Mike Metts, Chairman
Mike graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1983, with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Since that time he has spent his career planning, designing and constructing water, wastewater and recycled water infrastructure and treatment facilities for public agencies throughout the southwestern US. Mike is a member of the Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary Club, serving as president of that organization in 2006. Mike is highly involved in Rotary’s Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program, where 30 high school juniors attend a three day leadership conference in Idyllwild each year. Mike has worked for Dudek in Encinitas for the past 17 years, where managed the engineering department and served on the firm’s Board of Directors. He recently joined the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Board of Directors in 2010.
Al Cerda, Vice-Chairman, Native American Liaison
Al was re-elected to the Board in 2008 and elected Vice-Chairperson. Al is also one of the Foundation's most active volunteers. In his role as Facilities Manager, Al can often be found tending the Native Garden or leading volunteer event set-up and logistical activities at the AHLF Discovery Center. He is also very involved with various Luiseno and cultural activities. Al has provided the Foundation a strong tie to the San Luis Rey Band of the Luiseno nation.
Brian Dugan, Treasurer
Mr. Dugan grew up in the Washington DC area and holds a B.S. in Commerce from The University of Virginia. Mr. Dugan received an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He graduated as an Edwin W. Carter Fellow, the school's highest honor awarded to the top 2% of the MBA class. Mr. Dugan joined Poseidon Resources in July 2008. He serves as the Director of Finance & Project Development and is responsible for raising project capital, financial analysis and modeling, investor relations, and contract negotiations. In his free time he enjoys coaching high school boys basketball at San Diego High School as the varsity assistant.
Mike Pearson, Secretary
Mike came to San Diego County circa 1974 and never found a good reason to leave. He worked at the Encina Power Plant as an Engineer from 1985 to about 2009, and has been witness to the growth and development in and around the lagoon ever since. He has been involved with the AHLF for the past several years as a volunteer. Presently, Mike works for NRG Energy about a mile from the lagoon and is proud to say that NRG is a proponent of all the good events and activities that the Lagoon Foundation sponsors.
Kori Dolkas
Kori has been a resident of Carlsbad for over 43 years and spent many years in her youth enjoying water sports on the lagoon. She graduated from Carlsbad High School and now has children attending CHS. Kori has been in the banking industry for 30 years and is the Vice President/Branch Manager of U.S. Bank in Carlsbad. Kori is involved in the community with Carlsbad Hi Noon Rotary, serves as President for the CHS Touchdown Club and was recently elected to the Lagoon Foundation Board of Directors.
Diane Kahler-Richards
Diane is an admirer of the wetlands and its many wild inhabitants. She moved to Agua Hedionda in 1988 where she resides in Bristol Cove. In 1991 Diane joined the AHLF and became a Board member alongside her husband Bob Richards. Since then she has watched the Foundation expand and grow. Diane has worked for Kaiser Permanente as a Nurse Practitioner for 26 years. Diane volunteers with AHLF and her many other interests include hiking, bird watching, and kayaking/canoeing.
Mike Howes
Mike is one of the principals of Howes, Weiler and Associates, a Carlsbad based land use planning firm. Mike has lived in Carlsbad and been involved in land use planning in the City since 1980. During the 1990’s Mike served several terms on the Board of Directors and worked with Bob Richards on obtaining the necessary approvals from the City to locate the Discovery Center at its present location. He still actively surfs, kayaks and hikes with his son Dylan.
Rebecca Richards
Rebecca is a graduate of Chapman University in Orange, CA, with an AA in French and a BA in Liberal Studies. As a Senior Manager of Carlsbad Aquafarm, she feels her main role as an AHLF Board Member is to support the foundation and its parallel stewardship goals of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Her background in science-related exhibit design, marketing and public relations lends experience to the foundation in marine and natural science education and membership acquisition.
Greg Rubin
Greg Rubin is the owner of California’s Own Native Landscape Design and is responsible for the design and installation of the Discovery Center’s native plant garden. Although originally educated and employed in the area of aerospace engineering, Greg developed a fascination with native plants in the 1980’s which subsequently blossomed into a highly successful 2nd career. With water conservation on everyone’s mind, Greg is very much in demand as a speaker and consultant and has designed over 500 native landscapes in Southern California.
Amber Starbuck
Amber Starbuck is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, with a Public Relations emphasis. She currently works with SDG&E as a Public Affairs Manager in our region. Her inspiration to join the board stems from the commitment the board has to educating the community about the environment. One of her goals is to help find creative ways to grow membership.
Jim Strickland
Jim became a Board member in 2007. He is a Retired US Navy Chief and very active in the Carlsbad community, including the AHLF Board. Jim's vision and hard work resulted in the 2009 Lagoon Calendar and Photographic Exhibition.
Lisa Cannon-Rodman, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Executive Director Lisa comes to the AHLF with 25 years of business development experience, raising funds, building relationships, and developing markets in various settings. She holds a BA in Communications from California State University-San Marcos. A Carlsbad resident since 1983, Lisa looks forward to helping build awareness of this wonderful example of environmental balance in an urban setting, right here on Carlsbad's most unique lagoon.
Members of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation are welcome to nominate individuals to the Board of Directors. Nominees should submit a resume and contact details to the Discovery Center.
In accordance with the October 2008 bylaws, these nominees will be vetted by the Board Development Committee before going to the Board for election. New Board members shall be ratified during the Annual Meeting of the Members in October of each year.