BCR's Board of Directors

Jim Lamm, President
Architect with broad experience on multifaceted, multi-agency planning, design, and construction projects; currently on sabbatical devoted to community service; Culver City Planning Commission Member (2001-2002 Chair); Ballona Creek Watershed Task Force (Co-Chair); Elder, Teacher and Choir Member at St. John's Presbyterian Church; Former Peace Corps Volunteer in Iran; enjoys hands-on service projects, writing, arts, diverse cultures, peacemaking, and working on behalf of community and environment; father of two grown children.

Gerald Sallus, Vice President
Professional Background: Engineer/Attorney Community Involvement: Past President, Culver City Homeowners Association; Past Presiden, Culver-Marina Bar Association "I am concerned about the environment, aesthetics and watershed issues."

Rich Hibbs, Treasurer
Rich has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1987, past chair of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce, currently involved in numerous non profit boards. Voted Culver City's Best Accountant by the Culver City News readers poll in 2009, and again in 2010. Avid coach and referee for AYSO Region 19 (Culver City/Mar Vista/Palms). Proud parent of two children in the Culver City School District (son in El Marino and daughter at the Culver City High School). As a board member of the Ballona Lagoon Marine Preserve, Rich was involved in the development of the walking path and interpretative signage at the Lagoon, which was featured in an article in our April 2010 newsletter. His website is  www.RichHibbsCPA.com

David Valdez, Secretary
David is a practicing attorney advocating on behalf of consumers in Car Dealer Fraud, Lemon Law and Identity Theft cases and is a former Director of the Culver Marina Bar Association. David has also coached baseball for Culver City High School's Winter Program and for Venice High School. He frequently runs and bikes on the Ballona Creek Bike Path and comes to BCR with a special interest in water use and conservation.

Bobbi Gold, Newsletter Editor
Professional Background: Computer Programming. Community Involvement: Culver City Bikepath Safety Advisor, Culver City Public Finance Advisory Committee, Culver City Direction 21, Blair Hills Association board member. Likes to ride her bike along Ballona Creek.

 
Mim Shapiro, BCR Pedestrian Bridge Project Lead
Chair, former Culver City Arts Committee; Blair Hills Association Board member (founding member); Artist and art patron; Member, Temple Akiba choir; Member, Ballona Creek Watershed Task Force; Community activist.

Lucy Blake-Elahi, Arts Committee Chair
Lucy Blake-Elahi is a visual artist. She paints and draws, and has done public art pieces in Culver City. Her work includes the equatorial sundial in Culver City Park and two murals along Ballona Creek. She is also an artist-in-residence of the County of Los Angeles.

Irene Reingold
A long-time resident of Culver City, Irene taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District for more than 30 years. She is a member of several environmental groups and is dedicated to safeguarding our environment.

Sandrine Cassidy Schmitt
Sandrine's interest in Ballona Creek stems from living next to the creek, seeing its reality and envisioning its potential daily. She is also the sister of artist Christophe Cassidy, whose paintings of Ballona Creek were featured in our October, 2005, newsletter. Sandrine runs a business that manufactures stylish but sustainably manufactured tote bags. For information, visit her website at www.june15collection.com.

Michele Bigelow
Michele joins our advisory council with a long history of volunteering and working for local environmental or-ganizations. She is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust, a non-profit community organization founded in 1994, dedicated to the acquisition, restoration, and preservation of the entire Ballona Wetlands ecosystem. Michele is also an avid bicyclist and interested in improving the creek and watershed bikeways

Advisory Council

Steven Coker

Steven is a Certified Financial Planner and Tax Preparer in West Los Angeles, providing tax preparation and Quickbooks accounting services for individuals small businesses, real estate investors, and non-profits. A past President of the Culver City Garden Club, in 2003 he and his wildflower “guerrilla garden” on the side of the Santa Monica freeway were featured in an article in the Los Angeles Times. He operates a website where more than 150 teachers, volunteers, and others involved in school gardening throughout the Los Angeles area share information:   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GardenLAschools .  He previously served as a board member and Treasurer of the So. Robertson Neighborhood Council, and was on its Land Use and Green Team Committees. He continues to maintain relationships and follow local government issues and legislation.

Lori Escalera
Lori grew up in Culver City and graduated CCHS in 1975. A designer and artist, Lori has provided a complete array of graphics, advertising, marketing, communications and art services to large and small business, as well as institutions. Lori is an original member of BCR, lead artist on the "Rivers of the World" Mural Project, and a collaborator on BCR's "Postcards" mural project. Currently, Lori and her family live in North San Diego County where she is doing graphics, art and instruction. Click here to visit Lori's website.

Bob Hadley
Bob retired in 1995 after 30 years on the faculty of California State University, Los Angeles. Since 1996, he has served as Secretary to the Culver City Parks & Service Foundation.

Pat Hadley
Culver City Parks and Service Commissioner, 1984-1996; Consultant, Vocational Expert Witness for Social Security Administration, 1990-present; Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Board of Directors of Culver City Parks and Service Foundation, 1996-present; Culver City Direction 21 Committee; Culver City Soroptimist.

D. Scott Malsin, Webmaster
Scott Malsin a member of the City Council of the City of Culver City. As a Councilmember he has been active in promoting environmental and sustainability issues. He is the designer of BCR's web site. "The revitalization of Ballona Creek - the largest area of open space in Culver City - will offer benefits to our community in so many ways, ranging from reconnecting us all with the land we inhabit to creating a more desirable environment for residents and businesses alike."

Dino Parks

Marina Tidwell
Author and photographer of Beyond the Beach Blanket, A Field Guide to Southern California Wildlife, Marina has lived in Culver City for over 20 years. She grew up in northern California, just steps from Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf, has lived near the beach in Carmel, Coronado, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and has been a dedicated beach bum from the time she could walk. A graduate of USC School of Cinema-Television, Marina's wildlife photographs have appeared in Windstar Wildlife Institute publications and All-creatures.org, among others. She is also a member of the Speaker’s Bureau of Heal the Bay, and a dedicated birdwatcher who writes for the magazine Birding Business.