Bea Field
Bea Field, came out of retirement to lead Laguna Beach Seniors as Executive Director in the successful transition from the cramped Legion Hall to the spacious Susi Q center. With 25 years of experience in management, fundraising, team building and program development Bea was enticed out of retirement to head the seniors. Bea was executive director of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic from 1982 to 1987 when she administered all facets of multi-specialty medical and counseling clinics and negotiated contracts with federal, state and county agencies. She also served as director of the youth shelter in Laguna from 1995 to 1998. Organizational and fundraising skills honed throughout her career benefitted the Susi Q tremendously. Bea is currently a member of the Emeritus Council.
Christina (Tina) Haines
Tina Haines developed her passion for Laguna Beach Seniors through her 30 years living in this unique beloved town with its very special people. Friends encouraged Tina to join “the seniors” before the SusiQ doors were open. They were recruiting a team to help build and lead the organization into a new era “a place of their own” the SusiQ. Tina’s background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, and 28 years of increasing responsibility for technology departments and executive leadership in large and small companies “It is a joy to work with Laguna Beach Seniors, use the skills I’ve learned, and see our Seniors (including me) and our town flourish” Tina, currently serves on the Emeritus Council, having served as Board Member, Executive Council and Board Chair in her 14 year tenure.
Terri Johnson
A resident of Laguna Beach since 1970s, Terri Johnson used her event planning skills honed as the founder/owner of the successful catering company, Culinary Classics to chair the LBS Legacy Ball fundraiser for several years. Through her efforts, event revenue and attendance were increased every year. She also applied her architectural design talent to improve the marketing for the Susi Q. Terri enjoyed several other creative careers after graduating from UCLA cum laude-beginning with elementary school teaching, drafting and architectural design, growing a full-service catering business, creating international catering seminars leading to consulting with foodservice businesses, facilitating management development seminars and consulting with Fortune 500 companies, teaching at UCLA and other local colleges, and finally landscape design. She was a member of SchoolPower, where she initiated the first revenue-generating school directory.
Darrcy Loveland
Darrcy Loveland is a licensed attorney and member of the Bar for California and the District of Columbia. With over 25 years of experience with corporate, nonprofit, association and government organizations, she served as the senior counsel for Kaiser Permanente before joining Laguna Beach Community Foundation as president and CEO. During her tenure at the foundation, Darrcy doubled the number of charitable funds and oversaw the distribution of 2.7 million in grants and established policies and procedures and other fundamental documents for the foundation.
James McBride
A graduate of UCSB Economics Department, Jim’s experience includes three major careers in accounting beginning with management training for a life insurance company, followed by accounting positions with a computer manufacturing company. Jim held the position of CFO for a group of companies operating in drilling, production and refining of petroleum products. Jim’s CPA license in 1983 was followed by 25 years as a tax consultant in addition of many corporate positions. Jim served on many Boards as advisor and treasurer establishing accounting and finance systems. Jim was the recipient of the Legacy Award in 2022 for his exceptional philanthropic commitment to Laguna Beach Seniors.
Elizabeth Pearson
Elizabeth Pearson served the City of Laguna Beach as a Planning Commissioner for 6½ Years and as a City Council member for 12 years in addition to serving 3 terms as Mayor. She championed the creation of a new Senior Center in Laguna Beach and raised much of the funds to help with the construction costs of the building. The Center officially opened in 2009. Elizabeth has worked as a corporate executive in the real estate and financial services industries and also as a key executive and consultant for non-profits. Today, as CEO of Laguna ADU, she helps seniors and others to create ADUs on their properties to be used as rental units, caretaker units, and more. Elizabeth serves on the Board at Laguna Beach Live and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. She served numerous years on the Board of Directors of Laguna Beach Seniors.
Ann H. Quilter
Ann Quilter grew up in a Marine Corps family that was used to moving around the country every few years. She made Laguna Beach her forever hometown in 1976, and jumped into community service while raising two children with her husband Charlie. She presided over the League of Women Voters in the 1980s. In the 1990s she served as both president of Thurston Middle School PTA and then at Laguna Beach High School. An active member of the United Methodist Church of Laguna Beach, Ann has co-led work teams to Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Cuba and Biloxi, Mississippi. After joining the LBS Board in 2004, she and Darrcy Loveland served as co-Chairs of the Capital Campaign to build the Susi Q. After the senior center opened, Ann was instrumental in our transition into a professional senior services organization, working on board standards, strategic planning, and bylaws. After serving on the Board for six years, she joined the Emeritus Council as has remained an invaluable advisor.
Christopher Quilter
Chris Quilter is the second of four sons of Susi Q. Before retiring, he worked in fund development and marketing for the Laguna Beach Community Clinic and AIDS Services Foundation Orange County. He then followed his sister-in-law Ann onto the LBS Board of Directors in 2004, was its president from 2008-2014, and is currently a member of the Emeritus Council. He served on the City-sponsored Senior Housing Task Force in 2014 and Affordable Housing Task Force in 2019. Chris also created the Susi Q website and was its webmaster until 2022, was a co-writer of No Square Theatre’s Lagunatics from 2004-2019, and has been an occasional columnist for the Laguna Beach Independent.
Ruth Stafford
Ruth Stafford, Ph.D. has been involved with Laguna Beach seniors as a contributor and a valuable Board member since 2005. She is currently serving on the organization’s Emeritus Council supporting all Care Management and Behaviors Health services for seniors. Dr. Stafford played a key role in enhancing the Center’s mental health programs which are designed to break through the barrier of silence and isolation that imprisons many of our seniors. Dr. Stafford’s role in making our organization grow and expand programs and services has been tremendous. She is a great volunteer, a wise Board advisor, a generous donor and a respected community member.
Kristine Thalman
With over 20 years of experience in building industry, government relations, and public affairs, Kristine Thalman is now the President and owner of K.E. Thalman & Associates. She works directly with government agencies, housing developers, non-profit organizations, and small businesses in developing strategic plans, and economic & business developments. A cum laude graduate in Public Administration, Kris has received recognition/awards as the “Most Influential People in Orange County” (Red County Magazine), “raising the Roof- 4 Women Leaders pave the way” (OC Metro), “Visionary of the Year” (Coastline Community College), and more. Kris is currently a member of the Jamboree Housing Advisory Board and the Muzeo Museum & Cultural Center in Anaheim. Here past Board activities include serving on the Laguna Beach Senior Housing Task Force, South Coast Medical Foundation, OC Council of Governments, and Southern California Association of Governments.