TMBAA Board
Board Officers
At Large Board Members
TMBAA Board
Non-Board Committee
Board Officers
Betsey Dillon
President
Clarinet, 1977-1981
Entrepreneur, product designer and merchandiser. Mom of a Trojan and a Husky. Took my USC business degree and started my own apparel label at 28. Many of our designs were featured in movies and television: “Fight Club,” “MTV,” “Friends,” “The Bachelor,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “The Nanny,” etc. Ready to lend my collegiate licensing
Craig Steele,
First Vice President
Trombone, 1980-1984
Attorney. Proud to be a founding member of the TMBAA. Parlayed four years in the band into 36 years of marriage and an offspring who also spent four years in the TMB.
Cynthia Wiese,
Second Vice President &
Merchandise Chair
1989 – 2000 Flute
I arrived at USC in 1989 to join the Trojan Marching Band. (My mom wanted to see me on TV). I primarily marched flute for 10-plus years. However, one year I marched tuba because we didn’t have Dr. Bartner’s quota of 16. After graduation, I started working at USC divisions including Business Affairs and the USC Care Medical Group and stayed involved in the band until 2000. In 2006, I started working for the TMB managing budgets and fundraising and keeping Dr. Bartner out of trouble. I now work at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and live in Altadena with my three adorable fur babies.
Rylee Epperson,
Vice President,
Young Alumni
Alto Sax, 2014-2017 and TMB General Manager, 2017
The youngest member of the TMBAA Board of Directors, I proudly marched from 2014-2017, served as the 2017 TMB general manager, and began my efforts to give back to the band program as the alto saxophone teaching assistant in 2018 and 2019. As a healthcare professional at USC’s Student Health Center, my on-field contributions were cut short by my efforts to ensure campuswide safety during the Covid-19 pandemic. I hope to reintegrate into the TMB soon! My vision for the future of the TMBAA centers on building meaningful relationships with the TMB seniors each season, offering them the guidance and opportunities of the TMBAA as they enter their freshman year out in the real world.
Please reach out, I’m happy to meet you!
TikTok: 3agerBeaver
IG: rylee_epperson
Twt: rylee-epperson
Email: ryleeepperson@gmail.com
Joan Mullins,
Secretary
Silk, 1981-1982
Retired Catholic School Principal ADLA. Named child Troy Thomas and he was born on the day that OJ was cruising the freeway.
Javier Ortega
Treasurer &
Finance Chair
Trumpet, 2001-2005
Southern California native with 15 years’ professional service experience in banking, mortgage lending, credit analysis, and tax compliance. I am a CPA at a global professional service firm in Los Angeles. I joined the TMB at the beginning of the Coach Carroll Trojan football era. It was a tremendous privilege to march under the direction of Dr. Bartner for four years. One of my favorite memories is performing the National Anthem at the 2004 Rose Bowl, directed by John Williams, after marching a six-mile parade.
Chief Communications Officer
Clarinet, 1971-75
Semi-retired communications consultant. Former reporter and corporate communications professional. Annoyed Dr. Bartner with tell-all stories about TMB road trips that appeared in the Daily Trojan.
Marty Lichtmann
Immediate Past President
Baritone, 1972-1976
Former manufacturing business CEO; married his band sweetheart and one of their sons became a member of the TMB, he was drum major for two years and married his band sweetheart. Dr. B accused him of not knowing his right foot from his left… he was probably correct.
Daniel Barcenas
Trombone, 1979-1981
Global Supply Chain Management Consultant
Jeannine Barba
Jan Berkeley
Silk, 1983-1986 and 1998-2000
Returned to the TMB in 1998 to become the silk TA and lead the alumni silks. Worked in systems and computer engineering. I also perform dance with an over 50s dance team and with my high school alumni drum section.
Ray Camacho
Horn, 1982-1986
My time in the TMB included performing in the Olympic Band and five Hollywood Bowl appearances. I’ve been in the financial services industry since 1992 and currently work in trading and portfolio management. I continue to play music and perform in various wind ensembles throughout the Southland. In addition, I participate in masters water polo and swimming.
Bob Campos,
Membership Chair
Trumpet, 1979-1984
I met Dr. Bartner while I was still in high school and immediately knew I wanted to join the Trojan Marching Band. The Spirit of Troy has been part of my life ever since. In addition to giving me the opportunity to play in the inaugural Laker Band and the Disneyland All-American Band, it’s where I met my wife, Kathleen, in band camp. Our son, Devon, also attended USC, but didn’t join the band. Whenever Dr. Bartner would see Devon on campus, he was quick to remind him: “You’re here because I introduced your parents.”
Patrick Casebolt
2014 – 2020 Trombone
A Southern California native and lifelong USC fan, I marched in the trombone section for four years and then helped out another four as a teaching assistant. I work as a public health professional with a background in healthcare nonprofits and strategic partnerships, currently living in the San Diego area.
Joseph Conzonire, Jr.
Trombone ’97-’01
Growing up in the Pasadena area, I became a fan of USC early on. During my time at USC I enjoyed four years in the Trojan Marching Band in the trombone section before completing a bachelor of science degree in business (’01) and later returning to complete an MBA (’08). A couple of my fondest memories while in the band were trips to Notre Dame, the Lake Tahoe weekender, trips to Europe and Australia and most notably, a trip to the 2002 Orange Bowl. I currently serve as the chief operating officer of Enterprise Motors Inc and chief financial officer/vice president of C&J Foods “The Hat.” I look forward to offering my experience to give back to the USC Band and serve the TMBAA’s mission.
Kevin Deady
Natasha Fernando
Gretchen Heffler
Niven Jayanthi
Tenor Sax 2019 – 2022
I joined the TMB freshman year as a tenor saxophone, staying with the section until serving as drum major my senior year. I worked in the band office all four years, eventually serving as the Trojan Marching Band general manager during my senior year. After graduating in 2022 with a bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and business administration, I currently live in New York City and work in finance.
Kathleen Karl
Flag/silk, 1978-1980
Born in Los Angeles and lived there for 30 years, graduating from USC in 1981 with a BA in communications from Annenberg. My current home is in Portland, Oregon, where I’ve lived for 33 years. I’ve had careers in special education, retail management, banking, and finance, and currently work as an inclusion provider, helping young adults develop life skills to live and work on their own. I’m looking forward to flying to Chicago for the Notre Dame trip in 2023. My first and only game there was in 1979. I have cousins back there and it’s time to reconnect.
Christopher Le
Trombone, 2017-2020
My favorite thing about the band was the sense of Trojan Family. I’ve met alumni that I never marched with but still feel a sense of connection to them. The Trojan Marching Band really made me a more well-rounded person due to having to balance a packed schedule with being in the band. My favorite thing about the TMBAA was the passport book that we did in 2023. I’m currently an auditor at EY in Los Angeles.
Drumline, 1990-1994
Kirk Lynch,
Personnel Chair
Clarinet, 1984 – 1988 and 2019
Clinical pharmacist for large managed health care organization. Enjoy travel, rock concerts and games. Eternally young at heart having just marched the Holiday Bowl. Does that make me the oldest person ever to march on the field in uniform?
Kerri McCoy,
Homecoming Chair
Flute/ Piccolo, 1981-1987
I was in the Trojan Marching Band from 1981-87 and the flute section leader my senior year. I loved the band and USC football so much that I named my son Marcus – after Marcus Allen. I received my bachelor’s degree in 1987 from the School of Business in the Entrepreneur Program. After a brief stint in the restaurant business, I started Pineapple Pools, Inc., and grew my business into one of Southern California’s largest swimming pool maintenance and repair companies. Today, I’m president and founder of MBK Unlimited, known as Custom Derian Pools and Construction. We’re the premier pool builder for Hollywood celebrities. My two adopted sons have grown up in the pool business and will eventually take over the two companies so that I may travel the world.
Lacey Nolz
Drumline, 2012-2016
I earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 2016 and am currently working on satellite electronics in LA’s South Bay. My notable Trojan Marching Band memories include traveling to Shanghai with the drumline, having a “drum-off” with Questlove on “The Tonight Show,” and Will Ferrell and Chad Smith’s “Cancer for College Red Hot Benefit Comedy + Music Show” at the Shrine. I returned to the TMB as an honorary trumpet during the 2017 PAC-12 championship game halftime performance.
Rick Nordin,
Founding President
Baritone, 1971-1976
Spent over 40 years in nonprofit development and administration, 17 years on staff at USC and as vice president at two other local universities. Credits Art Bartner with being his first nonprofit boss when he was appointed band manager in 1975-76, the year of the second trip to Notre Dame and the Liberty Bowl. Lives in DTLA with his partner, Chris Reyes. A different side of Rick: His love for LA history. Author of the local history book “The Iron Fist,” an immigrant’s story to wealth and power.
Steve Ortiz,
Events Chair
Tenor Sax, 1987-1992 and Section Leader/Band Manager
Finance and accounting professional for over 25 years. Currently controller at Walton Isaacson. Perpetual thorn in Dr. Bartner’s side until Dr. Bartner grudgingly made him band manager. Only tenor sax on the trip to Pullman, Washington, in 1989 that began the streak of the TMB attending every USC Football game, home or away.
Richard Rapp
Trumpet, 2008-2012
I grew up attending USC games and hearing stories from both of my parents’ time in the Trojan Marching Band. After graduating from USC with a degree in computer science, I worked at Zynga and OpenX for short stints before starting at Google where I have been since. Realized as a senior in the TMB I had been to 20 games in a row and decided to see how long I could keep that going; 15 years later that streak is approaching 200.
Rhonda Rogers
Alto Sax, 1972-1975
Volunteer Relations Chair
Former broadcast journalist and later technology sales professional. Mother of Ashley (Kuhnert) Hatcher, second generation TMB alumni. Learned miracles happen while raising money for the first Notre Dame trip in 1973, and the come-from-behind football game of SC over Notre Dame, 55-24 in 1974.
Trombone, 1973-77 and Band Manager 1976-1977
I’m an attorney for a federal banking agency; married a flag.
Howie Szabo
Trombone, 1977-1981
I graduated from USC in 1981 with a double major in political science and psychology, followed by law school, a big firm law practice (Jones Day and Skadden Arps), a year in Paris, solo law practice, and finally starting my own real estate company over 20 years ago focusing on brokerage and multi-family investment. I’m married, with three kids who attended USC (though I failed to get any to join the Trojan Marching Band), and living in Beverly Hills. My Trojan Marching Band highlights include three trips to Notre Dame, the first trip to the University of Washington, performing with the original Tusk band (album and Forum), the Laker Band, two Rose Bowls (and two other bowls, but who cares), and four years on the TMB public relations staff.
Canon Thomas
Song Girl 2013 and Mellophone 2014-2016
I started my TMB career as a USC Song Girl before joining the dark side as a horn for TGMBITHOTU. My favorite memories are of traveling with the band, doing laps every time Dr. Bartner yelled at the Song Girls, playing “Tusk” on repeat through chapped lips, and rushing the field after beating Stanford (sucks) in 2013. I have been in the wine industry since graduating in 2016, even though my degree was in dramatic arts with a minor in cinematic arts. After spending seven years in sales, my passion for educating others about wine led me to move to Napa Valley in 2023. I now teach wine certification courses and am going back to school to learn viticulture and wine makeing as well. Fight On!
Hector Trujillo
Tenor Sax, 1997-2001
I grew up in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley and continued my education at USC, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics. I marched for four years in what became the worst four-year stretch in USC football history in the modern era. On the other hand, I had the good fortune to be part of the men’s basketball Elite Eight appearance in 2001. I am currently working in the production division for the No. 1 film school – the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Andre Vleisides
Trombone, 2011-15 and Section Leader
Pianist, songwriter, performer, and certified showman, I worked as an academic advisor at USC for five years after graduating with a BA in psychology. Now pursuing a career in music, I frequently perform in the Southern California region, playing piano and keyboards solo and in various bands, accompanying the LANDLIGHTS Community Choir, and writing and recording songs with a variety of artists in genres from pop and rock to jazz and new age piano. I recently went on a national music tour, performing original music in Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, and other cities. I attended every USC home game from 2011-2020 and am known for my spirited energy, approachable demeanor, and my famous cardinal and gold sequined jacket.
