About

/About

Our Mission

Our mission is to utilize USS Hornet and the collections, exhibitions and educational programming to promote awareness and understanding of history, science, technology, and service.

Press & Media

The Hornet Was Hot on the Spot.

Aircraft Carrier sealed its place in history by scooping the Apollo 11 astronauts out of the Pacific Ocean.

East Bay Times Article January 21st , special Space edition.

Full article attached. East Bay Times Space Hornet Article

Link to East Bay Times online.

Captain Jim Dodge passes away.

October 24th, 2022

ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, USA October 24th, 2022 –

Frederick “Jim” Dodge, born in 1947, has passed away. His service included the Commanding Officer, Fighter Squadron 2, the Executive Officer, USS Kitty Hawk, and serving as the last Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Alameda, CA. Jim spearheaded the project to save the USS Hornet from the Hunters Point scrap yard. He had it towed to the air station for base closing ceremonial events and achieved its designation as a museum ship, moored today at the old air station piers in Alameda. Jim served in the US Navy for 28 years.

Full obituary: Oakdale Leader

Dean “Diz” Laird, Navy Legend, passes away at the age of 101

August 10th, 2022

ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, USA August 10th, 2022 –

Dean “Diz” laird, Navy legend, has passed away at the age of 101. He was most famous for the fact that he was the only Navy Ace from WW2 who shot down both German and Japanese aircraft. He was also the lead stunt pilot in the movie Tora! Tora! Tora!

Diz has long been a friend of the USS Hornet and he will be missed.

For CNN Article: Dean ‘Diz’ Laird: Famed World War II fighter pilot has died at 101 | CNN

For Full Bio: The Diz Laird Collection – USS Hornet Museum (uss-hornet.org)

Board of Trustees

Sam Lamonica, Chairman, Senior Information Systems Manager / CIO Rosendin Electric Co. – Retired

Sam Lamonica retired recently from Rosendin Electric, the nation’s largest privately held electrical contractor, where he served as Vice President/Chief Information Officer for over 10 years. Prior to joining Rosendin, Sam held the position of Chief Information Officer at Rudolph and Sletten Construction for 6 years, one of the largest California based General Contracting and Construction firms.

Before his years managing technology teams in Construction, Sam enjoyed a successful high tech career at several Bay Area companies including Phoenix Technologies, Macromedia, NorthPoint Communications and Network Equipment Technologies. Sam began his technology focused career with 15 years in Information Systems for the Bell Systems including AT&T, Illinois Bell, and Pacific Bell.

Sam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Management from the University of San Francisco, and attended the Fuqua School of Business Executive Program from Duke University.

Sam has served on several high tech CIO Advisory Councils and Customer Advisory Boards throughout the course of his career, and has served on private and non-profit boards of directors. He joined the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in 2020.

Sam was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois as a part of a large second generation Italian family. He now lives in Pleasanton with his wife Marty where he has resided for the past 32 years.

Sam’s number one favorite activity is spending time with his son Michael (former U.S. Marine), daughter-in-law Sunshine, and two beautiful granddaughters Bella and Naya. Sam’s personal hobby and passion is Ballroom dancing. He and his wife Marty have been dancing, performing and teaching for the past 20 years.

Sam Lamonica
Sam Lamonica

Maureen Whalen Vavra, Vice-Chairman, partner with The StrataFusion Group

Maureen Vavra became a Trustee for the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in 2021 and currently serves as Vice Chair.

Maureen is a partner with The StrataFusion Group with over 35 years’ experience in IT strategic planning and large program implementation with specialty areas of Strategic Planning, CEO/CTO/CIO Advisory, Digital Transformation, Program Management, Organizational and Change Management, and software architecture and development.

Before consulting, Ms. Vavra worked for Hitachi Data Systems as VP Web and Global Reporting/BI Applications, and later oversight for Development Applications Projects, Salesforce CRM/Oracle ERP Systems, Support and Resource Management for HDS’ global ITS organization. Previously, Maureen was VP of Development and CEO with Delta Dental Plan of California and earlier she was Executive Director with Pacific Bell, implementing the first two phases of the Strategic Billing system, renovating the billing product for 11 million business and residential customers.

Ms. Vavra is an active coaching professional for IT and other industry senior managers. A member of the Women Unlimited International senior mentoring team, she volunteered with them for 20 years coaching emerging women business leaders.

Maureen is a Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and is Secretary of their Oakland/East Bay Life Members. She has been a founder/facilitator for the Consortium of Information Systems Executives, and is also a co-author of the book CIO Wisdom. Ms. Vavra avidly supports the Fresh Lifelines for Youth Organization.

Other interests for Maureen include travel and hiking, attendance at Berkeley Rep and local jazz venues, as well as membership in the European Train Enthusiasts and the Lewis Carroll Association of North America. Ms. Vavra lives in Danville, CA, close to her only daughter and her family, which includes two lively granddaughters.

Maureen was born in Bremerhaven Germany, the daughter of two officers who served in the US Army during WWII. She grew up in various US locations, primarily in Southern California. Maureen graduated Occidental College with a BA in Psychology, and from the UC Berkeley Executive Program. She continues to take postgraduate classes at both Berkeley and Stanford and is an enthusiastic student at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC Berkeley.

Maureen Vavra
Maureen Vavra

Tim Lutz, Treasurer, CPA / Financial Consultant

Tim grew up in Petaluma, California and graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.

Tim is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in the State of California.  He began his career with the large accounting firm Moss Adams.  After a couple of years outside of public accounting Tim returned to a San Jose CPA firm Shilling & Kenyon and became partner.  After a merger with Century Business Services (CBIZ), he became managing partner of the San Jose office of the firm.

In 2003 Tim joined Webcor Builders as their CFO and Executive Vice President.  He was instrumental in the sale of Webcor Builders to Obayashi Corporation, a worldwide construction company based in Japan in 2007.  He continued to be the CFO of the US operation until his retirement in 2014.

Tim has served on the board of the Fremont Youth Soccer League as his children grew up in that community.  He has been a Trustee on the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation board since 2015 and currently serves as Treasurer.

Tim and his wife Paula currently reside in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Tim Lutz
Tim Lutz

Sue Roderick, Board Secretary

Dr. Sue Schock Roderick was appointed Secretary of the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in 2016 and continues to serve in that capacity.

For over 40 years, as a gerontologist Dr. Roderick worked in non profit services to older adults in long term health care, mental health, Alzheimer’s and dementia programs, senior living, recreation, education and training.  Early in her career she was a Consultant on Aging with the State Department on Aging responsible for the establishment of the California state-wide information and referral network for seniors and local community and/or county commissions on aging.  Prior to her retirement, Sue was Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for HumanGood a national retirement housing and health care organization where she had responsibilities for corporate strategic planning, governance, human resources, research, accreditation, community liaison and fundraising for special projects.

Over the years, Sue has volunteered on many boards and committees in the field of aging and continue to support other charities and non-profits.  She has served as Commodore of Aeolian Yacht Club, on the board of the Pacific Interclub Yachting Association and has received national, state and local awards for her work.

Dr. Roderick received her BS and MS degrees from San Jose State University, her MPA and DPA degrees from University of Southern California (Public Administration and Gerontology) and maintains a lifetime secondary education teaching credential.  Sue enjoys reading, gardening, boating and crafts and is married to John, a retired accountant, who volunteers as Medical Supply Officer and Warrant Officer/Watch Supervisor on the USS Hornet.  They reside in Alameda.

Sue Roderick
Sue Roderick

Drew DeWalt, Founder of Rhumbix

Drew DeWalt joined as Trustee for the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in July 2023. Drew is from Waco, TX, and his father and brother were both Air Force pilots. He attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 2004 and was commissioned into the US Navy as a nuclear submarine officer. After nearly 7 years of active duty service, Drew transitioned to the reserves and attended graduate school at Stanford University earning an MBA and a Master’s in Public Policy.

Highlights of his Navy career include serving as a Division Officer on USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) based out of Pearl Harbor Hawaii completing one Pacific deployment and two shipyard overhauls. For his shore duty, he was a Professor of Naval Science at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to teaching Naval History and Nuclear Engineering Principals, Drew also led all recruiting efforts and nuclear accessions for midshipmen. Drew was recognized for distinguished service with several Navy Achievement Medals and a Navy Commendation Medal.

After his time in the Navy, Drew graduated from business school in 2012 and started a company, Valhalla Energía, to develop utility scale solar projects in Chile’s Atacama Desert where he continues to serve as an advisor. In 2014, Drew founded Rhumbix, a company that builds and provides project management software for the construction and facilities
maintenance industries, a company that he still runs today.

Drew continues his career of service as the board chair of Upward Roots
(upwardroots.org) and now as a board member of the ACHF. He previously served as a trustee for the University of Notre Dame and continues to stay involved in many organizations supporting military veterans especially related to opportunity and entrepreneurship.

Drew and his wife, Whitney, live in Orinda where they are raising their four kids.

Drew DeWalt 2023

Cliff Bell, Real Estate

Clifford (Cliff) Bell joined the Board of Trustees of the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in 2023. Cliff ’s current career is that of a real estate salesperson. Prior to starting his career in real estate, Cliff spent a few years in retirement where he created a video Channel on YouTube.

Prior to Cliff ’s first retirement, Cliff was involved with several high technology firms in Roles ranging from Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Sales. Cliff enjoyed a successful high-tech career at several Bay Area companies including Phoenix Technologies, Apple Computer, Bay Networks, Oracle and Infogain. Cliff began his technology focused career with 10 years in software development before moving into management
for 35 years.

Cliff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Wabash College, and Received his MBA from Purdue’s Krannert School of Business. Cliff Played Basketball in college and is a member of his school’s hall of fame.

Cliff has served on several high-tech CIO Advisory Councils and Customer Advisory Boards throughout the course of his career. Cliff has served on private and non-profit boards of directors including the Professional Business Women of California, Providence Foundation, the CIO foundation, and YMCA of Hunters Point in San Francisco.

Cliff Bell Photo 2023 - 1

Cecilia L. Gaerlan, Founder and Executive Director of Bataan Legacy Historical Society

Cecilia I. Gaerlan was born in the Philippines and received a degree in Economics when she was 19. She moved to the United States at the age of 21 and worked in a variety of administrative positions at the United Nations in New York City and in several Bay Area companies before becoming the Founder and Executive Director of Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS) in 2012.

As she envisioned, the BLHS was established to address the lack of information about Filipino soldiers during WWII in the Philippines. Since then, BLHS has worked successfully with the California Department of Education to include WWII in the Philippines in the Grade 11 U.S. History Curriculum Framework as part of Chapter 16 during the state’s most recent curriculum framework revision. This was approved by the State Board of Education on July 14, 2016, the first time that WWII in the Philippines is
mandated to be taught in high schools in the United States.

Cecilia is a founding board member of the USS Telesforo Trinidad Campaign (USSTTC), whose mission is to name the first U.S. Navy ship after a Filipino sailor who received the Medal of Honor in 1915. As part of the ship-naming process Cecilia has developed strategies for grassroots organizations, community engagement and legislator support as well as written information materials, articles and press releases about the campaign. As part of educating the public about WWII in the Philippines and the role of Filipinos in the U.S. Armed Forces, she has developed and organized exhibitions, presentations and written articles. Under her leadership for BLHS, annual commemorations of the Bataan Death March and a conference on WWII in the Philippines were established.

Cecilia is a playwright and a filmmaker, creating short films of WWII in the Philippines and written plays of historical events (WWII, the founding of the United Nations) and personalities (St. Francis of Assisi, Lorenzo de Medici, composer Joaquin Rodrigo). She also founded the Artis Mundi, a cross-cultural theater group and organizes bicycle trips in Europe and the U.S. She and her husband, Jeffrey Shuttleworth, a retired journalist, enjoy
traveling and cycling abroad. They live in Berkeley.

Cecilia Gaerlan
Cecilia Gaerlan

Anudeep (Anu) Bhatia, Consulting Executive in Information Technology, Software, an System Integration Services

Anudeep (Anu) Bhatia recently joined the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation as a member of its board of Trustees in November 2021. Anu graduated from University of New Delhi (India) in 1992 and holds major educational degrees in business and technology.

Anu is a consulting executive with thirty years of experience in information technology, software and system integration services. He is a results-focused leader with proven ability to develop market strategies, provide executive sponsorship, launch new initiatives and drive businesses to scale. His expertise includes entrepreneurship, sales and business development, system integration, customer engagement, corporate & business strategy,
innovation, channel development and formalizing partnerships and collaboration.

Anu is a key member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only organization for senior-level technology executives who are respected technology leaders, CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, and others selected for the council based on their deep knowledge and diverse experience in the industry.

He works closely with charity organizations by way of his donations that supports children and families to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty, injustice, and child education to help the military and first responders.

Anu grew up in New Delhi, capital city of India and migrated to USA in 1998 to live the American Dream when he was 26 years old. He lived for five years in Philadelphia before moving to Sunnyvale, CA in 2003. He is married to Vandana and they are blessed to have two teenagers (one girl and one boy). Anu is an avid golfer and a member of Silver Creek Country club in San Jose and Cordevalle Club in San Martin. Anu’s other hobbies include hiking, traveling, skiing, reading and spending quality time with his family.

Anudeep Bhatia
Anudeep Bhatia

Jon Yuen

Jon Yuen joined as Trustee for the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation in July 2022.

Jon is a native of San Francisco who graduated from Lowell High School. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1983 and had the unique opportunity to attend West Point, U.S. Military Academy as an exchange student for a semester during his junior year. He earned his MBA from the Wharton School of Business, U of Pennsylvania. He served as a Supply Corps officer, retiring after 35 years of Naval service.

Highlights of his navy career include three ships, USS NARWHAL (SSN 671), USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) and USS NASSAU (LHA 4). Jon’s last job in the Navy was as the Commander of the Naval Supply Systems Command, overseeing 110 worldwide logistics facilities, a team of 28K military and civilian professionals, $33B in managed inventory, and the Navy Exchange, a network of physical and online retail stores with $2.5B in annual sales. Jon was recognized with several honors to include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Four Legions of Merit and a Bronze Star. He retired as Rear Admiral.

Jon continues to actively share his insights on rallying teams, bringing strategic clarity, and aligning people around goals. He has addressed the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at Duke University’s Business School alongside leading corporate executives. He served as an Executive Fellow with the Institute for Business & Defense. He continues to volunteer in various military related opportunities to include serving on a panel to select and award/distribute the Congressional Gold Medal for Chinese WWII veterans. He also serves on the Senior Advisory Panel for the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA).

After retiring from the Navy, Jon joined Facebook, now Meta, working logistics. He and his wife Sandra live in Mountain View.

Jon Yuen
Jon Yuen

Chuck Myers, Board Member

Chuck Myers joined the Board of Trustees of the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation as the representative of the museum volunteers in 2018 and was elected to the Board on May 1, 2023. He has been a museum docent for more than ten years and three-time chair of the Docent Council.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1960 with a BA in History before attending Navy officer’s candidate school in Newport, RI. He was commissioned Ensign in May 1961, attended US Naval Justice School and first served aboard USS Yorktown, Hornet’s sister ship. He also served at the Naval Training Center in San Diego. Following his time in the Navy, he joined what was then Pacific Telephone and Telegraph in 1966 and spent over 25 years with that company, principally in information systems. He retired as an Executive Director in 1992 and spent the next ten years consulting on telecommunication systems, mostly in Europe while living in The Hague. During his years in Europe, Chuck consulted with companies in The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Poland, the UK, Norway, Hong Kong, Australia, and Austria. He retired from KPMG as a senior consultant in 2003.

In 2018 Chuck resumed his consulting career, but in a new field, one directly resulting from his service on Yorktown and Hornet. He was selected as the aircraft carrier consultant for the Lionsgate movie, “Midway”, directed by Roland Emmerich, and spent nearly four
weeks on the sets in Montreal. In 2021 he was a consultant to a second Navy-themed movie, “Devotion”, produced by Black Label Media and directed by J.D. Dillard. The movie was filmed in Georgia and is based on the book of the same name by Adam Makos. His service on Hornet has also led to being an editor of two books, “U.S. Aircraft Carriers 1939–45” by Ingo Bauernfeind. The second, “The Silver Waterfall”. a new take on the
Battle of Midway, written by Brendan Simms, a professor and Steven McGregor, a PhD student at Cambridge University.

Now an Alameda resident, Chuck was born in rural Nebraska and grew up all over the Midwest. He attended schools in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois and his parents lived in Michigan while he was in college in Minneapolis. He discovered that “Winter” meant something different while Yorktown was in Long Beach and stayed in California as a result. Chuck has four grown children, two in California, one in St. Louis and one in Las Vegas and three grandchildren.

Chuck Myers 2023

Kurt Libby, CAPT U.S. Navy – retired, UC Berkeley, Purchasing Manager

Kurt Libby was born and raised in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.  He attended the University of Minnesota under an NROTC Regular scholarship. and graduated in 1966 with a BA in English and a minor in Business.  Subsequent education included graduating from Naval Postgraduate School with an MS (With Distinction) in Management Science.  Kurt also graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College.

Kurt’s service duties included Supply Officer USS TERREBONNE PARISH {LST-1156), Assistant Supply Officer USS YELLOWSTONE (AD41) and Supply Officer USS ACADIA (AD-43).

While overseas, his assignments included Naval Support Activity, Viet Nam and Fleet Support Activity Athens, Greece.  Returning to the U.S., Kurt assumed responsibilities as Instructor, Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA.; Management Information Center Director, Naval Supply Systems Headquarters, Washington, D.C.; Fitting-out Supply Officer, Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Senior Supply Management Inspector, COMNAVSURFLANT, Norfolk, VA.; Force Supply Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply and Financial  Management, COMNAVSURFPAC, San Diego, CA. and Commanding Officer, Naval Supply Center, Oakland, CA.

Kurt retired from the Navy in 1994 and worked as a consultant for John J. McMullen Company and later for Resource Consultants Inc.  He joined the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation board of trustees in 2006 and was elected Vice Chair in 2019.

In 1999, Kurt accepted positions for the University of California, Berkeley first as the Director of Materiel Management followed by Purchasing Manager for Student Affairs, Housing, and Dining.  He retired in 2013 and resides in Alameda.

Kurt Libby
Kurt Libby

Non-Voting Members

Ron Finch, Volunteer Liaison

Ron Finch joined the ACHF Board of Trustees as the Volunteer Liaison in May 2023. He has been a volunteer for the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum for over thirteen years in the Security and Restoration Divisions and other areas on the ship. He is the Security Division Assistant Operations and Training Officer and continued to be involved in many other areas on the ship.

Ron was born in to a career Navy family and somewhat a “by product” of December 7, 1941 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy in 1961. After boot camp he attended “A” school on Treasure Island, joining the fleet as a Radarman/Operation Specialist. He served aboard the Amphibious Command ship USS Eldorado AGC-11. While serving in the Navy, Ron participated in both the Cuban Missile blockade and the Vietnam war.

After leaving the Navy, Ron attended the University of Colorado earning his bachelor degree in both Organizational Behavior and Marketing. While at the university he was elected to the College of Business Student Governing Board where he served a full term as President of the board.

Following college, Ron found a career in the health care computing field. First, working for several vendors of health care specific software and then finishing his career with the Alameda County Health Care system. Throughout his career he enjoyed working in various capacities including application specialist, consultant, project manager and trainer.

Ron has a long volunteer relationship with Odyssey of the Mind. Through the years he has been active in his church serving in various leadership and service roles. Ron lives in Martinez California with his wife Jennifer who is also a volunteer on the Hornet.

Ron FInch 2023sm

Rolf Sabye, Hornet Association Liaison

Rolf Sabye Joined the volunteers on Hornet in early 1998, and became a Trustee in 1999. He has also been a member of the USS Hornet Association since 1991.  He was appointed by the Museum’s Board of Trustees as the liaison to the Association in 2001. He continues in that role.

Rolf immigrated with his parents from Norway in 1957, and joined the Navy in 1967. In March 1968, after QM school, he was assigned to the USS Hornet. He served as a member of the Navigation Div. during Hornet’s last Vietnam Yankee Station tour, the recoveries of Apollo 11 and 12 and the decommissioning in 1970 in Bremerton. He left Hornet as a QM2 and was assigned to COMFAIR Alameda, serving on the staff of RAdm. James Ferris. Rolf left active duty on July 27, 1971.

After leaving the Navy, Rolf graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering, and later completed post graduate work at Cal State Hayward. He worked for Westinghouse’s R&D Div. on automated transit systems, assigned to the BART Project. The following year he was hired by BART working in their vehicle computer div. Rolf retired from BART as an engineering project manager in 2004.

Rolf remains active with the USS Hornet Association and was the Association President in 2006 and 2019. Although he and his wife Chris have move out of the immediate Bay Area, he remains involved with the museum as much as possible. Some of his most interesting times at the museum were his involvement with the restoration teams on the bridge and Captains Plot room, the flight deck escalator, and the early creation of the Hornet History compartment. However he believes the highlight was the 2019 SD50 celebration of Apollo 11, which included more than 100 members of the Hornet Association.

Rolf and Chris have been married for 48 years. They have a son and daughter and four grandchildren, all thankfully living with their families in the Bay area.

Rolf Sabye
Rolf Sabye

Bob Fish, Trustee Emeritus

Robert Fish graduated from high school in Orlando, FL in 1966 and attended the University of Virginia on a Naval ROTC scholarship. After college, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. The majority of his service time was spent in Okinawa as a shift supervisor for the USMC Western Pacific data center, managing computer systems that supplied the Vietnam war effort. After being honorably discharged in 1971, he remained in the information technology field, holding increasingly important positions at Blue Cross, Safeway Stores, Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America, where he was VP of Strategic Network Planning.

In 1984, he joined his first high tech Silicon Valley startup company, Network Equipment Technologies (NET). In 1985, Bob was the program manager for the modernization of the White House communications system (during the Reagan era). Following the Challenger space shuttle disaster, he also became involved with the DoD and worked on several strategic national intelligence programs. Bob received a USAF commendation for his activities in the Desert Storm/Shield Gulf war.

He went on to found several innovative cyber-security companies, including Wheelgroup and Cloudshield. Bob is currently an investor and Board adviser for two young sustainable energy companies, Electriq Power and Shifted Energy.

In 2000, Bob joined the Board of Trustees of the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum. In 2019 Bob was elected Trustee Emeritus.

He researched the Navy’s role in the recovery of the 1960’s NASA manned space-flights and is a recognized national authority on the subject, having written numerous articles as well as participating in the Smithsonian NASM GE Aviation lecture series. He also created the award winning Apollo 11 spacecraft recovery exhibit onboard the museum and published a highly acclaimed book about the recovery of Apollo 11 called Hornet Plus
Three.

Bob has lived in the Bay Area for over 40 years, is married and has one son.

Bob Fish
Bob Fish

Richard Snow, Accounting

Rick Snow joined the Board of Trustees in May 2023 after finishing a consulting assignment, where he served as Acting Finance Director. Prior to joining the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation while working for Robert Half as a salaried professional (consultant), Rick worked for Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA in 2022 and for XOJET Aviation, LLC from 2019-2021.

Before consulting, Rick enjoyed a successful 20-year accounting career which included serving as a Controller at several Bay Area companies including Alterre Partners, Asset Construction, Edward W. Scott Electric CO., Inc., Valmark Industries, and H2C2 & Associates, Inc., Bayview
Environmental Inc., Nor-Cal Scaffolding, Inc., and Demo Masters, Inc. Rick began his accounting career working for Zonta Children’s Center, a small non-profit while finishing up his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from San Jose State
University. In 2010 he became a founding Board Member for the non-profit Early Alert Canines where he served as their Treasurer until January 2013. He provided oversight of fiscal and human resource matters and support around policy development, organizational alignment, and fiduciary
compliance. He was also an authorized check signer and helped open their bank accounts.

Rick has served on advisory councils and boards throughout the course of his career and has volunteered for a variety of positions in San Lorenzo for more than 31 years. He joined his homeowner’s association just two months after moving in and has served several officer positions culminating as Secretary in his third and last term. On the Alameda County  Redevelopment Agency, Rick served as a non-voting alternate member from 2000-2011 on the San Lorenzo Sub-Area Citizens Advisory Committee, and worked with PTA, youth groups and planning
committees. He also served for two years each in both the Measure E & O General Obligation Bond Citizens Oversight Committees and found the School District had misrepresented their financials two years in a row.

Rick was born and raised in the Bay Area. He now lives in San Lorenzo with his wife Beth where they have resided for the past 31 years. Rick’s number one favorite activity is spending time with his coin and currency collection and adding to it although a close second is spending time with his son Drew, and daughter Mags, now that they have moved out of their childhood home. Beth works part time for Early Alert Canines, so Rick continues to be involved in every event. Rick continues to volunteer about 300 days a year, usually while fostering a service dog, with a grand total of 89 Early Alert Canines dogs fostered to date.

Snow, Richard (Rick) 2023

CEO Advisory Council

Mission

Members of the CEO Advisory Council (“Advisors”) are leaders in various sectors who are dedicated to supporting and advancing the mission of the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum. While many individuals may be committed to Museum’s mission, they may not be available, or wish, to participate as a member of the Museum’s Board of Trustees. In recognition of those constraints and to encourage those who wish to assist the organization with knowledge, expertise, public relations, outreach, fundraising, relationship building, and other mission-critical functions, the Museum’s Board of Trustees established the CEO’s Advisory Council as the senior support group for the institution. Advisors serve in a consultant capacity to senior management of the Museum. Advisors serve as a resource, volunteering leadership, expertise, networking, and financial support to ensure the Museum becomes and continues to be a world class museum and memorial to those who served our nation. Advisors advocate for and increase public awareness of the Museum by cultivating strong, diverse and sustainable sources of support for the institution. Frequently, Board of Trustees members are selected from the existing CEO’s Advisory Council due to the familiarity of the organization and history of an active working relationship. Members of the CEO’s Advisory Council do not vote or carry any organization responsibilities or liabilities. The Advisory Council’s distinguished members are:

Craig Peterson

Craig Petersen

Bob Adachi

Bob Adachi

Representative of the Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans

Ted Iijima

Ted Iijima

Representative of the Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans

D_Hodge Profile Pic 1

Dewitt Hodge

Owner-Operator, Hodge Flight Services, LLC

Conway Jones

Conway Jones

Founding Chairman, Oakland Aviation Museum (formally the Western Aerospace Museum)

Tom Hyland

Tom Hyland

Senior Fundraising Consultant

AG11_Air Group 11_Gunner

Tim Hampton

Naval Historian/Archivist

IMG_0592

Matt Lamb

Chief Information Officer, Rosendin

hayes-john

John Hayes

Chief Information Officer for a San Francisco fintech software company

Bio

John Hayes is the Chief Information Officer for a San Francisco fintech software company.  He is passionate about supporting veterans (he himself having served on the USS Midway and USS Nimitz) and volunteers for Hire Heroes USA where he coaches veterans on strategies to find technology-oriented jobs.  John enjoys anything Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related and flying in his spare time.

Victoria Sanchez De Alba

Victoria Sanchez De Alba

Community Leader

John Marquez

John Marquez

Veteran Advocate

Karen Fies

Karen Fies

Retired Director of the Sonoma County Human Services Department

Bio

Karen Fies retired as the Director of the Sonoma County Human Services Department in October 2020.   As Director, she led a staff of over 900 employees and a budget of approximately $350M.   Karen worked for Sonoma County for almost 35 years, starting out as an entry-level case manager, a social worker, analyst, grant writer, program manager, and then executive-level management.  Karen earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Sonoma State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from University of California, Davis.

Karen and her husband, Brian, live in Santa Rosa.   They have adult twin daughters – one is an archeologist and one is the Chief Operations Officer on the Hornet Museum.  Karen spends her time volunteering on boards and commissions, reading, gardening, and walking her dog, Riley.

Tom Hanagan_sm

Tom Hanagan

Ship Restoration

Marie Riccobene

Marie T Riccobene

Historic Property Specialist

George Retelas_sm

George Retelas

Film Production and Photography

Margaret Su

Margaret Su

Owner/CEO The Prep Station, Eat Drink Alameda

Rick Thom

Rick Thom

Historic Aircraft Restoration

Bob Baker

Bob Baker

Printing and Graphic Design

Bay Area WWII Home Front Alliance

The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum is proud to be a member of the Bay Area Homefront Alliance.

Rosie the Riveter / World War II National Historical Park

Explore and honor the efforts and sacrifices of American civilians on the World War II home front.

Spirit of ’45

Honoring the legacy of service of the men and women of America’s ‘Greatest Generation’ on National Spirit of ’45 Day.

SS Red Oak Victory

The last surviving vessel of 747 ships of all types built at the Richmond Kaiser Shipyards during World War II.

WWIIHFA logo w Title
Verified by MonsterInsights