Beverly Brune

A Conejo Valley resident for over 50 years, Beverly Brune has been dedicated to beautifying the community. Since 1973, she has been active in local garden clubs, serving in leadership roles, including President of the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden for 13 of her 22 years there. She has played a vital role in transforming the 40-acre garden into a lush retreat enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Under her leadership, the Botanic Garden has flourished with projects like the Kids Adventure Garden and the “Trail of Trees.” She also helped place a Blue Star Memorial at Conejo Creek North Park in 1999 to honor the Armed Services. Through grants, donor support, and volunteer efforts, Beverly has secured vital improvements that ensure the garden remains a place of beauty, education, and inspiration for generations to come.

Joe Edminston

Joe Edmiston has been a leading force in Southern California’s conservation efforts for
decades. Appointed at 28 as Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, he played a key role in protecting nearly 90,000 acres of parkland. In 1985, heco-founded the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, securing iconic sites like King Gillette Ranch and Upper Las Virgenes Canyon.
Under his leadership, SMMC and MRCA have provided $4.5 million for CRPD projects,
including Sapwi Trails and McCrea Ranch. Thanks to Joe’s vision, Southern California
enjoys vast public lands, clean air and water, and accessible trails. He and his wife,
Pepper, have seven children and eight grandchildren.

Scott Buchanan

Scott Buchanan’s 36-year career at CRPD was marked by his instrumental role in evolving the Cultural Unit into a nationally recognized, award-winning theater program. He was key in developing and coordinating acting classes, youth theater, and the Teen Summer Musical, which led to the creation of the Young Artists Ensemble (YAE). His efforts fostered a deep love for the arts in the youth of the community, inspiring them to carry that passion throughout their lives.

In 2005, Buchanan initiated a groundbreaking collaboration between YAE and CRPD’s Therapeutic Recreation Unit, allowing disabled and non-disabled performers to work together in a unique theater experience. His dedication to the arts also extended to preserving music programs in local elementary schools, where he administered the Elementary Music Programs within the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Buchanan’s lasting contributions to the arts make him a fitting recipient of this honor.

Susan Holt

Susan Holt served on the CRPD Board of Directors for 28 years, first elected in 1994 and reelected for six terms, including five as Board chair. During her tenure, 15 new parks were opened, and significant improvements were made to existing facilities, including the Community Pool at Cal Lutheran Uni-versity, the Visitors Center at McCrea Ranch, and the Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground. Holt’s leadership also led to the installation of solar carports and Pickleball courts at Rancho Conejo.

In addition to her service on the CRPD Board, Holt contributed to various community organizations, including the Conejo Valley Historical Society, the Conejo Coalition for Youth and Families, and STARS. She worked closely with the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley Unified School District. Holt’s intelligence, leadership, and dedication provided CRPD with invaluable support, making her a deserving recipient of this honor.

Bryan McQueeney

Bryan McQueeney, CEO and co-founder of Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship, provides adaptive horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities. Inspired by his wife Gloria’s work in the field, he became an equestrian and open space advocate, supporting the protection of trails and natural areas. In 2001, he partnered with CRPD to develop the Walnut Grove Equestrian Center and later managed the Rancho Potrero Community Equestrian Center in Newbury Park.

With over 37 years of experience, McQueeney continues to improve lives through Ride On while also serving organizations such as CLU’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership, Play Conejo, and Special Olympics. His dedication to the community and passion for equestrian therapy make him a deserving recipient of this recognition.

Cecilia Laufenberg

Cecilia Laufenberg earned a BS in Recreation Therapy from Kent State University and joined CRPD in 1990 after the closure of Camarillo State Hospital. She spent her career building the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Unit, retiring in 2019 after receiving the “Community Member of the Year” award from the Autism Society of Ventura County in 2018.

Under Cecilia’s leadership, the TR Unit expanded its programs, including “Conejo Theatre for Everyone” and Special Olympics, and played a key role in creating the Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground. Her passion for the community and dedication to the TR Unit made her a standout leader. Cecilia now lives in Ohio with her son, Danny, while her daughter Sarah attends Yale University.

Wyatt McCrea

Wyatt McCrea, the oldest grandchild of the late actor Joel McCrea and actress Frances Dee, has deep roots in the Conejo Valley. After years in financial services and commercial real estate, he co-founded Third Point Productions in Thousand Oaks, producing projects such as the McCrea Ranch Visitor’s Center video and CRPD’s 50th Anniversary Gold Medal video. Wyatt has also portrayed local historical figures, including his grandfather, in “Voices of Old Conejo” at the Stagecoach Inn Museum.

For nearly 30 years, Wyatt has worked with the Conejo Recreation and Park District to preserve the historic 216-acre McCrea Ranch. As president of the Joel and Frances McCrea Ranch Foundation, he has raised over $250,000 for capital improvements and trained more than 20 docents, serving over 1,200 visitors annually. Wyatt is also involved with several local organizations, including Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship and the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo, and he and his wife, Lisa, support numerous community initiatives.

Mary Power

Mary Power, a Westlake native and graduate of Oregon State University, returned to the Conejo Valley to raise her children, Baylee and Niko, alongside her wife, Erin, and their pets. She spent over half of her career at J.D. Power and Associates, holding various roles, including senior research manager for the Global Travel and Hospitality Practice, until her retirement in 2010. Mary serves on several boards, including those for Mary Health of the Sick, Oregon State University, Paw Works, and Play Conejo.

Mary’s commitment to community-building was instilled by her parents, leading her to get involved with Play Conejo in 2012 as an original board member. She has served as president four times and played a key role in the success of its annual fundraiser, Prom…Again! Through the Power family’s direct generosity, which accounts for over 25% of the $1.1 million raised in the past decade, Mary has helped enhance local playgrounds and provide recreational opportunities for children and special needs adults with limited financial means.

Jim Gilmore

Jim Gilmore began his career with CRPD in 1968 when both the District and the City of Thousand Oaks were young. At the time, the Conejo Valley had just 25,000 residents, surrounded by large ranches. As these areas developed, Jim worked to secure parkland for the growing community. He earned a Master’s Degree in Park Planning and used his thesis to create CRPD’s first Master Plan, which still guides park development today.

Over his 31 years, Jim helped design and build 38 parks, growing the District from 52 to nearly 1,000 acres of developed parkland. One of his proudest accomplishments was Conejo Creek Park. After retiring in 1999, Jim continued his work as a park consultant, helping design Dos Vientos Community Park and supporting neighboring cities’ park projects. He also served as President of the Conejo Valley Historical Society.

Karen Lindsey

Karen Lindsey began her CRPD career in 1973 as a part-time after-school recreation leader, earning $2.26 per hour. Over 42 years, she advanced through nearly every position, retiring as Recreation and Community Services Administrator in 2015. Karen managed the Community Centers, Teen Center, Youth Outreach Program, Outdoor Unit, and Reservations system, expanding program offerings and increasing revenue by adding a fifth session per year to the recreation guide.

Karen was dedicated to working with at-risk youth, helping to develop the Youth Outreach Program and the Safe Passage Program, which provided support to families and reduced crime exposure. She also contributed to various civic and non-profit boards, including Conejo Valley Senior Concerns and the California Park and Recreation Society, District 8. Her work helped CRPD gain national recognition as a top-tier recreation agency.

Steve Wiley

Steve Wiley began his CRPD career in 1977, though his connection to the District dates back to his teenage years in the late 1960s. After graduating from Thousand Oaks High School in 1971, he worked part-time as a recreation leader before becoming a full-time Recreation Coordinator. Over the years, Steve developed and led several key units, including Cultural, Outdoor, and Therapeutic Recreation, and later oversaw Sports, Aquatics, and Senior Units as a Recreation Services Manager. His work has earned regional, statewide, and national recognition.

Steve also played a pivotal role in establishing the arts programming partnership between CRPD, the City of Thousand Oaks, and the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley, which eventually led to the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. Known for his ability to foster relationships and partnerships, Steve helped create collaborative programs with various organizations to provide unique recreational opportunities. He currently serves as a director for “Musicians on a Mission California,” supporting youth and community access to music.

Tim Hagel

Tim Hagel is the Police Chief for the City of Thousand Oaks and a Commander with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. His career in public service began with the US Forest Service’s Youth Conservation Corps and as a Wilderness Ranger with State Parks. Chief Hagel also worked with the Conejo Recreation & Park District as a Park Ranger, contributing to Wildwood Regional Park and designing a section of the Los Robles Trail. He later served with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority before joining the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in 1987.

 Chief Hagel has made a significant impact on his community. He was a first responder during the Borderline tragedy and has supported the victims’ families. He also founded the Safe Passages non-profit, which provides youth enrichment programs to at-risk kids, reducing gang activity and strengthening community bonds in Thousand Oaks.

Elayne Haggen

Elayne Haggen and her family moved to Thousand Oaks 35 years ago, where they quickly became avid hikers and mountain bike riders with a deep connection to Wildwood Park. As founding members of the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) in 1987, Elayne began advocating for local trails, especially when development threatened Wildwood Mesa. She was appointed to the Conejo Open Space Trails Advisory Committee (COSTAC) in 1989, serving until 2009, and was instrumental in developing programs like Trails Education Days, which has reached nearly 40,000 students since 1992.

Elayne has also been involved with the Conejo Open Space Foundation (COSF) since its founding in 1995, helping raise funds for local open space programs. With her professional background in consumer electronics and personal computing, including at Apple, Elayne has applied her skills to her volunteer work, making a lasting impact on the Conejo Valley’s open space and environmental education initiatives.

Bruce Stanton

October 2019 marked the 20th anniversary of the award-winning local haunted attraction, Reign of Terror. What started as a small haunted house in Bruce Stanton’s north Thousand Oaks home in 1999, drawing just 40 people in its first year, grew into a massive event by 2007, attracting 4,400 visitors. In 2008, the Reign of Terror moved to the Hillcrest Center with CRPD’s help and continued to grow, eventually finding a permanent home in the Janss Marketplace in 2009.

Since then, the attraction has expanded to 25,000 square feet, with donations to CRPD reaching nearly $300,000. The partnership between Janss Marketplace, CRPD, and Bruce Stanton has allowed the event to thrive, providing an incredible community experience while raising significant funds for local parks.

2018

Richard Newman

Richard F. Newman dedicated over 40 years to community service, with a special focus on youth in the Conejo Valley. He served on the Conejo Recreation & Park District Board from 1982 to 1989 and was a member of the Conejo Valley Unified School District Board from 1989 to 1998. Richard was also a counselor for the Conejo Valley and Las Virgenes School Districts, working with at-risk students, and volunteered with the Conejo Valley Little League for 24 years.

In addition to his educational and community work, Richard had a career in Hollywood as a publicist and writer before serving as a Lieutenant with the Simi Valley Police Department, earning multiple Master’s degrees. Richard and his wife, Pat, also opened their home to 45 foster

2017

Doris Granholm

Doris Granholm served as a Board Member for the Conejo Recreation & Park District from 1972 to 1986 and was a vocal advocate for the Conejo Valley community. Her involvement in the area extended beyond the Board, as she played key roles in shaping the city, unifying school districts, and promoting open space preservation. Doris was a founding member of the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) and held leadership positions in various civic, educational, and recreational organizations.

Throughout her life, Doris dedicated herself to community service, earning honors such as Thousand Oaks’ Woman of the Year in 1981. She also contributed to the Stagecoach Inn Restoration and served as President of the Conejo Future Foundation. Her tireless efforts and commitment to maintaining the quality of life in the Conejo Valley made her one of the community’s most active and respected volunteers.

Barbara Kloster

Barbara Kloster has been a passionate advocate for the Conejo Valley’s equestrian community since moving to Thousand Oaks in 1973. A longtime member and President of Equestrian Trails Inc. (ETI) Corral #37, she played a key role in relocating ETI to Conejo Creek West Equestrian Park. Her dedication extended beyond equestrian causes, serving on the Master Plan Committee for Conejo Creek Park and helping shape the Dog Park, Community Garden, and sports fields at Conejo Creek South.

In 2004, Barbara founded “The Day of the Horse,” an annual event celebrating and educating the community about local equestrian culture. The Conejo Recreation and Park District proudly honors her tireless advocacy for trails, parks, and the region’s equestrian heritage.

2016

Frances Prince

Francis Prince moved to Wildwood in 1968 and quickly became a key advocate for preserving open space. She helped form the Wildwood Park HOA and, after filing a lawsuit, secured the creation of the Wildflower Playfields and protection for local canyons. Frances played a crucial role in founding the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) and served as its first Chair.

She also served on the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission, City Council, and as Mayor, helping open the Thousand Oaks Library at Conejo Creek North Park and aiding in the acquisition of the Danielson Ranch. A law school graduate and former executive director of Senior Concerns, Frances continues to inspire with her dedication to conservation and community service.

Rorie Skei

Rorie Skei moved to Thousand Oaks in 1972 and has dedicated her career to open space preservation and parkland issues. With a background in Biological Sciences and Environmental Science, she has served on the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) Board since 1980, chairing it since 1983.

Rorie has held leadership roles with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, currently serving as Deputy Executive Officer of MRCA and Chief Deputy Director of SMMC. She continues to contribute to environmental and planning initiatives across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and gardening with native plants.

2015

Mike Berger

Mike Berger dedicated decades to community service, shaping recreation, parks, and open space in the Conejo Valley and beyond. As a Conejo Recreation and Park District Director from 1984 to 2008, he helped preserve 75,000 acres of open space through leadership roles with the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority. He championed key projects like Conejo Creek North Park, the Dog Park, and Ride-On Therapeutic Horsemanship.

Mike also fostered partnerships with the Conejo Valley Unified School District and the City of Thousand Oaks, helping establish the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. Always valuing collaboration, he credited quality staff, fellow board members, and agency partnerships for making great things happen. The Conejo Recreation and Park District honors his lasting impact on the community.

Dennis Gillette

Dennis Gillette has dedicated his life to public service, with roles in the U.S. Marine Corps, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, California Lutheran University, and as a Mayor and Councilmember for the City of Thousand Oaks. He also served as a Conejo Recreation and Park District Director from 1988 to 1998, helping to establish the Senior, Teen, and Hillcrest Centers, create “El Parque de la Paz,” and secure funding for local projects.

A strong advocate for collaboration, Dennis played a key role in building the Community Pool at CLU, guiding CRPD through financial challenges in the 1990s, and facilitating the transfer of McCrea Ranch. He credits teamwork among the board, staff, and community partners for these achievements. The Conejo Recreation and Park District proudly honors his lasting contributions.

2014

Mark Jacobsen

Mark Jacobsen dedicated 44 years (1968–2012) to the Conejo Recreation and Park District Board of Directors, serving as Chairman 11 times. A steadfast advocate for parks, open space, and historic preservation, he championed the conservation of Wildwood, the enhancement of Conejo Creek Park, and the preservation of the Stagecoach Inn in partnership with the Conejo Valley Historical Society. He also prioritized community input in shaping the District’s Master Plan, ensuring recreation spaces reflected local needs.

Beyond the Conejo Valley, Jacobsen served Ventura County as Chair of both the Harbors and Parks Commissions, fostering regional collaboration. Known for encouraging creativity and cooperation, he worked with generations of board members to maintain a strong, community-focused park system. His leadership helped shape the parks and trails that continue to enrich the lives of residents today.

Tex Ward

Mark Jacobsen dedicated 44 years (1968–2012) to the Conejo Recreation and Park District Board of Directors, serving as Chairman 11 times. A steadfast advocate for parks, open space, and historic preservation, he championed the conservation of Wildwood, the enhancement of Conejo Creek Park, and the preservation of the Stagecoach Inn in partnership with the Conejo Valley Historical Society. He also prioritized community input in shaping the District’s Master Plan, ensuring recreation spaces reflected local needs.

Beyond the Conejo Valley, Jacobsen served Ventura County as Chair of both the Harbors and Parks Commissions, fostering regional collaboration. Known for encouraging creativity and cooperation, he worked with generations of board members to maintain a strong, community-focused park system. His leadership helped shape the parks and trails that continue to enrich the lives of residents today.