APGA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kenneth Bentley

Kenneth Bentley retired after 31 years as Vice President of community affair and workforce diversity for Nestle USA in 2013. He was also head of the Nestle USA Foundation. Bentley has been a member of the Farmers Insurance Exchange Board of Governors since 2006 and currently serves as Chairman of the Farmers Insurance Fire Exchange. Bentley received his B.A. in Comparative Cultures from the University of California, Irvine and a Masters of Arts in Management from the University of Redlands. Bentley serves on the board of the TGR Foundation (formerly the Tiger Woods Foundation) and the Carol Kimmelman Academic and Athletic Center.

Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board

Michael Washington

Michael E. Washington is a seasoned leader, owner, and CEO of Cato Hospitality Group, LLC (CHG), a social impact consulting firm. In 2009, he co-founded Palazzo Concessions, an airport concession services company, where he serves as president. Michael has successfully managed joint venture agreements through Palazzo Concessions with several national prime concession entities, including Hudson Group, Norm Nixon, Ervin “Magic” Johnson Enterprises, and HMS Host International. The company has ownership interests in four airports: Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Portland International Airport. It features renowned brands such as Hugo Boss, Tumi, Starbucks, Harley Davidson, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Panda Express.

Before founding Cato Hospitality Group, Michael served as a General Manager and in Executive leadership roles for multiple Starwood Hotels and Resorts, including the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles, LeMeridien & St. Regis San Francisco, and Westin Long Beach. He is also a Western Regional Director and Trade Board Member of the Airport Minority Advisory Counsel, former Co-Chair of The Family Life Center at West Angeles Church, and member of the Los Angeles Convention and Tourism Board.

Michael is married to Stasia Washington and is the proud father of three adult children and two grandchildren. He is passionate about our youth and golf and is committed to serving the community. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School and Columbus State Community College and attended The Ohio State University.

APGA Foundation President

John J. Harris

Past Chairman and CEO of Nestle Waters, S.A. Served as an Executive Vice President of Nestle S.A. Executive Board, responsible for approving Nestle Global Business Strategy. Prior to becoming Chairman and CEO of Nestle Waters, while serving as CEO of Nestle Purina PetCare Europe he received added responsibility of Asia, Oceania and Africa. Mr Harris enjoyed a 39-year career with Nestle in North America and Europe before retiring in December 2013. Mr. Harris received his B.A. from California State University and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles Graduate School of Business.

Head of Finance

Spencer Rodriguez

Spencer is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Partnerships for Plan, Inc, a productivity software company based in San Francisco, California. Prior to Plan, spent five years as part of the TCW Emerging Markets Group investment team and most recently led the Group’s research and investment strategy in Central American & the Caribbean beginning in 2017. Spencer is a long-time supporter of KCRW and of the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, where he volunteered in his youth. He was also a volunteer with the Los Angeles Public Library Adult Literacy Program from 2015 to 2017. Spencer graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in History and is a proud Princeton alumni interviewer for the Los Angeles South Bay region.

Director at Large

Don Rodriguez

Don joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach in June 2003 as the Chief Professional Officer. With his leadership, he turned the struggling organization into one with tremendous growth and financial stability. He implemented a successful partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District through their WRAP (Winners Reaching Amazing Potential) program and has overseen the growth from 31 employees to more than 100, and from 3 locations to 13 which places the organization as one of the Major Metro Boys & Girls Clubs in the nation. During his tenure with the Club, he was awarded the Executive of the Year Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Prior to joining the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, Don Rodriguez served as the Executive Director of the Hollywood Boys & Girls Club from 1997 to 2001 where he was instrumental in turning a failing operation into its current thriving status. Don grew up in the Hollywood area and was a club member from 1967-1972.

Director at Large

Dr. Charles Alexander

Charles Alexander is currently the director of the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Alexander also serves as the associate vice provost for student diversity in the Division of Undergraduate Education, and as an associate adjunct professor in the Division of Public Health, School of Dentistry. Alexander oversees AAP programs, including academic advising, peer learning, mentoring, research opportunities and scholarships. A past president of the National Association of Medical Minority Educators, Alexander received UCSF’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for leadership and inspiration in advancing social and economic justice goals. He has also served as chair of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Dental Pipeline Project II Advisory Committee. He is a member of many organizations, including the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Alexander received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York College at Cortland, a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and a doctorate in sociological foundations of education from Marquette University.

Director at Large