J.R.’s career history includes owning and operating two architecture and design firms, one in Los Angeles and one in the Bay Area where he specialized in the redesign and restoration of existing buildings. He also served as the lead fundraiser and the founding Managing Director of the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion, which opened in November 2014. In that capacity he helped raise more than 4.5 million dollars to purchase and renovate the historic building and transform it into a world-renowned museum. He continues his design practice while investing in and restoring old buildings. J.R. was a City Councilor in Palm Springs from 2015 to 2019, where he also served as Mayor Pro-Tem. He currently is the Vice-chair of the Palm Springs Planning Commission. His past public service includes serving as the Mayor and City Council Member for the City of Sausalito, President of the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Council, Vice-Chair of the Palm Springs Modern Committee, and former President of the Palm Springs Modern Heritage Fund. By leading the effort to save and restore the Plaza Theatre, J.R. hopes to contribute his design, fundraising, and communications skills to bring the Plaza Theatre back to its former glory.

Kevin is a business consultant with more than 30 years of sales performance and customer relationship management experience. Prior to opening his consulting practice, Kevin was the Senior Vice President of Strategic Services for Onyx Software Corporation and the CEO and Co-Founder of RevenueLab, a go-to-market strategy, training, and revenue acceleration consultancy, acquired by Onyx in January 2001. Kevin’s background also includes a 16-year career with Learning International (formerly Xerox Learning Systems), the leading global sales and management training company. Kevin is the Founder and President of Artful Travelers, LLC, a consulting group that uses travel experiences to cultivate critical relationships between organizations and their customers, members, and donors. He recently produced their 50th cruise for PBS with Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line. Kevin currently serves as the Chairman of the Palm Springs Airport Commission, and the President of the Palm Springs Boys and Girls Club. As a 20-year resident of Palm Springs, Kevin is excited to bring the theatre back to life with new creative and economic energy to downtown Palm Springs.

Mark moved to Palm Springs in 2007 from California’s Silicon Valley where he was a marketing executive for enterprise software start-ups. Over his 30-year career, Mark helped grow four companies from the start-up stage through to Initial Public Offering (IPO). As EVP of Marketing, Mark specialized in using targeted messaging and social media to expand market awareness and create market momentum. Mark also sits on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of DAP Health, a community health clinic, and Vista Sunrise, a low-income housing provider in Palm Springs. Mark retired in 2013 and looks forward to helping the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation increase its presence and impact in the community.

A twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, Rick retired from United Airlines, where he served in various capacities within their human resources, labor relations, inflight service, and customer service departments. Previously he worked for Pan Am, Air France, and KLM Dutch Airlines. More recently, Rick has been working independently as a financial concierge for private clients, managing seven figure portfolios, multiple properties, and staff. Born in Havana, Rick is fluent in Spanish, French, and sign language. In addition to serving on the Plaza Theatre Board, Rick volunteers with the SMART/ Palm Springs Unified School District, where he mentors 11th and 12th grade students to prepare for college.

Judith spent thirty-five years in Washington, D.C. working in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, she worked at Chevron as Manager of Federal Government Relations where she specialized in environmental and technology issues working with members of Congress and Federal agencies. Before that Judith worked on Capitol Hill for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee as Deputy Staff Director, working with 25 members of Congress and overseeing 78 Congressional staffers. There she managed numerous pieces of legislation and was also responsible for overseeing numerous Congressional investigations related to government waste, fraud, and abuse. Judith is retired and recently completed a total renovation of her father’s home in Palm Springs. She is involved in a variety of volunteer and non-profit activities. Her passion to see the Plaza Theatre restored to its earlier glory stems from her father’s love of the Plaza Theatre and his love of the “Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.” Her fundraising work with the Foundation serves as a tribute to her father.

Don has been providing public and government affairs consulting to corporations, public agencies, trade associations, and nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1994. Don’s experience has spanned successful projects requiring consulting support in the form of government affairs and lobbying, strategic communications, campaign consulting, and fundraising. The projects and initiatives advanced by Don’s work have helped to improve local government, build strong communities, and foster a commonsense balance between a strong local economy, smart growth, and quality of life. Don’s full-time interest in the Plaza Theatre is utilizing his fund-raising expertise to assist the foundation in its mission of creating a theatre that serves the entire community of Palm Springs.

Alan took a love of music and turned it into a career spanning over half a century, working primarily in booking, production, and venue management. He has worked all over the US and in China. Alan has led teams at major live events, completed marketing and capital campaigns for new and re-launched entertainment entities, and ran operations for several iconic venues, including ten years as Senior Vice-President at the Desert’s Jewel Box, the McCallum Theatre. Alan hopes to contribute his broad knowledge and skill sets of theater and entertainment to the Foundation’s restoration of the Plaza in a way that will make it usable and meaningful to the population of Palm Springs. Alan looks forward to contributing to the Theatre’s marketing, events, and fundraising efforts.

Teddy is an award-winning filmmaker and the Founder and Director of the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival and Film Fund (AmDocs) in Palm Springs, as well as the Director of the Architecture Design Art Film Festival (ADAFF). AmDocs’ year-round mission is to enhance and encourage education outreach through film as well as international conference and filmmaker exchanges. Teddy has worked on several Hollywood films in addition to directing live television. He continues to work as an editorial and production consultant on films in development as well as in the rough-cut stages. His recent films include The Bill Murray Experience and Planet of The Humans (executive produced by Michael Moore). Teddy’s focus on the Plaza Theatre Board is to attract talent to the theatre and develop and produce successful fundraising events for the Plaza Theater to help us reach our goals to restore the theatre.

David is the Foundation’s single largest donor to date with his recent $5 million challenge grant to support the restoration effort. David has worked extensively in television comedy, writing, and producing Cheers and The Jeffersons, and writing, directing and co-creating Wings and Frasier. He is also an award-winning director and writer for the theater, examples ranging from South Pacific at the Hollywood Bowl (with Reba McEntire) to a pre-Broadway tryout of his revised musical Can-Can. His new version of the classic Camelot currently has productions worldwide. David has won nine Primetime Emmy Awards (18 nominations). He also won the Directors Guild Award, the Golden Globe Award, Producers Guild Award, GLAAD Media Award, British Comedy Award, three Television Critics Association Awards, two Humanitas Prizes, and the Peabody Award. David’s focus on the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Board is to bring the theater back to vibrant life, respecting its past as well as making it a working asset to the community in the future.

Brian is an American session musician, guitarist, bassist, singer-songwriter, and musical director. Brian started his career at age 19 playing with Etta James with whom he stayed for 14 years. He is best known for his 20 years of working as a bass, rhythm, and lead guitarist with Paul McCartney. He is also on Paul McCartney’s touring band. Brian has also worked with an extensive list of artists in addition building to his own solo career. Brian was asked to join the effort to raise money for the restoration of the Plaza Theatre by Spike Edney of the band Queen. In Brian’s own words “There’s nothing more exciting than playing small theaters with the ambience and history of a place like The Plaza, and my intention is to help preserve it for generations to come.”

The Plaza Theatre holds a special place in my heart, not only as an iconic cultural landmark in Palm Springs but also as a place where I have always dreamed of being involved. From a young age, my parents instilled in me a love for the theater, sharing their passion for the arts, which greatly influenced my own dedication to this field. I promised myself that one day when I moved to Palm Springs, I would contribute to the Plaza Theatre’s legacy. After opening a second location of my teleprompting business, Prompt Response, here my first goal and priority was to get hired to work at the theatre. Having had the opportunity to both work at and enjoy this beloved venue before its closure, I am eager to play a role in its restoration and future, ensuring it remains a cherished cultural hub for years to come.

In addition to my professional background, I have a strong connection to the local community. I am a proud parent of two grown children: one works for Prompt Response, while the other is in real estate in Brentwood, California. My involvement in the community extends to volunteering at Living Free Sanctuary in Mountain Center, where I combine my love for animals with meaningful service. One fun fact about me is that I have a love for donkeys, and I am proud to sponsor Eeyore, a beloved donkey at the sanctuary.

My background in event production within the Palm Springs community has provided me with valuable skills that I believe would benefit the board. Since 2019, I have teleprompted for the Palm Springs Film Festival Gala each year, gaining insight into the local arts and events scene. More recently, I have supported a variety of galas across the desert, including events for The Living Desert, teleprompter services for press events and project updates. These experiences have strengthened my skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, equipping me to support the Plaza Theatre Foundation’s mission.

The Plaza Theatre’s cultural significance and history drive my commitment to helping preserve and promote this iconic venue. I am passionate about collaborating with the board to ensure the theatre remains a vibrant part of Palm Springs’ artistic landscape. I am excited to bring my skills, dedication, and love for the community to the Foundation, working to secure the theatre’s future and celebrate its legacy.

Ken Wachter is the retired President & CEO of PMI Entertainment Company a venue management company based in Green Bay Wisconsin. As CEO he spearheaded the design and construction of the Resch Center Arena (10,000 seat) and Resch Expo Hall (130,000 square foot). Along with their Wisconsin venues PMI also managed the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines, Iowa, ran the Tri-Cities Coliseum in Kennewick, Washington and helped renovate and then ran the historic Meyer Theater in Green Bay.

PMI also purchased the Green Bay Gamblers Hockey franchise and provided numerous services for the Green Bay Packers. PMI also became independent promoters bringing the first concerts to Lambeau Field, and produced a Tall Ship Festival along with a Boat Show, Home Show, RV& Camping, along with many others.

Prior to moving to Green Bay Ken was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Anaheim Angels during their ownership by the Disney Corporation. While in Anaheim he was involved in the renovation of Angel Stadium and was responsible for sales activities along with game entertainment, public relations, ticketing, and all marketing campaigns for the stadium and both franchises.

Ken started his career in the entertainment business working for Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and all of its properties. These included Walt Disney’s World on Ice, Holiday on Ice, Ice Follies, American Gladiators Live Tour, and Siegfried & Roy in Las Vegas.

Kathy is an attorney by training but spent more than 25 years in the real estate industry, developing and financing affordable housing in Massachusetts and California. She was the Executive Director of two non-profit housing development corporations, Fields Corner Housing Development Corporation and Santa Monica Community Corporation, where she built and managed affordable housing portfolios. She retired as Chief of Lending for Southern California at the California Housing Finance Agency where she oversaw the construction and permanent lending for affordable rental housing projects as well as writing and handling the Agency’s special needs programs, including the development of a $400 million Mental Health Services Housing Program. Kathy also served six years on the Santa Monica Planning Commission and ten years on the Palm Springs Planning Commission where she is currently the Chair. She has also served as Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Citizens Advisory Group of District Representation and is a member of the Library Board of Trustees. Kathy’s focus on the Palm Springs Theatre Foundation Board is to secure funding to build an abiding legacy for the Plaza Theatre and the community it serves.