Board of Directors & Advisory Council
JMMF Board of Directors BIOS
The Board of Directors of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation is comprised
individuals with unique and diversified talents, drawing on their experience
in multiple careers as well as successful backgrounds. However, the
most important attribute each brings to the Foundation is a deep respect
and commitment to the passions and ideals that Jimmy Miller held dear.
It is the goal of the Board to benefit others by translating his core
values, including his belief in the therapeutic benefits of the ocean.
___________________________________________________________________
Jim Miller
Professional:
President, MWRC Internet Sales
Former Regional Counsel, United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Organizations/Service:
Director, the Reef Check Foundation
Founding Director, International SeaKeepers Society
Consultant, Special Projects, Body Glove International
Consultant, Special Projects, Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society
Author, FINAL JUSTICE, THE CONVERGENCE
Personal:
Married to Nancy for 38 years. "Pops" to Jeffrey and his wife
Alissa. Resides in Manhattan Beach.
Connections to JMMF:
Jimmy wrote in one of his regular newspaper columns that he surfed "because
my Dad is, and has always been, a surfer and a waterman." The teacher
became the student. I will always try to use what Jimmy taught me about
his love for the ocean to help others through the work of what is truly
Jimmy's Foundation.
___________________________________________________________________
Nancy Miller
Professional:
Special Projects Consultant to Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures
Society (Producer, "An Evening with Cousteau. Cameron & Keiko,"
film premier) Special Projects Consultant to The Elton John AIDS Foundation.
(Associate Producer for EJAF Annual Oscar Viewing Party) Partner, Davis
Miller Company: A product oriented public relations company. Editor
of Beach Cities Health District Quarterly Newsletter
Organization/Service:
South Bay Youth Project, Women at Risk, Richstone Family Center (Created
and produced fund-raising events and materials).
Personal:
Wife, mother, sister, friend, traveler, scuba-diver, surfer and water
person. Learned to surf at age 50. Practices yoga and Pilates. Power
walks on the strand by the ocean.
Connection to JMMF (sigh)
This is how I honor my son's life. Jimmy's pure love of surfing and
his ability to teach others is an inspiration. The foundation is a way
to keep Jimmy's spirit alive and help others experience the healing
power of the ocean. Nancy has worked with non-profits most of her professional
life. With the love and support of family, friends and community, Nancy has facilitated
and coordinated volunteers and communications for the Foundation.
___________________________________________________________________
Jeff Miller
Professional:
Jeff is the National Sales and Marketing Manager for MWRC Internet Sales,
LLC, an e-commerce software provider for large and small brands located
Redondo Beach California that focuses on channel conflict in the e-commerce
world. Jeff also works as an interactive marketing consultant for Body
Glove International and as a part-time Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard.
Prior to working with MWRC Jeff worked as a surf guide at an Eco-resort
in Samoa and as a middle school teacher in San Francisco, CA and Redondo
Beach CA.
Organizations/Service:
Jeff worked 6 years as a LA County Junior Lifeguard Instructor and also
worked for the LA County WATER Program teaching Ocean Safety to kids
throughout LA County
Personal:
-Jeff is married to wife Alissa and they are expecting their first child
in November of 2007
-Interests: Surfing, traveling, volleyball, cooking
- Jeff graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in History and has earned
his Master’s in Educational Technology and California Teaching
Credential from the University of San Francisco
Connections to JMMF:
Jim’s only brother, Jeff was Jim’s first student and looked
up to Jim his entire life. Jeff followed in Jim’s path in so many
ways- from Pacific Elementary School, to 4th St, to Mira Costa, to Cal,
to San Sebastian, to lifeguarding, to traveling the globe with a surfboard
and back home to Manhattan Beach.
___________________________________________________________________
Kevin Barry
Professional:
-Kevin is a general partner and the managing director of Towne Restaurant
in Manhattan Beach and Sangria Restaurant in Hermosa Beach.
-He is a limited partner of Falcon Restaurant in Hollywood and Pearl
Dragon Restaurant in Pacific Palisades.
-Kevin is also an Ocean Lifeguard and a Junior Lifeguard Instructor
for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Organization/Service:
-Board of Directors:
Downtown Manhattan Beach Business Association
Dig for Kids Foundation
Hermosa Beach Restaurant Association
-Kevin has produced numerous fundraising events at his restaurants,
bringing in over two million dollars for local and national foundations
and charity organizations like the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation,
Leadership Manhattan Beach and the Surfrider Foundation.
-Organizing Committee and MC for the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race.
-Occasional Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages for Los Angeles County.
Personal:
-Kevin is a proud uncle and godfather and is looking forward to soon
being married.
-He loves to surf in Hawaii and Fiji and to play volleyball with his
friends in local tournaments.
Connections to JMMF:
-Kevin was a friend, a lifeguard and a Jr. lifeguard instructor with
Jimmy and always looks forward to working on the beach and hanging out
with his brother, Jeff.
-He has been the host and auctioneer for the annual JMMF Surf Contest
and Fundraising Parties.
-Just like the Miller family, his love of community service and the
gift of helping others is one of the greatest joys in his life!
___________________________________________________________________
Chris Brown
Professional:
-Chris is the Executive Director of Campsurf/Pure Surfing Experience,
a full service surf school, located in Manhattan Beach, California.
Previous professional experience includes:
-Owner/General Manager of Peninsula Surf, a retail surf shop located
in Rolling Hills Estates.
-Marketing Specialist for Anheuser Busch.
Organizations/Service:
-Current President of the California Beach Volleyball Association.
-Member, Heal the Bay-a Santa Monica Bay based environmental organization.
-Usher, Manhattan Beach Community Church.
Personal:
-Very Single
-Interests: Surfing, Beach Volleyball, Golf, Travel, Music, Coaching
Connections to JMMF:
-Grew up with Jimmy playing soccer and surfing.
-Traveled the world together.
-Jim, Nancy, Jeff and Alissa are considered part of my family.
-It is my sincere hope that the Foundation's work will help to keep
Jimmy's spirit alive and acquaint many more to the ocean's healing powers.
___________________________________________________________________
Brent Broza
Professional:
Sales Manager for Chamers & Chamber Wine Merchants, Maui
Organizations/Service
Organizer- Winter Bocce Ball Tournament – proceeds to JMMF
Personal/Interests:
Surfing, volleyball, reading, visiting friends and family in the South
Bay
Connection to JMMF:
Brent Broza and Jimmy became friends in elementary school and shared
life together while growing up in Manhattan Beach. Through surfing,
volleyball, travel and modeling, they became the best of friends. Brent
traveled to Hawaii with the Millers in the ‘80’s and vowed
to return. True to his word, Brent now makes his home in Maui.
___________________________________________________________________
Steve Chabre
Professional:
Steve is President of TCC, Inc., a private investment firm. His past
affiliations included being President of Bionutrics, a biopharmaceutical
company that specialized in proprietary products that addressed heart
disease and strokes; President/CEO of MJJ Enterprises, with P&L
and management responsibility for all corporate entities including music
publishing, concert tours, record label, licensing, 2900 acre ranch
and two charitable foundations; President/CEO of The Chabre Company,
a sports marketing company specializing in consulting and sponsorships
with professional teams and leagues, including the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL
and the PGA; and Chief Operating Officer of Dailey & Associates,
an advertising agency with clients that included Ford, Honda, Nestle,
Lipton and the California State Lottery.
Organizations/Service (Past & Present):
Civilian Council for the Secretary of Defense,
Advisory Board for the Secretary of the Air Force
Advisory Board for the University of Arizona School of Business
Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission
President Bel Air Country Club
Personal:
Married and resides in Beverly Hills, California
Connection to JMMF:
Member of the Miller Family and strong belief in the goals of the Jimmy
Miller Memorial Foundation
___________________________________________________________________
Andy Dellenbach
Professional:
-Andy is current owner and managing partner of Mind Over Eye Inc., a
full-service postproduction studio located in Santa Monica offering
editorial, broadcast design, visual effects, sound and audio and mastering
for TV programs, commercials, videos and films.
-Prior to forming Mind Over Eye, Andy managed advertising sales for
various magazines and brands for Petersen Publishing including the Latin
America territory for Skin Diver (scuba diving), the Action Sports Group
(Surfer, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Powder and Bike) and the NBC-televised
action sports festival, the Gravity Games.
Organizations/Service:
-Past Chairman of the South Bay Chapter, Surfrider Foundation
-Current Secretary of the South Bay Chapter, Surfrider Foundation
-Founder & Chair of CREW, Young Adults Group at Manhattan Beach
Community Church
-Finance Board Chair, Social Action Board, Manhattan Beach Community
Church
-Mission Leader, Casa de Paz & Door of Faith Orphanages, Baja
-Usher, “Church on the Beach”, Kings Harbor Church
Personal:
-Married to wife Jena for 10 years, two labs Maya & Tibu living
in Redondo Beach
-Surfing, Snowboarding, Volleyball, Friends, Family, God
Connection to JMMF:
-Grew up with Jimmy at 4th St in Manhattan Beach surfing, volleyball,
friends
-Attended UC Berkeley with Jimmy, Roommates in college
-Family friends with Jim, Nancy, Jeff & Alissa
-Desire to share my and Jimmy’s love of surfing and therapeutic
nature of the ocean with those less privileged and those that have sacrificed
for our country
___________________________________________________________________
Tom Houston
Professional:
-Tom is currently the President of two start-up environmental technology
companies whose products are designed to eliminate pollutants from storm
drains and from municipal sewage discharges. He has had a long career
in practicing law and in government service having served as a senior
partner in the Carlsmith Ball Law Firm in Los Angeles, as Deputy Mayor
& Chief of Staff of the City of Los Angeles, and as a cabinet official
for the State of California in the administration of Governor Jerry
Brown...
Organizations/Service:
-Founding President & CEO, International SeaKeepers Society
-Member, Board of Trustees, Waterkeepers Alliance
-CEO and Board Member, Children’s Health Environmental Coalition
-Chief Operating Officer, Josephson Institute of Ethics & Character
Counts! Coalition
-Member, Board of Directors, Alternative Living for the Aged, Los Angeles
Actors Theater, Monarch Bay International Institute
Personal:
-Divorced two children living in Playa Del Rey, CA
-Interests: scuba diving, ocean protection activities, international
travel, African safari guide
Connection to JMMF:
-Long time friend of the Millers
-Greatly admired Jimmy Miller and his loving, enthusiastic spirit
-Desire to share spiritual and healing aspects of our beautiful oceans.
___________________________________________________________________
Charlotte Lesser
Professional:
Retired Health Education and Promotion Administrator, Beach Cities Health
District
A graduate of UCSB in Analytical Biology, Charlotte has worked to provide
health education and prevention techniques through her community outreach
programs at BCHD. Here she utilized her skills as a retired Medical
Technologist to offer health fairs, screenings and established a health
resource center.
Organizations/Service:
Past Director of Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Watch, which she founded
more than 30 years ago.
Board of Directors: Friends of the South Bay Youth Project, the El Camino
College Foundation, the American Heart Association, the Junior League
of Long Beach, Friends of 1736 Family Crisis Center, the SB Alcohol
and Drug-Free Youth Coalition, and the International Surf Festival.
Current chair of the Los Angeles County Commission for Women and sits
on the Policy Board of the Office of Women’s Health for the county.
Personal:
Charlotte is married to community activist Russ, has three married children
and four grandchildren. She enjoys reading, hiking, scuba diving, swimming,
and skiing. Her past time is spent in volunteer activities.
Connection to JMMF:
Charlotte is a long time friend of the Miller family, meeting them when
sons Greg Lesser (age 8) and Jimmy Miller (age 7) swam together on the
Surfside Swim Team in 1976. Charlotte joined the foundation board at
its inception with a commitment to support the mission of the JMMF and
carrying on Jimmy’s legacy.
___________________________________________________________________
Russ Lesser
Professional:
President, Body Glove International, 1990 to present
Windes & McClaughry, Certified Public Accountants, 1964 to 1990,
including Managing Partner, 1986-1990
Organizations/Service:
City Councilman including two terms as Mayor, City of Manhattan Beach,
1978 to 1986
Planning Commissioner, City of Manhattan Beach, 1973 to 1978
Founder, Manhattan Beach 10K Run Committee, 1978 to present
President and Member of the Board of Directors, Manhattan Beach Chamber
of Commerce
Numerous other Boards of Directors for Community, Charitable and Environmental
Organizations, including,Reef Check International, South Bay Free Clinic, 1736 Crisis Center,
Torrance-South Bay YMCA, Grand Beckstrand Cancer Foundation,
Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, American Heart Association, Mira
Costa High School Bond Oversight Committee, and St. Cross Episcopal
Church Vestry.
Personal/Interest:
Married to Charlotte for over 40 years, Father of Greg, Valerie, and
Tim and grandfather of four.
___________________________________________________________________
David Peters
Professional:
David Peters is co-founder of Regency Affiliates, a diversified group
of real estate companies which acquire, market, develop and manage residential,
industrial and retail properties in the western United States. He is
a graduate of Pomona College and of the Coro Foundation Internship in
Public Affairs. He holds a master’s degree in urban studies from
Occidental College.
Organizations/Service
In the community, he has served as a mediator with the Centinella Valley
Juvenile Diversion Project and in business as a mediator and arbitrator
with the American Arbitration Association. Peters is former chairman
of The California Community Foundation, Coro Southern California, and
Liaison Citizens. He was a founder and board member of Leadership Southern
California and is a director of the Richstone Family Center, the Community
Foundation Land Trust, Beverly Hills Land Company, and the Thelma Pearl
Howard Foundation. He also serves on the board of governors of Genesis
LA and the Warren Christopher Scholarship Fund.
Personal/Interests:
David and his wife, RL, live in Manhattan Beach and have three adult
children, a grandson, and a granddaughter.
___________________________________________________________________
Carly Rogers
Professional:
Carly Rogers, MA, OTR/L is the Vice President of Operations for JMMF
and is the creator of the Ocean Therapy program used by JMMF, which
facilitates improved self-esteem and self-efficacy in individuals with
special needs through the adapted sport of surfing. The idea for the
Ocean Therapy program came to fruition when Carly’s passion for
surfing was coupled with the strong desire of a child with cerebral
palsy to reach the ocean’s edge. Carly witnessed the young child
with CP manage out of his wheel chair and onto the sand to crawl his
way to the water with whatever means he had. His face lit up the instant
he was emerged in the water and his lack of mobility physically, appeared
to vanish. In that moment, the healing effects of the ocean were realized
and the idea for the therapy program emerged. Carly later earned her
Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at USC, where she wrote
the Ocean Therapy program. She continues to be an honorary speaker at
USC, inspiring therapists in creating community-based programs that
facilitate healing through occupation, such as the Ocean Therapy program.
She has worked at Pediatric Therapy Network of Torrance and currently
is working for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District as a Pediatric
Occupational Therapist. Carly has also been a Los Angeles County Lifeguard
since 1994, working as an Ocean Lifeguard, Public Educator and as a
Youth Program’s Instructor with the Junior Lifeguard Program and
the W.A.T.E.R Program. She has been a Certified Emergency Medical Technician
since 1999.
Organizations/Service:
She is a member of Heal the Bay and the Surfrider Foundation. She is
an avid surfer, paddler, body surfer, and ocean swimmer. She has been
teaching surfing and other ocean related activities since 1996.
Connections to JMMF:
Carly’s connection to JMMF began when she was in her Rookie year
with the LA County Lifeguards. Jimmy Miller was one of the first lifeguards
she ever worked with who went on to mentor her as a surfer, lifeguard,
teacher and friend…truly, every important aspect of her life.
Her role in JMMF is truly an honor and a dedication to Carly’s
mother and Jimmy. ___________________________________________________________________
Medical & Educational Advisory Board
This Medical Advisory Board consists of physicians, psychiatrists, therapists,
nurses, occupational therapists, and educators who offer their professional
advice about our programs and guide us as we develop programs.