{"id":136,"date":"2020-05-26T12:20:12","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T19:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rfo.org\/?page_id=136"},"modified":"2026-03-16T09:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:37:55","slug":"vmoa-board-of-directors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/about-us\/vmoa-board-of-directors\/","title":{"rendered":"Board of Directors and Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Officers<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n
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Eric McHenry
President<\/strong>
president at rfo.org
(City of Santa Rosa<\/em> – Retired<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric is a retired professional CIO. He received his bachelor\u2019s degree in electrical engineering from MIT. Eric formerly served on several local non-profit Board of Directors, including KRCB Northbay Public Media, United Way, Redwood Empire Food Bank, and as President of Airstream Club International. Eric currently also serves on the Board of Directors of Exchange Bank. Eric is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying kayaking, hiking, fishing and Airstreaming with his wife LaVerne, his adult daughter and friends. And to his wife\u2019s sometime chagrin, Eric is an avid Amateur Radio (Ham) operator (AA6EM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Paul<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Paul Stagnoli
Vice President
<\/strong>vice-president at rfo.org
(Stagnoli Consulting)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul and his family became docents after his son won a Striking Sparks telescope. Paul holds a degree in Computer Science from USF. He enjoys playing chess and is a former chess tournament director. Paul has a soft spot for running the eight inch telescope, but can be found filling in where ever needed during a star party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lisa Ganame
Treasurer
<\/strong>treasurer at rfo.org
(Exchange Bank)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisa moved to Sonoma County in 2020 and is currently the Treasurer of Exchange Bank, a community bank that has operated in Sonoma County since 1890. She brings 20 years of banking experience to managing the financial performance of RFO. Lisa holds a degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from UC Berkeley. She is excited to be engaged with the scientific community in Sonoma County and loves the idea of making the night sky accessible to all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brian Kellogg
Secretary
<\/strong>Kellogg at rfo.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian moved to Sonoma County in 2019 and joined RFO the following year. He has a BA in History from The American University in Washington DC and a MS in Software Engineering from Pace University in New York City. He is the co-owner of the DC Improv Comedy Club and currently is the owner\/operator of Pigment Figment, an online gallery for AI generated art. Brian enjoys using and teaching others all about our 20\u201d telescope and is an astrophotography enthusiast. He can often be found greeting and speaking with our guests as they arrive at RFO for various events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Directors<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n
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\"Colleen<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Colleen Ferguson<\/strong>
cferguson at rfo.org
(City of Sonoma – Retired)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colleen is a life-long astronomy enthusiast: the Robert Ferguson Observatory is named after her father. She strongly supports inspiring math and science education through hands-on experience with the natural world. Colleen holds BS and MS degrees in civil engineering. Colleen has enjoyed hiking in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park since she began her engineering education at Santa Rosa Junior College. Colleen represents the VMOA Board on Team Sugarloaf, the group that operates Sugarloaf Park under an agreement with the State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"George<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

George Loyer
Vice President
<\/strong>vice-president at rfo.org
(Founding RFO President, Former President California League of Park Associations<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George is a founder of the VMOA\/RFO. He helped create the original organization as a committee of the Sonoma County Astronomical Society (SCAS), then as a subsidiary of the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association (VMNHA), and finally as RFO. Loyer served as President of the Board for 12 years from its inception through 2006. He retired as Director, Technical Operations for StubHub and has acted as President of the California League of Park Associations. He provided CAD drawings, constructed a Bath interferometer to test the mirror surface, and designed the drive system for the Project 40 telescope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dave<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dave Kensiski
<\/strong>dkensiski at rfo.org
(RFO IT Director, formerly with NASA, Google, Cisco)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dave has been in love with astronomy since his father woke his 7-year old son at 3am to view Comet Bennett through his hand-ground 6-inch reflector (of which Dave is the proud beneficiary). Decades later he found the RFO and in 2014 joined the board as the head of the RFO IT team. He holds a BS in Computer Science and brings his experience from working at NASA, Google, Cisco, MCI, and a host of other companies. In addition to astronomy and computer geekery, Dave enjoys travel, skiing, backpacking, rock climbing, scuba diving and ham radio. He holds ham radio license W6DLK and is the trustee for the RFO Amateur Radio Club, W6RFO. He can typically be found running one of the telescopes at any of RFO\u2019s Star Parties, classes or private events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Dr.<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dr. Gordon Spear<\/strong>
gspear at rfo.org
(Professor Emeritus, Sonoma State University<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gordon project manages telescope development for scientific applications and related curriculum projects for the VMOA\/RFO. He is the head of the Research Committee which enables docents and students to use RFO telescopes for doing astronomical research. He is a founding member of the VMOA\/RFO as well as the Director Emeritus of the Sonoma State University Observatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Rachel<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Rachel Freed<\/strong>
rfreed at rfo.org
(Institute for Student Astronomical Research)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rachel Freed is a co-founder and the President of the Institute for Student Astronomical Research with a goal of incorporating scientific research into high school and undergraduate education. She holds a PhD in astronomy education from Edith Cowan University, Australia. She is also a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, working in Astronomy Education and Evaluation. Rachel has a B.S. degree in Biology and an M.S. in Neuroscience. She taught high school chemistry and astronomy for 10 years, and has conducted research in chemistry and astronomy education. She has been an amateur astronomer for over 20 years and is involved in public outreach, including as a volunteer docent at the Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sonoma County for the past 14 years. Rachel is also the editor of the Journal of Double Star Observations, and on the board of the Advanced Imaging Conference. Her work focuses on promoting changes in education that build on students’ intrinsic motivations and interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Michael<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Michael O’Shea<\/strong>
moshea at rfo.org
(Amaturo Sonoma Media Group)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael retired in 2024 after serving 14 years as President of Amaturo Sonoma Media Group in Santa Rosa, owners and operators of nine local radio stations including KZST, KSRO, Froggy 92.9, Hot 101.7, The River, 97.7 and others. Out of his immense interest in astronomy and recollections of seeing Saturn through a telescope for the first time as a ten year old, he became a volunteer docent at RFO eight years ago. Michael is also a 4,000 hour private pilot, flying his single-engine Mooney out of our local Charles Schulz Sonoma County airport, doing volunteer rescue and re-homing for a Dog and Kitten non-profit group called “Pilots ‘n Paws.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Kurt<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Kurt Kruger<\/strong>
kkruger at rfo.org
(Piner High School)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurt Kruger teaches Space Science, GIS 1 & 2, and Earth Science at Piner High School. He is also the STEM Coordinator and SPARQ Center Director which includes the SPARQ Planetarium and Observatory. Kruger has been involved with RFO since 1998. At that time, RFO inspired his quest for building the SPARQ center. He thrives on exciting students to do the process of Science in projects and experiential activities so that they understand that science is a process by which we ask and answer questions in a reliable, testable, verifiable way to discover truth. He believes that it is vitally important for students to be scientifically literate citizens. He is married to his lovely wife Keelie and has two amazing kids whom are both nurses. In his spare time he enjoys motorcycling, music, outdoor adventures and of course, astronomy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baylee Hurley<\/strong>
bhurley at rfo.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baylee Hurley is a dedicated student at Credo High School with a profound passion for astronomy. Since beginning her volunteer work at the Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) in 2024, she has become a familiar face, engaging young and adult visitors with her knowledge and enthusiasm at the 8\u201d refractor telescope. In 2025, Baylee furthered her commitment by joining the RFO Board of Directors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond her astronomical interests, Baylee is actively involved in theatre and robotics, showcasing her diverse talents and interests. She also expresses her musical creativity as a guitarist in the band BRN GRL. A weather enthusiast at heart, Baylee plans to pursue a major in meteorology, aiming to turn her passion into a professional career. Baylee\u2019s multifaceted interests and dedication to her pursuits make her a remarkable and inspiring individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

John Roney<\/strong>
john at sonomaecologycenter.org
(Sonoma Ecology Center)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Roney is the Park Manager at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, where he oversees park operations and ensures a welcoming environment for visitors. Employed by the Sonoma Ecology Center, John has been instrumental in enhancing the park’s facilities, including the introduction of high-speed internet to support remote work and education. His commitment to the park and community was recognized when he received a California State Senate resolution for his heroic actions during the October 2017 wildfires. John’s leadership and passion for nature make him a valued member of Team Sugarloaf, the partnership between Sonoma Ecology Center and the Robert Ferguson Observatory which collectively manages Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Stacy Luther<\/strong>
sluther at rfo.org
(Vine and Seek)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a diverse professional background and a focus on community engagement, experiential programming and entrepreneurship, Stacy brings a passion for making science more accessible and engaging. She has a B.S. in Business Management from Menlo College and is currently working on her MBA with Woolf University. She regularly organizes her own stargazing adventures to observe astronomical events and is dedicated to helping RFO grow its community presence and public programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Neil Martin<\/strong>
nmartin at rfo.org
(Keysight Technologies – retired)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neil manages RFO\u2019s Astrophotography Program and he initiated beginner Astrophotography classes at RFO in 2025. He is also the manager of our RC20 telescope. Neil is an Electrical Engineer and he retired from HP, Agilent Technologies and Keysight Technologies in 2020 where he held the role of director. He has since dedicated himself to non-profit work. In addition to RFO, Neil serves on the board of a women\u2019s substance dependence treatment center, and he also works as a court-appointed advocate for foster children. Neil and his wife enjoy traveling!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Staff<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n
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Stephanie Derammelaere<\/strong>
Executive Director<\/strong>
sd at rfo.org<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephanie Derammelaere comes to RFO with a background in marketing, PR, and journalism. She previously founded and operated Career Leap that assisted individuals in job searching, creating business plans, and developing small business feasibility studies. She frequently writes for local business publications and community newspapers. Stephanie holds a degree in Business Economics and an MBA. At RFO Stephanie is responsible for strategic leadership, fund development, daily operations, partnerships and relationship management, communications, and marketing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Joe<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Joe Caruselle<\/strong>
Volunteer and Operations Manager<\/strong>
jcaruselle at rfo.org
(AmeriCorps)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New York expat and AmeriCorps member, Joe Caruselle has been with the RFO for only a year and a half but he is making Sonoma county his home. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York with a background in political science and philosophy, Joe worked with the NY Assembly for a short time before deciding to leave for more meaningful opportunities with AmeriCorps. He started as the volunteer coordinator for Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and the Robert Ferguson Observatory, but is now with RFO full time. He still aims to cross promote both organizations and give the people of Sonoma the best of both worlds and those beyond.  He enjoys stargazing, rocket building simulation games and helping others when he can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Officers Eric McHenryPresidentpresident at rfo.org(City of Santa Rosa – Retired) Eric is a retired professional CIO. He received his bachelor\u2019s degree in electrical engineering from MIT. Eric formerly served on several local non-profit Board of Directors, including KRCB Northbay Public Media, United Way, Redwood Empire Food Bank, and as President of Airstream Club International. Eric … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":127,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-136","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=136"}],"version-history":[{"count":75,"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3223,"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/136\/revisions\/3223"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rfo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}