Board of Advisors
William R. Bamattre
Retired Fire Chief Bill Bamattre, was appointed to the Los Angeles Fire Department as a firefighter on January 4, 1976. During his 30-year tenure on the Department, Chief Bamattre held various promotional ranks culminating in his appointment as Fire Chief on April 30, 1995. He was responsible for providing emergency services and ensuring public safety in the nation’s second largest city with a population exceeding 4 million residing in approximately 465 square miles. The Los Angeles Fire Department, comprises of 3750 members (3400 firefighters), staffs 102 community fire stations protecting two major airports (LAX and Van Nuys) and the nation’s second busiest port (Worldport LA), while providing a broad spectrum of services: Paramedic response, Hazardous Materials mitigation, Swift Water Rescue, High Rise and Brush Interface training/response, Disaster Preparedness, Air Ambulance transport, Urban Search and Rescue, Traffic Accident Extrication, Building Inspection, Special Event Permitting, Film Location Inspection, Underground Tank Inspection, Counter Terrorism Training/Response, Arson Investigation, Public Safety Education, Fireboat Response, Mountain and Cliff Rescue, and Community Outreach.
A native of Los Angeles, Bill was raised in the Baldwin Hills area. He attended elementary school in the Crenshaw District and graduated from Daniel Murphy High School located in the Fairfax/Hollywood area of Los Angeles. He attended college in the Bay area of California, graduating from Stanford University in 1974 with a degree in Political Science. While at college, Bill obtained a position as a “Student/Firefighter” with the Stanford Fire Department. This student job opportunity exposed Bill to a profession that influenced his career choice. Later, while working as a Fire Inspector assigned to the Downtown Fire Prevention Bureau, Bill enrolled at Cal State University, Los Angeles obtaining a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 1986.
An ardent proponent of Community-Based Public Safety, Chief Bamattre, together with his family, shares a lifelong commitment to community service. In 1989, Dana Point incorporated as a city and Bill was elected to the inaugural City Council, serving as the City’s Mayor in 1991. Bill and his wife, Liz, a schoolteacher, were jointly honored by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce as “Outstanding Citizens of the Year – 1991”. Married for 29 years, Bill and Liz have two sons – Nikolaus, 28 and Jacob, 26. The Bamattre Family has lived in the community of Northridge for the past ten years and just recently moved back to Dana Point.
Phillip L. Spector
Mr. Spector is the Executive Vice President, Business Development, and General Counsel of the global satellite communications provider Intelsat. He is formerly the Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C., office of the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP. After clerking for a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and working as a White House aide, Mr. Spector has since 1980 practiced law continuously in telecommunications and related areas, with particular emphasis on high-technology companies and those in emerging areas of growth.
Wilfrid Houde
Mr. Houde has been a leader and innovator in the high-tech and software industry for nearly 40 years, having served as one of the early executives for both Hewlett Packard (HP) and Apple Computers. He has also served as a consultant and strategic planner for several high-profile start-ups.
In the mid 1970’s, Mr. Houde managed the Customer Support Division for HP’s newly formed Data Systems and also oversaw worldwide service for the company's Medical Products Group. He also served a few years in the Bell System Management Training Program.
In 1979, Mr. Houde joined Apple Computers and became Vice President of the division that manufactured sold, and supported the Apple II and Apple III and introduced the Apple IIe. As a member of Apple's executive staff, he oversaw significant improvements in the company's customer support and distribution structure that were instrumental in making Apple a credible company in the early days
After leaving Apple, Mr. Houde started W.J.Houde and Associates, a consultancy which provided strategic planning and problem solving for small start-ups. Among their clients were Altos Computer, Seehorn Technologies, E-Trade, and Metro publishing.
A native of Southbridge, Massachusetts, Mr. Houde received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and completed a Bell System MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was cited by WPI in 2001 with an honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering.
Mr. Houde is a volunteer with the Tech Museum of Innovation. He has three married Children, and seven grandchildren and resides with his wife, of over 50 years, Dorothy, in Los Gatos, Ca.
Howard Roy Williams
Howard Roy Williams is President and CEO of the Center for Humanitarian Cooperation. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and has led courses in humanitarian assistance at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.
Mr. Williams was previously Director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Response, of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He was appointed to this post in January 1998 and served until January 2001. USAID is the U.S. government agency that provides economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. As head of OFDA, He oversaw disaster preparedness and relief and rehabilitation programs throughout the world.
Before going to OFDA, Mr. Williams served with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) for 12 years. From May 1996 to January 1998, He was IRC's Vice President for Overseas Policy and Planning. From 1993 to 1996, he was Vice President for Overseas Programs, and from 1985 to 1993, he was Director of Operations.
During this time, he led efforts that resulted in the conceptualization, creation and staffing of IRC's Emergency Preparedness Unit. He helped to establish and staff IRC offices in a variety of places, including Northern Iraq, Jordan, the Balkans, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, and southern Sudan.
From 1979 to 1985, he served with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), formerly known as the International Committee for European Migration (ICEM), where he served as Chief of Operations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1983 to 1985; Regional Director in Bangkok, Thailand, from 1980 to 1983; and Country Representative in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 1979 to 1980. From 1976 to 1979, Williams was Assistant to the Director of the American Council for Nationalities Services in New York.
Mr. Williams is a native New Yorker and received his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. He did additional course work at the Columbia University School of Law. He also served in the U. S. armed forces.
He is the author of several articles on issues relating to humanitarian assistance appearing in publications in the U.S. and Europe, such as Liaison magazine distributed by the Center of Excellence in Hawaii, and Bochumer Schriften, published by Bochum University in Germany.
Major General Thomas S. Jones (USMC Ret.)
Major General Jones currently serves as an advisor to the USMC on identifying solutions for the Improvised Explosive Devise problem. His impressive military career includes positions as Weapons Platoon Commander Executive Officer and Company Commander. In 1995, Major General Jones assumed duties as the Director of the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia. In 2000, he was designated as the Commanding General, Training and Education Command. He is a decorated veteran and has led marines in Vietnam, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Major General Jones' personal decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with 2 gold stars; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star; and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star.
Patrick S. Campbell
A partner in the Communications and Technology Department, Patrick S. Campbell concentrates on transactional, corporate and regulatory matters, and has worked extensively on such matters on behalf of numerous domestic and foreign telecommunications, satellite, media and Internet companies.
Mr. Campbell’s experience has included representing numerous satellite operators and customers in the negotiation of joint venture arrangements and agreements for the procurement of satellite systems and the leasing of satellite capacity; representing telecommunications clients in proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission; providing regulatory and corporate advice to companies, financial institutions and investors with respect to public and private equity and high-yield offerings involving communications entities; negotiating contracts for the construction of undersea and underground fiber optic telecommunications systems and for the leasing of rights-of-way on such systems; and advising clients on various dispute resolution and litigation matters in the communications and technology areas.
Mr. Campbell is a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and recently became a member of the Practising Law Institute’s Telecommunications Convergence Advisory Committee. He is on the boards of directors of a number of non-profits dedicated to urban affairs and civil rights, including Street Law, Inc. (vice chair), Live-It Learn It (chair), the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and DC Appleseed.
Mr. Campbell is a 1992 cum laude graduate of Georgetown University, and graduated in 1995 with distinction from Stanford Law School, where he served as an editor of the Stanford Law Review and was awarded the Carl Mason Franklin Prize for the most outstanding paper in the field of International Law.
David Beightol
David Beightol serves as Managing Principal for Dutko Grayling as well as the head of the Dutko Government Markets practice and State & Local practice.
Prior to joining Dutko, Mr. Beightol was Director of Government Affairs for the large multinational corporation, Johnson Controls, Inc. Before opening Johnson Controls’ government affairs operation in 1993, David was Senior Associate/Partner at International Business Resources, Inc. From 1991 to 1992 Mr. Beightol served at the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs. In 1992, President Bush appointed David Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on the Los Angeles Recovery. From 1987 to 1991 he served as Director of Wisconsin Governor Tommy G Thompson’s Washington, DC office. Mr. Beightol began his political career in the U.S. House of Representatives, first in the office of Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) followed by the Science, Space and Technology Committee.
David excels in developing strategic and tactical action plans for clients in the Business to Government market, Healthcare, Sustainability, Homeland Security, Energy; U.S. Federal Affairs, U. S. State & Local Affairs, Government Markets.
In addition to his duties with Dutko Grayling, David serves as an advisor to both the Maryland Initiative of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literary, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. David serves on the Corporate Board for Arena Stage. He also currently serves on the Republican Governors Association Finance Committee. David was also a member of Governor Mitt Romney’s 2008 Presidential National Finance team and currently serves on Mitt Romney’s 2012 Presidential National Finance team.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Mr. Beightol is married with three children and resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Ron Kaufman
Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President of George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party.
After working as a National Political Operative for the 1980 Bush for President campaign, Ron went on to serve President Reagan as Regional then National Political Director of the Republican National Committee and was appointed the National Campaign Director for Vice President Bush’s 1984 reelection campaign.
Following the 1984 electoral landslide, Ron helped George H.W. Bush lay the political foundation for his successful 1988 presidential run, by founding the Vice President’s PAC and running the primary campaign in New Hampshire. After the victory on election day, Ron was asked by President Bush to serve as a top advisor in the White House, initially as White House Personnel Director and then as Assistant to the President and the White House Political Director.
Since joining the Dutko team in 1994, Ron has helped lead the firm’s federal practice while also launching the firm’s innovative state and local government affairs practice, Kaufman*Nelson*Pattee (KNP), now Dutko State and Local. Under his leadership, Dutko became the only firm in Washington capable of offering clients a 50 state public affairs strategy – especially important at a time when decision-making was moving from the federal government to the states. Currently, Ron is actively involved in establishing Dutko’s overseas operations: Dutko Global Advisors.
In addition to his duties at Dutko Worldwide, Ron is the Republican National Committeeman for Massachusetts, serves as Chair of the RNC Budget committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Executive Committee, and Convention Site Selection Committee. He is also active with the Republican Governor’s Association, where he is the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee. Ron continues to serve as an advisor to former President Bush.
Ron has two daughters and maintains homes in Boston and Washington.
Richard Hinrichs, PhD., CEM
Rick has served 19 years with the American Red Cross (ARC) in Disaster Operations, following a 25-year career in the aerospace industry. With his unique background in chemical hazmat training for plant operations, nuclear chemistry, biological education and management experience, he has held many disaster leadership/planning positions with the local San Diego Imperial Counties Chapter of the Red Cross and is a National Director for large incident management. He has specialized training from the Clara Barton Institute, Pine Bluff Arsenal for WMD-Terrorism and many ARC disaster management courses. He served as Disaster Services Chair, Planning Chair, and Liaison Chair. Rick was selected as the Cabrillo Award recipient for 2003 – 2004 for demonstrated leadership roles in the California wildfires, Indiana flood disasters and hurricanes Ivan, Katrina and Rita. He also served from 2006 – 2008 as a Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA, leading federally declared disaster relief operations and national nuclear response exercises. This included the new Louisiana – New Orleans mass care evacuation planning, execution and recovery during hurricanes Dean, Gustav and Ike.
Nancy Strauss Halbreich
Nancy Strauss Halbreich has been a member of Parkland Foundation since March 2004. Her passion for art and fashion led her to a successful career in retail. She has worked for Neiman-Marcus, The Village Garden, SL Art Gallery, Stanley Korshak and Sotheby's. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Texas at Austin and pursued a Masters in Liberal Arts at Southern Methodist University.
Halbreich stays very busy with her commitment to community organizations. She serves on several boards including Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, Charter 100 and Southwestern Medical Foundation. She has enjoyed membership in the Cattle Barron's Ball, Crystal Charity Ball, The Dallas Women's Club, Junior League of Dallas and many more. For more than 20 years, she has devoted herself to many other Dallas groups that include the University of North Texas Board of Regents, The Hockaday School, Leadership Dallas, Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Dallas Women's Club, Dallas Historical Society, Dallas Museum of Art and the list goes on.
Her awards include the Community Council of Greater Dallas' Community Champion Award given in 1998. She also received Dallas Historical Society's Award of Excellence for Voluntary Community Leadership. She was a finalist for "Love for Kids" Award for volunteers and she will forever be in the Crystal Charity Ball's Best Dressed Hall of Fame.
Nancy Strauss Halbreich grew up in Dallas. She is married to Jeremy L. Halbreich, who is chairman, president and chief executive officer of American Consolidated Media.
