Bob Dixon
Scoutmaster (Course Director)
Bob Dixon began his scouting career as a Webelos Scout right here in Oceanside. A Marine Corps brat, he shortly thereafter became a Boy Scout in the Far East Council’s Troop 33, Yokosuka, Japan. While there, he enjoyed his favorite moment in scouting- reaching the top of the legendary Mt.Fuji. It was the peak of his brief scouting career as a youth.
Some years later, Bob rejoined scouting with his son. A training enthusiast, Bob attended WM-49-98 as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 748 in Carlsbad. He enjoys saying that he earned his beads at the turn of the century. It was his favorite moment in Scouting. Since then he has served on staff for three NYLT courses and six Wood Badge courses.
Bob was tapped to be the Head of Facilities for the National Jamboree’s Merit Badge Midway in 2005, and will be serving in that capacity again at the 2010 Centennial bash. He’s also proud of his four Philmont treks and accompanying his troop on a three week trek to the Midnight Sun Council in Alaska for a legendary canoeing excursion. Surviving the rapids in Alaskan waters was his favorite moment in Scouting.
A Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, he served as the Bitani chapter adviser and attended NOAC in Ames, Iowa, where he took the training to become a Leave No Trace instructor. He has also completed Powder Horn Training and High Adventure Specialist Training.
Bob is currently the Assistant District Commissioner for Carlsbad in the Santa Margarita District. He also serves as a Merit Badge counselor and an Eagle project counselor, and considers seeing a scout earn the Eagle rank to be his favorite moment in Scouting.
Bob is a construction crew foreman for Southern California Edison, where he has been employed for 26 years. He and his wife Pamela have been married for 29 years and have three children, one grandchild, 15 turtles, three dogs, and a rather large collection of Bobwhites.
It’s Bob’s wish that you use your Wood Badge training and your tickets to make plenty of opportunities for our youth as well as yourself, so that you too will find your favorite moment in Scouting.
Mary Bostwick
Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster (Course Director) backup
Mary currently serves as the Activities & Civic Service Committee Chair for San Diego-Imperial Council.
Mary’s experience in scouting actually started with Girl Scouts back in the late sixties in Savannah Georgia, the birthplace of Girl Scouting. After a positive experience as a girl, Mary decided to get her four daughters involved so in 1985 she became co-leader of her oldest daughter’s Daisy troop along with a neighbor round the corner who also was not quick enough to get out the way of the Council recruiters. Throughout the ensuing years Mary served as leader to four Girl Scout troops, bought/ate lots of Girl Scout cookies, took awesome trips around the United States with her girls, served as University City Service Unit Treasurer and Chair for several years culminating in nearly 20 years of service and the GSUSA San Diego-Imperial Council Appreciation Award.
After about 15 years of Girl Scout service Mary’s one and only son, Kenny, entered scouting as a Tiger so she switched uniforms and hopped the fence to start a tenure with BSA. Tiger Den Leader, Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader comprised the Cub experience. Once Kenny moved to Troop 1212 in Mira Mesa, Mary took on the role of Troop Committee Chair and eventually Advancement Chair for Scripps Mesa District. With husband Jeff, a former Wood Badge course director, urging her to consider Wood Badge she took the plunge in 2003 and joined the Bobwhite covey for good. Tapped for the 2004 Wood Badge staff before she was even beaded provided added incentive to complete her ticket! Since then she has been on staff at the National Jamboree, served on the WE4-49-06 and WE4-49-08 Wood Badge courses and is looking forward to a great staff experience in WE4-49-09 and the Centennial Jamboree in 2010.
Professionally, Mary graduated in with a degree in Economics from UCSD and immediately became a stay-at-home Mom for 15 years. Upon returning to the workforce in 1994 she has held multiple positions in San Diego Unified School District working with career development for youth. She currently serves as a Coordinator for Business and Community Relations for the SDUSD Office of College, Career and Technical Education. Known as a jack-of-all-trades she has also been accused of emulating Mary Poppins from time to time.
A former Stake Young Women President, Camp Director and Seminary teacher for the LDS Church, Mary now supports her husband, Jeff, in his work as a Bishop for a young single adult ward. They are empty nesters living the simple life with their 15 year old Labrador retriever and enjoying the new and awesome experience of grandparenthood.
Rusty Sargent
Rusty Sargent began his career in Boy Scouts in Troop 109, San Gabriel Council, in Arcadia Ca. He made the rank of First Class before other things caught his attention (Football and girls!) Rusty re-entered Scouting when his oldest son became a Tiger Cub in 1990 Rusty currently has 2 adult sons, both Eagle Scouts , both having started the trail to Eagle as Tiger Cubs.
Rusty is about to celebrate 31 years on marriage to his wonderful wife, Kit, who works for the Cajon Valley School District. Besides the boys, they have a nine year old Beagle named Sampson.
Rusty retired from the La Mesa Police Department in 2004 and is currently a Computer Forensic Expert consulting to private business and the San Diego Superior Courts in civil litigation cases.
Rusty attended Wood Badge WE4-49-04 with several other WE4-49-09 staff members, has served as a WEBLOS Den Leader, Assistant Scout Master, Assistant Varsity Coach, staffed two previous Wood Badge Courses, WE4-49-7 and WE4-49-08; and staff on Powder Horn in 2007. Rusty is currently Senior ASM of Troop 362 in Heartland, acting as the Executive Office of a Troop of 110 Scouts and 70 adult leaders and Committee members; Associate Crew Advisor to Venture Crew 36; is on the Heartland Training Committee, and is serving on Staff in the Youth Services Team for the 2010 National Jamboree. Troop 362 has 13 Wood Badge trained and beaded leaders and is truly boy run!
Chris Friend
ASM Program
Chris Friend is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster with troop 1203 in the Scripps-Mesa District. Additionally, Chris serves as the Pack Trainer for Cub Scout Pack 1203, the District Training Chairman for Scripps-Mesa, District Cub Scout Roundtable co-commissioner. Additionally, Chris works with a wonderful team of roundtable commissioners at the Council level as an Assistant Council Commissioner.
Chris brings to scouting the advantages of his diverse geographical background. He was initially a cub scout in Palo Alto, CA. Later, he joined a Boy Scout troop in rural Arkansas. When Chris’ mother took a position with the U.S. State Department the family moved to Nicaragua and Chris spent four years living abroad where he was fortunate enough to be a part of a BSA troop chartered out of the U.S. Embassy. Of special interest is that this Troop was dual chartered as a unit in the Scouts de Nicaragua. This diverse international experience and the values learned in scouting have guided Chris throughout his life.
After a multi-year sabbatical from Scouting, Chris reaffirmed his commitment to scouting when his son joined a Cub Scout Pack in Mira Mesa as a wolf scout. Chris was a Den Leader and Assistant Cubmaster. He took all the training he could get his hands on and immediately participated in the WE4-40-04 Wood Badge training. The Wood Badge experience energized Chris; he brought many new ideas and programs to his Pack. Chris took advantage of the lessons of Wood Badge as he served a five-year stretch as Cubmaster and during his work on district-training and council-training assignments. Chris enjoyed his experience serving on the staff of WE4-40-08 as a Troop Guide and looks forward to serving as the Assistant Scoutmaster for Program on the upcoming course in October.
Noteworthy fact: At the age of 18 Chris started a Cub Scout Pack in Nicaragua where he quickly created a Pack of 15-20 scouts and acted as Den Leader, Cubmaster and outings chair all wrapped into one. Chris experienced his first lesson in near-parental responsibility when he returned twelve sun burnt cub Scouts to their parents after a swimming pool outing.
Chris is married to the most wonderfully supportive wife, Maureen, who also serves as the Committee Chair for their sons’ troop. Chris has five children, three older daughters and two younger sons who are active in their Troop.
In his spare time Chris likes to ……… Oh gee, you all know what I do with all my spare time…. Someday, Chris hopes to return to his hobbies of electronics, art and music.
Marty Bramwell
ASM Troop Guides
Marty Bramwell currently serves as Scoutmaster of Troop 603 in Poway.
As a boy, Marty was only slightly familiar with Boy Scouts. He camped a little, and progressed to the rank of Tenderfoot. Apparently, he was saving up his Scouting experience for later when he had his own boys.
And he was blessed to have 5 boys of his own (3 have made Eagle so far). Besides having 5 boys, Marty sealed his fate as a Scout leader by purchasing a 12 passenger Club Wagon van and having lots of vacation each year. The rest is history, as they say.
Since 1995, Marty has served as Chartered Organization Representative, Assistant Varsity Coach, Scout Committee Chairman, ASM and Scoutmaster. He also currently serves on the Varsity Scout Cabinet for San Diego Imperial Council.
“Every boy deserves a well trained leader,” is a popular mantra for Marty. He has enjoyed getting all of the training he could, including basic and advanced scout trainings, and has earned various Adult Scouting awards and knots, believing that the boys need to see that their leaders are also always learning and progressing. Marty attended the second Wood Badge course of 2006. It was a phenomenal experience, and among other things he walked away from it with a vow to help make his troop a boy run troop, and to encourage others to get Wood Badge training as early in their scouting career as possible.
In 2008 Marty was invited to serve on Staff for Wood Badge as a Troop Guide, and enjoyed it so much that he could not decline another invitation to serve in 2009.
Marty’s true love is being outdoors with the boys; 50 mile canoe trips, 40 mile Yosemite treks, white water rafting, biking, looking up at the countless stars at night. His hope is that by staying involved and active, he can preserve his youth. That coupled with a bowl of ice cream before bed each night is working so far. Good thing too, because his youngest boy is only 8, so he has quite a few more years of adventures ahead.
Marty has been married to his wife Karen for 28 years. Together they have 8 children and 3 grandchildren. Marty’s stave can double as a cane when he puts on his Grandpa hat!
When Marty is not doing Scouting, he works as a Software Engineer in Technical Support for EMC Document Sciences Corporation, helping customers solve problems.
Sean Stoddard
ASM Facilities
Sean joined scouting as a youth in the 1970’s and earned his first rank of Bobcat soon after. He spent his younger years on the east coast with a short stint in Memphis Tennessee. In 1976 when Sean’s father was relocated to San Diego Sean began a new life in a Pacific Beach Troop. After many outings and a lot of hard work, Sean earned the rank of Life Scout just before he graduated from high school and joined the Navy.
In 1998 Sean enrolled his step son in a Cub Scout Pack in the Lakeside area in hopes this would help him to deal with some anger management issues and help give him some structure. Sean immediately took over as the Committee Chairman for the pack and held that position for 4 years. By the time his son became a Webelos Scout, Sean had taken over as Cubmaster. The role of Cubmaster clicked for Sean and was a natural fit. Sean’s last two years as Cubmaster were some of his most memorable and enjoyable scouting years.
Early on Sean attended as much Leader training as possible and was soon asked to help out by teaching other Scouters. Sean staffed and coordinated numerous training including BALOO, CLOE, Pow Wow, Webelos Den Leader Specific training, New Leader Essentials , Cub Scout Leader Committee member and Cubmaster Specific courses.
In 2003 Sean’s son graduated the Cub Scout program and bridged into a local Boy Scout Troop.
Sadly, Sean missed attending the 2002 Wood Badge course with his friends due to work conflicts but he made it to the 2003 course. Sean brought a lot of enthusiasm and ideas down from the “Hill” after he completed the course weekends at Mataguay, unfortunately he lost his father to cancer a month later; Sean struggled with his tickets and scouting while dealing with this tragic loss.
Burned out emotionally from the toll of caring for his Mother and taking care of their property in eastern San Diego County, Sean was on the verge of quitting the Scouting program by 2005. The 60 mile drive to the mountains took its own toll. Then one day in 2006 Sean received a phone call asking if he would consider being on Wood Badge staff for the next course. Sean struggled hard with this decision. He accepted the challenge half-heartedly and at first was just along for the ride. Then along came this very tall and very understanding Scouter who, without knowing it, helped Sean see the light again. And as they say, the rest is history. Sean has been on 3 additional courses as a staff member and this year not only serves on the Wood Badge staff for WE4-49-09 but also servers on the upcoming NYLT course as well.
Now fully rejuvenated in Scouting, Sean has taken over as Scoutmaster for his sons Troop in Lakeside.
Kevin Gellenbeck
ASM- Venture Crew
Kevin Gellenbeck began his Scouting career in the desert around Phoenix, Arizona with great memories of dodging cactus and rattlesnakes, learning the value of a full canteen, and discovering when you were in Scouts and went to summer camp, you got to escape an entire week of the oppressive heat and go to where they had real trees, cool nights and rain! He made it to Eagle Scout with the minimum 21 merit badges and ended as a Junior Asst. Scoutmaster just as the Troop went out of existence. Then college, graduate school and a career as a research biologist took him away from Scouting for about 30 years until he joined back up as his son entered Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts. Then walking down the trail on a backpack training trek in Peñasquitos Canyon, with memories of all those great trips as a kid swirling in his head, came one of those key life moments when the Scoutmaster said he needed a replacement as he could be deployed soon….. Kevin made the fortunate mistake of saying yes, and the rest as they say is history.
Realizing he had to learn quickly, he did all the training he could and ended up in Woodbadge WE4-49-03 where he joined a patrol of clever Foxes that helped him expand and grow his home troop for three years as Scoutmaster and still continues as Asst. Scoutmaster. One of the things he learned about in Woodbadge was the Venturing program, and after watching too many boys drift away from Scouting when they got to high school, he garnered the support to start Venture Crew 109, and has the distinct honor of advising a great group of young adults as they create their own adventures and make the values of Scouting part of their lives.
Along the way he served as a Troop Guide for a flock of Eagles on the WE4-49-06 Woodbadge Course. During that staff development came another of those key life moments when he mentioned to the NYLT course director at the time that teaching the Woodbadge-type leadership concepts and skill to youth would be really interesting work. She said he was in luck as they were looking for a course director to take over…. Deciding to step a long way outside his comfort zone, he took over NYLT for 2007 and 2008. With the help of many fantastic youth and adult leaders, the popularity of the course and applications increased over that time. With 2009’s expansion to two troops to serve about 100 youth, he chose to remain with NYLT as an Assistant Scoutmaster.
Kevin has been married to his very patient wife, Peggy, for 27 years, and they are both very proud of their son Sean, 18, an Eagle Scout with three palms and a Venturer who will be off to college next fall after serving as the Senior Patrol Leader for one of the NYLT troops this summer.
George McMahon
Quartermaster
George has been a Scout leader since 2001 and has held positions as Den Leader, Webelos Leader, Scoutmaster, and Unit Commissioner. Most of his time in scouting has been spent overseas in Japan where he was very involved with scouting at the international level and participated in many cross cultural scouting activities to include being on staff for the Asian 100th Year Anniversary of Scouting Jamborett. He is currently holding positions as the Assistant District Commissioner in the Santa Margarita District, an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 752, committee member for the San Diego-Imperial Council International Committee, a merit badge counselor and has been selected as the Scoutmaster for Troop 706 for the 2010 National Jamboree.
George attended his Wood Badge course WI-803-07 in Okinawa. It was here that he really learned what the saying ‘Scouting is fun with a purpose’ meant and how the program all comes together to provide fun for the scouts while working towards the goals of character building, citizenship, personal fitness and leadership.
George is 3rd generation military, has been in the Navy for the last 23 years and is currently stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. He lives in Oceanside with his wife of 14 years Kristina, his 11 year old son George who is a First Class Scout, his 10 year old daughter Lexi who is a Junior Girl Scout, and Lexi’s 1 year old rabbit Corey.
Michael W. Cuff
Assistant Quartermaster
Mike currently servers as an Assistant District Commissioner for the Desert Trails District as well as Assistant Scout Master for Troop 4070 and as a Weblos Leader for Pack 4029. He also servers as part of the District and Council Training teams.
Michael entered Cub Scouting at the ripe age of 8 in Clackamas, Oregon. He didn't attend very many meetings but he always had a lot of fun at the ones he attended. He finally got old enough to join the Boy Scouts, where he found himself and his calling. He rapidly advanced to Life Scout. He held positions as Assistant Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader of the Bat Patrol, Senior Patrol Leader and subsequently Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He worked as a Counselor at Camp Meriwether on the coast of Oregon for one summer and had a great experience. Shortly after, he found life's distractions to be too great and he joined the Navy, where he spent the next 24 years. Again he rapidly advanced, gained much experience and held many different positions of authority. He retired in 1993, as the Command Master Chief of NAF El Centro.
While working at the US Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, Mike was asked to accompany a troop to Camp Wehinapay, Conquistador Council for summer camp. He jumped at the opportunity. Upon his arrival and during the short week he was there, he came to realize that throughout his life, he had been able to use his knowledge and skills that he acquired in scouting to almost every job he held in the Navy and every job he has held since he retired. So after 40 years of being away from Scouting he got bit by the Scouting Bug again.
He completed all of the online courses available. He attended numerous classes and seminars in order to get caught up on what he had been missing for all of those years. Subsequently, he was able to attend Woodbadge Training at Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch in Davis, Texas with SR 839, in the one and only Bob White Patrol, in 2007.
Mike and his oldest son completed their Order of the Arrow Ordeal in November 2008.
Mike currently is employed by the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection as an Area Safety Manager for the San Diego and El Centro areas.
He is also a Girl Scout Leader and trainer for the San Diego – Imperial Girl Scout Council.
He is the proud father of his 13 year old son and 1st Class Scout, 11 year old son and 2nd Class Scout and 8 year old daughter who is in Girl Scouts as a Brownie.
Mike Ellison
Troop Guide
Mike Ellison is an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 1203 in Mira Mesa.
In his youth, Mike participated in the Cub Scout program in Imperial Beach for four years and earned his Arrow of Light award. He bridged to Boy Scouts and spent six years camping, hiking and backpacking around the local mountains and deserts, eventually earning the rank of Life Scout. Mike served a couple of summers as a Camp Counselor at Boy Scout Camp Hual-cu-cuish in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park area.
He rejoined Scouting as an Adult leader in 2001 when his son Tyler asked to join Tiger Cubs. Mike was quickly drafted as Den Leader and held several more positions within Pack 734, including Webelos Leader and two years as Cubmaster. When Tyler bridged into Troop 1203, Mike volunteered as Advancement Chair, Outdoor Activities Coordinator and Assistant Scoutmaster.
Mike began supporting some district level training in 2007 and was invited to participate in the Woodbadge program in 2008. He attended the WE4-49-08 course under the direction of Pat Jordan, with “Just Bob” Dixon as Senior Patrol Leader. Mike was fortunate enough to be teamed with the likes of TG Vallas, Chrystal Basil, Tom Naylor and Paul Guy in one of the best Bobwhite Patrols ever, under the watchful eye of Troop Guide Stan Miller. Mike says “My Woodbadge experience was truly life-changing. I made some great friends and walked away with a greater sense of purpose and focus for the Scouting program”.
Mike returned from Woodbadge and began working his ticket on a planned eighteen month timeline. In January, he was invited to participate on the Staff of the WE4-49-09 course. The invitation came with one stipulation – “You must complete your Woodbadge Ticket and become ’Beaded’ by September”. Now on an accelerated path, Mike is busy working his final ticket items and preparing for the privilege of serving on the Woodbadge Staff.
Professionally, Mike worked in the Information Technology field for 25 years, most recently as a Senior IT Director for QUALCOMM, before leaving the company in 2003. Now, he enjoys volunteering at Tyler’s school and participating in the Scouting program. His hobbies include woodworking and dabbling on the computer with website development and video editing. Mike is also a member of Acme Bros., a brotherhood of friends that plan Theme Parties, annual Golf Tournaments and Haunted Houses.
Mike has been married to his wife, Terry for 18 years. Together they enjoy parenting, traveling, and entertaining. They have one son, Tyler, age 13, who is a Star Scout and current Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 1203.
John Davies
Troop Guide
John Davies is the LDS Venturing Chair for the San Diego Regional LDS-BSA Relationship Committee, serves on the Council Training & Venturing Committees, the LDS ADC for the San Diego Stake’s 24 Scout units, & a Committee Member for San Diego 6th Ward, #533 Cubs, Troop & Venturing units.
In addition, Mission District, District & District Nominating Committees; attended 2007 Philmont Venturing Training Center Course; 2008 Powder Horn Staff; 2008 NYLT ASM; 2009 NYLT Scoutmaster; 2009 LDS Scout Camp Chair. Working at developing a San Diego Council, Spanish language training capability. Serve as Regional LDS Church Young Single Adult Advisor (YSA, in Church includes all 18-30 year olds), which is not BSA, but is run like a Crew. Organized and lead two Venturing Leader Specific Training (VLST) Courses as Training Chair on Council Venturing Committee.
John attended the W4-49-07 21st Century Wood Badge Course, May of 2007; Beaver; Dick Kelley as Troop Guide; as well as W-NEIII-86 older Wood Badge; Bear.
John was raised in Bonita, CA, married to his wife, Patty, for over 44 years. They have 3 daughters, and 3 sons who are Eagle Scouts. The daughters have all been active in outdoor, and high adventure activities, with the sons. 9 grand children, and 2 more “on the way”.
More ancient Scouting history is a blur. Starting about 1969, served as Scoutmaster three different times in San Fernando Valley, CA; San Diego, CA; and Newport, Rhode Island; Explorer leader a couple of times; Varsity Coach at least once; Scout Roundtable Commissioner for several years in Long Island, New York; on training staff for Boy Scout Specific in same District in New York a couple of years; Cub Committee Chair and Cub Master in a couple of packs, mostly non-LDS, for several years; attended LDS Week at the Philmont Training Center in 1982 as a member of a Stake Presidency; organized and lead a Little Philmont for the Plainview, New York and the New York, New York Stakes in 1983.
Professionally John is an Entrepreneur; start/mentor companies, usually high tech, software driven. Currently works with 3 companies – mainly mentoring. The purpose is to create high valued exits to fund, and provide technology solutions, for The Davies Family History Foundation for humanitarian, like BSA youth leadership development, & family research interests.
Jon Studer
Troop Guide
Jon Studer grew up in Ohio, moving between Cleveland and southern Ohio’s coal country. He participated in scouting as a youth. At the age of 18, Jon joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for two years before being stationed at Camp Pendleton in 2000. He got out of the Marine Corp in 2001 and served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Little Rock, Arkansas and surrounding areas from 2002-2004. Shortly after marrying his wife, Abi, in 2004, he was asked to be an Assistant Scoutmaster in Oceanside Troop 712. Six months later Jon was asked to be the Scoutmaster and remains in this role today.
Since becoming re-involved in the Boy Scout program, Jon has taken his basic leader training and has been instrumental in encouraging many other adult leaders in his area to complete their training. He is devoted to helping the boys in his troop realize their full potential and understands the importance of the adult and parental leadership required to make that a reality.
In 2007, Jon attended Wood Badge course W4-49-07 and enjoyed every minute of it. He worked hard to accomplish his ticket items and inspired others around him in the process.
In 2008, Jon became an Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge Counselor which then motivated him to take the Ham Radio Exam. Jon and his wife along with her sister and brother-in-law, took and passed the Ham Radio Exam in April of last year and continue to hone their emergency communications skills.
Jon constantly inspires those around him. His love for other people and his desire to help everyone be their best, consistently leads to success, both for Jon and for others.
Professionally, Jon works as a Systems Administrator for a local pharmaceutical company. He enjoys working with and learning more about computers. Jon is also a merit badge counselor for the computers merit badge and very much enjoys teaching youth about computers.
Jon enjoys actively volunteering within his community. He actively participates in the yearly Oceanside Sun Project; a project that works to revitalize Oceanside neighborhoods. He also works with multiple Family History Centers in Carlsbad and Oceanside, keeping their computers up and running. Jon serves as a volunteer member of the City of Oceanside Telecommunications Advisory Committee. The committee exists to advise the City Council on the Information Technology and Telecommunications needs within the city of Oceanside.
Russ Christensen
Troop Guide
“See things from the boy's point of view.” - Sir Robert Baden-Powell
Russ Christensen was a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout for six years in Chula Vista, and is an Eagle Scout. Russ has been a Scout leader since 1990, holding positions as Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster over a 10 year period. In recent years, Russ has been involved at the district and council level as Roundtable, Unit and District Commissioners. Russ currently holds positions as District Chair and Eagle Project Counselor for the Pacific Crest District, and is a board member for the Eagle Scout Alumni Association and for the San Diego-Imperial Council.
After 17 years as a Scout leader, Russ finally decided to take the Wood Badge course. “I don’t have time for Wood Badge Training”, Russ said back in 1995 when first approached. “I’m an Eagle Scout and already know the program. What more could they add?” But in the closing session of the six-day course, a hidden microphone captured Russ saying, “I was dead wrong to put this off for so long. Scouters should really take this course in their first three years in the program. The skills learned here apply both to Scouts, to work and to my 13 other volunteer organizations. What was I thinking?”
So powerful and important is the Wood Badge program that Russ signed up as a Staffer at his first opportunity. “I want to help provide the same quality experience I had to other leaders. Of course, not all of us can be Owls…”
Russ works for Wind River Systems as a gadgetry architect, designing cool things for cars, phones and video things. Russ and his wife, Nancy, live in the Ramona Wilderness with two dogs, two horses, and a cat who owns the property. Their son, Brandon, a third-generation Eagle Scout, and Heather, a math whiz and animal fanatic, are both out of the house and creating havoc elsewhere.
Bert Obregon
Bert Obregon is a enterprising Beaver who attend WE4-49-07.
Bert hails from Temecula which make him a wealth of knowlege on how other Councils function and support their Units. Bert Currently Servers as an ASM and Pack Trainer for his son's Pack.
Todd Shinohara
Troop Guide
(Bobwhite W4-49-07)
Todd Shinohara is currently serving as a Weblos Den Leader with Pack 546 Point Loma for the past 3 years. The Cub Scout pack has approximately 100 boys including 4 Weblos Dens. Todd joined the Pack when his son, Bryce, joined as a Wolf Scout. His previous Scouting experiences were over 25 years ago and included 9 years of youth scouting leading to Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Leadership Corp, Assistant Scoutmaster, and merit badge counselor. Todd’s wife, Lynne and younger daughter, Shelley, are active Brownie leader and Brownie Scout.
Todd currently works at the Naval Medical Center as a Pharmacy Supervisor with teaching responsibilities with the UCSD School of Pharmacy. His prior professional experiences include Cardinal Health Inc. as a Senior Product Manager and at Merck & Co., Inc. as Senior Manager, Marketing Services for the Antibacterial & HIV Franchise Business Groups.
Todd started his pharmacy career in 1987 and had practiced at different health-systems and community locations within Southern California. He has been active in the professional pharmacy society at the state and local levels.
Todd was raised in San Diego, attended undergraduate at UCSB and earned his Doctor of Pharmacy form the University of Southern California, completed a pharmacy residency at UCSD, and subsequently attended the University of Redlands School of Business and Management.
Dirk Thayer
Troop Guide
Dirk Thayer is currently a Cub Scout Den Leader for Pack 735 in Bonsall.
Dirk spent four years as a boy in the Cub Scouts and earned his Arrow of Light before bridging to Boy Scouts. He enjoyed another four years in the Boy Scouts attaining the rank of First Class Scout at which time “life happened” and he moved on to other activities. Some of his fondest memories as a boy come from his experiences with the Scouts.
He has been active as a registered adult leader since the fall of 2006 when he attended an informational meeting with his son. At that meeting, Dirk’s son became a Tiger Cub and Dirk was chosen to be the Cubmaster for the new pack that was being formed. Dirk says that he just didn’t step backwards as fast as the others when the District Executive asked for volunteers to step forward! Dirk helped to organize the new pack and grow it from the original dozen boys to 70+ active Cubs earning the William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award for doing so. After two seasons as Cubmaster, Dirk became a Den Leader and is greatly enjoying working with the smaller group of boys.
Dirk attended the W4-49-07 Wood Badge course in May of 2007 having been active as a Scouter for barely six months. He was a member of the Owl patrol with “Just Bob” Dixon (Course Director and Scoutmaster for this year’s course) as his Troop Guide and, while Dirk felt in a bit over his head at times, he made it through the week long course with the help of many. Dirk says, “I hope to do for the participants of this year’s Wood Badge course what Just Bob did for me!”
Dirk works as a Sr. Software Engineer for an international software developer that specializes in fully integrated manufacturing software solutions. He has been with the same company for nearly 25 years.
Dirk says that before 2006 he had a number of hobbies but now his main hobby is scouting. He has always been an avid camper but had moved up over the years from a sleeping bag on the ground to a fully equipped 30’ camping trailer. “It’s darn near impossible getting this old back used to sleeping on the ground again!” he wheezes!
Additionally, he enjoys amateur astronomy, video games (“Hey, I’m a geek, after all”), and reading.
Dirk has been married to his wife, Robin (“An extremely understanding woman!”) for nearly 22 years and has one son, Bryce, age 9 (“The best darned Bear Cub Scout in the entire world!”).
Carlos Yturralde
Carlos became a Buffalo on WE4-49-2-06. Currently serving on the troop committee he stays connected with the youth in our programs. Carlos also gives up a lot of his time managing the Mataguay Scout Ranch.
