The Riford Center - About Us

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The Riford Center - “Serving the Greater La Jolla Community”

Our mission is to provide activities enjoyed by adults of all ages including: Learning, Fitness & Health, Arts, Cultural & Social activities.

Located on La Jolla Boulevard near the Wind'n'Sea Beach, the Riford Center offers a wide variety of programs: yoga, jazzercise, computing, literature and the arts, languages, bridge and more. The facility includes several activities rooms, a commercial-sized kitchen and a fully equipped computer training room. In addition to formal classes, the Riford can also be used as a venue for meetings and events.

The Riford Center is managed by the Friends of the Riford Center, a community-based 501(c)(3) corporation established in 2007, under a lease from the City of San Diego (the owners of the facility). The Friends Board of Directors is responsible for strategic oversight of the Riford Center activities and operations. Much of the work at the Riford is undertaken by volunteers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Glen Rasmussen, Attorney - Chair

Glen Rasmussen is a local attorney and native San Diegan, who has played a strong role in the La Jolla community over several years. He is currently President of La Jolla Town Council Foundation, and Trustee of La Jolla Community Planning Association, as well as Director of various non-profit boards. Previously he was President of the La Jolla Town Council, Kiwanis Club of La Jolla, and otehr comunity associations. Glen has held a long-standing vision for the Riford Center, as a long-term resident and former business-owner in the neighborhood area.

He holds a Doctor of Laws from California Western School of Law in San Diego and a degree of psychology from the San Diego State University.

 

Ruth Yansick - Chief Executive Officer

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Ruth Yansick is a retired entrepreneur and successful businesswoman. She also worked with venture capitalists doing mergers and acquisitions. Some of her key clients were Oracle, Semantics, Soft Tech Microsystems, Microsoft. Previous to that, she had taught everything from kindergarden to graduate school, and she won the "Teacher of the Year" award in the Chicago Public School Systems.

She holds two Masters Degrees and is currently a Trustee at the La Jolla Town Council. She is involved in the La Jolla Rotary Club, and various other organizations.

 

Dr. Jim Walker - Secretary

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Jim Walker is a consultant, speaker, and author on human resource strategy and contemporary workforce management issues. Jim led The Walker Group, a niche consulting firm for twenty years, and previously was with Towers Perrin for fifteen years as a Vice President and practice leader. He has authoured several books in strategic human resource management, was founder of the Human Resource Planning Society and has been active in many professional activities.

He earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Iowa and was a professor in the business schools at Indiana University, San Diego State University, and Arizona State University early in his career. He also has taught in executive development programs at The Wharton School.

 

Frank Beiser - Treasurer

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Frank Beiser has operated his business as a Certified Public Accountant in La Jolla, California since 1972.  He has served as the president and board member of the San Diego Chapter of Cal CPAs, and as the president and board member of the San Diego Chapter of the Society of California Accountants.  Throughout his career, he has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla, where he has served as a board member, committee leader and treasurer.

Frank also designed and developed the “Accounting, Bookkeeping and Taxation Certificate” program at Cal State University - San Marcos.  And he co-designed and taught the "Tax Boot Camp” at the University of San Diego.  He also taught courses in taxation at the University of California at San Diego.  He is a graduate of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Other Board Members