
The NTC Foundation recently announced the appointment of four new board members to help with the continued development of Arts District Liberty Station and its transformation from Navy Base to Arts & Culture District.
At the recent board meeting, board chair Lori Fleet-Martin said, “As we move into our second decade of growth, these new volunteer leaders will help with our strategic planning and work with us to finish the job started by our founding board.”
Joining Fleet-Martin on the board are the following new members: – Burt Espe is a retired Naval Officer but is remaining active in community projects and business opportunities, both in the defense contracting world and in other private sector endeavors. Highlights of his Naval career include commanding two San Diego based Navy Ships (USS Comstock and USS Green Bay) as well as commanding the Naval Surface Warfare Center Division at PortHueneme. His philanthropic efforts include being the executive director for the Naval Officer Mentorship Association, and the founder and principal for the Ohana Bayan Project, a nonprofitproject that looks at the integration and infusion of technology in hopes to improve family/community ties to better the quality of life, and communication across generations. He is also active withthe Chula Vista Charitable Foundation and the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce. He lives in the Bay Park neighborhood with his wife Debbie Discar-Espe. – Salomon Maya is creative director and senior account executive for Televisa XEWT-12 and XHUA-57. He develops creative concepts and ideas for this Spanish language television station inSan Diego/Tijuana; including engaging copy, video scripts, digital storytelling, events and promotions. He also acts as a community liaison for Spanish-speaking community at promotional events and helps develop new programming that speaks to area’s diverse population. In addition, he is a featured columnist for L’Chaim Magazine reaching San Diego’s Jewish community. In his spare time, he performs comedy and acts on stage, in film and in commercials. – Judy Nora is originally from the Chicago and has spent most of her career in commercial real estate development in various accounting/financial roles, including CFO of Hamilton Partners LLC in Itasca IL. She received her BS from the University of Dayton, an MBA from DePaul University and received her CPA in the state of Illinois. A San Diego resident since 2007, she currently serves as CFO for Pell Investments LLC, providing investment and advisory services. She is an enthusiastic member of the community and spends her time volunteering at numerous nonprofits in San Diego County. She enjoys oil painting, public art, hiking and spending time with her husband and four children. She lives in Carmel Valley. – Lynnette Tessitore has vast experience in program development, cultural resource management, event production, and fundraising. As cultural arts manager for the City of Chula Vista, she has worked locally, regionally, and bi-nationally to advance the arts and to assist in cultural exchange. She has responsibility over the City’s public art collection, manages the City’s arts and culture grant program, serves as staff liaison to the City’s Cultural Arts Commission and International Friendship Commission, and curates, produces, and manages, a variety of multi-cultural arts programs, exhibitions, and events. She is also a strong advocate for the arts and arts education. She serves as a Steering Committee member of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition, is a member of the North County Arts Network Steering Committee, co-chair of the NCAN Arts Education Committee, and is a member of the NCAN Economic Development Committee.
Together with rest of the 19-member board, Fleet-Martin is committed to getting the community more engaged to help sustain the Arts District, moving forward on the Barracks Hotel Project and open a new performing arts venue.
The NTC Foundation bids a thanks and farewell to retiring board members Karen Ringel and Pamela Bensoussan. “We are grateful to our retiring board members for their service and their vision. Their efforts have led to our continued growth and success,” said NTC Foundation CEO Lisa Johnson.