Meet the Team
Mark Patterson
Artist of Surfing Madonna
(President Emeritus)
Mark moved to Encinitas in 1983 from Northern California to start a job with a software start-up company called Data Trek. After gaining years of experience in the software industry, Mark took the position as Business Development Manager for Microsoft. The daily grind can only keep an artist satisfied for so long. Mark resigned and nine months later, the Surfing Madonna mosaic was born. His determination to help clean up our local coastline began when a good friend became sick due to toxins in the ocean. As an artist and retiree, he sees no better way than to spend his time using art as a way to spread the message of “Save the Ocean”. Mark is a graduate of UC-Davis and is a co-founder of the organization.
Mike Redman
President
Aquatics Director
Board Member
(Former Vice President)
As a life long north county resident, my love of the ocean started long ago, so I am really excited to be President of Surfing Madonna Oceans Project!
One of my favorite activities with SMOP is helping out with our summer surf camp for special needs kiddos. I recently retired from a great career working with special needs students and now I can continue to give back to the community.
I've always had a love of the arts. I'm the guitarist in the Bucket Ruckus band, you might of heard us play around town for the past many years! I also enjoy film making, painting and wood working projects. This past year I made the Little Free Library at Surfing Madonna park. Stop by and check out the books!
Meanwhile, as the Aquatics Advisor for Surfing Madonna Oceans Project, I can tell you there are some amazing things right out there in our local Ocean, so I encourage all of you to get on out there and have a look around!
Patti McDaniel Walsh
Secretary
Board Member
Patti is a long time volunteer with Surfing Madonna and has been a great asset to the organization.
We call her the "water whisperer" - she is so wonderful with getting the kids comfortable with the water! She participates in all our programs, from being in the ocean helping our special needs surfers to checking in artists for art shows, and everything in between! We are excited to have Patti on our Board of Directors!
Scot Cheatham
Treasurer
Retired Chief Financial Officer
President and CEO
SAASKJ Company
President and CEO
EOS International
Aug 1982 - Nov 2013 · 31 yrs 4 mos
Cathy Carey
Board Member
(Former President,
Executive Director,
and Secretary)
Cathy Carey is originally from Alexandria, VA, where she attended the Corcoran School of Art, in Washington, D.C. and received a BFA in Painting from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1987 she came to Encinitas to be the Art Director at the Coast Dispatch newspaper group and in a funny twist went on to have a gallery in that building years later. She operated a graphic design business for 25 years as well as being a professional artist. Her paintings are represented by six galleries across the country, in Santa Fe and Taos NM, Scottsdale and Tucson AZ, Richmond, VA and La Jolla CA. She has a local studio gallery in Oceanside, CA. Cathy is the chair of the Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance.
“My passion is to help other artists. Through Surfing Madonna I hope to help career artists find recognition through financial awards, promoting local arts through art shows and media recognition. Surfing Madonna is also devoted to promoting young artists and art patrons by bringing all forms of art to a wider audience and cultivating appreciation for the amazing creative community we live in.”
Danny Salzhandler
Art Director
Board Member
Danny is a transplanted Texan who has called Cardiff by-the-Sea his home since 1994. After serving in Vietnam, Danny moved from Houston to Dallas and in 1978 started his own company designing and installing conveyor systems. Once he and his wife moved to California he devoted full time to his passion for metal sculpting and welding, creating Biosculptures. Danny is on the board of the Encinitas Art, Culture and Ecology Alliance. He is also the President of the 101 Artists’ Colony, and helped make the Arts Alive public art exhibit one of the largest art events in Encinitas. He founded Full Moon Poets in 2000, producing annual poetry slams at the La Paloma Theater and the fun zone at Safe Trick or Treat in downtown Encinitas. He has received numerous art and civic awards, including “Citizen of the Year” bestowed by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce in 2010. Danny has worked in zoos as an employee and a volunteer, as well as for cultural and civic organizations in Encinitas. He is proud to serve on the Surfing Madonna Oceans Project board and appreciates the opportunity to help preserve and share our beautiful coastline and marine life.
Danny Davis
Board Member
Danny is a favorite of our special surfers for his enthusiasm and expertise in the water!
Danny's real estate career began in 2001 after graduating from San Diego State University. Early on, something about the industry struck a chord and the concept of helping others build security and wealth through homeownership became Danny’s passion. He had immense gratitude for the transformation he was saw in his own life and the transformations he was able to help others achieve. In 2015, he started his own brokerage so that he could establish a company culture built on his values, one that emphasized giving back, community involvement and putting his clients well-being and goals at the forefront of every single thing his company did - San Diego Brokerage was born!
Contact Danny, CA DRE #01349327:
danny@sandiegobrokerage.com
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Max Wittenberg
Board Member
Max has a background in accounting from his experience at Wittenberg Financial. He has long time experience surfing with special needs veterans and special needs kids. His enthusiasm and love of the ocean make him a favorite of all the surf camp kids!
Judy Berberian
Board Member
Judy brings her extensive artistic and creative talent to Surfing Madonna to help us with our Arts Programming. Her experience with workshops, creative programs and leading Yoga experiences brings so much creative energy to our group!
"I create immersive experiences, talks, and creative spaces that help people reconnect with themselves through creativity, expression, and human connection."
Dawn Harrison
Board Member
Dawn joins Surfing Madonna as an experienced North County artist, teacher and creative fireball! She will be helping with our Arts Programming.
"I am a born and raised Californian, and have resided in (Paradise) San Diego since 1980. I’ve had a passion for gardening for thirty years, and celebrate our blooming season, which is all year round. I grow a colorful array of flowering perennials, fruit trees and fragrant roses. I longed to be an artist since childhood, and began my art practice 25 years ago. Painting is my unspoken language, it’s how I communicate my feelings when a scene takes my breath away. Capturing the beauty of the dazzling wonderland that surrounds me is my purpose and therefore my gift to others."
Bianca Christenson
Board Member
Bianca joins us after several years working with us through National Charity League.
"I have had the privilege of volunteering with Surfing Madonna’s surf camps for the past 5 years - one of the most meaningful things me and my family do each summer. Seeing kids with special needs catch waves is pure joy. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute at the board level and bring the same energy, organization, and follow-through I bring to everything I do."
Contact
Surfing Madonna
Get in touch with Surfing Madonna Oceans Project to learn more about our Arts Programming, Surf Camps, Ocean Preservation, and Challenge Events.
(760) 917-5291
