Ken Bouldin, President
Major General Ken Bouldin, US Army (ret) and his wife Marianne have been residents of Palm Desert and members of the World Affairs Council of the Desert for over12 years. General Bouldin is a native Tennessean and a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is also a graduate of the US Army War College. As a citizen soldier, Ken has held a number of positions as a business executive and concurrently served in the US Army in both an active and reserve status for over 30 years.
He served as Chair of the Programs Committee, bringing outstanding speakers to WACD dinners and livestream virtual events "From Around the World" during the pandemic of 2020 and 2021.
Major General Ken Bouldin, US Army (ret) and his wife Marianne have been residents of Palm Desert and members of the World Affairs Council of the Desert for over12 years. General Bouldin is a native Tennessean and a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is also a graduate of the US Army War College. As a citizen soldier, Ken has held a number of positions as a business executive and concurrently served in the US Army in both an active and reserve status for over 30 years.
He served as Chair of the Programs Committee, bringing outstanding speakers to WACD dinners and livestream virtual events "From Around the World" during the pandemic of 2020 and 2021.
James D McFarlin, Chairman
Immediate Past President of World Affairs Council of the Desert, Jim led us through the Covid-19 years, introducing livestream events and keeping us informed and updated on world affairs. A former Air Force officer and high tech CEO, he is a recognized authority, author and popular national speaker on cybersecurity and cyberwarfare. His cyber thriller, “Aftershock: A Novel” debuted as an Amazon pick of the month and is widely read internationally.
Jim previously served as Chair of the Program Committee, bringing outstanding speakers to our desert to inform and educate our members and guests at the WACD Dinner/Speaker Events at Thunderbird Country Club.
Immediate Past President of World Affairs Council of the Desert, Jim led us through the Covid-19 years, introducing livestream events and keeping us informed and updated on world affairs. A former Air Force officer and high tech CEO, he is a recognized authority, author and popular national speaker on cybersecurity and cyberwarfare. His cyber thriller, “Aftershock: A Novel” debuted as an Amazon pick of the month and is widely read internationally.
Jim previously served as Chair of the Program Committee, bringing outstanding speakers to our desert to inform and educate our members and guests at the WACD Dinner/Speaker Events at Thunderbird Country Club.
Hal Marchick, Vice President/CFO
Hal received his AB from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts and his MBA from Stanford University School of Business. He served in the US Army with programming and analysis assignments at the Pentagon and European Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany.
As a Principal of the Curo Group in Palo Alto, California, Hal spent 25+ years consulting and acting CFO for small to mid-size companies, managing and creating financial procedures, strategic plans, and information systems as well as providing finance and valuation expert witness testimony in legal proceedings. His varied clientele were in technology, retail, health care, manufacturing, and distribution.
Hal was an active member of the University Rotary Club in Palo Alto, where he served as President and Treasurer during his more than 20-year stint. Coaching and refereeing children’s sports, math tutoring, and temple and non-profit board memberships were also on his busy schedule.
Hal received his AB from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts and his MBA from Stanford University School of Business. He served in the US Army with programming and analysis assignments at the Pentagon and European Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany.
As a Principal of the Curo Group in Palo Alto, California, Hal spent 25+ years consulting and acting CFO for small to mid-size companies, managing and creating financial procedures, strategic plans, and information systems as well as providing finance and valuation expert witness testimony in legal proceedings. His varied clientele were in technology, retail, health care, manufacturing, and distribution.
Hal was an active member of the University Rotary Club in Palo Alto, where he served as President and Treasurer during his more than 20-year stint. Coaching and refereeing children’s sports, math tutoring, and temple and non-profit board memberships were also on his busy schedule.
Christopher Hebb, Secretary
Christopher holds an LL.B. from the University of Toronto and a B.A. (History) from the University of Alberta. He is a retired member of the Law Societies of Alberta and British Columbia. Much of Mr. Hebb’s experience has been in corporate turnarounds. He has operated and held senior executive positions in a variety of businesses including oil and gas, coal, steel manufacturing and fabrication, food, consumer products, diamond exploration, real estate and investment management. He is former Executive Vice President of Kaiser Resources Ltd. in Canada and Senior Vice President of Kaiser Steel Corporation in Oakland, California. He has served as a director and president of the Churchill Society of British Columbia for fifteen years and is a former director of the International Churchill Society based in Washington, D.C.
Christopher and his wife, Dorothy, reside in West Vancouver, British Columbia and have a home in Palm Springs. A long-time member of the World Affairs Council of the Desert, he is now a welcome addition to the Board of Directors.
Christopher holds an LL.B. from the University of Toronto and a B.A. (History) from the University of Alberta. He is a retired member of the Law Societies of Alberta and British Columbia. Much of Mr. Hebb’s experience has been in corporate turnarounds. He has operated and held senior executive positions in a variety of businesses including oil and gas, coal, steel manufacturing and fabrication, food, consumer products, diamond exploration, real estate and investment management. He is former Executive Vice President of Kaiser Resources Ltd. in Canada and Senior Vice President of Kaiser Steel Corporation in Oakland, California. He has served as a director and president of the Churchill Society of British Columbia for fifteen years and is a former director of the International Churchill Society based in Washington, D.C.
Christopher and his wife, Dorothy, reside in West Vancouver, British Columbia and have a home in Palm Springs. A long-time member of the World Affairs Council of the Desert, he is now a welcome addition to the Board of Directors.
Marla Ahlgrimm
Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., is a University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy graduate. She has continually been recognized with some of the nation’s top honors for women. Some of her most notable accolades include the 1999 Distinguished University of Wisconsin Alumni Award and the 1994 YWCA Women of Distinction honor. One of the foremost women’s health experts in the United States, her research into hormone related imbalances has revolutionized how American women and their doctors view PMS, perimenopause and menopause. In 1982, Marla co-founded Madison Pharmacy Associates in Madison, Wisconsin – the first pharmacy in America to specialize in women’s health. Marla is also a philanthropist and is the namesake of the Marla Ahlgrimm Scholarship Fund for students at the University of Wisconsin who share her interest in personalized medicine for women.
Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., is a University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy graduate. She has continually been recognized with some of the nation’s top honors for women. Some of her most notable accolades include the 1999 Distinguished University of Wisconsin Alumni Award and the 1994 YWCA Women of Distinction honor. One of the foremost women’s health experts in the United States, her research into hormone related imbalances has revolutionized how American women and their doctors view PMS, perimenopause and menopause. In 1982, Marla co-founded Madison Pharmacy Associates in Madison, Wisconsin – the first pharmacy in America to specialize in women’s health. Marla is also a philanthropist and is the namesake of the Marla Ahlgrimm Scholarship Fund for students at the University of Wisconsin who share her interest in personalized medicine for women.
Marly Bergerud
Marly Bergerud’s career spans 30+ years in higher education within the California Community Colleges, primarily in management leadership, serving as Vice President at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA, and Dean of Business at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. Her earlier career was that of a Professor of Business at Cypress College, Cypress, CA.
Her reputation is that of a nationally recognized educational leader, author, and speaker building national and global partnerships between educational institutions and their industry partners specializing in technology innovation and restructuring for the workforce of the 21st century.
She served as President of the Palm Springs Writers Guild, Vice President on the Board of the Steinway Society and very much enjoys being an Educational Ambassador of the McCallum Theatre Muses. Bergerud has authored and published 25 computer technology textbooks, contributed to the Greater Palm Springs edition of the magazine, LOCALE, and is actively working on her Memoir, “My Dance with the Devil.”
Marly Bergerud’s career spans 30+ years in higher education within the California Community Colleges, primarily in management leadership, serving as Vice President at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA, and Dean of Business at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. Her earlier career was that of a Professor of Business at Cypress College, Cypress, CA.
Her reputation is that of a nationally recognized educational leader, author, and speaker building national and global partnerships between educational institutions and their industry partners specializing in technology innovation and restructuring for the workforce of the 21st century.
She served as President of the Palm Springs Writers Guild, Vice President on the Board of the Steinway Society and very much enjoys being an Educational Ambassador of the McCallum Theatre Muses. Bergerud has authored and published 25 computer technology textbooks, contributed to the Greater Palm Springs edition of the magazine, LOCALE, and is actively working on her Memoir, “My Dance with the Devil.”
Jean Carrus, Life Member and Director since 1985
Jean has resided in the desert since 1985 and is a well-known philanthropist who serves and has served on many Boards for Coachella Valley non-profits. A partial list includes Brandeis University National Committee, The Palm Springs Art Museum, The Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, the Palm Spring Opera Guild of the Desert, the College of the Desert Foundation, and the Tolerance Education Center.
Jean has resided in the desert since 1985 and is a well-known philanthropist who serves and has served on many Boards for Coachella Valley non-profits. A partial list includes Brandeis University National Committee, The Palm Springs Art Museum, The Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, the Palm Spring Opera Guild of the Desert, the College of the Desert Foundation, and the Tolerance Education Center.
Suz Hunt
Suz was born and raised in Oil City, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Penn State University. She spent 36 years at Woodruff-Sawyer & Co., one the country’s largest privately held insurance brokerage and consulting firms, headquartered in San Francisco; her last position with the firm was President from 1996 to 2008. While working, she was recognized for 3 years as one of Most Influential Women in the Bay Area.
Since retiring and moving to the Coachella Valley in early 2009, Suz has been involved in a number of organizations, including COD where she served on the Foundation Board for seven years and as Treasurer, Chair of the Development Committee and President of the Board, the McCallum Theatre serving on the McCallum Theatre Education Committee and is a Silver Patroness and many other organizations.
Suz was born and raised in Oil City, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Penn State University. She spent 36 years at Woodruff-Sawyer & Co., one the country’s largest privately held insurance brokerage and consulting firms, headquartered in San Francisco; her last position with the firm was President from 1996 to 2008. While working, she was recognized for 3 years as one of Most Influential Women in the Bay Area.
Since retiring and moving to the Coachella Valley in early 2009, Suz has been involved in a number of organizations, including COD where she served on the Foundation Board for seven years and as Treasurer, Chair of the Development Committee and President of the Board, the McCallum Theatre serving on the McCallum Theatre Education Committee and is a Silver Patroness and many other organizations.
Michael Karp
After double-majoring in history and religious studies at Cal Poly Humboldt, Michael earned his MA and PhD in history at Saint Louis University. Since earning his PhD, he has had the unique privilege to teach in a variety of settings including an independent middle school, public high schools, dual enrollment programs, and community colleges and universities across the United States. In 2020, Michael was hired as one of the first tenure-line faculty at the Palm Desert Campus of California State University, San Bernardino, where he teaches courses in United States history, World history, environmental history, and the history of the American West. He is also Co-Director of the Porter History-Social Science Resource Center at the university.
For the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, Michael served on the Academic WorldQuest Committee as the Director of Educational Outreach and helped to stage the WorldQuest Competition during the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After double-majoring in history and religious studies at Cal Poly Humboldt, Michael earned his MA and PhD in history at Saint Louis University. Since earning his PhD, he has had the unique privilege to teach in a variety of settings including an independent middle school, public high schools, dual enrollment programs, and community colleges and universities across the United States. In 2020, Michael was hired as one of the first tenure-line faculty at the Palm Desert Campus of California State University, San Bernardino, where he teaches courses in United States history, World history, environmental history, and the history of the American West. He is also Co-Director of the Porter History-Social Science Resource Center at the university.
For the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, Michael served on the Academic WorldQuest Committee as the Director of Educational Outreach and helped to stage the WorldQuest Competition during the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gordon Kramer
Gordon worked as an Aerospace Engineer from 1959 to 1996. He worked primarily as a researcher with semiconductor sensors and later as a Program Manager on programs related to Ballistic Missile defense at Hughes Aircraft Company. He graduated from Cal Tech with a Master of Science degree in Engineering Science. Following retirement from engineering Gordon spent 10 years as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with American Express and Ameriprise Financial. He volunteers his time to tutor students in math at Palm Desert Middle School and at the Boys and Girls Club. He has been married for 26 years to his wife Eve and they enjoy their six grandchildren.
Gordon worked as an Aerospace Engineer from 1959 to 1996. He worked primarily as a researcher with semiconductor sensors and later as a Program Manager on programs related to Ballistic Missile defense at Hughes Aircraft Company. He graduated from Cal Tech with a Master of Science degree in Engineering Science. Following retirement from engineering Gordon spent 10 years as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with American Express and Ameriprise Financial. He volunteers his time to tutor students in math at Palm Desert Middle School and at the Boys and Girls Club. He has been married for 26 years to his wife Eve and they enjoy their six grandchildren.
Becky Kurtz
Becky is currently the Executive Director of the Desert Town Hall, the desert’s renowned lecture series that hosts leaders from around the world. She is the former editor of Palm Springs Life magazine.
She previously served on the World Affairs Council of the Desert’s Board of Directors as Vice-President and has frequently served on the WACD Program Committee. She is an invaluable member of the Board of Directors.
Becky is currently the Executive Director of the Desert Town Hall, the desert’s renowned lecture series that hosts leaders from around the world. She is the former editor of Palm Springs Life magazine.
She previously served on the World Affairs Council of the Desert’s Board of Directors as Vice-President and has frequently served on the WACD Program Committee. She is an invaluable member of the Board of Directors.
Patrick Lizza
One of the new Directors of WACD, Pat is the Branch Manager of the Indian Wells office of UBS and a member of the Flanagan, Bruner, Lizza Wealth Management team. He joined UBS in 2011 and has worked with the team to hone their client-focused approach to their wealth management practice.
Prior to joining UBS, Pat spent 17 years in the high-end hospitality industry developing significant trust with clients and an understanding of their needs. He served as treasurer on the Board of Directors of Xavier Jesuit College Preparatory High School and currently serves on the Southwestern Growers Tournament Committee for the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley.
Pat and his wife, Tricia (who is a math teacher and Academic WorldQuest Coach) live in La Quinta and enjoy spending time with their two grown children, Meg and Hogan.
One of the new Directors of WACD, Pat is the Branch Manager of the Indian Wells office of UBS and a member of the Flanagan, Bruner, Lizza Wealth Management team. He joined UBS in 2011 and has worked with the team to hone their client-focused approach to their wealth management practice.
Prior to joining UBS, Pat spent 17 years in the high-end hospitality industry developing significant trust with clients and an understanding of their needs. He served as treasurer on the Board of Directors of Xavier Jesuit College Preparatory High School and currently serves on the Southwestern Growers Tournament Committee for the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley.
Pat and his wife, Tricia (who is a math teacher and Academic WorldQuest Coach) live in La Quinta and enjoy spending time with their two grown children, Meg and Hogan.
Thomas Riley
Tom was the United States Ambassador to Morocco from 2003 to 2009, receiving the State Department’s 2009 Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service, the only award given by the State Department to a political-appointee Ambassador.
Born and raised in San Mateo, California, Tom received his BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford, he worked as an engineer at Boeing for a year, then attended Harvard Business School, receiving his MBA, and then went on to work at TRW Mission in London and Paris.
After four years, he returned to the U.S. and began a 20+ year career in Silicon Valley in several and varied organizations as founder and director. He is the holder of United States Patent 5303767 for an energy management system and is married to Nancy Vieira da Rosa Riley, a former tax attorney.
Tom was the United States Ambassador to Morocco from 2003 to 2009, receiving the State Department’s 2009 Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service, the only award given by the State Department to a political-appointee Ambassador.
Born and raised in San Mateo, California, Tom received his BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford, he worked as an engineer at Boeing for a year, then attended Harvard Business School, receiving his MBA, and then went on to work at TRW Mission in London and Paris.
After four years, he returned to the U.S. and began a 20+ year career in Silicon Valley in several and varied organizations as founder and director. He is the holder of United States Patent 5303767 for an energy management system and is married to Nancy Vieira da Rosa Riley, a former tax attorney.
Dr. John Welty
A Past President of World Affairs Council of the Desert, Dr. John D. Welty is President Emeritus of California State University, Fresno. He served as president of California State University, Fresno for 22 years (1991-2013) and is also a professor in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. He served as Trustee Professor of the California State University for two years after retiring from the Fresno State Presidency and currently serves as a Senior Associate at AASCU Consulting and is Chair of the California Health Sciences University Board of Trustees.
Dr. Welty received his bachelor's degree in Social Science from Western Illinois University, Macomb, in 1965; his master in College Student Personnel Services from Michigan State University in 1967; and his doctorate in Administration of Higher Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1974. Dr. Welty and his wife, Dr. Sharon Brown-Welty, have five children and five grandchildren.
A Past President of World Affairs Council of the Desert, Dr. John D. Welty is President Emeritus of California State University, Fresno. He served as president of California State University, Fresno for 22 years (1991-2013) and is also a professor in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. He served as Trustee Professor of the California State University for two years after retiring from the Fresno State Presidency and currently serves as a Senior Associate at AASCU Consulting and is Chair of the California Health Sciences University Board of Trustees.
Dr. Welty received his bachelor's degree in Social Science from Western Illinois University, Macomb, in 1965; his master in College Student Personnel Services from Michigan State University in 1967; and his doctorate in Administration of Higher Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1974. Dr. Welty and his wife, Dr. Sharon Brown-Welty, have five children and five grandchildren.
Dr. Jake Zhu
We are honored to have Jake serve as one of the newest members of the WACD Board of Directors. A Cal State San Bernardino professor of information and decision sciences, Jake was named the new dean of the Palm Desert Campus in July of 2019.
Dr. Zhu joined CSUSB in 2002 as an assistant professor in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s Information and Decision Sciences Department where he was soon promoted to professor. He served as co-director of the college’s Cybersecurity Center and was a co-founder of the Center of Academic Excellence in cyber security education at the Brown College.
Jake was a Fellow with the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C. and holds a Ph.D. in education from UC Riverside, a master’s degree in education from the University of Redlands and a bachelor’s degree in English from the Hunan Educational Institute in Hunan, China.
We are honored to have Jake serve as one of the newest members of the WACD Board of Directors. A Cal State San Bernardino professor of information and decision sciences, Jake was named the new dean of the Palm Desert Campus in July of 2019.
Dr. Zhu joined CSUSB in 2002 as an assistant professor in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s Information and Decision Sciences Department where he was soon promoted to professor. He served as co-director of the college’s Cybersecurity Center and was a co-founder of the Center of Academic Excellence in cyber security education at the Brown College.
Jake was a Fellow with the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C. and holds a Ph.D. in education from UC Riverside, a master’s degree in education from the University of Redlands and a bachelor’s degree in English from the Hunan Educational Institute in Hunan, China.
