49 Under 49 Awardees
CSULB Alumni 49 Under 49 award program recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions in improving and uplifting their communities and beyond.
James Ahumada ‘11, ‘23
Senior Vice President & Deputy CEO
Downtown Long Beach Alliance
B.A. Political Science, M.B.A.
Ahumada is a highly accomplished leader with a passion for Long Beach, cultivated during his time at CSULB. As Senior Vice President & Deputy CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA), he oversees Marketing and Communications, Public Realm, Clean and Safe, and Legislative Affairs. Ahumada played a key role as former Mayor Robert Garcia’s Chief of Staff, leading communications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahumada’s tenure in Washington, D.C. with Congressman Henry Waxman highlights his strong commitment to public service. A proud CSULB alumnus, he remains an active member of CSULB Alumni having established the CSU-DC Alumni Network and supporting various alumni events and initiatives. His leadership and dedication to Long Beach have had a lasting impact on the community.
Loren Albento ‘13
Talent Manager and Producer
LBI Entertainment
B.A. FEA-Film & Video Production
Albento was instrumental in the sale and distribution of “Yellow Rose” to Sony Pictures — the first Filipino American film to be acquired by a major studio. In his role at LBI management, he works with a talented roster of actors, directors and producers. He has also held roles at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Independent Artist Group. Albento serves as a member of CSULB’s Film & Electronic Arts Department Industry Advisory Board, providing mentorship and advising on curriculum and programming. Albento hopes to create opportunities for all underrepresented voices in all areas of film and television.
Adam Anderson ‘04
West System and Bay Area Office Business Management Executive Director
B.S. Chemical Engineering
Anderson’s commitment to creating impact in the community comes naturally. In his current role, directing strategy and operations for a premier global management consulting firm, he dedicates time to leading DEI initiatives and supporting career advancement for team members from a wide range of diverse backgrounds. He is involved with non-profit boards and volunteer work supporting incarcerated men and returning citizens, including spending time doing intensive work within the walls of Pelican Bay. Anderson was nominated by BCG - a premier global management consulting firm - for his contributions to DEI and social justice.
Avis Atkins McPhail ‘11
Operations
Amazon Web Services
B.A. Human Development, Sociology
An advocate for economic development, social progress and higher education support, Atkins is dedicated to ensuring the vibrancy of Long Beach’s Cambodia Town through her leadership with the Midtown Business Improvement District. She holds a master’s degree in policy and management from Harvard Business School. Atkins established the Atkins Memorial Scholarship at The Beach in honor of her father to support housing-insecure students and is now focused on establishing an endowed scholarship.
Ardel Guillamas Avelino ‘08
Chief Operations Officer
St. Mary Medical Center/CommonSpirit Health
M.S. Health Care Administration
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guillamas led St. Mary Medical Center as incident commander and was designated as administrator in-charge to partner with the State of California to establish a community drive-thru testing site. He is chairman of the board for Goodwill Southern Los Angeles County and a Board of Governors member with the Long Beach City College Foundation. Guillamas is the executive sponsor for the Dignity Health-CSULB partnership, as well as a frequent panelist at events covering health care careers. He has mentored many advanced practice nurses and health care leaders.
Thomas Baker ‘12
Canada Research Chair in Quantum Computing for Modelling of Molecules and Materials
University of Victoria
M.S. Physics
Thomas is an innovator in quantum computing, leveraging his expertise to advance research in quantum chemistry and machine learning. While completing his master’s degree, Thomas published nine papers, including a seminal work that solved a centuries-old problem in classical mechanics. Baker has published some of the first papers that model qubit networks for quantum computers. His research has led to great impacts in quantum computing, particularly on how to model quantum chemistry systems, and to be awarded a Canada Research Chair.
TeNita R Ballard ‘06
Executive Consultant
FUSE
B.A. Psychology
Ballard is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, shaping the understanding and implementation of DEI practices to the next generation. Through her initiatives, she prepares future leaders to navigate the complexities of diverse organizations. An adjunct professor at USC, Ballard is highly engaged in her community, dedicating much of her time to mentorship, empowering women, advisory roles and speaking engagements.
Jason Barquero ‘09
Director, Alumni Relations and Development, Cerritos College
Public Address Announcer, South Bay Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, Inc.
M.A., K.P.E. Sport Management
Barquero has 18 years of experience as an advocate and advisor for college students through various roles in higher education. He is also deeply committed to community service. As a board member of the Downey - Los Amigos Kiwanis Club and former board member of the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities, Barquero has championed initiatives to support students and enhance educational opportunities, establishing a new scholarship for Downey Unified School District High School students committing to attend Cerritos College. Barquero also enjoys a career in sports as public announcer of the South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.
George Bartlett ‘23
Court Services Assistant IIII
Los Angeles Superior Court
B.A. Film and Electronic Media
Bartlett is a multimedia creative professional based in Long Beach. With experience in visual storytelling, Bartlett has worked as a director, writer and host across a spectrum of media platforms.
William Beverley '08
Co-Founder, Co-CEO and CTO
Evolectric
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Beverley is co-CEO and co-founder of Evolectric, a startup company based in California whose mission is to reduce barriers in the transition to zero-emission transportation. He contributes to the College of Engineering with on-site teaching, demonstrations and internships focused on helping the world become greener.
Gina Betancourt-Calderone ‘98
Physical Therapist
Centripetal Force Studio
B.S., K.P.E. Exercise Science
Calderone has developed her professional practice of healing the emotional and intergenerational root of chronic pain and disease in hundreds of children, adults and families. In 2010, she established The Empowered Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on researching innovative methods of physical therapy to heal trauma. She spent years developing and implementing PROJECTbraincore in three Long Beach elementary schools and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach to teach children who’ve experienced trauma to process and manage their stress and anxiety.
Anne Cawley ‘08, ‘11
Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
Cal Poly Pomona
B.S. Mathematics, M.S. Math Education
Dr. Cawley’s research in Mathematics Education relates to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Her work investigates classroom experiences of historically underrepresented and minoritized students, math instruction in the first two years of college, and professional development for mathematics faculty towards equity-minded teaching practices. She is also a faculty liaison to the Bronco Dreamer's Resource Center, and a trained ally to the Pride Center and Veteran's Resource Center.
Frank Cirioni ‘21
Dean of Student Development
Germanna Community College
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Cirioni led a successful grant application that resulted in $1 million for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School federal grant program and $100,000 for the College Attainment for Parent Students grant. He has expanded student work-based learning opportunities through paid internships and job placements, redesigned dual enrollment and high school programs, and created new course offerings. Cirioni is also a restorative justice trainer and scholar-practitioner with the University of San Diego’s Center for Restorative Justice’s national network.
Luis Alfredo Cornejo ‘15
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist/ Certified Sex Therapist
PsychoSocial Therapy
Model
M.S. Counseling-Marriage Family Therapy
Cornejo is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others through his professional career as a licensed marriage & family therapist and certified sex therapist at PsychoSocial Therapy, which he co-founded and which specializes in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC mental health. He is also the founder of PsychoSocial Media, a mental health platform providing mental health articles and resources. In addition to his clinical work, he is a model in the fashion industry and recently launched Queer Magic Entertainment LLC to continue his work in the entertainment industry through his podcast, Queer Magic.
Lance Cotton ’16
Deputy District Attorney
Orange County District Attorney’s Office
B.S. Criminal Justice
As a student at Chapman University's Dale E. Fowler School of Law, Cotton co-founded the Black Law Student Association and later earned a highly competitive fellowship with the Orange County District Attorney's Office, only one of 10 selected. A strong advocate for victims, he offers mentorship to students interested in criminal law and serves on the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association Foundation to promote diversity and inclusion within the legal community of Orange County. He is a registered mentor for the Beach Nexus Spring Mentorship Program.
Christopher Dietz '21
Clinical Research Associate
Abbvie
B.S. Microbiology
Keira Dooley ‘03
Founder/CEO
Dooley Design Group LLC
M.F.A. Art
Dooley founded Dooley Design Group with a focus on web design and marketing services in 2011. Throughout the pandemic, her agency experienced tremendous growth due to their niche in design for mental health and learning differences. In October, Dooley will join a discussion panel at the Mid-America Print Conference to discuss her garage-to-studio transformation in preparation for her new printmaking studio.
Dr. Nataly Fahim ‘03
Optometrist
Western University of Health Sciences
B.A. Chemistry
Dr. Fahim is a respected optometrist and educator with a Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. After a primary care residency at Southern College of Optometry, Dr. Fahim joined a private practice before moving to Western University College of Optometry (WUCO). At WUCO, Dr. Fahim serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education, teaching and supervising students. In 2012, they were recognized as "Best Lab Instructor." Dr. Fahim is active in community eye care and is affiliated with the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and the American Academy of Optometry.
Mark Halushka ‘99
Regional Human Resources Manager
Mistras Group
B.S. Human Resources
Halushka has spearheaded initiatives professionally to support the development, networking and knowledge sharing among HR practitioners. He is working toward a master’s degree in human resources management from National University in San Diego and is enrolled in the Leadership Long Beach Institute program. Halushka also serves as an advisory council member at the Los Angeles Unified School District, Board District 7 and advisory board member for the College of Business HR Management Program at The Beach.
Noah Haytin '03
Creative Arts Instructor/ Freelance Artist
Braille Institute of America
M.A. Art Illustration
Since earning his MA, Haytin has committed to using his degree to enrich the community through engagement with the arts and art education. He has taught middle and high school students in Morocco, Los Angeles high schoolers and community college students, and most recently, adults with special needs at the Braille Institute. Haytin co-created a free online course for older blind students. He received a Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence and Rookie of the Year during his first-year teaching at Hawkins High School.
Gillian Heaton '98
Vice President, Human Resources
Comcast
B.A. Sociology
Heaton has worked for two Fortune 500 companies and a nonprofit human resources company, prioritizing community, board service and food bank volunteering at each organization where she’d worked. After having children, she decided to pursue her master’s degree in human resources. She took her Beach pride all the way to Colorado, where she serves as a board member of the local school district and is the chair of the school accountability committee at one of the local schools.
Dennis Hum ‘06
Vice President, Community Relations & Business Development
JPMorgan Chase
B.S. Management, Operations Management
Hum is an accomplished banking professional with extensive experience in leadership, community outreach, and strategic business development. As Vice President and Community Manager at JPMorgan Chase & Co., he develops key relationships with local leaders and stakeholders. Hum has held leadership roles at Union Bank and Wachovia Bank, earning repeated Top Manager National Awards. He excels in sales, marketing, financial services, and operational management. He is also involved in his community as a board member of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and various local organizations.
Steven Kerns ‘16
Deputy Attorney General California Department of Justice (Land Use and Conservation Section)
Graduate Lecturer, CSULB
B.S. Environmental Science and Policy
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Kerns served in Afghanistan and became a paratrooper when he joined the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. After graduating from CSULB, he worked at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and later was admitted to Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 2020. Kerns is motivated by environmental law and its intersection with national security.
Joshua Lebarre ‘12, ‘15
Director of Operations
Fralock, LLC
B.S. Management, Operations Management; MBA
Overseeing a team of more than 140 people, Lebarre leads his staff at Fralock, a provider of engineered specialty component solutions, to also become mentors for other sites. Prior to this role, he worked in Atlanta in the renewable energy industry, growing the operations exponentially. While living in Georgia, Lebarre volunteered as assistant coach of a youth wrestling program. Today, he is back in California and an active member of the CSULB Mentor program, dedicating time and support to "the next generation of leaders coming from CSULB.”
Nadia Link-Gonzalez ‘13
Legal Counsel
Volcom LLC / Liberated Brands
B.S. Community Health Education
Link-Gonzalez is a trailblazing leader with a history of achievements in soccer, law, and business. As a former Captain of the Long Beach State Women’s Soccer Team, she guided her team to the NCAA Elite 8 and earned accolades such as two-time All American and Big West Conference MVP. She became the youngest inductee and first soccer player in the Long Beach State Hall of Fame. After majoring in pre-nursing/health science, she pursued law school and became an attorney. She advocated for marginalized communities at the Eldr Law and Disability Rights Center. Currently, Link-Gonzalez serves as in-house Legal Counsel for sports and apparel company Volcom, LLC, playing a key role in the acquisition of major brands and managing athlete agreements for prominent names in the surf and snow industries. She remains committed to supporting Beach athletics and mentoring young athletes, making a lasting impact on her community and field.
Donny LoPiccolo ‘11
Vice President
Canterbury Consulting Inc.
B.S. Finance
LoPiccolo assists clients with investment strategy, asset allocation and risk management. Prior to his current role, he was an investment analyst supporting institutional and private wealth clients with investment implementation and performance reporting. LoPiccolo serves on the CSULB 49er Foundation and volunteers in the College of Business’ BIG program.
Nancy Luong ‘09
Digital Program Manager, Marketing Cloud
Salesforce
B.S. Marketing
When she’s not at her day job shaping digital customer experiences, Luong spends her time at The Beach, leading workshops to help students prepare for “the real world of business, jobs and entrepreneurial endeavors.” She has been a speaker at events for the American Marketing Association, the Society of Women in Business, Long Beach State for Student Center for Professional Development and more. Luong serves on multiple boards, including Leadership Long Beach and CSULB’s Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership, where she was selected as the Leader in Residence in 2023.
Nick MacRae ‘12
Associate Head Coach, Men's Volleyball
Long Beach State Athletics
B.S. Finance
MacRae has worked at The Beach for 12 years, the last four as associate head coach. He’s been to six of the last seven NCAA Men’s Volleyball Final Four for the Long Beach State team. When he’s not working with the team or mentoring student-athletes, he represents Long Beach as head coach for the USA National Team Develop Program, which supports male high school volleyball student-athletes as they prepare to be future Olympians. MacRae also runs community volleyball camps and clinics for Long Beach youth.
Cynthia Magana ‘16
Family Resource Director, Early Learning Readiness
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
M.S.W.
Magana’s inaugural role overseeing the Early Learning Readiness program at two Los Angeles-area YMCAs prioritizes family programming, particularly for parents or caregivers and their children ages 0-5. Her work has led to free learn-through-play sessions to families in underserved communities and resources such as child developmental screenings. Magana is also a hospice social worker at Compassionate Care Hospice, providing support and resources to patients and their families. When she’s not working, Magana contributes as a guest speaker at CSULB, sharing her experiences in social work.
Timothy Ivan Mahoney ‘13
Software Manager
Apple
B.S. Computer Science
Mahoney is a senior software engineer at Apple, specializing in the iCloud team. Despite initially rebelling against following his father Mike Mahoney's footsteps in computer science, Tim eventually found his passion in the field and graduated from Cal State Long Beach, where his father had been a professor and dean. Mahoney’s early interest in computers began with playing and programming games as a child. He later landed a job at Apple, where he contributed to rebuilding the iPhone Notes app. His time at The Beach fostered a strong connection with the school and a commitment to promoting diversity in engineering and computer science, supporting initiatives like the Women in Engineering Conference.
Austin Metoyer ‘11
President & CEO
Downtown Long Beach Alliance
B.S. International Business
Metoyer is recognized for his exceptional leadership as the President and CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA). As the first new CEO in 25 years, he has revitalized Downtown Long Beach, enhancing economic vitality and fostering a strong sense of community through events like Beach Streets, the New Year Fireworks show, and Date Nights for residents. Metoyer's impact on Downtown Long Beach's vibrancy and growth makes him a standout leader. Additionally, Metoyer served on the CSULB Alumni Association Board of Directors from July 2016 to January 2020, demonstrating his ongoing support for his alma mater.
Gabe Middleton ‘10
Co-Founder and CEO
Human I-T
B.A. Psychology
Middleton, CEO of Human-I-T, is a leader in digital inclusion, providing over 400,000 devices to underserved communities and reducing 15 million pounds of e-waste. His efforts have earned him awards such as the Coors Lite Lideres Award, the HALO Award, and an eBay SHINE Award. Middleton’s partnership with CSULB fosters positive change, with over 56,000 pounds of electronic waste donated, resulting in the distribution of 569 devices and 2,371 internet connections. This collaboration showcases his commitment to community impact and meaningful partnerships.
Aaron Moore ‘02, ‘08
Executive Director, Advancement
California State University Office of the Chancellor
B.A. Interpersonal Communications, M.P.A.
Moore is executive director of advancement at the CSU Office of the Chancellor and chief financial officer for the CSU Foundation providing oversight in managing investments, financial reporting, and nonprofit compliance. He also serves as the executive director of the CSU Alumni Council which represents the 23 CSU campus alumni associations and the CSU's 4.2 million global alumni. He previously worked for local nonprofits and CSU Long Beach before joining the CSU Chancellor's Office in 2010. Moore grew up in the Central Valley of California and he and his husband live in Long Beach.
Mike Muñoz ‘04 ‘05 ‘10
Superintendent - President
Long Beach City College
M.S. School Counseling, School Counseling Credential, Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Dr. Muñoz is an expert in closing equity gaps for students of color, creating inclusive campus cultures for LGBTQIA+ students, and leading transformational change at Long Beach City College. He has taught graduate-level courses at CSULB and other institutions. He serves as an adjunct professor of higher education at USC Rossier’s School of Education, where he received the Outstanding Faculty Member in 2019 from its student organization. At CSULB he received the 2018 Dr. Cynthia S. Johnson Award for exceptional student mentoring. Dr. Muñoz is a frequent speaker on campus and is involved with various CSULB programs.
Leo Petrossian, Ph.D. '04
Chief Executive Officer
Neurolutions, Inc.
B.S. Electrical Engineering
Stephen Price ‘05
Chief Development Officer and Co-Founder
Lazy Dog Restaurants
B.S. Finance
Price helped launch and grow Lazy Dog Restaurants into a national restaurant chain. He began as the company’s chief financial officer and now serves as its chief development officer overseeing the company’s national expansion. He and his wife Sidney also co-own Noble Bird Rotisserie in Long Beach, which focuses on serving food free from common allergens. For the last decade, Price has served on the Hospitality Management advisory board. He also serves on the College of Health and Human Services’ Beach Culinary & Wine Excellence Series committee.
Jennifer Prudhome Booker ‘09
Senior Marketing Manager
AutoZone, Inc.
B.A. Fashion Merchandising and Design
As a trailblazer in digital marketing and e-commerce, Prudhome Booker not only advanced AutoZone’s online presence, but set new standards in the industry with her innovative strategies. Prudhome Booker has given a TedX talk and been recognized by Forbes for her insights on marketing in a digital world. She remains active with the Whitney High School Black Alumni Association as well as Leadership Tennessee, Black Girls Code and the Urban Arts Commission.
Maria Rangel-Hernandez ‘18
Head School Counselor
AVUHSD Antelope Valley Union High School District
Ed.D. Education
The first Latina head counselor at AVUHSD, Rangel-Hernandez oversees a team of 10 and serves on her union’s bargaining team. She volunteers as a mentor to those pursuing a doctorate of education at The Beach. She has worked as a school counselor for 18 years, three of those as head counselor. She served two years on her union’s state counsel of representatives and appointed first contact for its race and equity committee.
Karla Sanchez ‘13
Senior Engineering Technician
San Diego County Water Authority
B.S. Civil Engineering
In her role with the water authority, Sanchez oversees quality control and quality assurance for the agency that serves 3.3 million residents. Sanchez also is chapter president of the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals and is active with the National Society of Black Engineers. She uses her position to inspire and encourage other women to pursue careers in STEM.
Christina Sao ‘07
Finance Manager
DIRECTV
B.S. Finance
As finance manager, Sao oversees content cash forecasts of more than $1 billion per month and ensures the accuracy of content reporting and payments in accordance with various license agreements. She has a proven track record of creating innovative processes to create value and support the demands of unprecedented license agreements. In 2019 Sao served as committee chair for AT&T’s Women of Finance, an employee resource group. She remains connected to her alma through the CSULB Alumni Association and is returning to The Beach to pursue her MBA.
Mary Sramek ‘20
Director
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSULB
M.P.A.
Sramek is a graduate of both the Alpert New Leaders Forum and the Long Beach Neighborhood Leadership program. She launched Every Lunch Matters Long Beach in 2018, a nonprofit collaboration that provided more than 3,000 meals for hungry students before state legislation no longer made it necessary. She serves on the board of directors for the Long Beach Community Action Partnership and the Estate Planning & Trust Council of Long Beach. As director of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, Sramek supports on-campus programs and hosts outdoor learning laboratories for CSULB professors.
Christie Stapleton ‘19
Manager of Digital/Multi-Platform Technical Production
NFL Media
F.E.A. Film & Electronic Media
Leveraging her production expertise cultivated through the CSULB Film program, Stapleton has helped elevate NFL’s digital presence. She earned a Sports Emmy Nomination in 2021 and two SportsPro OTT Summit Awards nominations in 2023. She is committed to supporting Inglewood High School and working with the NFL initiative Sports Content Lab, which gives socioeconomically challenged students the opportunity to engage in different aspects of production work. Stapleton regularly promotes CSULB to students at Inglewood High School and recruits fellow alumni.
Kevin Stroh '02
Founder/CEO
The Stroh Group
B.A. Speech Communications
Stroh overcame early challenges and eventually rose to become a Vice President of Sales. He later transitioned into entrepreneurship, transforming a side e-commerce/dropshipping venture into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. At age 42, he semi-retired from the corporate world. Today, alongside his wife, Heidi, he mentors and coaches business owners nationwide, sharing his wealth of experience and empowering others to achieve their entrepreneurial goals. Stroh’s journey underscores the power of resilience and strategic vision.
Dr. Simon Sum '08
Director of Scientific Affairs
Herbalife
M.S. Nutrition Science
After graduating from The Beach, Dr. Sum became a registered dietitian and a certified personal trainer, and received his PhD from Rutgers University. He is now director-at-large of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and the company representative for the Sustaining Partners for the American Society for Nutrition. He is also a nutrition program host for a Cantonese radio station in Los Angeles and has taught a course at CSULB. Dr. Sum facilitates Beach student visits to Herbalife and shares his experiences and professional advice with them.
Marci Tasche ‘16
CEO of Fifth Pocket
CFO of Bigger Dot
CFO of Drive Savant Media Group
B.S. Accountancy
A successful entrepreneur, Tasche manages the finances of several businesses and is a co-founding board member of DSF Werks, which provides workplace experience and mentorship for emancipated and underserved youth. She enjoys empowering teams and extending work opportunities to the next generation of accounting students at her CPA firm “to help them understand the value of their time and the potential earnings of continuing in the field of accounting.” In 2019 Tasche helped launch A Friend of Bill W. Scholarship for Beach students in recovery, and often connects with students about shared experiences and her own story of triumph.
Kaila Vento, PhD ‘17
Naval Aerospace Experimental Psychologist
Dept. of Head of Brain and Cognitive Science
Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton
M.S. Kinesiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology
Lt. Vento obtained a PhD in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences from Arizona State University. She was commissioned as a Naval Lieutenant and completed Officer Development, received her wings as a naval aerospace experimental psychologist, and did ongoing training as an Aviation Safety Officer. A mentor at her military station and with Women in Aviation International, she has 21 published research articles and secured over $600,000 in research funding. She returned to campus to speak at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology's 2019 West Regional Conference.
Blas Villalobos, PhD ‘09
Chief Executive Officer
Centerstone Military Services
B.A. Psychology
A U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, Dr. Villalobos holds a PhD in social work from USC. He was recruited to manage Mayor Gil Garcetti’s Office of Veterans Affairs and implemented the 10,000 Strong Initiative and established the first Veterans Resource Center at Chapman University. As CEO of Centerstone Military Services, Villalobos manages a network of over 1,500 clinicians and leads the organization’s delivery of mental health and substance use disorder services to veterans, active-duty personnel and military families. He serves as a member of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and is a Calbright Trustee.
Claire Waggoner ‘06 ‘11
Sustainable Water Plans and Policies, Environmental Program Manager
California State Water Resources Control Board
B.S. Marine Biology, M.S. Biology
Waggoner’s career has centered around developing statewide plans, policies and programs to equitably promote water resiliency and protect water quality and the environment. During her tenure with the California State Water Resources Control Board, she developed the world’s first seawater desalination regulations, which in 2015 were unanimously adopted by the State Water Board. Waggoner was selected to work on the Water Boards’ Racial Equity Working Group and co-authored a resolution against racism, xenophobia, bigotry and racial injustice. She stays connected to The Beach as a speaker, mentor and diver supporting research projects. She also hosts Sea Grant Fellows, mentoring CSULB alumni early in their careers.
Desiree Wroten ‘11
District Director, Congressman
Mark Takano, U.S. House of Representatives
B.A. Communication Studies
Wroten has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to public service with Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39). Starting as an intern, Wroten now serves as District Director, coordinating community events and advocating for constituents on issues such as Veteran Affairs, Social Security, and immigration services. She played a key role in renaming a U.S. Post Office in Riverside after Woodie Rucker-Hughes, a mentor and hometown leader. Returning to California, Wroten stays connected to CSULB through speaking engagements and volunteering. She shares her journey in public service and provides advice to students, encouraging them to pursue their goals. Wroten also supports CSULB sports, especially the Dirtbags baseball team, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for new and veteran 49ers.
