The FOTO Board of Directors are volunteers who are committed to Friends Of The Observatory's efforts to support and promote Griffith Observatory as a strong community centerpiece of scientific learning, education and public astronomy to the children, youth, and adults of Southern California and beyond.
FOTO's Board members are drawn from a variety of professions and backgrounds, united in their enthusiasm for the Observatory and in the ongoing quest to improve its facilities and programs while planning for a robust future.
Former Los Angeles City Council Member Joy Picus represented the West San Fernando Valley from 1977-1993. With a reputation as an effective and responsive elected official who got the job done, Picus continues her civic leadership as a board member of several non-profit organizations. Foremost among these is Friends Of The Observatory, where Picus has served for more than 10 years, including terms as vice president for external relations, president and now, board chair.
In addition to her work with FOTO, Picus serves also on the Children's Planning Council, CSUN Foundation, Community Partners, and the Valley Alliance of the Jewish Federation. She chairs the University of Wisconsin Foundation's Committee in Los Angeles and is past chair of their Women's Philanthropy Council.
As a child growing up in Chicago, Picus insisted on monthly visits to the Adler Planetarium where she absorbed information on astronomy and learned to love the heavens. She is still looking up.
Picus is married to Gerry, a physicist. "I taught him to recognize Orion," she says, "but he's the one who actually understands astronomical concepts and details and is my indispensable technical advisor."
With a lifelong interest in mathematics and science, FOTO President David Primes began his university career as an engineering student. He later switched to accounting and worked part time at a large Los Angeles firm. His three-year internship there led to a position with them after graduation from Cal State Northridge.
Primes joined Los Angeles-based Sobul, Primes and Schenkel in 1981 and became a shareholder in 1984. In addition to client responsibilities (primarily for professional service concerns) he serves as Sobul, Primes and Schenkel's technology leader.
A frequent lecturer and consultant on computer topics and accounting technology, Primes is a member of numerous professional associations. He formerly chaired the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California and resides in Northridge with his wife Joyce and daughters Amanda and Victoria.
Bonnie Winings has served on the FOTO Board of Directors for 18 years. The experience of seeing Saturn through a telescope while at summer camp hooked her on all things galactic, and contributing time to Friends Of The Observatory seemed a natural extension of that early interest in astronomy.
As FOTO's current vice president, Winings brings extensive experience in public relations and marketing to the organization.
A founding partner of Shepley Winings Diamond Public Relations, Inc., an agency specializing in national media relations, Winings supervised campaigns for clients ranging from retailer Mervyn's and Disney Television Studios to David E. Kelley Productions' television hits "Ally McBeal" and "The Practice." Winings worked also in media relations at the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in Washington, D.C., and at PBS stations KCET/Los Angeles and KOCE/Huntington Beach. Prior to founding Shepley Winings Diamond P.R., based in Los Angeles, she was director of viewer marketing at KCET.
Winings is the recipient of eight national PBS awards for work in the areas of media relations and marketing and is a member of Public Relations Society of America, the Television Publicity Executives Committee, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Winings received bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and earned a master's degree in public communications at American University in Washington D.C. She resides in Studio City with her family.
Attorney and CPA Michael H. Lester is the founder of a successful business management practice firm in Los Angeles. During the past 26 years, he represented some of the most recognizable names in the entertainment industry in financial matters including budgeting, production accounting, investments, financial planning, insurance and tax planning and compliance.
Lester learned about FOTO from board member Chris Laib, who served with him on other community boards. “I love science and space,” he says, “and it seemed like a great opportunity, especially after I met others associated with FOTO and found what a high caliber of people were involved.”
Prior to establishing his own firm, Lester practiced law for seven years and worked for a "Big 8" accounting firm, concentrating in the areas of taxation, corporate and partnership business formation and transactions, and securities law for both small start-up companies and publicly-held companies.
In 1996 Lester co-founded The Willows Community School, a private elementary and middle school in Culver City, Calif., and served as a board member and co-chairman of the Finance Committee for several years.
While maintaining his business management practice, in 1999 Lester co-founded an Internet new media company, served as its general counsel and chief financial officer, and directly assisted in raising more than $1,000,000 in seed money.
Lester attended Wayne State University in Detroit, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting in 1971 and a Juris Doctor in 1974. He resides in Los Angeles.
Martin Neumann is an estate planning attorney with Weinstock, Manion, Reisman, Shore & Neumann in Century City, the firm he joined after admittance to the Bar in 1981.
Neumann has written and lectured extensively in estate planning and co-authored a leading textbook in the field, “Planning an Estate, a Guidebook of Principles and Techniques.”
Originally from Toronto, Neumann has lived in the greater Los Angeles area since the age of 4. He obtained both his B.A. and law degree from UCLA, returning there in 1987 to teach beginning and advanced estate planning courses for UCLA Extension. Besides working and teaching, Martin has been a High Holiday cantorial soloist for several synagogues over the last 30 years.
Neumann’s connection with Griffith Observatory began in elementary school with annual field trips, and like many area teenagers in the ‘70s, he frequented the Laserium shows. But the family connection to Griffith Observatory reaches even further.
“Some of the machining work on the Foucault Pendulum was performed by the grandfather of my wife, Karen,” he says. Over the last several years, Neumann and his firm worked closely with FOTO on their fundraising efforts.
The Neumanns are the parents of three children, Michelle, Danny and Jon.
Nagin Cox holds a bachelor of science degree in operations research and industrial engineering and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. Upon graduation from Cornell University, she was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio as a lieutenant, Cox worked as a systems engineer in F-16 aircrew training. She attended the Air Force Institute of Technology where she received a master's degree in space operations systems engineering. As a captain, she served as an orbital analyst at NORAD/Space Command in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs.
Invited to speak on the Galileo Mission in a 1996 lecture series at the Observatory, Cox became a FOTO member soon afterwards. "I appreciate the opportunity to help bring the results of robotic exploration missions to the public that so generously funds them," she says.
After leaving the Air Force to pursue civilian space applications, Cox joined Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to work on planetary missions and outer solar system projects. She served as the deputy team chief of the engineering spacecraft flight team for the NASA/JPL Galileo mission to Jupiter until February 2000. She then transitioned to inner solar system exploration as the deputy team chief of the Spacecraft/Rover Engineering Flight Team on the JPL Mars Exploration Rover Missions from inception in 2000 until July 2004. Recently Cox decided to move into extra-solar exploration as deputy project system engineer on the Kepler telescope mission to search for earth-like planets around other stars.
Verna Dauterive holds anM.Ed. and Ed.D. from the University of Southern California (USC). Originally from Louisiana, she became an elementary school teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in 1943 and became an administrator in 1954. Early in her career, she served as LAUSD's Coordinator of Integration Programs and Administrative Consultant for Teacher Selection and Recruitment.
From 1982 until her retirement in 2005, Dr. Dauterive was principal of Franklin Avenue Elementary School in Los Feliz, not too far from Griffith Observatory itself. Her school, renowned for its "child-first" approach, emphasized arts education and actively engaged parents in the education of their children.
Throughout her professional life, Dr. Dauterive’s expertise frequently was employed by both public and private community service organizations. She was appointed to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) by Governor Pete Wilson and served two terms as elected chair. Prior to her work on CTC, she was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian to the California Commission on the Status of Women, holding two terms as elected chair. In her long association with USC, she has served as adjunct professor and as a member of the Associates Board of Directors and the Board of Governors.
Verna Dauterive’s connection to the Observatory includes the thousands of Franklin Elementary School students shepherded through its programs on field trips over the years.
“I visited with our youngsters many times and it was always extremely productive and fascinating,” she remembers. “They just humanized science for the teachers and for me as a teacher and a principal. It seemed to bring the world closer to the sky. The Observatory was always dear to my heart.”
Her retirement from LAUSD opened up possibilities for further involvement.
“They wanted greater diversity on the board and to increase its outreach program to include more representation from LAUSD,” she says. “That, and the Observatory would like more attendance by underrepresented students.
“We hope some of these kids will become potential scientists and they will be inspired as they learn more about the universe. Even if we get only one or two--what a grand thing that will be!”
Sherry Dewane first visited the Griffith Observatory as a child in 1960's.
The visit was part of a great American family road trip from her home town of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. That trip and visit to the Observatory made a great impression on a young girl. She cherished those memories for the next few decades.
Many years later, another FOTO Board Member, Michael Lester, invited her to an event at the Observatory, during which the memories came flooding back.
"I walked into the Observatory and remembered the very first time I saw the Focault Pendulum, and my mother, who is a teacher explaining to my brothers and I what it was.
"I always remembered what a fascinating and inspiring place the Griffith Observatory was. Throughout my life, the idea of space, science and all the things we know and don't know kept my sense of wonder alive. "
"When I visited the Observatory again, I wanted to be involved in this incredible cultural treasure. I want to make sure the wonder and inspiration of this place is accessible to all."
Sherry is with Wachovia's Wealth Management Group, where she provides sophisticated financial solutions to wealthy families and individuals.
She's lived in Los Angeles for 11 years and is thrilled to call LA home.
"It is an honor and a privelege to be a part of Friends of the Observatory.
Sherry graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude. She currently serves on the Board of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and is a member of the National Advisory Council of the Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana. She is also a member of the Westwood Village Rotary Club. Her volunteer work includes providing support to the US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
As a Los Angeles native, Linda has fond memories of her fifth-grade field trip to the Griffith Observatory. She still remembers being impressed by the building’s grand façade, the Foucault Pendulum and the painted ceilings above. As an adult, she loves showing off the beautiful, newly restored landmark to her friends, family and everyone she meets.
Linda is Vice President at Crossroads Management, a property management and real estate development company located at the historic Crossroads of the World in Hollywood. She is involved in a wide range of activities, from leasing and tenant relations to addressing historic preservation issues in Hollywood.
Prior to joining Crossroads Management, Linda spent twenty-five years in high-technology public relations at Los Angeles-based software companies and PR agencies. Linda holds a masters degree in international management from the American Graduate School of International Management (also known as Thunderbird), and a bachelors degree in French from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
In addition to her support for Griffith Observatory, Linda is actively involved in charitable work with Los Angeles Ballet, University of California Education Abroad Program, and Los Angeles Library’s Student Smart Program.
Eve Haberfield, Ph.D., director of humanities, sciences, social sciences and health sciences at UCLA Extension, is responsible for overseeing course programming for more than 1,000 courses each year.
With a doctorate in biology from UCLA, Haberfield conducted research in physiology and taught community college and extension courses. She has been involved in teaching and academic administration since 1978. She met Observatory director Dr. Ed Krupp in the late 1970s as they worked together in planning a UCLA Extension travel study trip. Since then they have collaborated on many different archeo-astronomy field study trips and other programs.
Throughout her career Haberfield has been committed to increasing the scientific and cultural literacy of the Los Angeles community.
"My passion is scientific literacy," she says, "and astronomy currently is the most popular science for the lay public. Education is the key to understanding the scientific world around us and Griffith Observatory is a wonderful place to look up, learn and try to understand our place in the universe."
Haberfield enjoys hiking, skiing, and travel and resides in Pacific Palisades with her husband and daughter.
Akemi Ichiho is motivated by her belief that the people of Los Angeles are passionate about Griffith Observatory.
"So many have loving memories, as I do, of their first visit to the Observatory with school groups and discovering the wonders of the night sky," Ichiho says.
A practicing attorney in the field of banking and finance since 1973, Ichiho retired six years ago as senior counsel for Bank of America after nearly 30 years of practice.
She joined the FOTO board in 2000.
"The Observatory's commitment to public astronomy is unparalleled," she says. "I am proud to be a part of FOTO's effort to make the renovation and expansion a reality."
Ichiho travels the world extensively studying archeology and art. She is a graduate of the Loyola University School of law.
In 1978, after four years as a FOTO member, Kara Knack was inspired to join the board by no less than Griffith Observatory director Dr. Ed Krupp. A UCLA-sponsored trip to the Yucatan, led by Dr. Krupp (with discounts to FOTO members) sparked conversations with him on the future of the Observatory and the work of FOTO.
Within a year, Knack was on the board and for the next 10 years she wrote and edited FOTO's Update newsletter. Since 1985 she has written the monthly FOTO Notes section in the Griffith Observer, the Observatory's magazine.
Knack went on to serve in key board positions: secretary (four terms); vice president (two terms) and president (three terms). And that's in addition to stints on the Master Plan Committee, the Architectural Committee, the Selection Committee, the Renovation and Expansion Steering Committee, the Exhibit Planning Committee, the Planetarium Planning Committee, the Reopening Committee and the Volunteer Neighborhood Oversight Committee.
It's been a busy and productive association, she says. "FOTO events have brought me into contact with thousands of people who love and visit Griffith Observatory. Serving on the myriad committees and the board has allowed me to associate with highly dedicated people who celebrate the excellence of Griffith Observatory and its staff."
Native Angeleno and current Los Feliz resident Chris Laib works and lives literally in the shadow of the Griffith Observatory. A graduate of UC San Diego with careers in sales and marketing management, he currently is a realtor with Prudential California Realty/John Aaroe Division in Los Feliz and serves as a director for the Aaroe Associates Charitable Foundation.
A passion for restoration of historically significant structures drew Laib to the FOTO board, citing in particular the Art Deco Ballin murals and Beaux Arts architectural elements of the Observatory's design. His earliest memories of the Observatory were as an elementary student on several school field trips.
In addition to his work with FOTO, Laib is a director for the Los Feliz Improvement Association, Los Angeles' oldest homeowners association. "I believe it is my responsibility to participate in the preservation of the community in which I live," he says. "The reopening of the Observatory will be a celebration not only of its proper restoration but its preeminent position as a site for public astronomy."
Arnold Seidel is chairman of Morton Seidel & Co., Inc, an independent family-owned brokerage firm established in 1925. He serves as executor and trustee of numerous trusts.
Current community activity includes service as treasurer of the Young Musician Foundation, board of directors of the Los Angeles chapter of American Technion Society, Beverly Hills CPR, founding chairman of Friends of Greystone, and mentor of classical voice at the Fraternity of Friends of the Music Center.
Although a long-time Observatory fan, Seidel is new to the FOTO board. Bringing all the necessary players together in the best interests of the facility during the renovation was important for success, he believes. "The FOTO board, the Observatory staff and the City of Los Angeles have worked together to make sure everything done has been done with quality."
The Seidels have two sons, David and Craig, and three grandsons, Danny, Tommy and Ronnie. David shares his father's passion for astronomy and currently heads pre-college education programs at JPL in Pasadena. Arnold's wife, Joan, shares his commitment to community service and education and will serve as National President of the American Technion Society, a university based in Haifa with programs comparable to Caltech and MIT.
Vicke Selk credits synergy with bringing her to the FOTO board. She and her husband had just become interested in amateur astronomy and with the purchase of a telescope were beginning to become acquainted with the night sky. As it happened, Observatory personnel approached her then for advice on renovation.
Selk, the vice president and treasurer at Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif., already had considerable experience with new construction and project management.
She was amazed at what she saw on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Observatory.
"They were so stretched for space that some of the internal storage was literally underground. It was like a submarine, they were using every square inch they had."
Selk's early tenure on the board grew out of a keen interest in the Observatory as an important architectural symbol for the City. She was anxious to have a role in fostering that, but with increased familiarity her interest evolved. "I grew to understand and enthusiastically support its role in public astronomy and education as well," she says.
A native of Oklahoma, Selk joined the Pitzer administration more than 30 years ago and holds a master's degree from the Drucker Management Program at Claremont Graduate University. She and husband John are both private pilots and have a daughter in graduate school in California. Selk plans to retire in two years and return to school to pursue an interest in artisan bookbinding and fine letterpress printing.
Charles Wilmot has been a banking professional for nearly 15 years and currently serves as a senior relationship manager in the Corporate Banking Group with Union Bank of California. He joined Union Bank in 2006 from Bank of America’s middle-market commercial banking group where he worked with both publicly-held and privately-held businesses in the Greater Los Angeles region. He also led the not-for-profit / religious organization banking practice for Bank of America in Los Angeles. At Union Bank, Wilmot leads a corporate banking team focused on capital market, treasury, debt, and trade finance solutions for both private and public companies in the Los Angeles basin.
A Southern California native, Wilmot graduated from Walden High School in Orange County in 1985.
“I remember as a youngster taking field trips to the Observatory and had fond memories. That was the initial spark for my involvement now,” he says.
“I already supported their mission of education outreach—I benefited from that personally and thought this would be a great opportunity. But part of my interest has to do with what the Observatory does besides that [educational] mission—the scientific mission of the observance of the heavens”.
Wilmot formerly served on the Alumni Board of Directors for Graceland College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the South Bay Economic Development Partnership and on the Parish Council for American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach. He is an active volunteer with the University of Iowa’s ASIST (Alumni Seeking Iowa Students) Program.
A resident of Hermosa Beach, Wilmot and his wife of 10 years, Maureen, have two children, Charlie, 5 and Isabel, 3.
Friends Of The Observatory (FOTO) is a non-profit membership organization established to support and promote Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California. Friends are people like you who value the Observatory for its importance to education, science and public astronomy.
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