Meet OC PSU

The Penn State Orange County chapter is committed to supporting the interests of Penn State and its alumni by participating in community service, social activities, student recruitment and scholarships.

Meet the Board

Our board is an eclectic group spanning every decade from the fifties to date. The combination of past experience, diversity and new energy is key for our chapter as we grow, embrace new technologies and maintain our traditions.

DICK JANTZER '63

Founding Father

3/7/41 - 5/10/23

Richard “Dick” Jantzer Sr. ’63 from Erie, PA. majored in Business Administration at Penn State where he was on the baseball team and active in Sigma Pi Fraternity. Dick was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, served in Viet Nam, and was awarded many medals. He had a successful real estate career and helped many Penn Staters in California purchase a home. Dick was our Founding Father and served as our first president. He was always giving back to Penn State and Penn Staters. He was active in CASA, (Court Appointed Special Advocate) serving youth from challenged backgrounds and his church. He is survived by his son, Rick, and many friends around the country.

MATTHEW KRCELIC ‘89

Chapter President

Matthew began his career in Washington DC after graduating from PSU.  He went on to live and work in Tokyo, Japan for 21 years serving as Director of Human Resources for various multinational companies and became active with our chapter after returning to the US in 2019.  He currently serves as Director of Human Resources for Takee International, a company that owns and operates Japanese Restaurants.  He is also a proud Penn State Dad – his older son, Mitchell, graduated with a degree in Marketing in 2021 and his younger son, William, is currently in his senior year at University Park majoring in Labor and Human Relations.  Among his many hobbies, Matthew is an avid hiker and trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2022.

David Wolfe

DAVID WOLFE '94

Board Member

Orange County native and alumnus of Dana Hills High, David has been involved with the Chapter since graduating from PSU in 1994. David is our chapter Vice President, Scholarship Chair, and former president (2016-2018). Over the years he has made tremendous friends among his fellow PSUers.  His first return to PSU after graduation was in 2004, but he has made several trips since celebrating with Pi Kappa Phi brothers.  David focuses on college fairs, football game parties, fundraising, and community service projects. While submerged in Blue & White, he’s also the dad of three boys, all star athletes. His eldest is now a PSU student. David is a member of a sailing team in Long Beach.  He works in transportation and logistics services.

JUDY WOLFE '70

Board Member

Judy hails from the Monongahela Valley and studied French at University Park.  She is a past president having served on the Board since the early nineties.  Judy is an avid card player and travel agent specializing in river and ocean cruises and European travel.  She has organized cruises for the chapter.  As an Italophile, her wish is for a future chapter trip to Italy. Along with her sister, Pat ’66, and son, David ’94, she is convincing all 3 grandsons to go to Penn State.  She cherishes the friendships she has with her Gamma Phi Beta sisters. She volunteers her time tutoring children and working with a local dog shelter.  Judy is instrumental in maintaining our Elm Level status, PSAA Chapter of Distinction. She received the PSAA Volunteer of the Year Award in 2023!

BOB HUNTER '58

Board Member

Robert T. (Bob) Hunter graduated in 1958 from the Eberly School with a Master’s Degree in Physical Chemistry. Bob and his wife Barbara went from State College to Metuchen, New Jersey. Bob’s first job was in Jersey City in the Research and Development Laboratories of Colgate Palmolive.  After 12 years (and 3 children) the Hunter family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Bob became Director of R&D for the Amway Corporation. Amway acquired the Nutrilite Company in California and Bob was sent there to become the CEO. After a 40-year career, Bob retired in 1999. Always supporters of Penn State, Bob and Barbara began enjoying football with the OC Chapter in 2008. Bob is now the Chapter’s Treasurer.

CAITLIN BRENNAN '13

Board Member

Caitlin is a local alumna from Irvine who graduated from Penn State in 2013 with a double major in Supply Chain and Economics. Since graduating she has remained involved with the university by volunteering as an alumni mentor to undergraduate students through the Smeal College of Business. Caitlin joined the Board after being involved as a member of the chapter since her freshman year. Her parents are very active, too. She was a past scholarship recipient. What she misses most about Penn State are the fresh chocolate chip cookies from West Halls.  Caitlin was honored to receive the PSAA Recent Alumnus Award in 2023. She was our chapter president for two years and attends college fairs.

CINDY CLARK

Board Member
Cindy Clark is a Human Resources professional with 15 years’ experience in various industries including telecommunications, security, and healthcare. Cindy obtained her bachelor’s degree in communications from Rider University and a master’s degree from Temple University in Organizational Development. She moved from northern Virginia to southern California in 2020.  Cindy became a member of the OCIEA board in November 2021 after a few weeks of attending chapter events. “My love for Penn State has been a lifetime; having all brothers who went to Penn State, attended academic and sports events year-round with family at State College.”Cindy volunteers at the Long Beach Animal Shelter and Free Rein Horse Refuge.

Corey Wheeler '20

Board Member

Hailing from the Windy City of Chicago, Corey graduated from Penn State World Campus in 2020 with a double major in Information Science & Technology and Information Security and Risk Analysis.  He has since returned to Penn State to complete his MBA in 2022 and a degree in Strategic Management & Executive Leadership in 2023.  He stays actively involved with the University, regularly participating in recruiting events and has a special passion helping adult learners navigate that crucial first semester of college.  By profession, he works as a technology engineer and supports the technology needs of the OC PSU board.

Michele Trasport-Gonzalez '79

Board Member

Michele hails from football-loving Aliquippa, PA.  She attended Penn State Beaver majoring in Business and played guard on the women’s basketball team.  After two years, she transferred to U. P. campus and refined her major to Marketing and Management.  Upon graduating, Michele moved to California to begin a career at ADP Corporation where she held several management positions and retired in 2019 after 38 years of service.  Michele became active in our chapter in 2016 by joining the board followed by serving as President in 2019 and 2020. She returned to University Park in 2022 for her first “white-out”. Michele enjoys gardening, refinishing furniture and relaxing by her pool. She also helps to plan our chapter events, her favorite being TV football-watch parties!

Our History

WE ARE The Orange County and Inland Empire Area Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association.

The Orange County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association was originally chartered in 1986 by Dick Jantzer & Tim Davis, who decided to break from the LA Chapter to form a “Club” more convenient for the many alumni living and working in Orange County. “Orange County alumni needed its own representation of the University with activities that met our unique style, personality, and geography,” said Founding Member and President, Dick Jantzer. Two years later in 1988, the Club officially became a Chapter.

Our chapter’s official name was changed to include the Inland Empire.  We have grown year after year, with both older alumni who settled in towns like Irvine and Huntington Beach back in the 60’s and 70’s when aerospace companies like McDonnell Douglas were attracting Engineering majors to this area, as well as transplanted recent grads who are looking to get a fresh start on the West Coast. We also have natives of Orange County who attended Penn State and returned to their roots to re-invigorate our alumni. A new segment of our alumni in the area is comprised of Penn State World Campus students.

We’ve changed our football viewing party venues many times over the years, but one thing is consistent: On Football Saturdays, we get together to root for Dear Old State and partake in TV party traditions unique to our chapter. Win or lose, WE ARE! Other social gatherings include bar tours, happy hours, networking events, themed parties and holiday gatherings, fundraisers, community outreach initiatives and more.

Every penny we raise with generous support goes toward the Chapter’s Endowed Scholarship Program. Proudly, the Orange County Chapter was the first alumni chapter in the nation to reach $100k for its endowment with the university. Each year for the past few years, we have awarded $10,000 in scholarships to OC and Inland Empire students. Chapter volunteers participate in dozens of college fairs throughout the school year.   

Join the Pride! We encourage you to get involved with our award-winning Chapter. WE ARE always looking for help with social media strategies, fundraising projects, student interaction, college fairs, and new ideas. Come meet us. We don’t bite, WE ROAR!  

We Are.. Connected

Connect with us on social media to stay up to date on the latest news and events. Social not your thing? Sign up for our newsletter instead.

Scroll to top