Dr. Charles Friedrichs is an Associate Professor and the Director of the School of Music and Dance at San Diego State University (SDSU). During his tenure at SDSU, he has taught a wide variety of classes including music theory, brass methods, conducting, music education practicum, music for classroom teachers, brass and band literature, ear training, general education music courses, as well as serving as a Music Supervisor for cadet teachers in SDSU’s School of Education. Dr. Friedrichs has had vast experience teaching school instrumental music at all levels and continues to remain extremely active in the public schools.
Dr. Friedrichs has written numerous arrangements spanning grade levels from elementary to university level. Many of his arrangements are for concert bands and marching bands. His compositions have been published by Alfred Music Publishers, Matrix Marching Band Publishers, Hal Leonard Music Corporation and MESA Music Publishers. Dr. Friedrichs is also an accomplished bass trombonist, having participated in numerous musical productions through the Vista Moonlight Amphitheater.
Dr. Friedrichs has served as a consultant for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, evaluating teacher credentialing programs offered by universities.
Rand Sperry
Board Member
Rand Sperry is a real estate and business leader in Southern California for nearly thirty-five years. In 1987, Mr. Sperry was the co-founder of Sperry Van Ness. Under his leadership, the organization he co-founded grew into a national real estate brokerage firm. Mr. Sperry is also a co-founder of Sperry Commercial, Inc. and Sperry Equities, LLC. Over the years, he has owned and operated more than 100 commercial properties of all types.
Mr. Sperry combines his unique array of talents and experience in the industry to help others achieve financial independence. From his rapid rise through the ranks of a large company, to his prior co-founding and management of a national real estate brokerage organization, Mr. Sperry has inspired young men and women entering the commercial real estate profession in many ways. He is frequently invited as a seminar or motivational speaker at industry and business gatherings throughout the Southwest and enjoys sharing the excitement and opportunity of real estate brokerage and ownership.
Mr. Sperry is active in both church and community. He is or has been a member of numerous civic and religious boards and committees in Orange County.
Jerome Torres
Treasurer
Jerome Torres is the Risk Program Manager (Office of the General Counsel) for the San Diego Association of Governments. He has provided professional-level research, analytical and administrative support to the County Administrative Officer, City Manager, and San Diego County Board of Education. Mr. Torres has served as Project Leader for multiple, high profile ventures, including a marina redevelopment, telebusiness center, and tourism improvement district.
Mr. Torres has also prepared numerous grant applications to secure federal and state funding in the areas of Public Safety, Juvenile Justice, Traffic Demand Management, and Energy.
Taryn Burgess
Secretary
Taryn Burgess has been a successful, long-time educator, administrator, and community leader. She began her administrative career as a preschool program director, and later became principal of an elementary school. As an educator, Mrs. Burgess has worked as an ELD Coordinator, elementary classroom teacher, and high school reading specialist. The recipient of a college scholarship, she attended California State University, Long Beach, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. Ms. Burgess received a Masters degree in Educational Administration from Vanguard University, and also has a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential.
Mrs. Burgess and her husband devote their time to their local community of Lomita-Harbor City, hosting annual summer campus for disadvantaged, inner-city youth.
Carrie Birchler
Board Member
Carrie Birchler is currently oversees outreach, marketing, and digital strategy for Damien High School in LaVerne. She brings over two decades of organizational leadership to the Board including sales, marketing, and management of community development projects. Ms. Birchler is a trained mediator, experienced in small group negotiation, facilitation, and training. Carrie has previously served as a lead petitioner and founding member of a charter school organization. As a parent, she has seen the advantages of advocating for high quality school choice options for families, with her children attending successful private, charter, and district schools.
With a deep commitment to education, Carrie has served as a School Site Council President, was a primary author of an award winning application for the California Distinguished School Award, and has been trained in Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools by the Federal Emergency Management Institute (FEMA).
Ms. Birchler earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with an emphasis in law and public policy, from the University of Arizona. She served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Ecuador from 1993-1995 managing community development projects.
