TMBAA Board
Board Officers
At Large Board Members
TMBAA Board
Non-Board Committee
Board Officers
Marty Lichtmann
President
Baritone, 1972-1976
Former manufacturing business CEO; married his band sweetheart and one of their sons become 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.
Betsey Dillon
First Vice President
and Membership Chair
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
Howie Szabo
Second Vice President
and Homecoming Chair
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
Vice President, Young Alumni
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. Since graduating, I have worked in the wine industry, currently as an account executive for a fine wine distributor. I’ve recently been awarded the distinction of French Wine Scholar with the highest honors. While I live in Orange County, I often spend time with family in my hometown of Carlsbad in San Diego County.
Daniel Barcenas
Secretary
Trombone, 1979-1981
Global Supply Chain Management Consultant
Javier Ortega
Treasurer
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.
Communications Chair
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.
Rick Nordin
Immediate Past 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.
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.
Jeannine Barba
Ray Camacho
Horn, 1982-1986
Bob Campos
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.
Kevin Deady
Rylee Epperson
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
Member Outreach Committee Chair
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.
Drumline, 1990-1994
Kirk Lynch
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
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.
Joan Mullins
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.
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.
Steve Ortiz
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.
Lisa Rapp
Baritone and mellophone, 1975-1979
I received my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1979 and have nearly 40 years of public works experience. I’ve recently retired, after serving the city of Lakewood, Calif., for 31 years — with 26 as the public works director. Met my husband Richard (trumpet) while getting on the bus to go to band camp as freshmen in August, 1975. I was one of the members who had to change instruments when Dr. Bartner eliminated baritones, so I switched to mellophone. We’re very proud to have two sons who are USC TMB trumpets. A devoted Trojan for life, I’m an active mentor for civil and environmental engineering and public policy students at USC and a member of Town and Gown.
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.
Trombone, 1980-1984
Attorney. Parlayed four years in the band into 32 years of marriage and an offspring who is currently marching in the band.
Hector Trujillo
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.
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.
Cynthia Wiese
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.
