Final Budget 2008-09 Final Budget 2007-08

Gary Poertner

Gary Poertner, Deputy Chancellor, functions as the district’s Chief Business Official, the Acting Chancellor in the absence of the Chancellor, and provides ongoing support to the Chancellor in oversight of district, college, and ATEP operations. His responsibilities include all business operations for the district, including payroll, accounting, purchasing, and facility planning. He is also responsible for maintaining the District’s Board Policies and Administrative Regulations. Gary has 36 years of administrative experience in California public schools, including over 30 years as a District Chief Business Official.  Before joining SOCCCD in 1999, he was at the College of the Redwoods, El Camino College, and the Shasta Union High School District.  He holds a B.S. in Commerce from St. Louis University and a MBA from California State University, Long Beach.  In addition to his duties with the district, Gary provides service to the community as a member and Vocational Service Director of the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo.

Beth Mueller

Beth Mueller, District Director of Fiscal Services, has been with the South Orange County Community College District since 1999.  She is responsible for oversight of the accounting and payroll departments, preparation of the District’s $373 million budget, and supervision of the annual financial audit and year end close. She served as Budget Manager at Irvine Valley College for over seven years before moving to her current position in 2006.  Prior to joining the District, Beth served as an accountant for Saddleback Valley Unified School District and in private industry.  She is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago with a major in accounting and is a member of the International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma. 

Brandye K. D’Lena

Brandye K. D’Lena, Director of Facilities Planning and Purchasing, has been with South Orange County Community College District since 2007. She is responsible for the facilities planning and purchasing programs of the District, including development of the District's 5-Year Construction Plan. Brandye oversees planning and administration of all new construction projects and District-wide purchasing and warehousing, including contracting, fixed asset inventory control and mail delivery and courier services. She also provides strategic support to the Deputy Chancellor. Brandye has over 13 years experience in school facilities and construction, most recently serving as Director of Facilities and Construction for the Modesto City Schools. She also worked as a senior project manager at Vanir Construction Management, Inc. in San Luis Obispo, San Jose and Sacramento. Brandye holds a B.S. in construction management from Cal Poly—San Luis Obispo. She is certified by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), is a LEED™ accredited professional and a member of Sigma Lambda Chi, the honor society for construction management.

Laura Abrams

Laura Abrams, Payroll Manager, joined the District in 1990.  She oversees a team of seven employees who process payroll for approximately 2,500 employees. She actively participates in several professional committees including the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) Community College Payroll Managers group and Orange County Teacher’s Federal Credit Union (OCTFCU) President’s Forum. Laura stays current on payroll and retirement issues by working with the OC Community College Payroll Managers and Orange County Department of Education (OCDE).  The payroll team was recognized in 2006 by OCDE and the District Board of Trustees for an “immaculately perfect” retroactive pay adjustment for all classified employees.  Laura attended Mount San Antonio College.

Yvonne O'Tousa

Yvonne O'Tousa, Financial Analyst, has been with the District since 2007. She provides district revenue forecasts to the District Resource Allocation Council (DRAC), is responsible for overseeing the District's annual audit with external auditors and district-wide staff, as well as providing financial and analytical support to executive district staff, district accounting, auditors, and classified and union negotiation teams. Yvonne has 30 years of finance and accounting experience in private industry, as a Senior Accountant for Allergan Pharmaceuticals in Irvine, and Senior Financial Analyst for Conexant, a semiconductor chip manufacturer based in Newport Beach. Yvonne received a B.A. degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Cal State University, San Diego, and a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Cal State University, Fullerton.

Karen Bronson

Karen Bronson, Accounting and Budget Manager, has worked in the South Orange County Community College District for over 20 years. Her responsibilities include the planning, development, evaluation and management of the accounting and budgeting programs, service, operations and activities of the District.  She also contributes to the forecasting of short and long range revenues and expenditures. Previously she served as an accounting systems specialist in the district office and at Saddleback College. Prior to joining the district she was a special projects technician for the Orange County Department of Education.  Karen has focused her higher education studies in the areas of accounting, computer software and general education.

Earl Pagal

Earl Pagal, District Risk Manager, joined the District in 1993 and is responsible for the district-wide risk management and benefits programs.  His analysis of insurance costs and subsequent leadership to change carriers continue to result in significant savings to taxpayers.  Earl is currently on the board of directors of the Statewide Association for Community Colleges (SWACC) and a member of the organization’s Claims and Coverage Committee.  Earl’s professional background includes employment with several insurance companies with responsibilities in general liability, worker’s compensation loss control.  He obtained a B.A. degree in Economics from the University of California, Irvine and also attended law school at Western State College of Law.

Shannon Seifert

Shannon Seifert, Purchasing Manager, joined the District in 1991.  Shannon has many years of experience in public sector purchasing and contract administration, including serving as a buyer and purchasing coordinator for Coast Community College District and a contract specialist for the U. S. Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest. Shannon has a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton and a M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Long Beach State University. 

Wayne Kethley

Wayne Kethley, Central Services Manager, has worked for the District since 1999.  He supervises the warehouse operations at the Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College campuses as well as the mail room and courier services.  He received his training in Accounting/ Procurement from the United States Navy and his education in Purchasing/ Business Management from Orange Coast College. 

Walt Rice

Walt Rice, Assistant Director of Facility Planning, joined the District in 2005.  He is responsible for overseeing the District’s large-scale construction and renovation projects which include the rehabilitation of Saddleback College buildings, construction of the new Saddleback College Village facilities, and three new buildings at the Irvine Valley College campus, and the construction of the first buildings at the new ATEP campus. Prior to joining the District, Walt served as Interim Director of Maintenance and Operations at Irvine Valley College and directed Engineering Services at the University of California, Irvine for over 12 years.  Prior to his service in the public sector, Walt was in private business for 18 years operating an architectural and engineering services firm as well as a design and build construction company. Walt has a five year Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California.  He also has an A.S. degree from El Camino College.