Pacific Pinball Museum Board of Directors
Michael Schiess, CEO, Alameda, CA: As Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Michael has been with the organization from its infancy, 8 years ago. Michael Schiess conceptualized the Pacific Pinball Museum as primarily an arts organization. As an exhibit designer for the Exploratorium, his experience has been invaluable in the design and vision of the PPM. Michael is instrumental in the everyday operations of the PPM. He is a collector of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s wedgehead machines.
Larry Zartarian, President, Berkeley, CA: A collector of 50’s and 60’s rare pinball machines, Larry is an investment advisor at Howe Barnes Capital Management in San Francisco. He has been associated with PPM for 5 years, and has been Board President for 3 years. He has guided the PPM Board in its drive to improve all our programs.
Dan Fontes, San Rafael, CA: As Secretary, Dan Fontes records our often lengthy Board meetings, providing a detailed record for the PPM. As a muralist of great talent, Dan designed and executed large murals and signage for the PPM, giving the museum a vivid and professional look. A collector of rare machines, Dan has been with the PPM for 5 years.
Melissa Harmon, Alameda, CA: Melissa is an artist and curator for PPM, specializing in the art of pinball. As Treasurer, she makes sure the PPM is compliant with state and federal regulations. She runs the raffle at the Pacific Pinball Exposition. Melissa Harmon has been on the Board for 4 years.
Brad Grant, Vacaville, CA: As Volunteer Coodinator, Brad managed the 2009 Pacific Pinball Expo volunteers. He collects pinball machines from the 50s through 90s, and jukeboxes from the 30s to early 60s. Brad likes to repair and play his collection. He is a successful restaurant/nightclub manager, operator/owner and semi-retired real estate agent. His heart remains in pinball and is devoted to spreading pinball cheer far and wide.
Ron Chan, Hayward, CA: Board Member since 2008, Ron blends his passion for pinball with a quarter century of Silicon Valley marketing experience. His contributions include marketing communications, business planning, collateral and seminar development.
Dan Miller, Orinda, CA: Dan Miller is a collector of rare machines, and is an officer of the Roda Group, a venture capital company based in Berkeley. Dan Miller has made contact with many local corporations to obtain donations and volunteers for the PPM. As Board Member of Chabot Space and Science Center, Dan’s knowledge and experience has helped the PPM enhance the quality and effectiveness of our museum organization.
Jim Strehlow, Alameda, CA : Jim Strehlow gew up in Alameda which prohibited youth under age 18 from playing pinball. He helped gather signatures to overturn that law in the mid 1970s. JIm is an organizer for our Exposition, managing tournaments. He has been involved in the computer industry since 1975. Jim volunteers data work, heavy lifting and many other tasks, and has generously donated newer machines to the museum. He has been on the Board for over 4 years.
Tim Volz, Berkeley, CA: Tim Volz is working with our volunteers, and donates his time to the evening operations of the PPM. Tim is a professional designer and owner of Precision Tile. He has been on the Board for 4 years.
Jem Gruber, Alameda, CA: Jem Gruber is Program Development for the PPM, and is an artist who has produced exhibitions for the PPM gallery. Jem is associated with Sesco Electric Co. and has been on the Board for 5 years.
DeAnna Jordt, Sebastopol, CA: Having many years of project and account management experience DeAnna is currently donating her talents to the PPM. She also serves as the Director of the Pacific Pinball Exposition, coordinating all aspects of our yearly show. She has been on the Board for 4 years, and with her husband, shares a large collection of co-operated machines.
Helmut Jordt, Sebastopol, CA: A collector himself, Helmut Jordt is in charge of outreach to collectors throughout the area. He has facilitated the loan of rare machines to the PPM for exhibition, as well as producing tools and signage to organize our collection warehouse. Helmut has been on the Board for 4 years.
Jim Dietrick, Novato, CA: Jim Dietrick is a collector of rare machines and is a pinball restorer extraordinaire. He gives his restoration talents to the PPM while running his company Pinball Revival in Novato. He is the Founder of the Pacific Pinball Exposition, and has been on the Board for 4 years.
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