DIRECTORS/OFFICERS

President:  Barbara “BJ” Newell

Unlike most of their colleagues, Barbara “BJ” Newell and her husband David are newbies to Belmont Shore. She didn’t discover Belmont Shore until her college days at UCLA and fell in love with it. BJ lived in the Heights for a year before she and David — then living in Seal Beach —  married.  They promised themselves they would return to the beach one day, which they did in 2003, after raising their three amazing daughters in Whittier. They have been “living the dream” ever since.  Professionally, BJ was a high school English teacher at Bell Gardens High for 22 years. Besides being a part of Friends of Belmont Shore, she has done volunteer work at LB Rescue Mission, and tutors at Lowell Elementary and SATO High School.

Vice President: Keith Mason

Keith was born and raised in Monterey, California, went to college in the Bay Area and moved down to southern California for his first job. He met his wife at work, they married and had two children. They have lived in Oregon for a couple of years and in New York (Rockland County) for almost 7 years before returning to California in 2008. They eventually settled in a home Belmont Shore where they were able to enjoy much milder winters. Keith retired in December 2021 and he has been able to devote more time to skiing and traveling. Keith hopes to help facilitate better engagement by Third District residents with issues that are important to our community.

Treasurer:  Cari Kehr

Cari grew up in Belmont Shore, but between college and her career, she lived in different states before returning to her beloved hometown "the Shore” two and half years ago. She is married and the mother of two adult children. Her son lives in Memphis and her daughter also lives in Belmont Shore and is a pharmacist at the VA Hospital in Long Beach. Cari currently works as a senior contract administrator in Business Management for a Fortune 500 Aerospace and Defense Company.  After returning to her childhood home, Cari became involved in her neighborhood hosting ice cream socials and participating in monthly beach cleanups.  She is proud to be an activist for Belmont Shore and hopes to keep it safe and prosperous for our next generation.

Secretary:  Kathie Muehlebach

Kathie is a third generation Long Beach resident and has lived off and on in Belmont Shore since 1994. She has worked in the nonprofit space since 2007 and is currently the Systemwide Compliance Manager for the California State University, Office of the Chancellor. She is currently working on her MBA in Organizational Leadership at Cal State Fullerton, where she obtained her undergrad in finance in 1999. Kathie loves her community, her kitty cat Boo, and her favorite local activity is summer concerts in the park.

DIRECTORS

Angie Degen

Angie represents that rare demographic of residents: raised in her grandmother's Belmont Shore home as a kid, she remembers running down Second Street with her friends in bare feet!  Her current home is three generational, with her parents, husband, Jeremy, and children Riley at Wilson High and Jace at Rogers Middle School.  In addition, her oldest daughter Taiya and grandchildren come often, visiting from Temecula.  She is the youngest grandma we know!  Professionally, her interests are varied.  She has worked in community outreach, done consulting for the unhoused population, served on the board for the Down syndrome association, worked as a preschool teacher and special ed aide in elementary school.  Angie served on the FoBS board's early years, from 2018 through 2020. After a few year hiatus, she has returned to faithfully serve the community she cares about so much!  

Steve Donovan

Steve Donovan grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from UNH with an EE degree shortly before moving to California in ’91.  Since that time, Steve has worked in telecom network instrumentation sales. His manufacturer rep business celebrated its 15th year in 2024  Steve has lived in the Shore since 1998, currently raising three teenagers - Ellie, Nate and Brooke – with wife Lexi, along with Oreo, a 5 year old Havanese.  The Donovans enjoy beach days on the Peninsula, the fire pits at Bolsa Chica, and boating/floating in Laughlin, NV.

Theresa Spalding Grimaldi

Theresa was born in Minnesota and moved to California in her high school years. Her family decided to settle in La Cañada. When she married her husband Mike, they moved to Long Beach and have lived here over 30 years. Theresa and Mike have raised two daughters both who attended the great public schools of Long Beach Unified. In 2020, Theresa’s father moved to Belmont Shore to be closer to family and enjoy the beach lifestyle.  Professionally, Theresa has been in media her entire career; she currently works at PBS in the Corporate Sponsorship Department.

Maria Hanson

Maria is a retired public school teacher with a Master’s in education. She has been a Belmont Shore resident since 1996, owns property in the Shore and is currently a casework volunteer with the American Red Cross and a volunteer in pastoral care at church. Maria is a grandmother of four, a former board member of Friends of the Library and a former member of her church board. She is a Spanish speaker and lifelong resident of the Los Angeles area.

Jim Ostach

Jim is a retired captain of the U.S. Navy, where he served 30 years with Navy Seal teams deployed at SE Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. As a civilian, he became a Communications Studies professor at LBCC. Jim's passion for giving back to the community comes in many forms: He served community service at the VA Medical Center, Long Beach Rescue Mission, and Pathways Hospice as well as the Veterans Memorial Pier - Lone Sailor Monument Committee, the LBCC Foundation Board of Governors, a trainer of guide dogs for the blind, president of the BSRA, and Neighborhood Watch.  Ultimately, he received the City of Long Beach Prosecutor's Office IMPACT Award.  As a 30-year resident of the Shore, Jim can often be seen swimming in the bay or walking the neighborhood with his beloved black lab Ollie.  

Miguel Rivera

I’ve been proud to call Belmont Shore home since moving here shortly after graduating from Cal State Fullerton in 1997. In 2005, after marrying my wife, our roots in the area grew even deeper when we settled in nearby Belmont Park. Together, we’ve raised our family here and are now proud parents of a high school senior who attends St. Joseph High School in Lakewood.  Professionally, I’ve spent over 20 years in the banking industry, currently serving as a Vice President, where I focus on building trusted relationships and supporting individuals and local businesses in achieving their financial goals. My wife works in the medical field with Medtronic, specializing in implantable medical devices, and shares the same passion for service and helping others. Serving on the Friends of Belmont Shore board is a meaningful way for me to give back to a community that has shaped my family’s life for decades. I care deeply about preserving the character, vitality, and sense of connection that make Belmont Shore such a special place to live, work, and raise a family—and I’m honored to support that mission.