Burt Arnold, B.A., Chairman of the Marymount College board of trustees. Professionally, he is the principal of BMA Securities in Rolling Hills Estates, a full-service brokerage firm offering a wide array of financial services for individuals and corporations. During his career, Burt has been instrumental in taking several companies public, including many listed on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, the Bulletin Board and the American Stock Exchange. Burt has actively participated in activities of the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce, the BRAVO and the Encore Circle support groups of the Norris Center for the Performing Arts, the Palos Verdes Sunset Rotary, the Sisters of Charity of Rolling Hills and the Community Helpline. He is an alumnus of Marymount College and California State University, Dominguez Hills with a degree in political science and a minor in economics.

Thomas S. Ricci, B.S., Vice Chair, is executive vice-president of Thomas Properties Group Inc., Los Angeles, where he is responsible for development, redevelopment and construction management. Prior to joining Thomas Properties in 1998, he was vice-president of planning and entitlements at Maguire Thomas Partners, Playa Capital Company, where he worked on a number of large mixed-use and commercial projects. Thomas served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force and was involved with the implementation and construction of medical facilities in this country and abroad. He graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree and a second bachelor’s with honors in architecture.

Randy Bowers, Past Chairman of the Board Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce President and CEO of Malaga Bank. He has 30+ years’ experience in the banking industry, and has worked in the South Bay communities for the past 15 years. Malaga Bank is the only locally-owned and operated bank on the Peninsula serving the financial needs of this community for over 23 years.

Alexander L. Cappello, founded the Cappello Group, Inc., a global merchant bank that operates in over 50 countries, providing strategic advice to companies, governments and banks on mergers and acquisitions, placements of institutional capital, and restructuring. The firm’s principals have conducted more than $100 billion in transactions.

Alexander's current and past board positions include: trustee at the University of Southern California, the City of Hope and Pacific Council on International Policy (PCIP); board member of the RAND Corporation’s Center for Middle East Public Policy and the RAND Russia Forum, California Republic Bank and lead director of Cheesecake Factory. Alexander was also past chair of YPO International, Inter-Tel and Intelligent Energy PLC. 

Alexander has his B.S. from the Marshall School of Business at USC and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree from Goodwin College in Hartford, CT.

Patricia Dilligan, M.A., began her career in education as a biology teacher at Ossining High School in New York. She moved to the West Coast and held positions with Stephen White Middle School in Carson and Manual Arts Senior High School in Los Angeles. While at Manual Arts, Patricia was the Title I coordinator with responsibility for budget management, hiring, district reports and accreditation. In 1995, Patricia moved to the Venice High Foreign Language/International Studies Magnet School, with responsibilities for student recruitment, district reports and accreditation.

Rick Edler, Co-owner of Peninsula Sotheby's International Realty, a firm specializing in properties of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Torrance. He has 18 years of real estate experience including the distinction of being Realtor of the Year in 2009, awarded by the Palos Verdes Board of Realtors. Rick serves on the professional boards of the California Regional Multiple Listing Service, a real estate technology firm providing MLS services to more than 70,000 agents as well as with Merryweather Properties, Inc., a real estate investment firm.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Edler completed a double major in entrepreneurship and international marketing.  Living in Palos Verdes for much of his lifetime, Rick attended Palos Verdes intermediate and high schools.

Eric Eisenberg, President and CEO of The Renaissance Group and an urban redevelopment specialist who was appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to be a Harbor Area Planning Commissioner. Eric also was appointed to the Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA/LA) San Pedro Design Advisory Review Panel and is a member of the CRA/LA Pacific Corridor Community Advisory Committee.

Eric also serves on the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees and is the president of the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District (PBID). In addition, he brings his experience within the community and development expertise to the Port of Los Angeles High School (POLAHS) board of trustees. 

Richard D. Farman, LL.B., B.A., received his B.A. in 1957 from Stanford University and his LL.B degree from Stanford School of Law in 1964. During his business career,  Dick held various executive positions with Pacific Enterprises and its subsidiaries, including chairman and CEO of Southern California Gas Co. In June 1998, Dick became the first chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based Fortune 500 energy services holding company. Now retired, he is currently chairman emeritus of Sempra. Dick also served as lead independent director of two New York Stock Exchange companies and serves on the board of trustees of several community organizations.

Bonifacio Garcia, J.D., Bonifacio Bonny Garcia, J.D., is a founding partner of GCR LLP. Although he heads the firm's Los Angeles office, Garcia represents clients throughout the state of California. Garcia has extensive experience representing school districts, community college districts, cities and other governmental entities. Bonifacio has served on the boards of the Skirball Institute of American Values and of The Advancement Project, a public interest litigation group that promotes equal opportunity in American political and educational institutions. A magna cum laude graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Bonifacio earned his law degree at Harvard University.

Richard Grotz, B.S.E.E., was associated with AiResearch in Torrance where he was manager of major subcontracts, including that of the F-16 that was co-produced in Denmark, and the uranium enrichment program for the Department of Energy. Prior to AiResearch, Dick was employed by Astronautics Corporation of America and General Motors, where he contributed to the early space programs including Gemini, Apollo, and to the F-14. In 1983, Dick and his wife Arline founded a Christmas-tree-producing company in Bigfork, MT. In 1992, they retired and both became very active in local philanthropy and politics. Richard started his service with Marymount College’s board of trustees in 1998. He attended Marquette University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.

Alice Healy – Sesno received her Ph.D. from Fordham University in New York in Educational Psychology, Tests and Measurements.

She has served as an administrator in the Bureau of Guidance in the New York State Department of Education, Albany, NY and as the Illinois Director for Law-Focused Education, Chicago, IL. She also served as Consultant-in charge for the Los Angeles County Office of Education responsible for the areas of school health, counseling and evaluation.

Dr. Sesno has served on the faculties of Fordham University in New York, Loyola Marymount University in California, and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Sesno has authored and co-authored many educational publications over the past years including the California State Department of Education’s document, Suicide Prevention in California Public Schools. Her most recent book is, Successful Strategies for Improving Counseling Programs.

Alan C. Johnson, President of Jerico Development, a real estate development and property management company that specializes in the restoration and management of historic properties. Alan’s roots in the South Bay go back three generations. He served as president of the original Business Improvement District and currently serves as treasurer for the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District (PBID).  He also was co-founder of Grand Vision Foundation, whose mission centers around the historic Warner Grand Theatre. Alan is the president of the Crail-Johnson Foundation which supports programs that serve economically, socially and physically disadvantaged children in and around the Harbor area. Alan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in business finance.

Dr. Sabrina Kay is a self-made serial entrepreneur who comes from a diverse and successful business, education, and philanthropic background. She founded California Design College, now Art Institute of Hollywood, as the nation’s first institution for computer-aided fashion design. It became one of the “BIG 4” fashion colleges in California, winning various awards during her leadership. She is also the founder of Premier Business Bank, Fremont Private Investments, Fashion Umbrella, and LAdesigns, and a shareholder of Ex’pression College. In doing so, she has remained at the forefront of educating and empowering others to achieve their full potential. 

Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, Ph.D., serves as the president and a professor of English at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. She served for nine years prior as president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. Growing up in Albany, N.Y., she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1965. Sr. Joan holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in english from the College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y., and a Ph.D. in British literature from Brown University.

Brian W.G. Marcotte, CEO of Titan Oil Recovery, Inc. He has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, ranging from technical positions to executive management. During his 34-year career with Unocal Corporation, he held the positions of president, Unocal Thailand; president, Unocal Indonesia; president, Unocal Netherlands; corporate vice president, Public Policy, Health Environment and Safety; vice president, Unocal US Western Region; vice president, Technology and Asset Management; and chairman of the Unocal Foundation. Brian serves on the College’s Business Advisory Board, a group of accomplished business professionals in management, marketing and higher education that provides guidance to the College’s four-year business program.

William P. McGinn has been a practicing attorney in the Los Angeles area for more than 35 years and is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Torrance Bar Association. He is also an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and Superior Court. William's community involvement is extensive, with participation in the Palos Verdes Breakfast Club, the Lions Club, and with the BRAVO support group of the Norris Center for Performing Arts. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Southern California.

Ashley Constable-Neary is a Managing Director specializing in senior level and C-suite retained searches across multiple industry sectors. As a member of the founding team for RHI Executive Search since 2007, Ashley has held numerous roles including Sr. Associate, Principal and Managing Director.

Ashley has worked with a wide variety of national and international clients to help them build their executive leadership teams. She has extensive functional experience in Financial Management, Sales and Marketing, Human Resources, Communications, Technology and General Management at the C-level.

Whether working with startup organizations or Fortune 500 companies, Ashley prides herself on providing her clients with a relationship driven, consultative search process.  Ashley’s areas of experience include Financial Services, Healthcare, Insurance, Manufacturing and Distribution, Professional Services, Technology, Consumer Packaged Goods, Government, Real Estate Development, Education and Non-for-Profits. 

Based in the firm's New York office, Ashley conducts searches throughout the continental United States and internationally. Ashley is a graduate of Marymount College.

Lia V. Reyes, President of LVR International, a parking and transportation management consulting firm. She has over 20 years in in senior executive level positions for parking operations management and consulting, transportation planning, and strategic land-use development working with the public and private sectors in the United States including California, Georgia, Indiana, New York as well as in Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, and Japan.

Lia's extensive years of management experience include responsibilities such as the implementation of operations initiatives, developing talented staff, P&Ls, and enhancing the bottom line of over $100M revenue. She specializes in providing innovative parking and TOD solutions, developing creative and customized approaches while building firms through parking management operations, and consulting for mixed-use and transit-oriented developments, airports, conventions centers and stadiums. In addition to Marymount College Lia is an active board member of California Transportation Foundation, WTS Los Angeles, and participates in the National Parking Association and the International Parking Institute.

Caroline A. Sayers, J.D., an alumna (1993) of Marymount College and, at one time, served on the faculty of the College. Her academic achievements include a bachelor’s in philosophy from Georgetown University, a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach, and her law degree (cum laude, 2000) from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Caroline is a litigation attorney in both state and federal court. Her mother, Professor Kari Sayers, is on the faculty of Marymount College.

Sue Soldoff, Ph.D., taught psychology at a number of higher education institutions for 10 years before embarking on a wholesale travel business, Sue’s Safaris Inc., from which she is now retired. She has served her community for more than three decades, including involvement with the Norris Center for the Performing Arts, Las Candalistas and the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy. An undergraduate alumna of the University of California, Berkeley, Sue received her master’s degree and a doctorate in experimental psychology from the University of Southern California.

Camilla Townsend is a native Angeleno and a 30-year resident of San Pedro. She has served the city of Los Angeles and the Harbor community in many capacities as a professional educator, and as a city and community volunteer leader.

Currently, Camilla serves as president emeritus of the Port of Los Angeles Charter High School Board of Trustees, as executive director of the Maxwell H. Gluck Foundation, and as a board member of the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District (PBID).

As president of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce from 2006 to 2011, Camilla facilitated membership growth and formed new business development initiatives as well as public private partnership programs. She also advocated at the local, state, and national levels on public policy issues and administered a $750,000 budget. Camilla resigned from this position in August 2011 to devote her time to education and arts projects and to focus on her work with the Max H. Gluck Foundation.

As executive director of the Maxwell H. Gluck Foundation for the past 21 years, Camilla manages the giving program that has grown from $2.5 million to $5 million per year. Currently 16 major projects are under contract to provide education, outreach, and arts programs at major colleges and universities, K-12 schools, museums, hospitals, and professional performance organizations throughout Southern California and in New York.

Most recently, Camilla was appointed by the Los Angeles City Council to serve the Presidents’Joint Commission on LAUSD Governance. Her role on this commission is to determine the governance structure for LAUSD. In 2007, she was appointed to the Harbor Area Planning Commission by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. She oversaw major planning, developments, variances and zoning issues for the Harbor area.

In 2001 Camilla was appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners by Mayor James Hahn. As a harbor commissioner, her responsibility was to oversee the nation’s busiest port. She also served as co-chair of the Port Community Advisory Committee, a standing committee of the board that engages community response and participation related to Port development.

In 1999 Townsend was appointed to the City of Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth, and their Families by Mayor Richard Riordan. She advocated for childcare, youth development and violence prevention in her role there.

An educator for more than 40 years, Camilla has taught at the high school, adult school and college levels. She was an assistant professor of education in the graduate schools of California State University, Los Angeles, California Lutheran College, Loyola Marymount University and at UCLA Extension. Now retired, she worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 38 years as a teacher, an administrator of public and private partnership programs to the Deputy Superintendent of Schools, and as former principal of Harbor Community Adult School.

Camilla holds a master’s degree in educational administration from California State University, Los Angeles and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She also has teaching and administrative credentials from the State of California.

Maryann Walker, Founder, CEO, and guiding force of Walker Advertising. For more than 25 years, she has helped individuals throughout California access expert legal services and helped attorneys grow their businesses.

Maryann began her career working as a translator in the courts of Los Angeles.

It was during this time that Maryann saw people being denied fair and equal justice simply because they couldn’t speak English.

To address this problem, Maryann approached the Spanish-speaking attorneys she worked with and asked them if they wanted to jointly advertise their services to the Latino community. Five of them said yes, and in 1984, Los Defensores was born.

A year later, Maryann created a second joint legal advertising group, what is now Walker & Walker Attorney Network at 1-800-THE-LAW2, to help serve the needs of English-speaking legal consumers. For the past four years, she has been the on-camera spokesperson for the brand, appearing in more than 50 television commercials.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities at Walker Advertising, Inc., Maryann participates in a variety of political and community issues. In response to Proposition 187, Maryann and her staff created a temporary product called ‘Ciudanania Ahora,’ which registered hundreds of California residents for U.S. citizenship.

Maryann and her team were involved in a campaign called ‘Ganemos Fuerza’ whose goal was to register American Latinos to vote. More than 4,000 Latinos registered to vote through this program.

Maryann actively supports political candidates who defend the rights of consumers and is a member of the National Latina Business Women Association and a lifetime President’s Circle member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

Maryann is a graduate of Webster University, Los Angeles, where she is a member of Delta Mu Delta, the International Honor Society in Business Administration. She holds a Certified Translator certificate from University of California, Los Angeles.