Bill Garrett, Chair
Former GCCCD Trustee
Bill Garrett was a trustee on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board from 2004 to 2020, including service as board president from 2008 to 2018. Garrett was city manager of El Cajon from 1996 to 2004. He became involved with the college district soon after moving to the area, serving on the Cuyamaca College Foundation for eight years, including five years as president. He also served on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, which oversaw bond construction spending, until he was appointed to the Governing Board. In recognition of the contributions of Garrett and his wife, Judy, to the college district and community, the district created an annual award, the Bill and Judy Garrett Civic Leadership Award, and named them as the first recipients in 2017.
Lynn Ceresino Neault, Ed.D., Secretary
Chancellor, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
Lynn Ceresino Neault began serving as chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District in January 2020. Dr. Neault has extensive experience and knowledge in community college administration and is well-versed in statewide issues affecting community colleges.
Dr. Neault previously worked for 25 years as Vice Chancellor of Student Services at the San Diego Community College District. She began working at the San Diego district in 1983 as an administrative analyst in Institutional Research, and later served as director, associate director and coordinator of Student Services. From 2013-14, she served as interim president of San Diego City College.
Dr. Neault holds a Bachelor's degree in political science, a Master's degree in public administration, and a Doctorate in Education, all from San Diego State University.
Robert Nolan, Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer, East County Schools Federal Credit Union
Rob joined ECSFCU's Finance Department in September 2004. He has over 31 years' experience working in credit unions in San Diego. He has served in Lending, Collections, Accounting, and Human Resources. In addition, Rob has been an active volunteer in our East County schools; serving on the college’s foundations for over 15 years and on various high school’s site councils.
Rob likes to play a little golf as well as tend to his backyard vegetable garden and fruit trees.
Denise Whisenhunt, J.D.
President, Grossmont College
Denise Whisenhunt, J.D., is an innovative leader with more than 20 years of administrative and leadership experience in the community college system. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Grossmont Community College, located in San Diego’s east county, which enrolls more than 16,000 students annually. Prior to this role, she served as the vice president of student services, at San Diego City College, providing vision and support to implement and sustain strategies that impact student success. In her position, she was responsible for the leadership of the college's comprehensive student services division, with an emphasis on student focused experiences from outreach to graduation. Prior to this role, she previously led the college as interim president in the midst of transition and accreditation. Her administrative positions have also included interim vice president of student services at San Diego Mesa College, dean of student affairs at San Diego City College, and as the associate dean of outreach for the San Diego Community College District. She has dedicated much of her professional career working with underserved and underprepared populations, with a focus on increasing access and opportunities through equity based practices to help students reach their goals. She is recognized for the development of innovative programs and systems, leveraging traditional and alternative resources through collaborative and integrated efforts to support student achievement.
She holds a B.A. in political science from the University of California, San Diego, and a J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. She is actively involved in local leadership. She also has been a participant of the prestigious Aspen fellowship program. Among her involvements include serving on the board of directors of the Monarch School, a transformational K-12 school designed to educate homeless youth, Catholic Charities board of directors, as well as the University of California, San Diego Alumni Association Board.
Dr. Jessica Robinson, MSW
President, Cuyamaca College
Dr. Jessica Robinson holds an Associate Degree from Cuyamaca College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work, a Master of Social Work degree with an administration concentration, and an Educational Doctorate with an emphasis in community college leadership from San Diego State University. Dr. Robinson has over 20 years of achievement in higher education with a focus on student success for disproportionately impacted and historically marginalized populations.
At San Diego State University Dr. Robinson served as social work faculty, as the Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator, and as the Undergraduate Advisor in the School of Social Work. Additionally, Dr. Robinson worked as the Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. This rich combination of experiences in leadership has allowed her to further strengthen the partnership between student services and instruction and advance high education strategic priorities. Most recently, Dr. Robinson served as the Vice President of Student Services at Cuyamaca College before serving as the college's Interim President, a position she currently holds.
In addition to her educational and professional experiences, Dr. Robinson is best known for her leadership assets including her ability to empower and mobilize groups into action toward a common goal of providing access and success. She has been described as a steadfast, loyal, compassionate, reliable, efficient, spirited, and optimistic leader.
Renae Arabo
Chief Marketing Officer, RJS Law
Renae Arabo serves as the Chief of Marketing for RJS LAW, previously serving in the public and community relations role at Neighborhood National Bank. She has a diverse background with over ten years as property manager for Shamoun Investments Co., was the owner of the Fashion Flooring and Design Center, as well as Project Manager and Chief Designer of several large scale residential and commercial remodeling projects. She is a graduate of University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Accounting.
Renae is passionate about promoting business development in the East County community where she has lived for over forty years. She has served as a leader and an active board member for the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, including Board Chair in 2014. In addition, Renae completed a two-year term on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee. 2014 marked a momentous year for Renae as her achievements were notably highlighted by numerous awards, including being named as one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s Women Who Impact San Diego, and winner of the San Diego Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award. She was nominated as El Cajon Citizen of the year and was appointed to the San Diego Gas and Electric Community Advisory Council and also serves as a member of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. She was also appointed by the County Supervisor Dianne Jacob to serve on the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women. Renae has also helped spearhead a new program in San Diego’s East County where, as a Reserve Board Member for the Ladies of Hope, is building bridges between non-profit organizations and new refugees who have come to America to find a better life. She is a prominent member of San Diego’s Chaldean Community and is fluent in both Aramaic and Arabic. She is married to her husband, Alan Arabo, and has three children where they reside in the city of El Cajon.
Yazmin Arellano
Public Works Director, City of El Cajon
Yazmin Arellano-Torres oversees the Public Works Department for the City of El Cajon. After more than sixteen years as the Public Works Director/City Engineer for the City of Brawley, Yazmin joined the City of El Cajon’s team in 2016. Yazmin is a Registered Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor in California with over 20 years of municipal engineering experience. Yazmin received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and her combined Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering/Business Administration from CETYS Universidad Mexicali, Mexico. Yazmin is the Past President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) San Diego/Imperial Valley Section, an active member of the American Public Works Association (APWA) San Diego/Imperial Counties Section, the San Diego County Engineering Council (SDCEC), and the California Water Environment Association (CWEA).
Richard "Dick" Dahlberg
Retired Nuclear Physicist
A graduate of the renowned Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology founded by Hyman Rickover – the father of the nuclear Navy – Dahlberg retired after a 31-year career designing and analyzing nuclear reactors at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Schenectady, New York, and at General Atomics in San Diego. From 2005-2017, he taught an assortment of science classes at UCSD, National University and Grossmont College before retiring as an educator in spring 2017. Dahlberg has also lectured on the history of science at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCSD, as well as on topics like medieval history and Isaac Newton. Born in Astoria, Oregon, math and science came easily to him as a youngster and his pursuit of physics led to an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He has authored technical articles for the preeminent Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, founded by Manhattan Project scientists. He has even authored plays about medieval times put on at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. He has also been very active in community planning in La Jolla, where he resides.
John Eppstein
Owner, John's Automotive Care
John has been in the automotive industry since 1985, and founded his own company, John's Automotive Care, in 1998. He has since opened a second location in La Mesa. With the success of his business, desire to improve his business industry, and his passion for serving the community, John has taken an active role in the community for decades, serving in several leadership and board roles including FGCC, the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County, Automotive Service Councils of California, the ASCCA Endorsements Committee, and the ASC Educational Foundation. In addition, John is a liaison to the Cuyamaca College Auto Technology program, offering guidance to the program and job opportunities to students.
Dr. Stan Flandi
Retired, Grossmont College
After completing his service in the United States Marine Corp, Stan attended Palo Verde Junior College in Blythe, CA, then transferred in 1960 to San Diego State University where he received a BS and then a Masters of Public Education. Attending a community college after his tour in the Marine Corps truly changed his life, being thoroughly convinced that community college affords so many students the opportunity to further an education that they might not otherwise obtain. While working on his master’s degree, Stan interned at Grossmont College, becoming the Personnel Manager in 1969. In 1984, he earned an Ed.D In Community College Administration, from Pepperdine University. Stan went on to serve as an administrator for GCCCD for 34 years, retiring in 2002.
Stan is an active member of the FGCC Retiree Relations committee, currently serving as the committee chair, which provides opportunities to keep the Retiree Network connected to the colleges and each other. Stan is a recent recipient of the FGCC Civic Leadership Award.
Roger Frey
Community Leader
Roger Frey moved to San Diego when he retired in 2001 and has since dedicated his time to travel and volunteer work. Roger spends much of his time working with a number of organizations including a charity that delivers meals to the homebound, a North Park center that provides services to the homeless community, as well as participating on the Development Boards of local community colleges. Previously, Roger served as a Vice President of JP Morgan Chase and head of the Energy Lending Group at Fuji Bank of Japan. He holds a BA from Dartmouth College, an MBA from the University of Chicago and a Master’s Degree in Engineering from Tulane University. Roger is a recent recipient of the FGCC Civic Leadership Award.
Bassma "Bessy" Glaske
Community Leader
Bassma "Bessy" Glaske has made a career of working with justice-involved individuals and reentry programs for more than 30 years. Previously, Bessy was President and Chief Operations Officer for Correctional Alternatives, Inc. Bessy has also held an adjunct position with Grossmont College as an instructor for the Corrections Academy, and served on a number of boards over the years, including Pro Kids Golf Academy, Ladies of Hope, and Tierra del Sol Middle School in Lakeside, where she was also President of the PTA. As a founding member and past chairperson of the Ladies of Hope, Bessy helped support the group's refugee initiative, built networks in the Chaldean and local community, and bridged resources for refugee resettlement in the area. Bessy is also a Developmental Dimensions Inc. certified trainer. Bessy has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management and a Master of Arts degree in organizational management. As a member and resident of the east county community, Bessy lives with her husband, Marty Glaske and has two children.
Elizabeth Beaver
Policy & Compliance Manager, San Diego Gas & Electric
Elizabeth Beaver serves as Policy and Compliance Manager for Land & Environmental Services at San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). In her role, Elizabeth is responsible for ensuring SDG&E’s land use practices comply with applicable laws and creating policies that support regional development. Elizabeth joined SDG&E in 2013 and has previously held roles in Media Relations and Regulatory Affairs.
Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from Clemson University.
Bonnie LaChappa
Community Leader/Former Councilwoman, Barona Band of Mission Indians
As a member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, a lifelong Lakeside resident and a mother of three children, Bonnie LaChappa strives to be an active member of the Lakeside community. Bonnie has served on the Board of Trustees for the Lakeside Union School District. As a former Barona Tribal Councilmember and member of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce Board, Bonnie is a passionate advocate for education and has been actively involved in Lakeside schools for the past two decades. She served as a parent volunteer at Lindo Park Elementary, Tierra Del Sol and El Capitan High School. She has served on the PTA at all three schools in various roles including Vice President and Parent Volunteer Committee Chair. She has also served on the Lemon Crest Elementary School Site Committee. While serving as a Barona Tribal Council member, Mrs. LaChappa was actively involved in the Tribe's community relations program and helped direct major charitable contributions of financial support and services to dozens of local causes benefiting all San Diegans. Among these efforts, she played an active part in the development and execution of the Barona Band of Mission Indians' Education Grant Program, which awarded a total of $90,000 in grant money to 18 schools across the state to promote academic improvement in its first year. Mrs. LaChappa is committed to helping ensure that all Lakeside students receive a superior education and believes in the partnership between parents, students and most importantly their District's governing body to realize this goal.