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Dr. Iris S. Levine has been appointed as Interim President at Cal Poly Pomona. Dr. Levine previously served as Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs; Dean of the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences; Interim Dean of the College of Education and Integrative Studies; Music Department Chair and Professor of Music. She earned her Doctorate in Choral Music from the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Rodney Eichenberger and she holds a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the International Federation of Choral Music and Chorus America.

Dr. Levine is proud to have led the College of Letters, Arts, & Social Sciences, one of the largest and most diverse colleges at the university. She is a champion for innovation, students, faculty and staff.

Dr. Terri Gomez has been a member of the Cal Poly Pomona community for 24 years, starting first as a lecturer and rising to the rank of Full Professor in the Department of Ethnic and Women’s Studies. She has served in a range of administrative roles including Department Chair and Interim Associate Dean in the College of Education and Integrative Studies, as well as Interim Associate Vice President before being appointed in 2018 as the inaugural Associate Vice President for Student Success. In 2020 she was named Associate Provost for Student Success, Equity and Innovation with an expanded portfolio that includes Academic Advising, the Bronco Advising Center, Undeclared Advising, Early Start, Learning Resource Center, First-Year Experience, Common Read, PolyTransfer, STEM Success, Academic Innovation, Student Innovation Ideas lab, Kellogg Honors College, Center for Community Service Learning, Office of Undergraduate Research and the TRiO-funded Reading and Mentoring Program (RAMP). 

Dr. Gomez is a nationally recognized leader for her work on student success and developing innovative programs to address the needs of diverse student populations. In 2016, Dr. Gomez was responsible for the launch of the Office of Student Success at Cal Poly Pomona to focus our campus efforts as part of the . By developing a range of campus partnerships, support programs and academic interventions, she has led advances in student retention, persistence and graduation with the ultimate goal of eliminating equity gaps for our most vulnerable students.

Dr. Ethan Orr comes to Cal Poly Pomona from the University of Arizona, where he served as an associate professor of agriculture technology; the executive director of the Natural Resources Users Law and Policy Center; and associate director of agriculture and natural resources for the Arizona Cooperative Extension.

As a faculty member, he was a primary investigator for more than $84 million in grants. This has included establishing an agriculture apprenticeship program working with more than 100 farms to provide experiential learning for the next generation of agricultural leaders and creating a $64 million statewide irrigation efficiency program working with farmers to conserve water.

Dean Orr is no stranger to agricultural literacy programs, as his university partnerships have annually reached over 100,000 K-12 students. Orr also has taught at the University of Arizona’s School of Government and Public Policy for more than two decades. In addition, he secured millions in funding for the university’s bio-medical campus and the establishment of its college of veterinary medicine.

Orr also served in the Arizona state legislature, and has extensive professional experience working in non-profits, municipal government, and the private sector. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Arizona, and a doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University.

Dr. Paul Martinez is the chief leadership and human capital strategist for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
(WKKF) in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this role, he supports the foundation’s efforts to promote
thriving children, working families and equitable communities.

Dr. Martinez is responsible for leadership capacity building at all levels of the WKKF, executive
coaching, organizational development, maximizing the Foundation’s human capital, and the
execution of WKKF’s leadership fellows program and alumni network. As a member of the
executive team, he leads the learning and development of the leadership grantmaking approach,
in collaboration and partnership with grantees, communities and other stakeholders in the
foundation’s priority place in the United States; and internationally, in Mexico and Haiti.
Previously, Martinez served as an executive coach with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)
from 2009-2019, where he supported the growth and development of global executives in a number
of open enrollment and custom programs. From 2016-2018, Dr. Martinez was a senior faculty member
at the CCL, where he was responsible for oversight, design, delivery and maintaining high-quality
standards of CCL’s premier apex program in the United States, Singapore and Europe. He also
developed, designed and delivered custom leadership development programs for a range of clients
in the government, for-profit, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, as well as other open enrollment
programs.

Since 2008, Dr. Martinez has managed his own consulting firm, Dynamic Solutions USA, LLC. As a
consultant, he guided individuals, teams and organizations to maximize their leadership capacity,
performance and potential by defining tactical and strategic organizational challenges and
opportunities, and designing customized leadership and organizational development solutions to
meet organizational objectives.

Prior to his roles with Dynamic Solutions USA and CCL, Dr. Martinez held various leadership
positions with the U.S. Army, Blockbuster Music, State Farm and USAA. He created and facilitated
curriculum for El Pomar’s Multicultural Youth Leadership Initiative, Leadership Pike’s Peak’s
Signature, Leadership NOW, and Leading Edge programs; as well as Leadership Pueblo.
Experienced across multiple sectors including for-profit, nonprofit and government; he worked
primarily with senior teams to define the leadership needed to achieve organizational success and
helped clients develop capabilities in the areas of high-performance leadership and teamwork, trust, coaching, human capital/talent development, employee engagement and culture.
He has served on and facilitated numerous committees, contributed to a monthly leadership column, has been a keynote speaker and guest lecturer, and participated on several advisory committees.
He is certified in more than a dozen leadership, professional development and management assessment tools, and most recently, designed and authored The Trust Dynamic 360 assessment tool. He is also a member of the National and the Colorado Speaker’s Associations.

Dr. Martinez earned a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Colorado, a Master of Science in management from Regis University and a Doctor of Philosophy in leadership and organizational development from the University of the Rockies.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special attention is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.

Linda , daughter of Leland and Esther May Mekeel, was born into a family that loved Arabian Horses. The Mekeel’s purchased their first Arabian mares from the W K Kellogg Ranch, Pomona, California, the year they were married in 1938. The wonderful years of growing up with horses ,showing and caring for them led to a life time with horses.

Highlights of the best life ever

Two wonderful sons
John Madsen (Rebecca) and 2 twin granddaughters (Avery and Brooke)
Terry Madsen (Bethany and 3 amazing grandsons (Wil Gabriel and Jesse)

After high school, Linda enrolled at Cal Poly, Pomona in the first year that included women students.
Graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Social Science.
Continued college and earned a Fifth Year Teaching Credential
Taught school for one year, but chose to return to the farm life full time

Managed the Mekeel Ranch breeding, foal and show ring competitions, one of the largest Arabian Farms in USA and honored as one of the Breeders of the Century at ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky in 2000.
Today, manages Milky Way Thoroughbred Farm in Temecula, California, which currently stand 12 stallions, which during last breeding season bred 225 mares. During the foaling season, the farm delivers around 120 foals each year.

I have been professionally training Arabians for 42 years.  My wife Caralyn Schroter and I currently own and successfully operate RBC Show Horses, LLC in Smithfield, NC. We have anywhere from 50 to 60 training horses for clients all over the United States and Canada. I have been professionally training Arabians for 42 years.

I am an active member of AHA, APAHA and USEF. I currently serve on the APAHA Board of Directors, AWPA Board of Directors, AHA Commissioners Review Board, Region 12 Vice Directory, as well as a member of the Cal Poly Advisory Committee.  Our farm RBC Show Horses hosts an Open House each year to help promote and education newcomers to the Arabian Industry.

In 2018, I was inducted into the APAHA Hall of Fame, after being named Horseman of the Year in 2014 and 2017 as well as Professional Western Trainer of the year in 2017.

I have had incredible opportunities to provide knowledge and guidance to many major breeders and trainers in the Arabian Industry.  Such as, Dolorosa Arabians Ltd which was APAHA Breeder of the Year in 2004, as well as Palmetto Arabians which is now an APAHA Hall Of Fame breeder of the Year inductee.

My passion in life is to promote the Arabian horse through breeding, training, and showing. I am very honored to be involved with the Kellogg Horse Center and their promotion and passion of the Arabian horse.

Equine Accomplishments

Education

• Bachelors from Pepperdine University

Nancy Harvey is the immediate past president of the Arabian Horse Association and has a long history of being a USEF Licensed Official. With 40+ years of dedication to the equine industry, Nancy has acquired a wealth of knowledge through various experiences as an amateur, trainer, exhibitor, recreational rider, show secretary and show manager. Nancy has utilized her knowledge and experience through advocation for the Arabian, along with other breeds as well, by volunteering her time with numerous foundations, associations, and other organizations.

Paula Hitzler’s career with horses spans nearly 45 years.  Paula entered the horse world at the age of nine when she began showing her family’s Arabian horses.  By the time Paula turned 18, she had numerous regional and national titles under her belt.  Paula then went on to attend Michigan State University and enroll in its Animal Science program.  Upon graduating from MSU, Paula left Michigan to manage Dallas-based Zodiac Farm’s breeding operation.  From Texas, Paula went on to Sonoma, California, where she managed Saddle Rock Ranch.  It was also at that time when she began her teaching career.  Paula taught Horse Management courses at California’s San Joaquin Delta College and Santa Rosa Junior College.

In 1989, Paula was asked by her alma mater to return to Michigan to manage Michigan State University’s Horse Teaching and Research Center.  It was a perfect match – she never left and continues as its manager.  Paula teaches many of the Institute of Agricultural Technology Horse Management courses offered by MSU’s Department of Animal Science.  These courses include starting horses under saddle, advanced horsemanship, introduction to horse science lab, young horse handling and labs in reproduction and breeding farm management.  Paula’s proudest moments have occurred when the MSU students she has taught have shown MSU bred and trained horses to numerous regional and national titles. 

Janina Merz is a 4th generation horse breeder and the owner of Om El Arab. Janina’s mother, the late Sigi Siller, founded the farm in 1970, in Germany’s Black Forrest region. In 1984, with the incomparable success of Om El Arab-bred horses in Europe, the family decided to expand their breeding operation to the Santa Ynez Valley, in California, where it is located today.

Om El Arab has full-service breeding capabilities, including ultrasounds, embryo transfers, collecting, cooling, and shipping semen, with supporting facilities for foaling and herd management. These operations are combined with training, showing, promotion, education, riding, and sales. Over the past 52 years, Om El Arab has become one of the most successful private Arabian horse breeding programs, with champion horses worldwide carrying their bloodlines.

Janina worked along side her mom since 1998, and took over sole ownership and management of Om El Arab in 2016. She is the current Secretary for the Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Club, and has served in various Board of Director positions for the club. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Arabian Breeders World Cup.

John J. Resich Jr. is an attorney and rancher and serves as chairman of the board and vice president of development of Green Hills Memorial Park, where he has designed, constructed and overseen the development of 17 projects over the last 15 years. He provides legal representation to cemeteries throughout California, gives legal advice concerning legislation and has testified as an expert witness for the cemetery industry. Resich owns ranching and farming operations in Wyoming, raising cattle and crops including corn, beans, alfalfa and grass. He earned his law degree at Santa Clara University in 1972. He received his master’s degree in business at Chapman University in 2001. Resich founded the Marine Mammal Care Center, which rescues marine mammals and releases them back into the environment after they are treated, and is a former founding member of the San Pedro Peninsula Hospital Foundation. He also is a board member of the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation and the Huntley College Board of Advisors.

Margaret West Rich, grew up with Arabian horses. Her father and mother purchased the family’s first Arabian horses from several foundation breeders located in Southern California. The most influential were Herbert H. Reese and Gladys Brown Edwards. At the time Mr. Reese was overseeing the Kellogg Arabian horses located where Cal Poly Pomona stands today and Gladys was working as Mr. Reese’s secretary. After graduation from U.C. Berkley Margaret took on the responsibility of running Green Acres Ranch. She brought the ranch and its horses into the 21st century.

Today, Green Acres introduces hundreds of individuals yearly to the Arabian horse through its very large lesson program that uses primarily Arabian horses and a few other breeds.
GAIT (Green Acres Interactive Therapy) is a therapeutic riding program that Margaret founded over 30 years ago. GAIT is located at Green Acres Ranch and also embraces Arabian horse in its lessons.
Margaret is a licensed Arabian horse judge who served over 20 years on the Education and Evaluation Commission. She also served two terms on the BOD of the Arabian Horse Association as Director from Region 1.

Margaret’s knowledge and expertise in the Horse industry benefits countless individuals. She has helped guide and shape the future of our horse community as not just a professional horsewoman but as a community leader. She was most recently recognized as 2021 Women of the Year for the State of California District 28.

Margaret has served as a member of the Cal Poly Pomona President’s Arabian Horse Advisory Committee since 2012.