Joe Giarrusso, President Sidney Craig, Vice President Scott Sherman Ph.D., Secretary |
Peter Bochnewich, Esq. Ann Greer William C. Jones Jerry Keller Willie Rhine Atma Wiseman |
Joe
Giarrusso, President
Mr. Giarrusso started his career in the entertainment business at CBS Network and then went on to become production finance head for Tri Star Pictures and HBO Productions. He retired from Entertainment Partners as Senior Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, a multi-billion Entertainment Management Service Company. Joe also is a Classical music composer with two CDs of his compositions published.
Sidney R. Cr
aig, Vice President
Mr. Craig owned a theatrical agency, The Craig Agency, for 35 years representing such actors and actresses as Jack Klugman, Stewart Granger, Hermione Gingold, Gloria Loring, etc. He currently serves on ten boards and commissions including, Palm Springs Police Advisory Board, Shelter For The Storm, and The Executive Board of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Scott Sherman, Ph.D, Secretary
Mr. Sherman is a retired clinical psychologist. He is a founding board member and on the executive committee of Coachella Valley Repertory. He has been secretary to the board since its first meeting in August 2008. His commitment to CVRep is based on the belief that experiencing entertaining theater of substance helps people to grow, learn and develop a better understanding of themselves and their community.
Michael Monachino, executive board member
Mr. Monachino is the president of T*IPS Management LLC, a management consulting company that advises on intellectual property matters, President of MFD Restoration Warehouse Ltd, specializing in the renovation and repurposing of heritage buildings and was with IBM for 34 years.He retired from IBM as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Development and Industry Marketing. In the past he has been involved with the Children’s Wish Foundation in New York City. In addition to CVRep, Mike is a director of the Sterling Estates Homeowners Association. He is also an artist and has been active with the Artist’s Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Peter Bochnewich is an attorney and owner of Bochnewich Law Offices, APC, Palm Desert, with emphasis in trust and estate trial work, estate planning, probate, and civil matters. Peter is past President of the Desert Bar Association and Desert Estate Planning Council, and active in community affairs. Peter has 10/10 AVVO attorney rating and is a Palm Springs Life MagazineTop Lawyer 2013-2015. Peter, wife Luz and daughter Anastasia believe in CVRep.
David Cohan is the Managing Director of PeaksCo LLC, a consulting practice with a specialty in financing mission-oriented, “green” projects throughout the U.S. He has primarily focused on real estate finance, investment, development, acquisitions and portfolio asset management during his 30-year career. Mr. Cohan has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also recently helped start the Palm Springs chapter of the MIT Club of Southern California.
Jim Egan
Hugh Glenn retired in 2006 after a distinguished career in the jewelry business, including positions as President of the Hugh Glenn Corporation and Omega Watch USA. Current Board experience includes Co-Chairman of the Board Brookdale Geriatric Department, Martha Stewart Center for Living, Mount Sinai Hospital, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Neenah, Wisconsin and 24K Club of New York City. Honors include 2008 Triple Zero Award, American Gem Society Honoree, National Conference of Christian and Jews, 1998 Honoree, American Jewish Committee, 1990.
Ann Greer works with the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition and Palm Springs Air Museum. Her background is theater, home video and marketing. She serves on the ACT for Multiple Sclerosis and Opera Showcase of the Desert boards. A firm advocate for the importance of the arts to civilization, Ann graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Scripps College, studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and taught at Kyung Sung Graduate University in Pusan, South Korea.
Peggy Jacobs hails from Chicago, Illinois, where she served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office for several years before retiring to Palm Desert in 1991. She is an avid supporter of Eisenhower Medical Center, Big Horn BAM, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, the McCallum Theatre, Palm Springs Art Museum and serves on the MAC board of Palm Springs Art Museum. Peggy is thrilled to be joining the board of CV Rep for her first year.
William C. Jones
Jay Kanner is Vice President, Branch Manager for First Foundation Bank with 35 years experience in the banking industry, 20 of those years focused on the Coachella Valley. A local native who grew up in Cathedral City, graduated Palm Springs High School and is a College of the Desert alumni. Graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, Washington. He supports and volunteers for many organizations in our Coachella Valley and is honored to be part of the future of Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre.
Jerry Keller is the owner of Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs and Acqua California Bistro in Rancho Mirage.
Jeffry Melnick is a former agent and manager. He has represented John Patrick Shanley, Peter Hedges, Sam Shepard, James Duff and Charles Busch. He currently represents the television show MAJOR CRIMES on TNT. He has a foundation with Primary Stages in New York to encourage new writers. He has a Masters degree in theatre history from the U of M.
Willie Rhine began his career in the entertainment industry as Owner and Artistic Director of Tophat Playhouse in Palm Springs. Currently, Willie co-owns the newly acclaimed EIGHT4NINE Restaurant & Lounge. He and his loving partner Albert Gonzalez are Members of The Desert Aids Project’s Partners for Life, The Aids Assistance Program’s Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program, and The Center’s Ocotillo Club.
Atma Wiseman is an interior designer as well as an image consultant for print and television. She worked for Roger and Chaz Ebert on the PBS television show “Ebert Presents At The Movies.” Certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a fitness trainer, she is currently finalizing her certification as an aquatic therapy rehab teacher. Atma is on the board of the Steinway Society of Riverside County as the VP of Marketing, along with her board service to CVRep.
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
Gary D. Hall is a Senior Vice President with the Private Bank at Wells Fargo, and is instrumental in getting significant Wells Fargo dollars to our community nonprofits in need. He serves on many non-profit boards, and in addition to CVRep, is a trustee of the Palm Springs Art Museum and Educational Outreach co-chair, trustee for The Palm Springs International Film Society, trustee for the McCallum Theatre and Chairman of the McCallum Theatre Institute.
ADVISORY BOARD
Nancy Cunningham is the Founding President of the Literary Society of the Desert. She retired from a career in both the corporate and non-profit worlds, serving as Manager of Stockholder Relations for General Motors and was the Executive Director of the Detroit Historical Society and a corporate development officer for the University of Chicago. She has served on the Rancho Mirage Library Foundation, is a Founder of the Palm Springs Architectural and Design Museum, and is active in the McCallum Muses.
Steven Erickson, CPA is the Managing Partner of Maryanov Madsen Gordon & Campbell in Palm Springs.
Barbara Fremont, Philanthropist
Debra Dann Kay divides her time between Chicago and Palm Desert. She retired this year from her invitation business and is enjoying having more time to spend with her grandchildren, exercise, play cards and see shows at CVRep!
Ginny Krumb was assistant manager of a design studio in St, Louis, and convention planner in California. She has worked with national Girl Scouts of America, and served on the Governor’s Commission for Women and Children. Moving to the Palm Springs area in 1997, Ginny joined the Palm Springs Art Museum. From chairing the LUEY dinners to rounding up Angels for the Art of Shopping, Ginny is a powerhouse fundraiser.