Board of Directors & Senior Staff
Jeff Geldermann
President & Chairman of the Board, Technology Entrepreneur, Now Retired
1973 Developed all trade processing software for CBOE Options Exchange. 1983 Co-founded GMI Software in Chicago to develop the premier global system for financial instrument accounting. 1997 Co-founded Credentials Solutions providing web-based services for colleges and universities. 2021 Inducted into the Futures Industry Association Hall of Fame. Part-year La Quinta resident since 1998.
Sean Webb
Vice Chairman of the Board; Director I, Literacy Outreach at Riverside County Office of Education; Executive Director of Read With Me Volunteers
Sean Webb is a dedicated education professional with a rich history of service in the academic and community realms. With over two decades of experience in the field, Sean’s journey began as a Teacher at various schools in the Coachella Valley, where he demonstrated a passion for both classroom instruction and extracurricular engagement.
Transitioning into administrative roles, Sean served as Assistant Principal at Palm Desert High School, La Quinta High School, and Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School, overseeing diverse educational programs and fostering community partnerships. Notably, his tenure as Director of Community Engagement and Educational Foundation at Desert Sands Unified School District showcased his adeptness in securing funding and organizing impactful events.
Currently serving as Director I, Literacy Outreach at Riverside County Office of Education, Sean continues to champion literacy initiatives through his role as Executive Director for Read With Me Volunteer Programs. His commitment extends beyond education, as evidenced by his active involvement in various volunteer organizations, including Leadership Coachella Valley and Old Town Artisan Studios.
Sean resides in the city of La Quinta with his wife Tara, daughter Brooklyn, and two dogs, Piper and Penny. His multifaceted expertise and unwavering dedication make him a driving force in enhancing educational opportunities and community engagement.
Deborah Tryon
Secretary of the Board; Financial Planning Specialist
Deborah Tryon currently serves as the Secretary of the Board at OTAS. She is a Financial Planning Specialist and Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Deborah has raised three children in La Quinta, California. Previously, she served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert, La Quinta Chamber of Commerce and is past president of the Woman Leaders Forum. She remains committed to supporting her community.
Matt Johnson
Treasurer of the Board; Commercial Real Estate, Property Management and Business Owner
Matt is the President of Johnson Commercial Real Estate, Inc. in Rancho Mirage. Mr. Johnson specializes in the sale, leasing and development of new and existing facilities for growing companies here in the Coachella Valley.
Leslie Locken
Real Estate Manager
Leslie Locken is the Sr. Real Estate Lease Manager for Lamar Outdoor Advertising and is responsible for negotiating new real estate leases for billboard structures as a revenue stream for landowners. In addition, Leslie is a Licensed Real Estate Agent practicing in the Coachella Valley and also serves as a Committee Member for the Bermuda Dunes Community Council.
Millie Pearson
Development Techniques and Business Owner
Growing up in a family of artists, Millie has been drawing and painting since childhood, selling her first painting at age 13 and commissioned at age 14 to do her first public piece: a hand painted 14’x 48’ billboard in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.
Sarah Schmolke
Membership & Marketing Director, Tamarisk Country Club
Sarah Schmolke is a Sales and Marketing Professional with over ten years of experience in the luxury golf industry. Currently working as the Membership & Marketing Director at Tamarisk Country Club. Sarah has lived in the desert for the past 18 years and has cultivated a deep understanding of the unique market and lifestyle associated with the Coachella Valley.
Passions of Sarah’s are connecting with people and consistently finding ways to creatively engage, creating a sense of community.
Sarah is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of Portland and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
An adventuress at heart, Sarah loves to travel and immerse herself in outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and camping with the family. Her love for adventure and new experiences continually fuels her professional and personal growth.
Cynthia Beesemyer
Retired Art Educator and Corporate Marketing Professional
Cynthia was an Art Educator for nearly 15 years, while pursuing several degrees in the Arts and Humanities at Penn State University. After working on her graduate degrees, she moved to Paris to be a photographer for 2 years exhibiting at two galleries in the 8th arrondissement. Upon returning to the US, Cynthia shifted to the corporate world, becoming a senior marketing executive in the HBA industry for over 30 years. After working as Director & Vice President of Global Marketing at such companies as Neutrogena/J&J, Jafra/Gillette and Dermalogica, Cynthia started her own consulting firm with clients that spanned Fortune 100’s to start-ups, in all channels of distribution both domestically and worldwide. Cynthia moved to La Quinta in December 2019, eventually retired and started volunteering for several not-for-profits including the Ophelia Project, FIND Food Bank and Old Town Artisan’s Studio. In addition to helping teach art weekly for OTAS at the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club, Cynthia has also taken numerous classes at OTAS. Thus, becoming a Board member has been both a natural transition as well as a true honor.
Ken Harth
Board Member
Ken Harth brings a wealth of experience garnered from a distinguished 30-year tenure at AT&T, where he held various senior leadership positions. A dedicated leader driven by results, Ken has a proven track record in sales management, business development, and strategic planning. His commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond his professional career into his charitable work. Ken has been actively involved with numerous organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Houston Fine Arts Museum, the San Diego Future Foundation, and National 9-1-1 for Kids Foundation. His exceptional dedication to volunteerism was recognized in 2012 when he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from Barack Obama. Ken and his wife, Jacqueline, reside in the Coachella Valley full-time and enjoy spending time with family, boating, traveling, and engaging in all sports. Currently, Ken serves as Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Network Data Systems, where he continues to excel in fostering strategic partnerships and driving business growth.
ABBY Miller
Board Member
Abby (Sturgeon) Miller is a lifelong Coachella Valley resident whose career has been shaped by community engagement, education, and supporting local business. Her background includes hospitality with Marriott, renewable energy marketing with Renova Energy, and regional partnerships through the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. She later served as Director of Admissions at Palm Valley School before transitioning into real estate, where she now specializes in 55+ communities, particularly the Trilogy communities and La Quinta. Abby is passionate about connecting people with homes that support their lifestyle and helping them feel at home in the desert she proudly calls home.
Emeritus Board
Victory Grund
OTAS Founder
Richard Grund
OTAS Founder
SENIOR STAFF
Roccie Hill, Executive Director
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Angel Cunningham, Director of Education
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Kennan Vorwaller, Director of Administration
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Colby Cramer, Director of Ceramics
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Peggy Schulz, Director of Development
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Andy Taylor, Director of Community Engagement
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Wendy Fink, Director of Marketing
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