Board of Directors

Rachel Sindelar is the Executive Director of CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, a major piece of the stakeholder-led effort to establish the LA Waterfront as a new visitor destination. Her career passion is small business development and creating great public spaces. She appreciates how enthusiastic San Pedrans are about their neighbors and local merchants and our dedication to making it a better place. 

From 2002 to 2008 she was the Marketing Director for the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, a non-profit city-appointed board charged with overseeing the day-to-day management of the Pier, capital project planning and supervision, and preserving and enhancing the Pier experience. In 2008 she joined the City of Santa Monica as its Public Information Coordinator, responsible for creating effective communications campaigns for hundreds of city programs and services.

Rachel has a BA in Communications from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio (Summa Cum Laude) and a Masters of Science in Management and Leadership from Pepperdine University, George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management.

Caroline Brady is the executive director of the FRIENDS of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the nonprofit fundraising arm of San Pedro's beloved aquarium. Previously, she worked as development director for Harbor Interfaith Services, helping the homeless agency significantly expand its facilities and programs. She served as a deputy to then- Councilwoman Janice Hahn and before that was a newspaper reporter with the News-Pilot and Daily Breeze. Caroline is a past president of the San Pedro Rotary Club. She has three children, Andy, 14, Carlee, 12 and Lulu, 10.

Olga Chavez works for Tesoro Energy Corporation where she prepares organizational publications for internal and external audiences. She is on point for LAR Community Investment and volunteer efforts. She develops programs and ensures communications with representatives of key external community stakeholders.For three years, she has represented the company at local trade associations and civic groups.

Education background:
A.A. Juan Borrel College, Havana, Cuba
Certified Business Diploma Computer Programmer

Olga participates in the Wilmington
Coordinating Council, Wilmington Rotary Club
Board Member of the Los Angeles Harbor College Foundation
Board Member of the American Red Cross Greater Long Beach, Rio Hondo & South Bay

Liz Johnson has served as Grand Vision's volunteer Executive Director since 2000, working long hours to preserve and promote the historic Warner Grand Theatre and build Grand Vision Foundation into both a well-respected small concert venue operator (The Grand Annex) and an LAUSD-approved music education provider. Grand Vision introduces over 1500 low income elementary school students music fundamentals through an 18 month music-making program. Johnson holds a BA in Art from Yale University and an MA in Urban Planning from UCLA. Previously, she worked in the field of economic development in Long Beach and Los Angeles, promoting entrepreneurship as a means to community development. Liz also serves on the board of Crail-Johnson Foundation and The Beacon House Association of San Pedro. She was recently appointed to the Los Angeles County Arts Commission by Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Janet Grothe is the Public Affairs Manager at the Phillips 66 Los Angeles Refinery and oversees public, media and community relations for the Wilmington and Carson facilities along with internal communications. 

Grothe has more than 25 years of industry experience. Before moving to Los Angeles in March of 2014, Grothe was the Senior Advisor, Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability and worked at the Phillips 66 headquarters in Houston, Texas. Prior to the spinoff of Phillips 66, Grothe handled international Exploration and Production communications for ConocoPhillips. Grothe supported internal clients in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Phillips 66, Grothe worked at the Benicia Refinery and held various roles in Community Relations and Public Affairs. Grothe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources from Golden Gate University, San Francisco and a Master's degree in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.

Alan C. Johnson, is President of Jerico Development, a San Pedro based real estate development and property management company that specializes in the restoration and management of historic properties and is one half of the Los Angeles Waterfront Alliance which was recently tasked with the re-development of Ports O'Call and San Pedro's waterfront. 

He served as president of the original Business Improvement District and led the group that founded First Thursday, a popular art walk that has taken place every month since 1999 and currently serves as treasurer for the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District (PBID). Alan also led the successful effort to save the historic Warner Grand Theatre, a priceless art deco movie palace and co-founded Grand Vision Foundation in 1996, whose mission is to preserve and promote the historic Warner Grand Theatre and foster artistic and educational events in the area.

Alan is also the president of the Crail-Johnson Foundation which is devoted to children's charities serving the economically, socially and physically disadvantaged in the Harbor Area for over 20 years. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Marymount California University, the Marymount-San Pedro Advisory committee, and the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute where he chairs their Community Advisory Committee.

Alan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in business finance.

Ross O'Brien, C.P.A. is a resident of San Pedro and a partner in the accounting firm of Servatius, O'Brien & Fong. He is also the Chief Financial Officer of the Pacific Battleship Center ("Battleship Iowa"). Ross has over 35 years of public accounting experience in taxation matters, including federal, state and international income tax issues, as well as financial reporting related to income tax issues. Ross works with businesses, their management teams and their owners to maximize tax benefits and minimize tax exposures relating to annual income tax return and financial statement filings. In addition, Ross has successfully managed clients' tax controversy issues with federal and state taxing authorities. As CFO of the Pacific Battleship Center, Ross oversees the day-to-day operations of the Accounting & Finance department, which includes cash management, banking, insurance, internal and external financial reporting, and tax matters.

Dan Salas began his maritime career as a child, assisting fishing boats at the Ports’ O call village, then working as a tug boat operator and now owns and operates a fleet of commercial vessels. Capt. Dan is the President and CEO of Harbor Breeze Corp., which provides transportation and tour services in Long Beach and San Pedro waterfront. He is the driving force behind Harbor Breeze Cruises and LA Waterfront, proving employment to over 40 Long Beach and San Pedro residents. He lives in San Pedro with his wife Kim, and 3 children Caroline, Christina and Christopher.

Andrew Silber is the owner of the Whale & Ale Restaurant in Downtown San Pedro, moved to Southern California in April of 1985,

Since December 1995, under the Silber's guidance, The Whale & Ale has been successful in many areas: It has been honored by both The California Restaurant Writers, and the Southern California Restaurant Writers. Elmer Dills and his Channel 7 News Team have featured it during a TV show on the delights of the British Pub in California. In 2007, the prestigious Los Angeles Magazine awarded it "Best of LA" designation. In October of the same year, former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn Carter chose the Whale & Ale for a family dinner during their visit to the South Bay. Merrill Schindler has given the Restaurant a glowing revue, and the Zagat Guide to Southern California also praises the Cuisine and ambience of the Restaurant. It is regularly featured as a local business to quote in the LA Times, Daily Breeze, PV Peninsula News and Long Beach Press Telegram.

Andrew also became immediately involved in the local Chamber of Commerce and was asked to be Vice-President in charge of Economic Development. He was a Director of the San Pedro Business Improvement District for two terms since it's inception, and Secretary for the first term.

Andrew and The Whale & Ale have been in the forefront of business philanthropic endeavors.

David Thornburg is no stranger to the port, after graduating from California State University Long Beach in Political Science and International Relations; he went directly to work in the San Pedro Bay Port complex. He has worked in various prominent positions with port tenants of the POLA and POLB. His experience includes operations and logistics positions dealing with commodities in containers, bulk, break bulk, and ro-ro (autos) operations with K-Line, NYK, Toyota, SA Recycling, and Duncan and Son Lines.  Now working with several port clients in his own company, he also is the President and CEO of Clean Engine Inc; www.clean-engine.com.

David has also devoted his time to various non-profits boards and committees in the San Pedro Bay. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Boy Scout Area Council, past Chairman of the Board and current member of the International Trade Education Program (ITEP), past Chair of the SP Chamber Economic Policy Committee, past President and current member of the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce, Board member of the LA/LB Propeller Club, appointed by LA City Councilman Joe Buscaino to the Harbor Community Benefits Foundation currently serving as the CFO. He has held previous roles as the President of the Board of Trustees for the Port of Los Angeles High School, LB Chamber's Board of Directors Leadership Council, and President of the International Businesses Association (IBA). He also serves as President of his homeowner's association board, serving for over 19 years. Lastly, David was appointed by Mayor Foster to serve as a Marine Advisory Commissioner in early 2012 and currently serves as Chair.

In 2007, at age 23, Evan took over Harbor Brake's operations after his father passed away. Despite it being a great deal of responsibility for a young lad like Evan, he rose to meet the challenges he faced, and made is family proud. 

Today Evan is very happy to run a business that is a familiar part of the community, and he hopes to continue Harbor Brake's Legacy of quality service done by hard, honest workers. He is also an active member in the San Pedro Lions Club, and holds a degree in Business Economics from the California State University of Long Beach.