Executive Director: Alicia Wilmunder, CPP.

Responsible for the Pop's business and financial activities including budgets and accounting, contracts, insurance, financial reporting, tax filing and website. A business and accounting professional, specialist in payroll and accounting systems implementation, Alicia manages talent recruiting, the music librarian, graphics and website. She was awarded for her accounting center development. She graduated in cello performance from UOP.

Email: manager@californiapopsorchestra.com

Alan Cooper Co-Concert Master

Awarded 2005 MVP by the Association of California Symphony Orchestras.

Graduated Westport School of Music, B.S. Geology University of Rochester, M.S. Geology San Jose State University, M.S., Ph.D. Geophysics Stanford University. Emeritus Geophysicist: U.S. Geological Survey (34 years). Consulting Professor: Stanford University Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences. Specialty: Marine geology and geophysics of continental margins and adjacent ocean basins of Antarctica, Bering Sea, Gulf of Mexico, California, and Solomon Islands. Head of Antarctic Seismic Data Library System for Cooperative Research. Editor of 4 books and author of more than 200 scientific publications. Performs with Fiume di Musica (Principal), Left Bank, the San Andreas Trio and the famous Duckweed String Band.

Julian Brown Co-Concert Master

Concert Master of the California Pops Orchestra. His solos include Monti's Czardas, Astor Piazzola's Oblivion, and most recently the famous movie theme from Schindler's List. Born in the UK, he studied the violin under the British violinist Anthony Saltmarsh and has followed a multi-faceted career as musician, radio producer, science writer, software engineer, and scientist. After studying physics at the University of Cambridge, England he worked at the BBC in London as a radio producer making talks and documentaries about science and technology. After leaving the BBC, Brown worked as a science writer and wrote several popular science books including "Minds, Machines, and the Multiverse", an account of the history and science of quantum computation. In 1998 he came to the US and worked for several years as a software engineer before joining Stanford University where he has worked for the last six years in a brain research lab. Throughout these times Brown has pursued a second life as an active musician playing in several orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Mr. Vic Befera: Public Relations

Vic Befera graduated from Michigan State University in Journalism and took his first job with the Palo Alto Times. In 1953, Vic joined the San Francisco Chronicle to handle restaurant and entertainment news and advertising. Among his lasting contributions was the "Nevada Scene" column in the sunday Datebook section, which Vic originated and wrote weekly, reporting on the hottest nightlife in Reno and Vegas.

In 1966, Vic founded Vic Befera & Associates, one of the region's busiest public relations firms, specializing in entertainment, with clients ranging from Bimbo's 365 Club to the Oakland Coliseum.

Cynthia Swenson: Program Advertising Sales & Principal Cellist

Ms. Swenson is the principal cellist with the California Pops Orchestra and serves the very important role of Program Advertising Sales Manager (these ads make it possible to have our printed programs for you each show. Cynthia has studied piano, flute and cello, receiving a scholarship at Stanford for cello studies while also earning a Bachelor's Degree in Human Biology. She has professional certificates and years of work experience in clinical laboratory science (ASCP), interior design (ASID) and also served as principal cellist with numerous Bay Area orchestras.

Mr. Fred Hines: Program Advertising Sales (Retired)

Fred Hines is a California native who studied and played French Horn while in middle and high schools in Southern California. He graduated from Stanford University with a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, and worked at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale for 35 years. He supported the Fleet Ballistic Missile Program in thermodynamics test and analysis, systems analysis and missile test engineering, where he held various management and senior staff positions. After he retired, Fred reclaimed his French Horn from his son, who also played in his school years. Fred now plays in four musical groups when he is not traveling, hiking or visiting grandchildren. His wife, Leelane, plays the viola with the San Jose State Orchestra and the Meridian Band, a Middle Eastern music ensemble.

Margery Morse: Pops House Manager
Responsible for managing all activities in the Theater including box office ticket sales, lobby, will call, emergency needs, customer service and relations.

Mr. Bob Runnels: Music Arranger

Pops primary arranger, lead trumpet and flugelhorn soloist. A graduate from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music. Bob is not your typical orchestra arranger. He has a rare gene that adds unexpected fun to every piece he touches. That gene expresses itself in an "anything goes" attitude that, along with his consumate skills, throws orchestras into gales of laughter as they play. Bob is not only principal trumpet with the Pops, but also a recording artist and professional performer with the Black Tie Jazz Orchestra heard throughout the Bay Area.

Sara Acevedo: Creative Design - Stage and Lobby Presentation

Our eminently creative and hard-working stage and lobby designer, Sara is a retired research scientist with SETI Institute. She is also Executive Director of an international professional scientific society. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Santa Clara University and MA in Chemistry, San Jose State University. She has been a bassoonist since 1968.

Mr. Brian Ogonowski: Stage Manager
Implements and manages a team handling all on-stage concert activities. Brian has been playing clarinet in the PPO since 1989. A patent attorney, with a BSEE from Villanova University (1977) and a law degree from Suffolk University (1983). He looks forward to rehearsals to relieve his stress and is a proud parent of an 8-year-old girl violinist who loves to come up on stage after each performance.

Ms. Sarah Pribble: Music Librarian Assistant.
Assists with instrument folder preparations, cataloging and helps the marketing team. Joined the Pops in 1990 and is a retired analytical chemist.

Norma Street - Executive Office Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

Marte Thompson, Web Consultant: www.design48.com

Supporting Angels
Jean Cunningham, Musicology- Research,
Sam Huie - Photographer
Ruth Spangenberg, in memorial
Joe Marchi

Stage Hands
Brian Ogonowsky, Stage Manager
Llody Connors
Alan Cooper
Bob Fonda
Steve Oslov
Linda Rausch

Ticket Box Office Assistants
Paul Beckmann
Margery Morse
Liz Sain
Patty Working

For more information, Email manager@californiapopsorchestra.com, Alicia Wilmunder, Executive Director or call (650)856-8432