Executive Committee

Lisa Ross
Lisa RossChair, Executive Committee
Lisa Ross is a writer, communications strategist and photographer. Over 30 years, she has helped shape San Diego public policy through advocacy, political campaigning, and grass-roots organizing.

Recognized by the San Diego Press Club and Society for Professional Journalism, her op-ed’s, many focused on environmental planning, have appeared in the country’s most influential newspapers and on public radio.

Lisa has managed field operations, fundraising, communications and press relations for local and national campaigns. She was a strategist for some of San Diego’s most important land-use ballot measures which created habitat preserves while defining appropriate areas for clustered housing and commercial development in north city.

Lisa was a Carmel Valley Planning Board Member, Del Mar Mesa Planning Board Chair and is founding co-chair of POPs Protect Our Preserves San Diego. Along with serving on the Sierra Club San Diego Executive Committee, she is a member of San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action, La Jolla Art Association, and Friends of Del Mar Mesa.

Her fine art photography, shot in 115 countries across seven continents, is represented by Imaging The World Gallery Santa Fe and MK Envision Gallery Liberty Station, among others. “Melting Antarctica” was selected for the 2010 UN Environmental Yearbook (UNEP) on global warming.

Ron Askeland
Ron AskelandVice Chair, Executive Committee
I’m passionate about preserving our planet for future generations. I’ve been a Sierra Club member since 1984 and serve as Chair of our chapter’s Conservation and Zero Waste Subcommittee. I’m also a member of our State Conservation Committees. I’m a Coleader of SD-SEQUEL (San Diegans for Sustainable, Equitable, & Quiet Equipment in Landscaping) and a board member of the PQ-NE Action Group and the Rancho Peñasquitos Fire Safe Council.

I coauthor the Zeroing in on Zero Waste and SD-SEQUEL articles in the HiSierran. I love spending time outdoors and recently completed all 50 hikes in the NCG 50 Hike Challenge. During my 35 years of working at Hewlett Packard, I led multiple international R&D teams, including 4 years living in Barcelona. Having a PhD in Chemistry helps me understand the scientific aspects of environmental issues and gives me greater credibility when I provide public testimony at state and local meetings.

Ruben Arizmendi
Ruben ArizmendiSecretary, Executive Committee Member
My interests in the Sierra Club arise out my desire to see the world as environmentally strong and healthy, not only now but for generations to come. This is only going to happen when we all work in harmony to preserve the precious few environmental gems that seem to be sifting rapidly through our hands.

I am an attorney who has been in a civil practice, which includes business litigation, estate planning, bankruptcy and business set ups.

I am a member of the California State Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, California La Raza Lawyers Association (CLRLA), San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA), American Bar Association, and Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni Association (TJSLAA).

Rochelle Hancock
Rochelle HancockTreasurer, Executive Committee Member
Thirty-plus years ago, I learned about the Sierra Club, and knew I wanted to be part of this organization. I’ve been a member for half my life, and I served as the Treasurer of the San Diego Chapter for two years. As a child, I learned to love nature spending summers at our cabin in the Colorado mountains. As an adult, I have come to realize that this special world should not be taken for granted. Our planet needs our appreciation, our respect and most of all, our protection from those who would harm and exploit its incredible resources.

The Sierra Club is a powerful force and voice in the world. It’s size, resources and organizational abilities enable it to address environmental issues on every level, from local to national. I can think of no other organization I would rather be involved in.

My professional background is in finance, specifically banking and research grant administration for the University of California and San Diego State University. I live in Ramona with my husband, two horses, four goats, two dogs, two cats, and a turtle.

Sally Prendergast
Sally PrendergastExecutive Committee Member, North County Coastal Group Representative
Background – Strategic Marketing/Management. Current Chair of North County Coastal Group.

I have been a member of the Sierra club since 1997 but really became active in the North County Coastal Group, when I volunteered for the interim Planning Committee. I feel deeply connected to our beautiful environment and I am passionate about its preservation. In particular, I am concerned with issues relating to climate change, preserving open spaces and conservation. Now more than ever I believe it is critical that the Chapter stays focused on the goal of building a vibrant and active membership dedicated to preserving our beautiful region and connecting people to the outdoors.

Pam Heatherington
Pam HeatheringtonExecutive Committee Member, North County Group Representative
I was raised in San Diego when Mission Bay looked more like Morro Bay. After graduating with a degree in philosophy from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo CA. I put my degree to work in connecting the health of the environment to the health of people. My career in medical administration spanned 25 years.

Throughout my life I have volunteered time and commitment to various environmental and health related organizations. Having served on the San Luis Obispo County Health Commission for over a decade I received recognition from the County Board of Supervisors for my environmental and health related efforts. Through my service on the Commission I served on the SLO County Domestic Violence Task Force and the Commission’s Pesticide Use Task Force.

My husband John and I are 30-year members of the Sierra Club. My volunteer energy was directed towards chairing the Santa Lucia Chapter Conservation Committee and as a member of the National Toxics Committee. In addition, I served as treasurer for the San Luis Bay Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, as a commissioner on the Atascadero Planning Commission, a founding partner of the Marine Interest Group out of Morro Bay CA, and as a founding member of the Organization for Regional Coastal Activist (ORCA) among other activities.
The experience has left me wanting to do more to bring environmental awareness and passion for preserving our planet.

Alan Geraci
Alan GeraciExecutive Committee Member
My journey with the Sierra Club began in college at SUNY Albany (New York). Someone at my campus union hall had a Sierra Club table. He pitched the political and hiking subsets of the Club and I was sold. I became a member and began participating in events and hikes. Jump forward 40 years to my adult life in San Diego. Climate change in my community became the new motivation for me to again get involved. For too long my city and county have been run by developers and I fought for reform. I knew, once again, in order to deliver healthy, safe, affordable neighborhoods for my community, I had to be involved.

As a public interest attorney and political candidate, I dedicated my professional life to fighting for environmental betterment:

• To address the growing need for affordable housing,
• To reduce traffic on our streets,
• To protect clean air/water and open spaces with an updated Climate Action Plan,

I am a former San Diego Deputy City Attorney, I fought developers to protect preserved open space, to establish new open preserves, and fought for clean air and water for the residents of the city of San Diego.

Most important of all, as an Executive Board Member, I listen to your concerns and I will continue to voice the interests of our Club at public meetings and to ensure our local government addresses the needs of all our neighborhoods.

Susan Baldwin
Susan BaldwinExecutive Committee Member
I am a long time member of the club and have been an active member of the Conservation Committee since 2020. I have a B.A. in American Studies (1975) from the University of Colorado, Boulder and did graduate work in City Planning at San Diego State University.

I believe my 40 years of professional experience as a city/regional planner (City of Boulder, City of La Mesa, City of San Diego, and the San Diego Association of Governments) and five years of advocacy since my retirement will make me an effective Executive Committee member and provide the Chapter an important perspective on many environmental and planning issues facing the San Diego region.

I have a deep commitment to both environmental and social justice issues as evidenced by my career as a planner and my volunteer activities in support of affordable housing and fighting sprawl development, a few of which are listed below:
– San Diegans for Managed Growth – Boardmember, Board President (2018 to present)
– Measure A / Save Our San Diego Countryside (March 3, 2020 Primary Election)
– Campaign Manager, Volunteer Signature Gathering Coordinator (20182020)
– Parks and Recreation Coalition (PARC), Co-chair, 2020 to present (advocacy related to City of San Diego Parks Master Plan (PMP)

I hope to contribute more deeply to the preservation and protection of the San Diego region’s unique environment, and to the social justice and climate issues it faces.

Agatha (Aggie) Wein
Agatha (Aggie) WeinExecutive Committee Member
Agatha “Aggie” Wein is dedicated to Sierra Club’s mission to preserve our lands and habitats, and would bring a great deal of knowledge, experience, and perspective to the Executive Committee. Aggie is a UCSD graduate, now living in Ocean Beach, she has professional experience as an environmental advocate, as well as leading public engagement efforts on critical climate, energy, and environmental justice issues at the U.S. Dept. of Energy and California Public Utilities Commission.

Aggie joined the Club’s Political Committee in 2019, where she now serves as Chair.

Locally, Aggie sees conservation of open space and habitats as San Diego County’s #1 issue, and pollution as the top concern in Imperial County. Our region must approach development thoughtfully; Aggie knows Sierra Club is truly grassroots and together we can organize to protect our precious lands for all to enjoy in the future.

Staff

Richard Miller
Richard MillerChapter Director
Mr. Miller has been an employee of the San Diego Chapter since 2009 when he became the Development and Communications Coordinator developing and implementing the Chapter fundraising programs. He holds Certificates in Fund Raising for Small Nonprofits and Fund Raising Management from The Fund Raising School at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. In 2017 Mr Miller advanced to Development Associate and in May 2018 aws appointed Chapter Director. Mr. Miller is often the first point of contact for the Chapter, responsible for Chapter administration, programing,membership relations and office administration.

Mr. Miller’s previous volunteer experience includes service on the Executive Committee’s for Sierra Club San Diego and Sierra Club California where he served as Chair for both organizations. Mr. Miller has also served on National Sierra Club committees, including as Chair of the National Nominating Committee for the Sierra Club Board of Directors.

Martha 'Marty' Marquez
Martha 'Marty' MarquezAdministrative Assistant
A new hire in December 2017 and a San Diego native, Marty has an extensive background as an administrative assistant in various fields, most recently as a property manager. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting from National University 2013 online program while working full time. She also maintains a small business doing billing, taxes, and is a notary.

In the past 3 years, she began hiking well known trails in San Diego, followed by the Grand Canyon and Yosemite for the first time, it was love at first sight. This past President weekend 2018, she visited Sedona for the first time and did a couple of hikes with friends. Her only regret is that hiking was never introduced to her as a kid.

She has traveled to Machu Piccho in 2015, France 2001, South Africa 2001 for pleasure, and to Guadalajara, Mexico for family. Pacific Beach has been her home for the past 11 years and it is where the bay, beach, community, and outdoor activities thrive in this beautiful vacation destination. Her travels and home inspire her to do more to protect the beauty, people, and animals from any threat harmful to our wellbeing. With the current White House administration, destiny was calling when she heard and applied for the position, leading her on the path of activism.

Charles Rilli
Charles RilliAssociate Community Organizer
Charles began his career organizing in South Florida during his time as a University of Miami student. While living there, he became very passionate about environmental protection, specifically concerned with climate change and its effects on his community. Upon graduation, Charles moved to New York City to obtain his Master’s in Campaign Management. He has worked on close to two dozen political campaigns, in addition to organizing his community for various issue-based campaigns across the city.

One of Charles’ favorite career experiences is when he led NYC’s Department of Sanitation Curbside Composting Education Program in Queens, NY in 2022. This pilot program educated residents on the benefits of composting and led to an expansion of curbside composting program to all five boroughs.

Chapter Chairs Over the Years

  • Ivy Foster 1948-1949
  • Jerry Zagorites 1950-1951
  • Lucius W. “Skip” Johnson 1952-1953
  • Virginia Gilloon 1954
  • Glen Conklin 1955
  • Welton Grosdidier 1956
  • Lucille Peterson 1957-1958
  • Bill Thomas 1959
  • Aubrey Wendling 1960-1961
  • Gilbert Parker 1962
  • Harriet Allen 1963
  • Carl Swedelius 1964
  • Howard Allen 1965-1966
  • Nicholas Keough 1967
  • William Phillips, Jr 1968
  • Carl Swedelius (repeat) 1969
  • Dick Rypinski 1970
  • Fred Axe 1971-1972
  • Peter Nelson 1973-1974
  • Susan Turnbach 1975

  • Jim Harrison 1976
  • Cam Murray 1977
  • Elizabeth Meyer 1978-1979
  • Lyndelle Fairlie 1980
  • Walter Konopka 1981
  • Bob Hartman 1982-1983
  • Emily Durbin 1984-1985
  • Ruth Duemler 1986
  • Linda Michael 1987
  • Geoffrey Smith 1988-1989
  • Rob Langsdorf 1989-1991
  • Julie Hocking 1991-1992
  • Rosemary Leigh 1993
  • Barry Hite 1994-1995
  • Lori Saldana 1996-1997

  • Larry Klaasen 1997
  • Carolyn Chase 1998
  • Eric Bowlby 1999-2000
  • Brad Buffett 2000
  • Ellen Shively 2001-2002

  • Richard Miller 2003-2005
  • Joe Zechman 2006-2007
  • Richard Miller (repeat) 2008-2009
  • Joe Zechman (repeat) 2009
  • Carolyn Chase (repeat) 2010-2011
  • John Stump 2012
  • Lori Saldaña (repeat) 2013
  • Kara Liederman 2013
  • Dave Grubb 2014
  • Debbie Hecht 2014-2015
  • Davin Widgerow 2016
  • Ruben Arizmendi 2016-2018
  • Peter Andersen 2018-2019
  • David Hogan 2020-2021
  • Lisa Ross 2022-2024