The leadership of Palomar’s nonprofit Foundation organizes for the next two years, as Pete Rogers concludes a three-year term as Chair.
SAN MARCOS — The Palomar College Foundation will welcome a new Board Chair, Will Rivera, who assumes leadership from current three-year Chair Pete Rogers, alongside a new slate of officers for 2023-24.
Rivera is the Manager of Financial Education & School Partnership at Cal Coast Credit Union, and has served on the Foundation board since January 2020. The upcoming changes for 2023-24 were decided during the annual meeting of the Foundation’s Board of Directors on December 12, 2022.
“We are deeply grateful to Pete Rogers for his three years of leadership as our Chair, and for all of the wonderful things he has helped the Foundation accomplish on behalf of our students,” said Stacy Rungaitis, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “And we are excited for the next two years with Will Rivera as our new Chair. We look forward to many more opportunities to remove barriers to higher education.”
Rogers served as Board Chair since March 2020, when long-time Foundation leader and supporter John Masson passed away. Rogers will stay on the Board as Immediate Past Chair.
Rivera recalled attending a scholarship ceremony at Palomar and learning about the Foundation’s work in the most vivid terms: “Students were sharing their educational journeys—the obstacles and the trials they had to overcome to complete their education—and I was just amazed by the stories I heard.”
“I love the dedication that the Foundation has to the students, and I’m proud to be part of this organization and the work that they’re doing,” he added.
During the December 12 meeting, the Board also chose Richard Marks as its Chair-Elect; Susan Miller as its Treasurer, and Dr. Li Tian as its Secretary. New Chairs were also chosen for each of the Foundation’s five committees:
- Executive Committee — Will Rivera
- Board Nominating & Development — Aaron Byzak
- Finance & Investment — Susan Miller
- Fund Development & President’s Associates — Richard Marks
- Grant Review — Katie Johanski
“We are very appreciative to each of the leaders who are working to support the mission of the Palomar College Foundation,” said Palomar Superintendent/President Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey. “Our students benefit directly every year from not only the generosity of the Foundation’s donors, but also the time and talent given freely by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.”