Lake Chapala Society Board of Directors - 2018

L to R, Rear: George Radford, Ben White, Sandy Britton, Tim Boardman, Michael Searles (Past Treasurer), Nick Hanson
Front: Elizabeth Villaseñor Ramírez, Carole Wolff, Janis Sirany
(Missing: Howard Feldstein, Philip Newbold, and Virginia (Gin) Boyle Pelzl)

President’s Welcome Message 
Thank you for visiting the web site for the Lake Chapala Society. Our mission is to advocate for the improvement of the standard of living in the community through:

• the promotion of artistic and cultural activities;
• to challenge and stimulate thinking;
• facilitating regular meetings to promote friendship and camaraderie among our members and the lakeside community.

The LCS sponsors numerous activities for our members including one of the largest English libraries in Mexico, weekly foreign films, classes from Apple to Android, TED talks, as well as free medical screenings. Fun and games from bridge to scrabble to line dancing and much more are offered.

We also conduct community education programs for the Mexican community including the Children's Art program, English as a Second Language classes, the Student Aid program to help 25 young people attend university, and the Biblioteca Pública de Ajijic, a Spanish language library.

In this our 63rd year we are addressing our biggest challenge to-date. Our facilities, located on a half hectare of land in central Ajijic, are reaching their limits. Our buildings, some well over 70 years of age, are beyond renovation and as our membership and community has grown the existing structures are no longer able to meet the need for classroom, meeting and presentation space.

2018 will see the Lake Chapala Society finalizing plans for rejuvenation of its campus and undertaking the necessary fund-raising to support a multi-year, multi-phase major restructuring.

Carole Wolff
president@lakechapalasociety.com

Carole and her husband Bill have been living in the Lakeside for 8 years. Carole came from San Francisco Area and Bill from Austin, Texas.

Education:

• Post Graduate Public Relations , DePaul University, Chicago, IL
• Master of Arts with Distinction/Curriculum Administration, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
• Bachelor of Arts, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL
• University of Illinois, Springfield, Illinois
• Gulf Park College, Gulfport, Mississippi

Background:

• Blue Boy, Lake Bluff, IL: 20 years in Sales & Administrative in a family business.
• Woodland Academy of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest, IL: Director of Development & Public Relations.
• Tao Associates, Lake Forest, IL: Director of Organizational Development in Theater, Education and the Arts for fundraising.
• Associated Press, New York City: Office Manager and Assistant Director of the Wire.
• Gallerist-Chicago/New York/San Francisco: 17 years as an art administrator, curator and directed over 320 exhibitions with international artists.

Skills: Focusing on developing individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations with a strong base constituency to support and promote their mission thru the building of relevant databases, public relations and social networking.

Member of Organizations:

• CASE (Council for Advancement & Support of Education) attending Conferences For Fundraising in Chicago and development & promotion of a Can Do Computer Program for the Arts at the conference.
• Independent Schools Association: Participated in conferences in Boston and Kansas City.
• Press Club of Chicago
• Cathedral District of Chicago
• Public Relations Society of New York City
• Sausalito Women’s Club, Sausalito, CA
• Rotary Club of Ajijic: Secretary 2011-2016
  President 2016-2017
  Treasurer 2017-2018
• Lake Chapala Society: Secretary 2014-2018

From Sacramento, California, where with husband Phil Rylett she raised three children. She also worked for thirty-plus years in Information Technology as a software developer, systems analyst, strategy planning analyst, Information Architect, and instructor for the University of California at Davis extension IT courses.

After retiring from Information Technology she spent five years at the Sacramento SPCA as a dog trainer and dog behavior counselor, after which she moved to Ajijic with Phil. In her five years here she has been involved with many community organizations including the Lake Chapala Society.

With forty year career in Information Technology (IT), his skills include business requirements definition, systems design, general and project management. More specifically strategic, tactical and operational business and IT planning, business process analysis, report writing, presentations, IT requirements analysis and definition, project planning and control.

Education - BA, York University, Toronto, Computer Science.

Relevant work experience
Toronto Public Library – Project Manager – 2 years
Directed consultants, vendors and Library staff on projects to: replace an existing email system with cloud-based MS Exchange for 2,400 staff manage the installation of a gigabit fiber optic network to each of 99 Library locations.

TELUS Mobility (Telecom) – Projects Manager, Business Architect – 10 years
Responsible for the definition of IT requirements for the division servicing business and government wireless clients. Defined tactical IT plans to support the division's strategic goals. Managed multiple projects in the $3 to 5 million range.

Ontario Provincial Government – 11 years
Office of the Premier and Cabinet Office.
Managed all IT services including systems development, call center and computer operations. Ministry of Government Services. Managed IT services provided to the Real Estate division (account management role). Acting director of the IT Branch.
Management Board Secretariat
Participated in the creation of government-wide policy for the management of IT in the Ontario Government.

Born in Dewsbury [near Leeds] in the UK. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in the UK he and his wife Denise moved to Canada [Toronto] where he re-qualified as a Canadian CA and continued working in the profession for 10 years. After being recruited into the construction industry, he continued with the same group of Companies for 27 years until 2016 when he retired to Lakeside.

Tim & Denise live in West Ajijic with their 2 dogs and are still trying to get used to the different pace of life from that of Canada, but are not missing the cold & snow.

Howard has been active in the Lake Chapala community since he arrived here in 2004 from Denver, Colorado. Early in 2009 he completed a three year term as Chair of Democrats Abroad Mexico, an organization that helps American expatriates remain involved in their country's electoral process. In addition, Howard served as LCS president from 2009 to 2014 and worked on the rewriting and adoption of its current constitution. He has worked with the Lakeside Little Theater and Naked Stage as an actor, director, stage manager and a number of other support activities.

Prior to moving to Mexico, he was a small business owner in Denver and was involved in a number of community projects including FasTracks, Denver's Transit Expansion program and has been a long-time advocate. Howard has recently returned to Lakeside after spending a "sabbatical" year fulfilling a longtime dream of sailing America’s Great Loop.

Nicholas Hanson, DOB 1946

Raised in Los Angeles, California. A United States citizen and a Permanent Resident of Mexico.

Education & Work History

Graduated James Monroe High School, Sepulveda, California, 1964. Served in the United States Army in Vietnam, 1965 - 1967. Worked in a California retail warehouse, 1967 - 1975. Appointed Teamsters Union Shop Steward, 1973 - 1975. Attended Santa Barbara City College in California, 1975 - 1976. Attended the University of California at Berkley, 1977 - 1979. Graduated UCB with a Bachelor of Arts degree, major in architecture. Worked for several architectural firms in Northern California for 24 years, eventually becoming an Associate of MCG Architects in San Francisco, in charge of plan checking, contracts & personnel. Retired to Ajijic and joined LCS in 2003.

Organizations:

• Hayward Area Historical Society, Hayward, California, Board of Directors
• Alameda County California Parks, Recreation and Historical Commission, Board of Supervisors appointed position, Board Member and Chair
• Castro Valley California Municipal Advisory Council, a County Planning Commission appointed position, Board Member and Chair
• Castro Valley California Chamber of Commerce, Board Member and President
• Friends of Strobridge House Historic Preservation, Castro Valley, California. Non-Profit Founder and Chair.
• Fraccionamiento Villa Nova Board of Directors, Ajijic, Jalisco, Recording Secretary and President
• Fraccionamiento Chula Vista Board of Directors, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Jalisco, Recording Secretary

Award:
California Legislative Assembly, Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Services.

Carole Wolff
President

Sandy Britton
Vice President

George Radford
Secretary

Tim Boardman
Treasurer

Howard Feldstein
Director at Large

Nick Hanson
Director at Large

Phil’s professional passion focused on helping companies significantly improve their organizational effectiveness particularly helping them navigate the risks and accelerate the returns of major change. Before retiring, he had over 25 years of executive management experience (CEO, COO, General Manager, Global Practice Manager and Managing Director) in financial services, healthcare, high tech and biotech.

Phil still performs limited strategy, risk and change management consulting work for several clients on an as required basis but considers himself blissfully retired. Besides living in paradise, he and his wife Audrey travel whenever possible.

Phil has an MBA degree in Finance and Economics and a BSC degree from De Paul University. He holds executive residency certificates from the University of North Carolina and Stanford University.

Prior to retiring, Phil authored articles and leadership programs. He was a periodic speaker at local and national functions focusing on the effective management of large-scale change, compliance and governance. His last book, co-authored with Carleen Mackay, is titled Return of the Boomer: A Leader's Guide.

Virginia (Gin) Boyle Pelzl

My husband, Jim Pelzl and I retired, moving to Chapala and purchasing our home in Vista del Lago in 2005 and physically moving 2006. Jimmy now plays golf Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. I played for six years and during that time I was very involved in in the Country Club de Chapala and the FRACC of Vista Del Lago, and now, I play on "occasions".
THUS:

I was appointed to the Board of CCC in 2006 to fill a vacancy and was elected in 2007 and served as Secretary to that Board for five years and two additional years as membership Chair and Social Chair.

At the same time in 2006, I was appointed to the FRACC Board to fill a vacancy and voted President of the Board in 2007. I served on the Board for a number of years holding Chairmanships of various committees, Comisario and Alternate.

I was invited to join Rotary Club of Ajijic, A.C. 2010 and was elected Treasurer and served in that position for five years; elected President Elect 2014/2015; President 2015/2016 and continued to serve on the Board as Past President 2016/2017. I am still a very active member with the club.

I joined Tepehua Centro Comunitario, A.C. As Treasurer to the Board in 2011 and still hold that position; I am very active in all aspects of the operations and the fundraising.

Lakeside Assistance Group, A.C. was formed in 2014 and I was elected Treasurer to the Board in January 2015 and we became an AC in 2016. I still serve as Treasurer of that organization and very active in the day to day operations and fundraising.

Prior to crossing the Rio Grande, I had a very successful thirty-three year career in the banking industry, with three banks in the Houston area: Allied Bancshares, Inc., Interest First Bank and First City Bank in 1964; starting as an intern, back to school at night and moved up to managing a very profitable bank.

After my bank was closed I was recruited to set up a banking desk for Management Recruiters International of Houston, a headhunter company based in New York. I spent ten years of very productive and very enjoyable years with the company.

My last professional venture in the US was the forming of K-State Financial, LLC in Pratt, Kansas. This allowed me to use my Mortgage Broker License, Real Estate Broker License, Series 1 & 2 Insurance License and Series 6 and 7. I closed the LLC when we decided to retire and relocate south of the border and all the license have expired. What a great move.

Janis Elizabeth Sirany

Born in England, after school worked in Harrods, London before emigrating to USA. Worked in New York as a buyer for large retail chains. Traveled to Aspen, Colorado and Cape Cod to work, and then lived in San Miguel Allende for one year.

Later on Cape Cod and met my husband. We moved to Los Angeles and then San Diego where he worked as a Naval civilian torpedo and submarine engineer, transferred to Rhode Island for a few years then back to San Diego. Meanwhile I worked as an accountant in the ASYMCA, and later in the construction and property management business.

After retiring, I was volunteer in Balboa Park one of the premier parks in the USA. I also volunteered with the San Diego District Attorney's office helping abused persons with lodging and counseling.

Moving to Ajijic I have volunteered as treasurer of the Villa Nova Fraccionamiento for 12 years. I have also worked with local Mexican business owners to help them achieve more success in their business.

Elizabeth Villaseñor Ramírez

EDUCATION

Investment Advisor Certified by the AMIB (The Mexican Association of Securities Intermediaries).
Computer Systems Engineer - Colima, Colima. Instituto Tecnológico de Colima. 1992-1996
English as a Second Language - Philadelphia, Pa.

BACKGROUND

INTERCAM BANCO S.A. INSTITUCION DE BANCA MULTIPLE, I.G.F. Guadalajara and Ajijic.
Business Director, Nov. 2015 to date.

INTERCAM CASA DE BOLSA S.A. de C.V. Colima.
Business Director, Feb. 2012 to Nov. 2015

IXE BANCO, S.A. (Now Banorte Bank) Zapopan.
International Transaction Banking, July 2010 to Feb. 2012

PHYTOSAN, S.A. DE C.V. Zapopan.
Sales Director, Oct. 2006 to July 2010

Intercam Casa de Cambio S.A. de C.V. Colima.
Business Assistant, Aug. 2005 to Oct. 2006

Brun Produce S.A., Villa de Álvarez, Colima.
Assistant Director, Nov. 2004 to July 2005

Holcim Apasco S.A. de C.V. Tecomán, Colima
Assistant Director, Aug. 2000 to 2003

Aerocalifornia. La Paz B.C.S.
Airline Automation Manager. Jan. 1999 to Aug. 2000

English Club. Colima, Colima
English teacher. 1998-1999 (half time)

SKILLS

13 year of experience heading promotion teams.
Marketing projects development.
Setting up New market segments.

Member of Organizations

Sponsor at Grupo Amor A.C. Colima
LCS.

Retired educator, 33 years working with the youth of America, a challenging and rewarding career. From the shadow of Mt. St. Helens in Washington to the "top of the world", Barrow, Alaska. Teacher, coach and 22 years as a principal.

The first part of my career was in Washington State schools. Then in Alaska for 17 years. We retired in 2006-07 to Lake Chapala to live full time.

Service to country: United States Marine Corps Officer

Service to Community:
2010 to present: Member of Rotary International

• * Service Projects Chair
• * Chair/Committee Member Annual Review of Club Documents
• * Chair Strategic Planning Committee
• * Webmaster
• * Co Project Manager of a Rotary Global Grant, Anti Violence Training for Teachers in Mexico.
• * Club Rotary Foundation Chair
• * Administrator Club Facebook "Workplace" Site
• * Member Weekly Meeting Team
• * Paul Harris Fellow

Currently developing a Rotary Global Grant proposal focusing on Economic & Community Development to support a local village.

Education:
Bachelors, Linfield College (Education)
Masters, University of Oregon (Curriculum & Instruction)

Ben was elected President of the LCS Board of Directors in 2013. He is committed to the goals of the new strategic plan of the LCS to improve member and community perception, optimize programs to assure continued relevance to members and to re-engineer the LCS campus infrastructure to meet current and future needs.

Prior to retirement Ben served as the Deputy Assessor for the City & County of Denver. He created community outreach programs and facilitated improved access for the public and business interests in property data via the City’s web site.

Ben has served on several volunteer boards, including the Board of Directors for the Montessori Child Development Center and Mitchell Montessori, Denver, Colorado. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in 1976.

Ben and his wife Lindy, formerly from Denver, Colorado, have been fulltime residents of Ajijic since April 2010.

Philip Newbold
Director at Large

Virginia Boyle Pelzl
Director at Large

Janis Sirany
Director at Large

Elizabeth Villaseñor Ramírez
Director at Large

Mac Whyte
Director at Large

Ben White
Immediate Past President