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Laguna Canyon Conservancy
BOARD MEMBERS
Officers
Gayle Waite
President
Gayle Waite has been a longtime supporter of preserving the open space environment since participating in the 1989 Walk to save Laguna Canyon. President of LCC for the past two years, she is also a member of the Laguna Beach Greenbelt, the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club (past President for two years), the Laguna Real Estate Charitable Assistance Fund (original incorporator/President, current VP), American Association of University Woman of Laguna Beach and a current board member of the All of Us Precision Medicine Research Study at UCI funded by the NIH. Formerly an art director in New York City for major publishers and advertising agencies before starting an Orange County ad agency, Gayle became a successful real estate broker in 1990. She is a past President of the Laguna Board of REALTORS and was recognized by the CA State Senate and Orange County Board of Supervisors for her professionalism. Gayle believes that careful real estate development and protection of the environment can be a successful partnership.
Gayle Waite has been a longtime supporter of preserving the open space environment since participating in the 1989 Walk to save Laguna Canyon. President of LCC for the past two years, she is also a member of the Laguna Beach Greenbelt, the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club (past President for two years), the Laguna Real Estate Charitable Assistance Fund (original incorporator/President, current VP), American Association of University Woman of Laguna Beach and a current board member of the All of Us Precision Medicine Research Study at UCI funded by the NIH. Formerly an art director in New York City for major publishers and advertising agencies before starting an Orange County ad agency, Gayle became a successful real estate broker in 1990. She is a past President of the Laguna Board of REALTORS and was recognized by the CA State Senate and Orange County Board of Supervisors for her professionalism. Gayle believes that careful real estate development and protection of the environment can be a successful partnership.
Bob Borthwick
Vice President
Bob is a landscape architect who has lived in Laguna Beach since 1974. He has designed numerous public projects in town, including significant portions of Heisler Park. His largest project in Laguna has been Alta Laguna Park in 1990, in collaboration with Ann Christoph.
Bob is a landscape architect who has lived in Laguna Beach since 1974. He has designed numerous public projects in town, including significant portions of Heisler Park. His largest project in Laguna has been Alta Laguna Park in 1990, in collaboration with Ann Christoph.
Gene Felder
Treasurer
Gene Felder, long-time Laguna Canyon Conservancy Vice-President beginning in 1989, succeeded Carolyn Wood as President as is now Treasurer. Gene Felder was raised in La Mirada, graduated from Cal State Fullerton in Business, and received an MBA from UCLA. He retired in 2017 after spending his entire career in manufacturing. Gene and Johanna have lived in Laguna Beach since 1986 and Gene has donated significant time engaged on issues of public policy. He was Chair of Save Laguna Art Museum, active in Save the Pageant, and is currently President of the Top of the World Neighborhood Association. Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett appointed Gene to the Coastal Greenbelt Authority which oversees the Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks. Gene served on the Board of Directors of the Laguna Beach Historical Society from 2001 to 2014 serving as President from 2001 to 2006. He is co-author, with Foster J. Eubanks, of the 2013 book “Laguna Beach, Then & Now”.
Gene Felder, long-time Laguna Canyon Conservancy Vice-President beginning in 1989, succeeded Carolyn Wood as President as is now Treasurer. Gene Felder was raised in La Mirada, graduated from Cal State Fullerton in Business, and received an MBA from UCLA. He retired in 2017 after spending his entire career in manufacturing. Gene and Johanna have lived in Laguna Beach since 1986 and Gene has donated significant time engaged on issues of public policy. He was Chair of Save Laguna Art Museum, active in Save the Pageant, and is currently President of the Top of the World Neighborhood Association. Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett appointed Gene to the Coastal Greenbelt Authority which oversees the Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks. Gene served on the Board of Directors of the Laguna Beach Historical Society from 2001 to 2014 serving as President from 2001 to 2006. He is co-author, with Foster J. Eubanks, of the 2013 book “Laguna Beach, Then & Now”.
Cheryl Czyz
Recording Secretary
After a career in education from elementary through college, Cheryl retired and moved to Laguna Beach to enjoy a village surrounded by open space. As a child she had gained an appreciation of the outdoors through frequent Sierra Club hikes and that continued at her alma mater UCLA where she hiked with the International Club.
After a career in education from elementary through college, Cheryl retired and moved to Laguna Beach to enjoy a village surrounded by open space. As a child she had gained an appreciation of the outdoors through frequent Sierra Club hikes and that continued at her alma mater UCLA where she hiked with the International Club.
Directors
Jahn Levitt
Communications Secretary
Jahn Levitt, a native New Yorker, and former editor at Random House, later a move to California, where I became a buyer for Bullocks and a textile designer. After living in Laguna Beach, I was drawn to environmental issues. I was on the Board of Village Laguna for 4 years, a past member of the Women’s Club, and a current member of the American Association of University Woman. I served on the Board of the Laguna Beach Beautification Council, volunteered at the Blue Bell Home for Cats, and Yorkshire Terrier Rescue. For the past five years I have been a Judge for the K-high school Library Poetry Awards.
Jahn Levitt, a native New Yorker, and former editor at Random House, later a move to California, where I became a buyer for Bullocks and a textile designer. After living in Laguna Beach, I was drawn to environmental issues. I was on the Board of Village Laguna for 4 years, a past member of the Women’s Club, and a current member of the American Association of University Woman. I served on the Board of the Laguna Beach Beautification Council, volunteered at the Blue Bell Home for Cats, and Yorkshire Terrier Rescue. For the past five years I have been a Judge for the K-high school Library Poetry Awards.
Carey Strombotne
Laguna Canyon Foundation Liaison
Carey Strombotne moved to Laguna Beach in 1982, and instantly fell in love with everything Laguna. She and her husband, Dion, raised their two sons, Rex, and Derek, in Laguna, surfing and swimming at our local beaches, and instilled in them a love and appreciation for our oceans and canyons. Carey began her environmental protection advocacy while volunteering with the Save Trestles campaign, which was a 20-year battle to stop a toll road from bisecting San Onofre State Park, working alongside Surfrider, Sierra Club, and other groups that formed a coalition. She joined the board of Laguna Canyon Conservancy (LCC) in 2008 after meeting then president of LCC, Carolyn Wood while volunteering to help save Trestles. Carey is also on the Laguna Canyon Foundation board of directors as a liaison to Laguna Canyon Conservancy. She is also a longtime member of the Top of the World Neighborhood Association (TOWNA) board of directors.
Carey Strombotne moved to Laguna Beach in 1982, and instantly fell in love with everything Laguna. She and her husband, Dion, raised their two sons, Rex, and Derek, in Laguna, surfing and swimming at our local beaches, and instilled in them a love and appreciation for our oceans and canyons. Carey began her environmental protection advocacy while volunteering with the Save Trestles campaign, which was a 20-year battle to stop a toll road from bisecting San Onofre State Park, working alongside Surfrider, Sierra Club, and other groups that formed a coalition. She joined the board of Laguna Canyon Conservancy (LCC) in 2008 after meeting then president of LCC, Carolyn Wood while volunteering to help save Trestles. Carey is also on the Laguna Canyon Foundation board of directors as a liaison to Laguna Canyon Conservancy. She is also a longtime member of the Top of the World Neighborhood Association (TOWNA) board of directors.
Alice Harmon
Board Member
Alice Harmon is a native Californian, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She graduated from USC with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught first grade for eight years in Los Angeles, Riverside and El Centro schools. While still living in El Centro Alice became a travel agent. Later she moved to Laguna Beach and continued her work in the travel industry until retirement. Alice is a member of the Trojan Guild of Orange County; PEO, a philanthropic and educational group; and Newport Panhellenic where she serves on the Scholarship Committee. Alice has been a member of Laguna Canyon Conservancy for many years.
Alice Harmon is a native Californian, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She graduated from USC with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught first grade for eight years in Los Angeles, Riverside and El Centro schools. While still living in El Centro Alice became a travel agent. Later she moved to Laguna Beach and continued her work in the travel industry until retirement. Alice is a member of the Trojan Guild of Orange County; PEO, a philanthropic and educational group; and Newport Panhellenic where she serves on the Scholarship Committee. Alice has been a member of Laguna Canyon Conservancy for many years.
Linda Mayer
Board Member
Linda Mayer has been an Orange County resident since 1954, first in Santa Ana, then Costa Mesa and then to Irvine until moving to Laguna Beach in 2015. She has been active in various service organizations including Newport-Harbor chapter of Zonta International, AAUW and several Church groups. As a Court Reporter in Orange County Superior Court for 40 years specializing in business litigation, she witnessed many battles involving ocean views and other community coastal problems.
Linda Mayer has been an Orange County resident since 1954, first in Santa Ana, then Costa Mesa and then to Irvine until moving to Laguna Beach in 2015. She has been active in various service organizations including Newport-Harbor chapter of Zonta International, AAUW and several Church groups. As a Court Reporter in Orange County Superior Court for 40 years specializing in business litigation, she witnessed many battles involving ocean views and other community coastal problems.
Paul Merritt
Board Member
Paul, a native Southern Californian, ''Lagunatic'' for decades [1963]. Graduate of Laguna Beach high school. Past president of Laguna Taxpayers Association. Member 1990s Surfrider Foundation. Real property broker, lifetime member of Nature Conservancy. Former O.C. Elected official. Chairman O.C. Economic Commission [ Federal]; as well as a ''travel buff’'. Current Board member Woods Cove Association. Decade of local charity work, Exchange Club of Laguna. Early supporter of Laguna Greenbelt. Thirty years of membership Laguna Beautification Committee.
Paul, a native Southern Californian, ''Lagunatic'' for decades [1963]. Graduate of Laguna Beach high school. Past president of Laguna Taxpayers Association. Member 1990s Surfrider Foundation. Real property broker, lifetime member of Nature Conservancy. Former O.C. Elected official. Chairman O.C. Economic Commission [ Federal]; as well as a ''travel buff’'. Current Board member Woods Cove Association. Decade of local charity work, Exchange Club of Laguna. Early supporter of Laguna Greenbelt. Thirty years of membership Laguna Beautification Committee.
Prada Pothong
Advisor
Prada Pothong is a student at UCLA studying Environmental Science. She has spent her time in school volunteering with the UCLA Herbarium and studying urban ecology. Her interests lie in conservation biology and how ecology has developed in response to urban landscapes. She hopes to continue work in studying how to combat climate change and anthropogenic harm to the environment.
Prada Pothong is a student at UCLA studying Environmental Science. She has spent her time in school volunteering with the UCLA Herbarium and studying urban ecology. Her interests lie in conservation biology and how ecology has developed in response to urban landscapes. She hopes to continue work in studying how to combat climate change and anthropogenic harm to the environment.
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