La Verne since 2011. Lieberman is enthusiastic about connecting with the
entire university and surrounding communities in a combined effort to foster an environment
where all students, faculty and staff can achieve their greatest potential. She is the first
woman to hold the office of president in the university’s 120-year history.
Felice Loverso
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Felice Loverso is president and CEO of Casa Colina Inc. He serves as chairman of the board of
directors for American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association. He earned a master’s
degree and doctorate in speech pathology from the University of Colorado.
Kevin Lyman
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2011
Kevin Lyman is producer and creator of Vans Warped Tour, the longest running traveling music and
extreme sports festival in the world currently. He also co-produces The Rockstar Energy Drink
Taste of Chaos Tour, Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival and Willie Nelson’s Country
Throwdown. Lyman is active in a variety of philanthropic and eco initiative including founding
Unite the United Foundation with proceeds from each of Lyman’s tours going to specified
charities.
Daniel Manning
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Dan Manning is group vice president of Coca-Cola USA and responsible for sales and marketing
organization of CC Fountain for 12 western states. He earned a bachelor’s degree from
Central Missouri State University.
Richard Martinez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2010
Richard Martinez was appointed Superintendent of Pomona Unified School District in 2009. He has 27
years in education in various capacities and in many district, county and state committees.
Served on the LA County Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Safety appointed by Supervisor Gloria
Molina; Board of Directors of Child Alliance of Los Angeles; Board of Directors of Los Angeles
Universal Preschool (LAUP); Board of Directors of Shoes That Fit; Member of the Pomona Rotary
and Optimist Group. He is a member of Junior Fair Board committee and the Pomona community
committee. Martinez serves on Youth & Family Master Plan community board and ACSA Urban
Education Committee, and as a member of PUSD PTA district council. He earned a bachelor of arts
degree in social work
Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2015
State Administrator, Inglewood Unified School District. An impressive career in education includes
awards including Hispanic Business Magaine’s 2010 Woman of the Year.
Robert Mendez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2006
Attorney and Adjunct Professor, Whittier College. He serves on boards of Hispanic National Bar
Foundation and Imagen Foundation. Mendez received a bachelor of arts degree from Pomona College
and Juris Doctorate from University of California, Davis School of Law.
Karen Miller
Life Member 2004
Joined Fair Association: 1992
Karen Miller is retired director of athletics at Cal Poly Pomona. She was formerly member of the
board of directors for Diamond Bar Chamber of Commerce and Assistance League of Pomona Valley
(Les Fleurs).
April Morris
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
April Morris is retired president and CEO of Associated Engineers and currently a member of Land
Surveyors of California, Consulting Engineers and American Consulting Engineers Council. She is
active in a number of organizations including Children’s Fund, Casa Colina Foundation and
Ontario and Upland Chambers of Commerce. She is a member of board of directors and chair of the
Building Committee for Casa Colina. She is also a wine judge for Jerry Mead’s
International Wine Competition. Morris is a graduate of Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Long
Beach.
Iris Patronite
Association Member
joined Fair Association: 2012
A senior redevelopment manager with more than 13 years’ experience contributing to the economic
growth of two Inland Empire communities. Worked with several organizations including Downtown
Farmers Market, Discover Upland and Youth Leadership Program. She serves on the CTEC Junior Fair
board advisors committee.
Rodri Rodriguez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Rodri Rodriguez is president and CEO of Rodri Entertainment Group; a motivational speaker; executive
producer, director and host of MARIACHI USA; and chairman of the board of trustees of the
Hollywood Arts Council. Rodriguez is also a member of the Grammy Foundation National Education
Advisory; Ford Theatre Foundation Latino Advisory Board; UNICEF Leadership Committee; National
History Museum Advisory Council; and an instructor for the UCLA Extension Program. She is a
native of Havana, Cuba.
Kiana Webb
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2009
Kiana Webb is chief operations officer of Webb Family Enterprises, operators of several
McDonald’s franchises, since 2002. She also held positions of assistant manager, store
manager, supervisor and vice president. She was previously employed as assistant buyer for Tall
Etc. She serves on the Child Development Center board; is a member of Soroptimist International
Pomona Claremont chapter; and has worked with Turning Point Staffing Services to find jobs for
women on parole. Webb earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration with an
emphasis in hospitality management from University of San Francisco.
Michael Smith
Life Member 2004
Joined Fair Association: 1992
Mike Smith is a retired attorney with firm of Nichols, Stead, Boileau and Kostoff APC. He served on
L.A. County Fair Claremont Community Committee; and as director and trustee for Pomona Valley
Cemetery Association. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and University of California Hastings
College of Law.
Jeff Stark
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2009
Jeff Stark is a partner in Fukagawa Stark & Associates, an investment advisory firm founded in
1994. He is on the board of Claremont Unified School District; board of The Claremont Senior
Foundation; board of Claremont Educational Foundation; and L.A. County Fair Yellow Bus committee
for Claremont. Stark has served on the boards of The Claremont Community Foundation; Asset
Advisory Committee for Claremont Unified School District; and Claremont AYSO. He is a graduate
of University of California, Santa Barbara, with a degree in economics.
Royce Stutzman
Life Member 2007
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Royce Stutzman is chairman of Vicenti, Lloyd and Stutzman. He serves on L.A. County Fair La Verne
community committee. He is a member of American Institute of CPAs, California Society of CPAs,
National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts and American Society of Appraisers.
Stutzman is a graduate of University of La Verne.
Ben Su
Association Member
Joined Fair Assocation: 2014
President, Prosperity Wealth Management Property Group working with local as well as Chinese,
Indonesian, Filipino and Hispanic communities in providing resource services. He serves on the
CTEC Junior Fair board advisory committee. He also volunteers with a number of organizations
including Foundation for Disabled Youth and is a mentor with Asian American Professional
Association.
Emmett L. Terrell
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Emmett Terrell retired in 2010 as deputy superintendent of personnel services with the Pomona Unified
School District, a position he held since 1988. He is currently on the board of trustees for
University of La Verne and serves on the CTEC steering committee and the LA County Fair Pomona
Community committee. Terrell received a bachelor’s degree in social science from the
University of La Verne and a master’s degree in education from Azusa Pacific University.
Edward Tessier
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Edward Tessier is the director of Designs for Independence since 1989. He is also a consultant for
numerous organizations on ADA and urban planning issues. He is president of JEVED Management, an
urban real estate firm and helped design and develop Pomona Arts Colony and Emporia Arts
District in downtown Ontario. He serves on the CTEC steering committee. He is president and
founder of School of Arts and Enterprise, a State of California charter high school serving the
IE and a trustee and educator at Western University for Health Sciences. Tessier serves on the
advisory board of Center for Disability and is a guest lecturer on disability, cultural arts and
economic development. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Pomona College, graduating summa
cum laude.
Gary L. Thomas
Life Member 2010
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Gary Thomas served as director Pasadena Tournament of Roses and as 2002-03 Tournament of Roses
president. He worked for Southern California Gas Company until his retirement in 1997; is active
in Pasadena Optimists Club; and a member of the Telecommunications Association. He serves as
keeper for L.A. County Sheriff Departments Court Services. Thomas is a graduate of University of
New Mexico.
John Todd
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 1992
John Todd is director of Todd Memorial Chapel. He is a member of Los Angeles County Funeral Directors
Association, Orange Belt Funeral Directors Association and California Funeral Directors
Association. He serves on the LACFA investment committee. Todd is past president and director of
Pomona Host Lions Club. He is a graduate of Pomona High School and University of Southern
California.
Ronald Vander Molen
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Ron Vander Molen is owner of Vander Molen Fine Art Gallery in Pasadena, as well as Vander Molen
Estate Liquidations here in Pomona. He serves on LACFA Pomona community committee; and TLC Art
Center Advisory Committee; and boards of Pomona Heritage Society and Fairplex Friends. He is a
past President of the Ganesha Hills Homeowners Association. He is a former City of Pomona
Planning Commissioner, and has served on several other boards throughout the City of Pomona. He
is a member of the Pomona Rotary Club, California Art Club and Historic Council Collections.
Mark Warren
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Mark Warren is owner and operator of Mark Warren Realty and Investments, specializing in residential
property management and is a licensed general contractor. He is the recipient of 2004 Pomona
Valley YMCA P. George Kostoff Award. He is an active member of Pomona Valley YMCA for 30 years,
serving as director and chairman of the organization and is currently on the board of directors
for Pomona YMCA, Pomona Chamber of Commerce and PVHMC Foundation. Warren is a member of Pomona
Kiwanis Club. He attended Pomona public schools, Mt. Sac and Cal Poly Pomona.
Richard Yochum
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 1995
Rich Yochum is President and CEO of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. He serves on the Board of
Voluntary Hospitals of America; IVHP, CHIA/OPTIMA; HASC; and the California Association of
Hospitals and Health Systems. He is a graduate of Loyola University, Los Angeles and earned a
master’s degree from Cornell University.