Alumni Association
Alumni House
Board of Directors
The Cal State Fullerton Alumni Association Board of Directors is an involved group of alumni who volunteer to represent all our Titan graduates. The Board plans Alumni Association programs, events and benefits and serves as an advisory committee toward alumni activities with the university.
Executive Committee
Antonia Castro-Graham ’00, M.P.A. ’02
President
Senior Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs
Avantus
Antonia is the Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs for Avantus, a clean energy company. She previously held the position of Director of Energy Policy and Strategy, Americas for BayWa, a leading renewable energy project developer. Prior to this position she served as Vice President of a Public Affairs firm and spent more than twenty years working in local government. She served as the Deputy City Manager for the City of Fullerton and as the Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Huntington Beach. She led regional efforts and created the Orange County Recycling Market Development Zone and created a working group of cities to study community choice energy, eventually forming the Orange County Power Authority. She holds a BA in Political Science and American Studies and an MPA with a concentration in Public Finance from CSUF as well as a master’s degree in Sustainability from Arizona State University. She was selected as the Arizona State University School of Sustainability Alumni of the Year (2018) and the 2022 CSUF MPA Alumni of the Year.
Vince Fabrizio ’89
President, Elect
Chief Deputy District Attorney (retired)
Riverside County
Vince Fabrizio earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1989 from Cal State Fullerton. Vince was a President’s Scholar, ASI President and a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. After graduating, Vince was a Jesse Marvin Unruh California State Assembly Fellow 1989-90. He graduated with a JD from UC Davis in 1993. He served in the Riverside County District Attorney’s office from 1994 through 2025. He retired as a Chief Deputy District Attorney.
Chad Eimers, M.S. ’21
Treasurer
Attorney
BakerHostetler
Eimers is an attorney at BakerHostetler in Orange County, practicing patent law. To increase his technical background, Eimers returned to school after law school and chose CSUF to obtain his master’s degree in electrical engineering. The evening (part-time) program allowed Eimers to attend Cal State Fullerton while working full-time. As an attorney at BakerHostetler, Chad focuses on drafting, preparing, and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications for portable electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, accessories, and infotainment, as well as medical/healthcare (artificial intelligence and machine learning), augmented reality, virtual reality, networking and video distribution and solid- state memory devices. He collaborates with client in-house counsel, engineers, and inventors and discusses cases with patent examiners as new applications move through the process.
Nicholas Cabeza ’18
Immediate Past President
Regional Public Affairs Manager
League of California Cities
Nicholas Cabeza has served on the Alumni Association Board since July 2019, including as President, 2023-25. He graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in public administration from California State University, Fullerton, where he participated in the Sacramento Semester Program and interned at the State Capitol. Nicholas currently serves as the Regional Public Affairs Manager at the League of California Cities. In this capacity, Nicholas works with Gateway Cities and the City of Los Angeles to expand and protect local control through education and grassroots advocacy. He previously held the position of Government Affairs Analyst for the City of Long Beach, managing legislative and funding priorities. He previously worked in government relations in Long Beach and with the California School Boards Association. Nicholas also holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Certificate in Public Policy from the University of Southern California.
Joe Ahn ’93
Chair, Philanthropy
Senior Business Development Manager
Director of Government Relations for Advanced Development Programs
Joe is currently Director of Government Relations and Senior Business Development Manager with Advanced Development Programs (Skunk Works) at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. Prior to his tenure in the aerospace and defense industry, Joe held key leadership positions of increasing responsibility in the state of California, including executive leadership in the Office of Governor Gray Davis, as acting director of the Technology, Trade, and Commerce Agency, and deputy chief of staff to Vice Chair of California State Board of Equalization. He also served as special assistant to Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, chief policy deputy for the Los Angeles Board of Education, and legislative and field aide to the Vice Chair of the California Assembly’s Minority Ways and Means Committee. He has also been recognized for his personal and professional achievements including Torrance Chamber George Whittlesey Lifetime Achievement Award, South Bay Association Chambers of Commerce John Parson Legacy Award, San Diego Economic Development Corporation Fifty Future Leaders for the 21st Century and named National Corporate Advocate of the Year by the Computer Technology Industry Association in Washington, DC.
William Bryan ’02
Chair, Alumni Engagement
Wealth Manager
LPL Financial Advisor
William Bryan is a distinguished professional in the financial services sector, bringing over thirty years of expertise to the industry. His career began at Capital Group/American Funds, where he dedicated 23 years to various roles, including serving as the Endowment & Foundation Specialist within the Institutional Investor Service Group. In 2011, William joined Edward Jones as a financial adviser, subsequently transitioning in 2013 to LPL Financial as an independent Wealth Manager and establishing WHB Financial (Wealth, Health & Business). He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics with an emphasis on personal financial planning from California State University, Fullerton, and was awarded a full athletic scholarship for football from 1985 to 1989. Additionally, William has served as a board director for the Pomona Valley YMCA and currently contributes as an advisory board member for the National College Research Foundation.
Gleanne Kienzler, Ed.d. ’23
Chair, Student Engagement
Belonging, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (BDEI) Engagement Manager
Children’s Hospital of Orange County
Dr. Gleanne Kienzler is a proud first-generation college graduate and alumna of CSUF’s Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. She spent 15 years advancing the student experience at institutions including CSUF, Claremont McKenna College, and Brown University. She later transitioned to healthcare and now serves as the Belonging, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Engagement Manager at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where she fosters a culture in which every patient, family, and team member feels supported, valued, and empowered. Dr. Kienzler earned her bachelor’s in Hospitality & Tourism Management and an MBA from Hawai‘i Pacific University.
Vanessa Pinzon ’09
Chair, Membership & Marketing
Media Director
Exverus Media
Vanessa Pinzón is a marketing and media leader with over 18 years of experience developing impactful campaigns for national and global brands. An Orange County native and graduate of California State University, Fullerton, she earned her degree in Communications with an emphasis in Advertising and remains an active alumna of Sigma Kappa Sorority and the Advertising Club. Vanessa spent more than 13 years at Casanova//McCann, where she led the digital media team and contributed to the agency’s growth and success. She currently serves as Media Director at Exverus Media, overseeing integrated media strategies for a diverse portfolio of clients.
Beyond her corporate career, Vanessa is the founder of Soulcial Butterfly, a boutique event planning company known for creating beautifully curated celebrations that blend creativity, connection, and personalized design.
Directors at Large
Vanessa Acuña ’02, T.C. ’03, M.S. ’07, Ed. D. ’23
Director
Director of Human Resources
Chino Valley Unified School District
Dr. Vanessa Acuña began her career in education as a classroom teacher in the East Whittier City School District, where she dedicated 17 years to supporting students and families. She went on to serve as a school administrator for six years and currently holds the position of Director of Human Resources for the Chino Valley Unified School District. A proud first-generation college graduate, Dr. Acuña is a four-time alumna of California State University, Fullerton, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, a multiple subject teaching credential, a master’s degree in educational leadership, and a doctorate in educational leadership. She is currently serving her second term on the CSUF Alumni Association Board and is a former board president.
Kevin Bui ’02
Director
CEO/President
Kevin Bui Real Estate
As a seasoned real estate expert with more than two decades of experience in banking, finance, real estate, and mortgage loans, Kevin take pride in serving the Orange County and Los Angeles area. His passion for real estate is evident in his ability to employ innovative and creative strategies to achieve the best possible results. As of January 2024, he has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce, embracing the opportunity to make a significant impact on the Fountain Valley community, its businesses, and the city he calls home.
Bob Crellin ’90
Director
Director of Sales
Avidex
Bob Crellin earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications in 1990 and has built a distinguished career in the audio-visual integration industry. As Director of Sales at Avidex Industries, he has played a key role in driving growth, developing new markets, and advancing product standardization throughout the industry.
Bob and his wife, Kristin, a fellow CSUF alumna, have been happily married for 34 years. Together, they have two children: a daughter who graduated from ASU-FIDM and a son who proudly followed in his parents’ footsteps as a Titan, graduating from CSUF in 2021.
CHArity Ellis ’02
Director
Owner/CEO
Capili Ellis Design
Charity Capili Ellis (she/her) graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2002 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design. In 2007, she received her Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art from Azusa Pacific University. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Loren Myers & Associates, a design company specializing in employee benefits communication. Throughout her career, Charity has enjoyed teaching design classes and creating designs for clients in a variety of industries. She has worked with Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Loyola Marymount University and Loyola High School of Los Angeles. Thankful for the opportunities that stemmed from her time at CSUF, she is excited to serve on the Alumni Association Board and looks forward to engaging with the greater CSUF community.
Luis Estevez ’99
Director
Director of Public Works & Sustainability
City of Irvine
Luis is a proud Titan alumnus where he earned a B.A. in Political Science. During his time at CSUF he was also an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. in 2001, he earned an MPA from Long Beach State. Over the past 26 years, Luis has served in various local government management capacities. He is currently the Director of Public Works & Sustainablity for the City of Irvine. He oversees all of the City’s maintenance and construction operations, engineering, project delivery and transportation services as well as the City’s environmental programs. His team is also responsible for managing and delivering over 160 capital improvement projects valued at over $600 million. In 2025, Luis was invited to join the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council.
Tiara Foster ’08
Director
Attorney
Macdonald & Cody
Tiara R. Foster, Esq. is a civil litigation attorney for the Irvine-based law firm Macdonald & Cody, practicing primarily in insurance defense. The firm’s practice areas are in product liability, premises liability, construction defect, wrongful death, general liability, and automobile liability, etc. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Foster worked in the insurance industry for over twenty years before pursuing her post graduate degree. She graduated from CSUF in 2008, with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. In May 2022, she obtained her law degree from Trinity Law School in Santa Ana.
Nick Jones-Liang ’06
Director
Global PR Director
Blizzard Entertainment
Nick Jones-Liang is a communications executive with two decades of experience leading global communications, franchise storytelling, and reputation strategy across the entertainment and gaming industries. As Global Director of Public Relations for the Diablo franchise at Blizzard Entertainment, he oversees worldwide communications for one of gaming’s most iconic brands, driving strategy across major releases, live-service initiatives, corporate milestones, and long-term franchise development. Prior to Blizzard, Nick served as Director of Series Publicity at Netflix, where he led teams responsible for communications strategy across a portfolio of global scripted and unscripted programming, including Wednesday, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Queer Eye, and Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Throughout his career, he has specialized in aligning creative vision, business objectives, and audience engagement to build cultural relevance and long-term brand value.
Christopher Lamberth ’94
Director
Project Manager
E2 Contracting, Inc.
Christopher is the project manager for E2 Contracting, Inc. as the PM and CM for commercial earthwork contracting. Prior to his current position, he was the principal of venues global business strategy for HKS, Inc. He previously was principal of sports architecture at TVS Designs. In that role, he led the sports design practice for a national architectural firm. Responsibilities include setting the marketing strategy for the sports practice, establishing and maintaining client relationships, and targeting new project opportunities nationally. He currently volunteers at his children’s schools and has previously served on the Titan Athletics Board.
Linda Lara ’02
Director
Managing Partner
Lara & Luna APC
Linda Luna Lara is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Lara & Luna APC, a law firm dedicated to advocating for employee rights in the workplace. As an Employment Law litigator, Ms. Lara has devoted her career to representing employees in matters involving illegal discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations. Her advocacy and results have earned her recognition, including being featured on the cover of Orange County Lawyer Magazine as the “Employee’s Advocate.” She has also been consistently named a “Super Lawyer”. Ms. Lara is a proud alumna of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where she earned her B.A. in Political Science. During her time at CSUF, she demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and civic engagement, serving as Vice President of the Associated Students, a Board Member of the Titan Student Union, and participating in the prestigious Leon & Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy. She was also a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and continues to honor her alma mater through active involvement and community support.
Edith Marcel ’03
Director
Migrant Education Assistant
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Edith Marcel is a training and development specialist focusing on early childhood education. She values public education and is passionate about service and advocacy for students and families in her community of West Whittier Los Nietos. She currently serves on the Los Nietos Elementary School Board and has had more than ten years of experience in volunteering and working alongside different committees within her community. She previously served as Plaza de La Raza Child Development Services board chairperson. She was a former community representative for Promotoras, Healthy Los Nietos Collaborative, and served as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force for Child360.
Nylinne Nguyen ’12, MBA ’19
Director
Senior Transportation Funding Analyst
Orange County Transportation Authority
Nguyen brings two decades of professional experience across the banking, utilities, and transportation industries, with a strong background in financial analysis, project management, and strategic planning. She currently serves as a Senior Transportation Funding Analyst at the Orange County Transportation Authority, where she oversees multimillion-dollar funding projects that support mobility and infrastructure improvements for diverse communities. Nguyen holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. Throughout her career, she has led teams, mentored emerging talent, and collaborated with diverse stakeholders to advance initiatives that create meaningful community impact. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce, where she supports efforts to bring the community together and strengthen connections among business, civic, and community leaders. As an alumna, Nguyen is committed to using her professional experience and community involvement to strengthen alumni advocacy, engagement, and financial support for the university. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring local cuisines, and baking as a way to connect with family and loved ones.
Elizabeth Tetzlaff ’91
Director
Sr. Enterprise Support Manager (Retired)
Amazon Web Services
Elizabeth Tetzlaff graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1991 with a bachelor's of arts degree in business economics. She held various technical and leadership roles, specializing in IT infrastructure and operations. For over 30 years, she led projects and teams at various Orange County companies such as Taco Bell Corp, Ingram Micro, Experian, the Auto Club of Southern California and Pacific Life Insurance. Most recently, Elizabeth led a global technical support team for Amazon Web Services (AWS). After a fast paced 9 years with Amazon, she’s focusing on actively helping others achieve their education and career goals. Her daughter, Melissa, is also a Titan having graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s in biochemistry.
Ex-Officio
Bill Cole ’90
CEO/Executive Director
Assistant Vice President, Alumni Engagement
Bill Cole joined Cal State Fullerton as the Assistant Vice President and CEO/ Executive Director in 2020. In this role, Cole provides visionary leadership to the Office of Alumni Engagement and the CSUF Alumni Association, a California non- profit organization. He leads a dedicated team in developing and implementing strategies designed to engage, cultivate, serve, and steward alumni relationships, enhancing support for Cal State Fullerton's vision, mission, and priorities. Additionally, he oversees the management of the Alumni Association's funds and spearheads fundraising initiatives that support both the alumni association and student engagement programs, serving a global network of over 334,000 alumni. Before his tenure at Cal State Fullerton, Cole spent over eighteen years at UC Riverside in alumni relations. As Associate Executive Director, he managed legislative advocacy, alumni constituency groups, regional events, and international alumni relations. He also provided oversight for student relations programs, scholarships, career resources, alumni awards programs, and the UCR Parents Association.
Ken Hagihara ’99
Faculty Representative
President, Integrity Public Relations, Inc.
Lecturer, California State University, Fullerton
Ken Hagihara is president of Integrity Public Relations, Inc., a public relations agency serving technology companies and nonprofit organizations. He also serves as a full-time lecturer in the CSUF College of Communications and a CSUF Academic Senator. A member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) College of Fellows, Ken contributes to the global public relations profession through leadership roles on the PRSA Board of Directors, Universal Accreditation Board, and National Advisory Council for the Public Relations Student Society of America. A retired Navy lieutenant commander, Ken also serves on the board of the Pacific Battleship Center and is chair of the outreach committee for the annual Los Angeles Fleet Week event. Ken holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton, and a master’s in communication management from the University of Southern California.
Standing Representative
Verne Wagner ’77
CSU Alumni Council Representative
Verne D. Wagner is a long-time supporter of Cal State Fullerton as a volunteer, leader and donor and is the recipient of the CSUF Vision & Visionaries Distinguished Alumna award. She currently represents the Alumni Association on the CSU Alumni Council. She has given of her time and talents to the university serving as a member of the President’s Associates, including as chair, for more than 20 years, the President’s Scholars selection committee for twelve years and is a founding member of the Guardian Scholars board of directors. Additionally, she served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, including a term as president in 2009-2010.
Wagner’s extensive contributions also include serving on the Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors, being a founding member of the Women in Philanthropy support organization, and being named one of the university’s 50 Women of Distinction. She participated in the CSUF 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee, the Gala Committee for the opening of the Joseph A.W. Clayes III Performing Arts Center, and the Blue Ribbon Committee for Front & Center. Her commitment extends to several scholarship selection committees and fundraising efforts for the College of the Arts. In recognition of her unwavering dedication, the Fullerton resident has received the university’s Volunteer of the Year Award four times.
Katelyn Pham
President, Student Alumni Ambassadors
Katelyn is a fourth-year Accounting and Business Analytics student at California State University, Fullerton with a strong interest in accounting, data analysis, and business operations. She currently serves as a Student Assistant at the Office of Alumni Engagement, where she supports administrative operations, alumni outreach, and community initiatives. As President of the Student Alumni Ambassadors, Katelyn helps foster relationships between students and alumni through networking and campus engagement opportunities. Her involvement on campus has allowed her to strengthen her leadership, communication, and analytical skills. Katelyn is passionate about building meaningful connections and creating positive experiences within the CSUF community.
