Darrell G. Brooke, President

Darrell G. Brooke is a partner of Taylor Summers Rhodes Rasmussen Brooke & Woodard LLP, and specializes in estate planning and taxation law. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and went on to study law at Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, and Old Pasadena Business & Professional Association, where he served as President from 1995-1997. Darrell became involved with the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena as a member of our 2008 gala committee, and his dedication and expertise led to an invitation to join the Board of Directors in the fall of 2008.

Nic Fetter, Vice President

Nic Fetter joined the Levitt Pavilion's board of directors in the fall of 2007. He is a development associate and property manager for Samuelson and Fetter, based in the San Gabriel Valley. Nic is a Pasadena resident and a member of the Urban Land Institute. He serves on the Friends of the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena Executive Committee, and was gala chair for the past two years .

Eric Anderson, Secretary

Eric Anderson works in leasing and sales for MacVaugh & Co. Commercial Real Estate in Pasadena. Prior to commercial real estate, Eric worked in sales and consulting with Fortune 500 companies and received an MBA from the University of Southern California. Eric is a Texas native, where he was active in the independent music scene in Dallas during the early 90’s. Eric joined the Friends of the Levitt Pavilion in 2009.

Yolanda Oliver, Treasurer

Yolanda Oliver joined the Levitt Pavilion's board of directors in the fall of 2007. She worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena for almost thirty years, specializing in information systems engineering and earth science data systems. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers, and has recieved three NASA Group Achievement awards. Yolanda is currently co-owner and Vice President of Oliver & Associates, a Land Planning and Residential Development Company based in Pasadena.

Elizabeth Levitt Hirsch, Vice President Emeritus

Elizabeth Levitt Hirsch, Vice President of the Mortimer Levitt Foundation, is responsible for creating the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Pasadena. Since the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena's inception, Elizabeth has been instrumental in raising funds, creating a business plan, demonstrating an active presence with local government officials and arts organizers, and working on all board committees, to ensure long-term success for the organization. She travels throughout the country to music conferences to bring the message of the Old Pasadena Levitt Pavilion to national recognition. Elizabeth has a lifelong history of charity work, serving on numerous nonprofit boards that foster arts appreciation.

Christine Adams

Christine Adams is a federal criminal prosecutor for the United States Department of Justice. A mother of three and stepmother of three, she has been involved with a number of children's organizations over the years. Currently, Christine also serves on the board of the Women's Care Cottage, which provides housing and services for homeless women and children. She joined the Friends of the Levitt Pavilion in order to work with our Levitt Loves Kids, Levitt in the Schools, and Children's Night programs.

Sara Anjargolian

Sara Anjargolian joined the Levitt Pavilion's board of directors in the fall of 2007. She is an attorney and currently serves as a Deputy City Attorney with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. Sara is also a Fulbright scholar and an accomplished photographer. Since she joined the Levitt Board, Sara has spearheaded/produced an annual Armenian concert as part of the Levitt's World Music Series.

Claire Brian

Claire Brian has been on the Friends of the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena board since 2003. A former journalist, she has been instrumental in creating and developing the "Levitt Loves Kids" Program, which gives talented young performing artists the opportunity to build confidence, perform in front of a live audience, and open for professional artists. Claire and her husband, Brad Brian, have raised their children in the Pasadena community, and continue to be benefactors of arts organizations, specifically those that encourage youth participation in the performing arts.

Martin Davich

Martin Davich is an acclaimed, Emmy-winning composer in both TV and film. He studied music and composition at the University of Southern California and went on to a career playing and conducting for such artists as Anthony Newley and Burt Bacharach. He has composed music for numerous TV series including E.R., Trinity and Beverly Hills 90210 as well as many movies, such as Mad Money, Touching Home and I Bring What I Love. Martin has been with the Levitt Pavilion since 2009.

Nancy Neal Davis

Nancy Neal Davis has had a distinguished career in profit and non profit management in Southern California. At such leading retail, cultural, and educational institutions as I. Magnin & Co., the Joffrey Ballet, and Carnegie Observatories, she has earned a wealth of experience and cultivated contacts that reach across Southern California. Through her consultancy business, Davis Associates Inc., Nancy helps numerous organizations, individuals and families with philanthropic advisement. Special focus areas are fund raising, foundation creation, research, marketing, special events, board empowerment, strategic planning and public relations. Nancy is active as a community volunteer with the Tournament of Roses Foundation Board and the Braille Institute. She also enjoys studying landscape architecture,film and design. Nancy was one of the “founding advisors” to the Levitt Pavilion and serves as Chair of the Development Committee and on the Executive Committee.

Jesse Dillon

Jesse Dillon joined the Levitt Pavilion board of directors in 2009. After providing premium management, development, and sales support to the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group for over 10 years, Jesse now serves as the Advertising Manager for the Pasadena Star News. Prior to his work with the Star News, Jesse was the Major Account Executive for the Los Angeles Times. He received both a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Management and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Azusa Pacific University. Jesse has also won several awards for his work in advertising, marketing, and sales.

Marc T.G. Dworsky

Marc Dworsky was born in Cape Town, South Africa and joined the board of directors in early 2010. He received his B.A. from York University (1983) and his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School (1986), where he was the Gold Medalist and received the Viscount Bennett Fellowship awarded annually to the most outstanding law student in Canada. In 1986, he served as law clerk to the Hon. Mr. Justice G.V. La Forest of the Supreme Court of Canada, and in 1987, received his LL.M.from Harvard Law School, where he specialized in comparative constitutional law. Marc has been a partner of Munger, Tolles and Olson LLP since 1995. He was named as a Southern California Super Lawyer in 2004 and 2005, and in 2006 was one of 134 lawyers nation-wide named to the Client Services All-Star Team compiled by BTI Consulting based on its survey of General Counsels at over 200 Fortune 1000 companies.

Jan Harrington

Jan Harrington joined the Levitt Pavilion's board of directors in the fall of 2007 after being a supporter and volunteer since the Levitt's inception. She is the owner of the Pasadena based company Jan and Company Construction, which helped revitalize the Memorial Park band shell, and works with the City of Pasadena to provide construction for Affordable Housing. Jan is on the Women of Pasadena board, mentors for Women at Work, and is a volunteer for the Pasadena Historical Society.

Shirley Jahad

An Award-winning journalist, Shirley Jahad has been serving listeners in Southern California for the past five years on 89.3 KPCC-FM. As an anchor, host, and correspondent covering news throughout the diverse communities all over Southern California, Shirley received the 2009 Los Angeles Press Club Award for best coverage of breaking news events. Before moving to Pasadena, she received her journalism degree from Northwestern University and worked for many years as a correspondent, host, and interim News Director and Assistant News Director for WBEZ Chicago Public Radio. In addition to her radio work, Shirley has also written and narrated award-winning documentaries for television on the History Channel and KTLA. She joined the Levitt Pavilion board of directors in 2009.

Ilonda Linden

Ilona Linden joined the board of directors in the spring of 2010 and belongs to the second generation of Lindens committed to carrying on the business founded by her father, Dr. William Linden. Linden Optometry has been a mainstay on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena for over 53 years. Ilona and her partners are dedicated to giving back to the community that has made their success possible. As part of that commitment, Linden Optometry provides free eyecare screening at local health fairs, and serves the underprivileged and disabled through their involvement with various local organizations. Ilona is also committed to serving the San Gabriel Valley community on a personal level. She is currently serving her third term as Secretary of the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, and is a member of the Tournament of Roses. She previously served four years on the Board of the Playhouse District Association. Ilona is also a member of Pasadena Rotary and is a Paul Harris Fellow. She is a Pasadena native, and is proud to be carrying on her father’s legacy.

Ericka Lozano

Ericka Lozano is the Associate State Director for Community Outreach for AARP California. She joined the Levitt Pavilion board in 2009. Prior to her work with AARP, Ericka worked in the Local Government & Community Relations department of UCLA. She has been active in several political campaigns for government officials and grassroots community organizing. At AARP, she is responsible for community outreach, education, volunteer management, and legislative advocacy for nine congressional districts in the Los Angeles and San Bernardino areas. Before her move to Pasadena three years ago, she served on the board of the Friends of the Westwood Library and the St. Monica Parish Octoberfair.

Gene Masuda

Gene Masuda joined the Levitt Pavilion's board of directors in the fall of 2007. Gene lives in Pasadena with his family, and is the President of the Eaton Blanche Neighborhood Association. He is a Commissioner for the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission, appointed by Supervisor Michael Antonovich. He is also a member of the Pasadena Open Space Preservation and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Gene serves on the foundation board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena and is a board member of the United Nations Association Pasadena/Foothills Chapter, the Pasadena Educational Foundation, the Heritage Clinic, and the Community Assistance Program for Seniors.

Cheryl McMurray

Cheryl McMurray is an accomplished leader in the financial services industry and currently serves as the Vice President and Financial Center Manager of the South Pasadena location of WaMu/Chase. Cheryl spends her time as a member of many community organizations including Women of the San Gabriel and the John Muir Advisory Counsel. She has won multiple awards for her community work, including the YWCA Phenomenal Women Award, the Women at Work Medal of Excellence Award, and the Washington Mutual Top Performers Club Award. Cheryl is the proud mother of two sons and has been married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty years.

Julio F. Morales

Julio F. Morales joined the board of directors in early 2010.  He currently serves as the Finance Director of the City of El Monte.  Prior to returning to the public sector, Mr. Morales worked in the public finance field for over 17 years in a variety of roles:  serving as a municipal finance manager, investment banker, and reinvestment provider. He has experience with a broad spectrum of municipal securities and investments.  He regularly serves as a guest speaker at several GFOA, CMTA and CSFMO functions regarding bonds and investments.   Mr. Morales also serves on the Finance Committee for the Pasadena-Foothill Chapter of the YWCA.  He earned a bachelor degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University, and an MBA from UCLA.

Jill Pearson

Jill Pearson owns and designs Wasabi Jewelry, an 18 year old wholesale business that sells to stores across the country and overseas. She and her husband, Bill, have lived in Pasadena for over 20 years. Her only child, a daughter, Sammie Pearson, is 13 years old and served as Ambassador for Levitt Loves Kids during the 2009 season. She has been involved in local charities for over 10 years serving in numerous positions with the Kidspace Circle of Friends and the Clairbourn School Families Association, as well as supporting many other local organizations. Both she and her daughter are current members of National Charity League where she is the current NCL liaison to Levitt Pavilion Pasadena.

Ariel Penn

Ariel Penn joined the board of directors in early 2010. She has worked with the City of Pasadena since 1991 and now oversees the Filming and Special Events Office and supervises a staff who coordinates all on-location filming in Pasadena (over 450 film projects a year). She also markets Pasadena as a location to the film industry, and coordinates City logistics for over 75 major special events a year including post-parade operations for the Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena Marathon, and the Amgen Tour of California. She produced the L.A. Area Emmy winning film (1993, for cinematography) “Times Have Changed: Filming in Pasadena” and was nominated for an Emmy, in addition, for her producing. In 2003, Ariel was chosen by the City Manager to project manage, on the City’s behalf, the renovation of Memorial Park's bandshell. Ariel completed a double major in Business Administration and English Literature from Antioch University L.A. in 1988.

Richard Seymour

Richard Seymour is a musical perfomer and educator. He has performed with the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Long Beach Civic Light Opera and Guild Opera of Southern California. He was also a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertory company, Opera A La Carte, where he performed across the country in various musical productions. Richard was the Music Supervisor on Shari Lewis’ Emmy-award winning PBS show, featuring the beloved puppet Lamb Chop. Richard has also produced numerous fundraisers benefitting City of Hope, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Department, among others. He developed the music program at Valentine and Carver schools in San Marino, and is the founder and director of the San Marino Summer Theatre Camp.

Doug Willis

Doug Willis joined the Levitt Pavilion's board of directors in the summer of 2009. He is a real estate broker and owner of The Property Concierge, an independent real estate brokerage firm specializing in residential and income property. He graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of Texas, Arlington. Prior to moving to California, Doug was the Vice President of Sales for Newcor Washington Forge. He, his wife Deena, and their daughter Jillian are regular attendees of the Levitt's summer concert series.

Founders

Douglas Huberman
Barbosa Polverini

Community Advisors

Barry Hensiek
Floraline Stevens
Steve Tobia
David Whitcomb
Glen Williams

Content Advisor

Ralph McKnight