Alumni Association

Alumni Leadership Council Biographies

Charity Azadian

Charity Azadian is a professor, diplomat, and author. She served as the first special assistant on International Affairs for the Science and Technology Directorate at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and soon thereafter served as a senior advisor on Nuclear Nonproliferation matters at the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the administrations of President George W. Bush. In that role, Azadian served as a confidant to senior administration officials and scientists on a variety of homeland and national security issues. She went on to write the 2006 California State Strategy on Homeland Security, which secured grant funding for the state, while working on port security matters in the Governor's Office of Homeland Security in California. She is currently an adjunct professor at the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism. Azadian enjoys writing daily posts on her blog, as well as crafting a book on her adventures in homeland security following the events of September 11.

Lorraine Brinton

 

 

Lorraine received her bachelors in psychology from George Pepperdine College. Lorraine married Dr. James A. Brinton in 1960 and they have two lovely children together: daughter, Karen is 46 and son, Greg is 43. She was a computer programmer for 3 years before becoming a full-time mother.

While living in Orange County for 34 years: she taught Sunday School; Pre-school Board Chairman; volunteer art lecturer in grade schools; Room Mother; Boys’ soccer coach; Girls’ softball manager; charter member & president Town & Country Philharmonic Chapter; Women’s Board of O.C. Philharmonic Society; Children’s Home Society; Salvation Army Auxiliary; Alla Gitana Auxiliary to O.C. Performing Arts Centre; Assistance League of Tustin; Orange County Waves – Community Service Chairman; Alumni Board of Pepperdine University – 5 years, 2 as President; Member Trinity United Presbyterian Church.

They moved to Palm Desert – member of Southwest Community Church and small group Bible study; member Desert Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma and read at an elementary school as part of our Reading Is Fundamental program; founding trustee for Olive Crest Homes & Services for Abused & At Risk Children the past 9 years. Just completed 4 residential homes in Coachella to house 24 students; W.I.P. Women in Philanthropy Board at College of the Desert (encourages further education at grade school level). Lifetime member Zeta Kappa Alumnae Association from GPC (twice president. Only active sorority alumnae association from the old campus). They continue to give scholarship money and money to things such as the Barney Bench and Chris Sangster Fund.

Randy Clark

Randy Clark is CEO of Fruit Patch, Inc., a produce company owned by a NASDAQ equity firm. He also currently teaches at Wilberforce University in Ohio. While teaching, he acts as a consultant for an Internet Company. In this capacity, he is leading them into potential options and introducing them to capital resource individuals. He is also involved in negotiating the purchase of multiple companies (if the strategy is adopted) and selling them to larger firms.

As Board Member/Project Manager of Athletes in Action from 2003 to 2006, he managed capital improvements and building of athletic fields for this non-profit organization.

From 1999-2003, Clark was a Professor of accounting and marketing in the undergraduate and graduate programs at Masters College in Santa Clarita, CA. While teaching, he started and coached a top 20 softball program.

Clark started a $46 million company, Golden Valley Produce, and served as President, CEO, and Board Member from 1996 to 1999. He negotiated the licensing of the Green Giant label for a 25 year period with Pillsbury. Clark also played a part in the design and building of the 200,000 square foot, state-of-the-art processing plant and later negotiated the sale of the company to a competitor.

While at Mike Yurosek & Son, LLC from 1994 to 1996, Clark served as President, CEO, and Board Member of the company. Under his leadership, the company went from losing $10 million in one year to making a profit of $15 million annually. He established procedures for quality output and created a desire for excellence in the leadership of the company.

Mr. Clark received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 from Cedarville College, a Master of Science degree in accounting in 1977 from Kent State University (CPA 1978) and a Doctorate in Organization Leadership from Pepperdine University in 2005. He is also a GSEP Board of Visitors member.

Robert Clark

Robert Clark joined CH2M HILL Managed Service group in 2006 in business development as Enterprise IT Consultant. His role is to consult with C-level executives in mid-size companies, and provide IT managed services that help companies align their strategic initiatives with their IT portfolios.  Clark has over 35 years of executive management experience in large high technology companies, such as Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics, Raytheon, ADIC and Plasmon.  He also has a track record in launching and successfully implementing exit strategies for software startup companies.

Clark considers community service as an important part of his life vocation. He currently volunteers and serves on several boards; Colorado Mid-Market Venture Center, Pepperdine University Alumni Chapter Board, and Pepperdine University Parent’s Council.

Clark holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from California State University at Long Beach, and an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.  He has both National and California Board Certifications as a medical technologist.  He currently resides in Castle Rock, Colorado with his wife and two sons.  One his sons is currently enrolled in Seaver College and the other graduated in 2008.

Susan Giboney

Susan Giboney received her bachelors degree from Pepperdine College and her masters degree from California State University, Long Beach. After teaching school in Los Angeles, she and her husband, Terry ('61) went to Japan to serve as missionaries and to teach at Ibaraki Christian College. Their oldest daughter was born while they were in Japan.

Upon returning to the states, they had another daughter and a son. Later she taught at Pacific Christian College and is a recently retired professor in education at Pepperdine University, where she was selected for the Teaching Excellence Award. She is a Certified Family Life Educator, teacher of premarital and parenting classes, and a frequent speaker for seminars and retreats. Susan is also a writer for devotional magazines and has written study guides for premarital couples and for caregivers. She serves on the boards of the Center for the Family, Associated Women for Pepperdine, and the Alumni Leadership Council and is an active member of the University Church.

Susan's family is her priority and joy. Her oldest daughter, Carried ('88), is married to Andy Wall ('85), the minister at the Conejo Valley Church of Christ. Carries is a professor at Pepperdine University. They have three daughters, Jenna, Jessica, and Michaela. Susan's second daughter, Peggy ('90), is married to Greg Grande ('87), a business banking president. Peggy was the personal aide for President Ronald Reagan and continues to work for the Library. Peggy and Greg have a son, Taylor, and three daughters Courtney, Paige, and Jocelyn. Susan's son, Paul ('92), is a graduate of Northwestern Medical School in Chicago. He and his wife, Puala, have three daughters, Amy, Anna, and Ashley. Paul is a physician for a clinic in South Central LA and on the staff of USC medical school. Susan's husband was in public education most of his career serving from teacher to superintendent and became an administrator at Pepperdine University. He served as an elder at church for many years. Terry died of cancer in December, 1996, and Susan carries on much of the teaching and counseling they did as a team.

Christine Grimm

In 1997, Christine Grimm founded Aria Consulting International, Inc., with the goal of providing highly effective consulting, facilitation services, and customized management training to organizations-in both the public and private sector--- experiencing growth and change.

Christine is a practice leader in the alignment of executive teams and diverse, cross cultural work groups. She brings a broad range of business operations and organizational development experience to client engagements. She aims to help leaders develop a clear path for the organization, align as a team, and develop strategy, structures and processes that will help them exceed their strategic expectations and goals.

Her interactive, high-energy approach pushes groups to achieve their objectives, while participants acquire new skills and behaviors that are immediately applicable in both their personal and professional lives.

Christine works internationally with such companies as:
The Motion Picture Association, Witco Vinyl Additives Group GmbH (Germany), Carlson Wagon-lit Travel, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (US and Asia), Ticketmaster, CitySearch.com, Disney Interactive, Apex/Curative Health Care, DTS (Digital Theater Systems, Inc.), Pepperdine University, and Rockwell Automation.

Christine is the co-author of Training, Teaching, Transforming (Piccadilly Press, 2005) a text being applied in both corporate train-the-trainer and graduate level teacher education programs.

She is a member of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) and The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Christine has earned her professional certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She is a master trainer of team effectiveness and in 2006 was certified as a trainer of the DiSC® Dimensions of Behavior Model by Inscape Publishing, the leading publisher of behavior and personal effectiveness tools.

Christine received her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University, in Social Science and Education, where she also earned a Secondary Teaching Credential for the State of California.

Cynthia Guerrero

Cynthia Guerrero currently serves as the Director of California Politics for TechNet, a leading bipartisan political network of CEOs that promotes the growth of innovation economy by building long-term relationships between technology leaders and policymakers both on state and federal levels.

Prior to joining TechNet, Cynthia worked in the area of politics and policy providing her clients with fundraising, compliance, and political strategy services for California state legislators/public officials, members of Congress and the U.S. Senate.  In Washington, D.C., she managed the grassroots, PAC and political affairs operations for an international medical association focused on tort reform lobbying.  Prior to moving to Washington, Cynthia worked at the Rand Corporation and consulted for the United Nations Association of the USA, the largest NGO affiliated with the UN.  During her master program at Pepperdine School of Public Policy, she assisted Joel Kotkin with research for his recently published work,  The City: A Global History and interned at the United Nations Information Center in Washington, D.C., the public affairs arm of the UN.

Ms Guerrero has also worked in the investment securities industry for top firms such as Credit Suisse First Boston – Technology Group, Barclays Global Investors, and Merrill Lynch.

Eric Hagen

Prior to joining McDermott, Eric was a partner with an international law firm, where he counseled and represented Fortune 500 clients and emerging growth companies in complex commercial cases involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, false advertising claims, antitrust and unfair competition issues, and related matters. Eric has successfully represented a diverse range of clients in the television, internet, marketing, life sciences, semiconductor, financial services, sports and entertainment industries. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for JibJab Media Inc. Eric has been recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a “partner with a proven track record in trade secrets” and as a leading lawyer recommended by clients in the field of trade secret litigation. He also serves on the Trade Secret Law Committee of the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Eric serves on the firm’s pro bono committee and is actively engaged in pro bono efforts, including guardianship and adoption cases for The Alliance for Children’s Rights. He was recently selected as a recipient of the Firm's 2008 Awards for Outstanding Achievement and Commitment to Pro Bono and Service to the Community. He is also a founding board member of The Serpentine Project, a nonprofit charitable organization that assists foster care youths transition out of the system and into adulthood.

Eric earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Pepperdine University, his master's degree from Dartmouth College and his J.D. (magna cum laude) from Pepperdine University School of Law where he was the note and comment editor for the Pepperdine Law Review. He served as a law clerk for Judge Robert D. Potter of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Seth Haye

Seth Haye is Vice President of Wealth Management and joined the Garapedian & Haye Group at Smith Barney in 2004.  His background is in fundraising and national marketing.

Seth finds fulfillment in developing deep relationships with clients through helping them meet their financial and life planning goals.

Prior to joining Smith Barney, Seth served as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Pepperdine University.  Seth is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a degree in Organizational Communication.

Along with his partner Barry Garapedian, Seth manages several hundred million dollars and serves as the primary contact for the comprehensive wealth management needs of his clients.

Seth has earned the highest national honor for first five-year advisors at Smith Barney, the Blue Chip Council Award, in each of his years serving as a wealth manager.  Seth also received the national “Book Award,” an honor given to the top advisor in each national training class, as voted upon by their colleagues across the country.

Seth has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jolyn, for more than six years.  The couple met in Seattle and both attended Pepperdine University.  They were engaged while spending an academic year in Florence Italy and now live with their dog Baxter in Calabasas, California.

Seth and his wife Jolyn are active members of their community. Seth is involved with multiple boards and organizations at Pepperdine and within the Malibu and Conejo Valley communities.  In his spare time, Seth enjoys a wide variety of athletic activities, including tennis, golf, weightlifting, surfing, swimming, skiing, and running.

Alonzo Hill

Alonzo Hill is a special agent assigned to the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. He is currently working in the Office of Public and Congressional Affairs, where he is responsible for interfacing with members of Congress and their staffers, as well as state and local government officials. Additionally, he handles many of the entertainment industry requests made to the Los Angeles Field Office. Hill, a native of Bakersfield, California, received his undergraduate degree in petroleum engineering from UC Berkeley. He also earned an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Robert Katch

Robert Katch is President of Manchester Financial, an Investment Counsel and Wealth Manager located in Westlake Village, CA. He founded Manchester Financial in 1990 while serving as Pepperdine University’s Associate Treasurer from 1989 to 1996. Robert was responsible for the University’s $250 million investment portfolio and corporate finance functions. Mr. Katch started his career with Arthur Young & Co., serving in both the International Taxation and Merger & Acquisition departments. From 1991 to 2003, Robert taught investment, accounting and finance courses for Pepperdine University’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Mr. Katch holds a BS in accounting and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University. He serves on Pepperdine’s Seaver College Board of Visitors and as Chairperson for Ventura County Community Foundation’s Investment Committee. Robert and his wife Loretta (Seaver ’85) were married in 1987 and have 4 pre-Pepperdine children. They attend Conejo Valley Church of Christ in Thousand Oaks.

 

 

Nancy Padberg

Ms. Padberg is the founder and president of website and talk show Best Boomer Towns and partner in Navigate Boomer Media. She is a former Fortune 500 Times Mirror executive, Integrated Marketing Communications Vice President and MBA graduate from the Graziadio School of Business & Management at Pepperdine University. Ms. Padberg was the 2009 Friends of George Graziadio School of Business Golf Tournament Chair, has been nominated for "Women to Watch" by the Los Angeles Business Journal and as an "Outstanding Alumna" at Iowa State University. She has 18 years of media and marketing expertise, served on several non-profit boards, is a guest speaker, and former Big 12 golfer. She resides in Santa Monica.

Darren Pitts

Darren is a Senior Vice President and Principal for Staubach Retail.  He is also a Principal in two of Staubach's affiliated development companies, Cypress Equities and Velocity Development Services.  Darren was formerly a Senior Vice President at CB Richard Ellis for 10 years, leading one of the firm's top retail tenant representation teams and was regularly in the firm's Top 20 ranking nationally.  Some of his current & former clients include Target, Wal-Mart, Lowe's Home Improvement, JCPenney, Mervyn's Department Stores, The Gap, Ross Dress for Less, JP Morgan Chase, CVS Pharmacy and others.  He has also recently partnered with former NFL all-star and "Dancing with the Stars" Champion Emmitt Smith on a 35-acre development project in the Phoenix market.

He is a 1993 graduate of Millikin University (Illinois) as a James Millikin Scholar with Magna Cum Laude honors and later completed his MBA with Magna Cum Laude honors in Finance in 1995 from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.  He and his wife Denise are the founders of The Halo Foundation (www.thehalofoundation.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Arizona families who have been impacted by the drowning or near-drowning of a child.

Darren and his wife are also actively involved in their church, The Camelback Church of Christ, and with an African Ministry called the Northrise University Initiative (www.northrise.org) in Zambia, Africa.  They have a 5-year old son Davis and 3-year old daughter Denae.  Darren & his family reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Jay Rubenstein

 

 

Jay graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. in 1977 with a Bachelor's Degree in business administration. He is a member of: Malibu Association of Realtors (MAR); California Association of Realtors (CAR); National Association of Realtors (NAR); Malibu Chamber of Commerce; Pepperdine University's Boone Center for the Family Advisory Board, the Waves Club Athletics Advisory Board and the Hall of Fame Committee.

Jay, as manager of Coldwell Banker’s Malibu West office, has earned the coveted NRT President's Council status 1997-2001 and 2003-2007. The office has earned Coldwell Banker's prestigious Premier Office award 1997-2008. The office was recognized 2003-2005 as Coldwell Banker's #1 office in the country for GCI (gross commission income) for an office with 36 to 50 agents.

Jay is married to the former Garianne Colson and they recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary. Jay and his wife Garianne married as a result of their time at Pepperdine and have two daughters who graduated from Pepperdine. Julie is a championship volleyball player and Rachel worked for Ken Canfield before relocating recently to Boulder, CO. The couple serves on the Boone Center for the Family Board and Jay actively supports athletics as an advisory board member. The Rubensteins frequently host receptions involving incoming students and parents and are currently both Athletics and Crest Associates. In addition to close ties with the Pepperdine community, Jay is also highly involved in the Malibu business community. Jay is especially interested in engaging alumni through athletics and increasing pride and support for all teams.

Brad Starkey

Brad Starkey is a partner in Jerry Johnson and Associates, a design firm specializing in marketing the products of entertainment-based Fortune 500 Companies. JJ&A's current client base includes Walt Disney Company, DreamWorks, Mattel Toys, Activision, Universal Pictures, Abercrombie and Fitch and Warner Brothers.

Prior to JJ&A, Brad was Marketing Manager for Ventura County National Bank, a small business bank headquartered in Oxnard. From 1988 to 1992, he was in charge of all marketing aspects, including promoting the bank, it’s subsidiaries and the complete line of products and services.

Brad is a graduate of Pepperdine University, Seaver College. He graduated in 1988 with a degree in advertising. Born in Akron, Ohio and raised in Orange County, he currently lives in Westlake Village with his wife, Patricia and their children, Brandon (13) and Lauren (11).

Dr. Robert L. Walker

Dr. Robert L. Walker earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and a doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in education from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Dr. Walker, who holds Texas A&M's James Aston university chair in Institutional Development, has served the last 29 years as vice president for Development of Texas A&M University and in January of 2008 he assumed the title of senior executive for development. He has held a variety of positions including executive director of Texas A&M University Development Foundation, associate executive director of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, and director of alumni and college relations at Pepperdine University. Dr. Walker is also a faculty member in the Texas A&M's College of Education.

Dr. Walker has served in a variety of professional, civic and church organizations, ranging from the Council for Support of Advancement of Education, the Board of Regents of Pepperdine University, President and Director of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of Rapha International, Fort Worth, Texas, Read Youth Charities, Magnolia, Texas, Advisory Board of Abilene Christian University, and Director on the Ed Rachal Foundation Board in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dr. Walker is recently widowed and resides in College Station, Texas, where he enjoys visits from his three children, all of whom are Texas A&M graduates, and eight grandchildren. Two grandchildren are attending class at Texas A&M; one is a member of the class of 2012 and the second one is a member of the class of 2014.