Terry Tamminen

From his youth in Australia to career experiences in Europe, Africa, China and across the United States, Terry has developed expertise in business, farming, education, non-profit, the environment, the arts, and government. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency and later Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Policy Advisor to the Governor, where Terry was the architect of many groundbreaking sustainability policies, including California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the Hydrogen Highway Network, and the Million Solar Roofs initiative. In 2010 Terry cofounded the R20 Regions of Climate Action, a new public-private partnership, bringing together sub national governments; businesses; financial markets; NGOs; and academia to implement measurable, large-scale, low-carbon and climate resilient economic development projects that can simultaneously solve the climate crisis and build a sustainable global economy. He also provides advice through 7th Generation Advisors to Pegasus Capital Advisors, the Green Climate Fund and numerous global businesses on sustainability and “green” investing, as well as assisting governments and philanthropists with climate solutions, including Fiji, India, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. An accomplished author, Terry’s books include “Cracking the Carbon Code: The Keys to Sustainable Profits in the New Economy” (Palgrave Macmillan). In 2011, Terry was one of six finalists for the Zayed Future Energy Prize and The Guardian ranked Terry No. 1 in its “Top 50 People Who Can Save the Planet.”

Jenny Cornuelle Krusoe

Jenny Cornuelle Krusoe is Executive Vice President and COO of AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of Harvard University and completed a fellowship in nonprofit management at the Stanford University School of Business. A California native and resident, Jenny has a national reputation as a nonprofit executive with expertise in public private partnerships and financially sustainable strategic planning. Skilled at stabilizing and restoring financial viability to a wide array of nongovernmental organizations, she has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support the ocean, and for the past 10 years, has focused her work on developing a global network to support the future ocean-based economy, mariculture and blue technology. Jenny is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and has served on numerous advisory groups, including the University of Southern California Sea Grant, the Blue Action Lab, the Alliance for SoCal Innovation, and the Pacific Aquaculture Center of Excellence. She is this year’s recipient of Los Angeles’ City of STEM Icon Award for her work in developing pathways to well-paying careers in the blue economy and previously received the Spirit of Los Angeles Award, one of the city’s highest mayoral honors.

Robin Aube

Robin Aube is the Director of Advancement at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. She grew up in San Pedro and has been a member of the innovative ocean and marine science campus for six years managing Project Blue, AltaSea’s education program, serves as the foundation grant writer and as the Board of Trustees liaison. She is also responsible for planning and implementing special events at AltaSea, such as, the quarterly Open Houses.  Robin has played a key role in the capital campaign and with donor relations. She is a graduate of CSUDH holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Science with an emphasis in Nuclear Medicine and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

Natasha Berendzen

Natasha Berendzen is Director of Advancement Services at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. Prior to joining AltaSea, she was Development Manager at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California and Prospect Research Manager at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, playing an integral role in capital campaign efforts. She was also part of a mother-daughter team that created the nonprofit networking groups Women of Washingon, Women of Los Angeles, Women of Orange County and Women of Pasadena.

Natasha received her M.B.A. from California State University, Long Beach and a B.A. with honors in Anthropology from Boston University.

Jade Clemons

Jade Clemons is a recovering lawyer and budding economist. She held various legal roles, predominantly in the tech sector, before pursuing a Master of Economics degree to steer her career in the direction of public policy. During these studies, an internship at the United Nations Development Program introduced her to economic development work, which would become her passion.

She comes to AltaSea after serving as the Sr. Program Manager of the Planetary program at the Berggruen Institute, where she promoted equitable and sustainable economic systems with an eye towards human and non-human flourishing. Prior to her time at the Berggruen Institute, she served as the Associate Director of the Center for Regional Economics at the Milken Institute focusing on small business and sustainability initiatives.

A California native, she earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and her M.A. in Economics from the University of Southern California.

Alex Cornejo

Alex Cornejo is the Senior Manager of Communications at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. Prior to joining AltaSea, he was the Director of Communications at SBCC, a nonprofit in Wilmington, where he helped in shaping the brand and identity of the agency. He was also part of the Rotary International of Wilmington where he continued to give back to the community. Alex has over 5 years of experience in nonprofit communications and marketing and is passionate about creating and executing strategic campaigns that raise awareness, generate engagement, and foster collaboration for social and environmental causes. Equipped with an A.A. in Communications and Media Studies from Long Beach City College, Alex has honed his skills in digital marketing, fundraising, and nonprofit marketing through specialized certificates that he uses to lead a cross-functional team to ensure cohesive messaging and language. Beyond his professional pursuits, his passion for photography, cultivated since high school, has become a powerful tool for capturing and sharing the untold stories of individuals. Alex also holds a board position at Mind 1-1, a mental health nonprofit that aims to eliminate barriers and bridge the gap between people and trusted resources.

Alex believes that everyone has a remarkable narrative waiting to be shared as well as a deep understanding of the emerging blue economy sector and its potential for innovation and impact.

Kim Ellis

Kim Ellis is the Database and Research Manager at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. With her experience in the non-profit and higher education sectors, she provides valuable research to support fundraising efforts and ensures data integrity within the database. Before joining AltaSea, she worked in development at Cal State LA, the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She holds a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California, San Diego.

Charlie Flint

Charlie developed a love of the ocean at a young age surfing in South Carolina. Surfing drew him out to California as a teenager where he has lived since. Awestruck by all the innovative things going on at AltaSea, he considers it a privilege to work with everyone here and is happy to be a part of educating the next generation of students to be stewards of the ocean and its precious resources. 

Charlie taught 8th grade science for the first twelve years of his teaching career before moving to the Hawthorne Math and Science Academy to teach physics for fifteen years before retiring. He has also taught chemistry and AP environmental science and is a National Board-certified teacher in physics. He was also selected by the Society for Science to promote research and help students enter science competitions. Charlie has forged partnerships with local industries including SpaceX, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Metropolitan Water District and other industries in the area.  

Walter Flores

Alan Hill

Alan Hill is the Director of Education at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. He is originally from Wales and has lived in the South Bay for 25 years. He has been an educator for 35 years. After completing B.Ed. degree at University of Wales, he began developing his teaching experience at schools and outdoor centers in the UK. A professional development scholarship took him to Prescott College in Arizona to learn more about experiential education. He moved to the US permanently in 1992 to work for Prescott College. He traveled to Anchorage, Alaska to take an adjunct faculty position at the University of Alaska and within a couple of years had assumed the position of Assistant Coordinator of the Alaska Wilderness Studies program at UAA. While at University of Alaska he completed his M.Ed. specializing in Curriculum Development. In 1997 he moved to Palos Verdes to take the position of Director, Outdoor Education at Chadwick School where he built and developed a robust curriculum for the Outdoor Education Program and assisted in developing the Outdoor Education Program at Chadwick International in Songdo, South Korea.

Matthew Kim

Laura Lara, CID BPE

Laura Lara is the Director of Operations and Facilities at AltaSea, where she oversees the management and optimization of all operational and facilities-related functions. With a diverse background in commercial tenant improvements, design-build construction, facilities planning and management. A design professional and ICC Building Plan Examiner, she blends creative vision with technical expertise to deliver projects that balance both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Laura is particularly passionate about the intersection of architecture and workplace experience, focusing on creating environments that enhance productivity, collaboration, and well-being. Committed to improving operational efficiency, building performance, and achieving high-quality outcomes, she is excited to contribute to AltaSea’s growth and success. Living and working in San Pedro, Laura is uniquely positioned to engage with the local community and help shape innovative, sustainable solutions at the heart of the Port of Los Angeles.

Shonella Nicholson

Shonella Alicia Nicholson has extensive experience in accounting positions with non-profits. She has also worked as an Accounts Teacher in Antigua, for several years, before immigrating to the US. She holds an Accounting Degree.

Janet Parga

Janet Parga is an undergraduate Senior at CSU Dominguez Hills with a major in Interdisciplinary Global Studies. Through the College Corps program she has been able to work at AltaSea as a community Outreach Fellow. Janet has implemented strategies to strengthen our volunteer program and expand our outreach efforts. The experience and knowledge gained through her fellowship has not only expanded her network with people in AltaSea, but also with onsite partners as well. Janet’s major focuses on historical policies, how they’ve evolved into issues that affect our contemporary world, and how to push for solutions that help the global collective.

Michelle Raymond

Michelle Raymond is Executive Administrator at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. She has extensive experience developing client research solutions for business planners. Michelle has been a lifelong volunteer starting with Beach Watch protecting the tidepools at Abalone Cove in Palos Verdes. Her nonprofit experience includes being a board member with the Junior League of San Francisco as Vice President and as Community Programs Director. Michelle’s passions include giving the ocean a voice in our sustainable future, sailing, and traveling. She is a graduate of USC holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Angie Reed

Angie Reed is the Senior Operations Manager at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. She is a lifelong San Pedro resident and with that comes a natural connection to the ocean and marine life. Angie raised her college age son in San Pedro with the same deep connection to our coastal waters. She has 20+ years’ experience in the non-profit sector with roles both in finance and operations. She began her finance career in accounts payable and quickly expanded to roles including accounts receivable, grant revenue and staff accounting before moving into operations for organizations with $1 to 9 million budgets.

As Operations Manager, Angie led her organization through two natural disasters and served as project manager for a construction rebuild. She also managed the response to the recent pandemic for her organization, ensuring seamless transition to virtual operations. As well as spearheaded digitization efforts which allowed the organization to not miss a beat in serving their mission. She managed a 45-unit multi-family dwelling in Koreatown that served as transitional housing for the unhoused as well as women and children fleeing human trafficking.

Angie’s heart has remained with the non-profit sector as her main driving force is to be a conduit for good and to be part of the effort to enhance the lives of the communities in which she serves. Her key responsibilities at Alta Sea will allow her to serve that personal mission.

Frankie Velador