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 Krcelic ’89 from Huntington Beach, CA majored in Administration of Justice. He served as a Research Analyst for the Pennsylvania State Legislature before moving to Washington D.C. to join a political consulting firm. After changing careers Matthew lived and worked in Tokyo, Japan for 21 years serving as Director of Human Resources for various multinational companies in the Insurance, Finance and Real Estate Industries. After returning to the US in 2019, he resettled in Huntington Beach. He currently serves as Director of Human Resources for Takee International, a company that owns and operates Japanese restaurants in Southern California and Texas. He is also a proud Penn State Dad – his older son, Mitchell, graduated with a degree in Marketing in 2021 and currently works as an Area Manager for Amazon in Baltimore, MD. His younger son, William, is currently starting his senior year at University Park majoring in Labor and Human Resources, is a member of the wrestling club and President of the student run Japan Friendship Association (JFA). Matthew is an avid hiker and trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2022.
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
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 Aliquippa, PA where “Friday Night Lights” and deer hunting are a way of life. It’s where her love of Penn State football got its start. Michele started her Penn State experience at the Beaver Campus in Western PA where she was a Business major and played guard on the Beaver Campus’ Penn State women’s basketball team. After two years, she transferred to University Park where she refined her major to focus on Marketing and Management. Her love of Penn State football only intensified. She returned to University Park in 2022 for her first “white-out” game. It was a most memorable experience and it was a perfect fall weekend. Upon graduating Penn State, Michele moved to California and began her career at ADP Corporation where she held a number of management positions. She retired from ADP in 2019 after 38 years of service. Michele became active in our local Penn State chapter in 2016 by joining the board followed by holding the office of President in 2019 and 2020. Michele enjoys gardening, refinishing furniture and relaxing by her pool during the hot summer days. She also loves attending and helping to plan local Penn State activities but her favorite will always be the chapter TV football-watch parties! WE ARE…PENN STATE!
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!