Alumni News

This page is dedicated to information and announcements directed to
Leadership Coachella Valley alumni and students.
Do you know of a non-profit organization seeking volunteers or board members? Let others know here.

Is there a non-profit organizations' event you'd like to promote? Promote it here.
Have you changed jobs? Been promoted? Gotten married? Had a baby? Let alumni know here.
Did you read a good book on "leadership?" Received other helpful "leadership" input? Share it here.

To have your information posted, email the details to leadership@leadershipcv.org.

All postings must be in good taste and may not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race or sexual orientation.

No employment job postings or resumes will be accepted. No logos or photos. No attachments.

Kari Middleton, LCV 09, Recently relocated her office to Palm Desert. Kari recently married and is expecting her 2nd child in late March 2012.

Dale Gribow, LCV 05, Dale was honored to receive an AVVO rating of 9.7 out of 10 and then profiled in Palm Springs Life Magazine June 2011 as a TOP LAWYER and selected one of the TOP 3 ACCIDENT LAWYERS.

Alison Elsner, LCV 07, is leaving her position at the Family YMCA of the Desert to become the CEO of United Way of the Desert. Congratulations Alison!

Stacy Thetford, LCV 05, was recently honored with the Business Person of the Year Award by the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce.

Lynda Kerney, LCV 04, has joined the staff of Mission Springs Water District, serving the City of Desert Hot Springs, a part of Palm Springs, and the surrounding unincorporated communities. She serves as Executive Assistant to the General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Board (five elected directors).

Felice Chiapperini, LCV 11, is the new Community Outreach Coordinator at the Braille Institute in Rancho Mirage.

Revae Reynolds, LCV 10, is now on the Board of the California Desert Chorale. The CDC is a 501(c)3 vocal music ensemble comprised of auditioned professional and amateur singers and has been performing in the Coachella Valley for 18 years. In addition to the 60-member chorale, theyhave a children's choir to provide vocal music experiences for school-age children. They also sponsor interns from College of the Desert who are pursuing degrees in music or musical theater. They perform two concert series each year, one in December and another in April. www.californiadesertchorale.org

Steve Hill, LCV 04, now has a gold leaf on the Tree of Life at the Community Blood Bank, after donating 5 gallons of blood.

Kristal Granados, LCV 02, Kristal Granados, LCV class 02, accepted the position of Assistant Vice President/Business Development Officer with Desert Commercial Bank in Palm Desert. Her new email address is: kgranados@desertbanking.com.

Kimberly Bowers, LCV 09, has accepted the position of Communications Director with the Mojave Desert Land Trust. Her new email address is kimberly@mojavedesertlandtrust.org.

Steve Hill, LCV 04, has written a book of harp arrangements. Titled Easy Classical Pieces arranged for Lever Harp and published by Afghan Press. www.folkharp.com Also, El Paseo Bank acquired 6 of Steve's beautiful giclee art prints. They decorate the El Paseo Bank branch in the Albertson shopping center in Rancho Mirage.

Shelley Daily, LCV 09, has just accepted the position of Development Director with Joslyn Center.

Paul McKey, LCV 11,, & Julie Rosser, LCV 04, entertained a full house at Fantasy Springs singing Broadway Love Songs to benefit Well in the Desert. A 'bravo" performance!

Elizabeth Romero Toledo, LCV 07, was re-elected to the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board. Within a week however, she was appointed to the Riverside County Board of Education representing both Coachella Valley and Desert Sands Unified school districts.

Kathi Jacobs, LCV 04 & David Peat, LCV 04, have been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership. Kathi is director of public affairs for Time Warner Cable. David is vice president and regional manager of the desert region for Pacific Western Bank.

Elaine Holmes, LCV 09, won a seat on the Indio City Council in the recent citywide election.

Kathy DeRosa, LCV 07, was recently re-elected to the position of Mayor for the City of Cathedral City.

Mark Weber, LCV 05, is the new Manager of the Coachella Valley Enterprise Zone.

Susan Francis, LCV 09, was recently awarded the Corporate Athena Award by the City of Palm Desert. She was recognized for her work with the Healthy Family Foundation, an organization that provides outreach programs assisting families in underserved areas as well as the Ophelia Project, a mentoring program for high school girls. Other LCV alumnae who have been so honored include Kathi Jacobs, LCV 04; and Patti Gribow, LCV 06.

Rich Ramhoff, LCV 09, has recently accepted the position of Director of Marketing at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Krisann Bacon, LCV 10, was just selected by Palm Springs Life as one of the "40 Under 40." Other LCV alumni and students selected for this prestigious group include Andrea Carter, LCV 07; Brandt Kuhn, LCV 11; Christy Majors, LCV 10; Gloria Margarita, LCV 11; Pedro Rincon, LCV 01; Katie Slimko, LCV 01; Meegan Sullivan, LCV 11; and Hugh Van Horn, LCV 11. Congratulations all!

Sandy Seddon, LCV 05, has been appointed General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at The Lakes Country Club in Palm Desert. She was formerly General Manager of Sun City Palm Desert.

Kari Middleton, LCV 09, Joined the Board of DesertArc and in July moved to Integrated Wealth Management's Palm Desert office.

Martin Lax, LCV 04, In December 2009, I, along with about 30,000 others, submitted initial applications to become a Commissioner of the Citizens Redistricting Commission. The Citizens Redistricting Commission will redraw the legislative and Board of Equalization district lines for California. I am honored to say that on June 30, 2010, the Panel narrowed the list down to 314, of which I remain in the applicant pool. If you are inclined, I ask you to submit your supportive comments regarding my application. Here is the link to the Citizens Redistricting Commission: http://www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov/index.html Thank you.

Andrea Carter, LCV 07, was recently installed on the Women Leaders Forum Board of Directors. Also installed were Kate Spates, LCV 06; Robin Costello, LCV 09; Paula Tapia, LCV 09; and Connie Golds, LCV 09. Congratulations all!

Allan Hurst, leadership trainer for the first several years of the program and a member of the Advisory Board, has been serving as a member of the California Senior Legislature since 2006 and was just re-elected to servce until 2014.

Scott Hines, LCV 09, was recently elected to the Rancho Mirage City Council. Congratulations Scott.

Lynda Kerney, LCV 04, informs us that First 5 Riverside is now offering New Capacity for High Need Areas Grants to fund community-based projects that support children from birth through age 5 in Riverside County. Visit www.rccfc.org for further details on this request for proposals and to download required documents. All questions regarding this RFP should be sent to contracts@rccfc.org.

Kari Middleton, LCV 09, recently joined Integrated Wealth Management in the Palm Springs office as a vice president and senior financial advisor.

Peggy Sue Lane, LCV 08, is pleased to announce that she has joined Fidelity National Title as Vice President of Major Accounts. You can reach her at peggysue@fnf.com.

Stacy Thetford, LCV 05, Stacy is now serving as an Advisory Board Member for Desert Commercial Bank.

Roman Whittaker, LCV 03, has started a new law practice with fellow attorney John Anderholt III. Anderholt Whittaker LLP will be located on the upper level of The Gardens on El Paseo across from Sullivan's Steakhouse. The new office should be open by mid-April. You can contact Roman at 760-851-8820 or roman@anderholtwhittaker.com.

Adam Ochoa, LCV 02 and Elisa Schwartz, LCV 07, have opened a new accountancy firm - The Practice CPAs. You can contact them at 760-777-7377 or www.thepracticecpa.com. New address is 78-370 Highway 111, Ste. 215, La Quinta.

Jennifer James, LCV 10, regretted missing the January session. She delivered baby daughter Sierra at 7:37 am on session day, January 15. Mother and baby are doing well. Congratulations!

Mary Hansen-Faris, LCV 08; Wes Faris, LCV 09; and Ben Papinaw, LCV 10, are now with Wells Fargo Advisors in Rancho Mirage.

Leisa Lukes, LCV 08, has been elected to the position of Director-Elect of the American Planning Association’s California Chapter, Inland Empire Section for 2010 and as Section Director for 2011 and 2012.

Mike Chedester, LCV 10, was recently elected Vice President of Cabot's Museum Foundation.

Jim Turney, LCV 07, recently opened his own private law practice in La Quinta, Law Offices of James C. Turney. The thrust of his prior experience was in the budding field of renewable energy. His new law practice will continue in that vein, building on his foundation of business and real estate transactional work. You can reach Jim at james.turney@jt-lex.com.

Mitch Blumberg, LCV 09, has been recently named the Deputy Executive Director of DesertArc. DesertArc, based in Palm Desert, has been enhancing the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities in the Coachella Valley since 1959.