The Board of Directors is a diverse group of volunteers active in the community and champions for parks and recreation throughout San Diego County. They give their time, talent, and treasure to advance our mission, realize our vision, and enhance the quality of life in San Diego County.
President: Christine Stontz, NV5
Christine is from Southern California and is thrilled to support her local San Diego communities. A certified arborist and UC Berkely alum, Christine has worked in environmental management and outdoor education for over 10 years. When she isn’t enjoying the social dance scene, she is exploring the wealth of hiking trails that San Diego has to offer. For lovers of open space, Christine suggests the Santa Ysabel Preserve; for an immersive display of biodiversity, the San Diego Botanic Garden is a must.
Vice President: Ben Ritter, Jack Henry & Associates
Ben was born in San Diego and grew up in East County. He earned his BA in English from UC Irvine with a minor in film studies. Ben is a technical writing manager, an Eagle Scout, and a board game enthusiast. His favorite park memory is celebrating Easter with his extended family in Louis A. Stelzer County Park.
Treasurer-Secretary: Hewson Shepherd, TRC Companies, Inc.
Hewson Shepherd grew up in California exploring the outdoors. She received her bachelor’s in Environmental Analysis and Policy from Boston University and participated in The School for Field Studies and Sea Semester. Hewson has been studying and working in the environmental sector and project management for over 10 years. Hewson gained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and a Board Certification from the Nonprofit Institute and The University of San Diego. Hewson loves attending outreach events, meeting new people, and talking about San Diego County parks! In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, walking her dogs, sailing, and gardening. She recommends Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Preserve.
Lan Nguyen
Lan has called San Diego home for over 10 years, where a love for the outdoors and a passion for supporting the community have shaped both her personal and professional life. With a background in accounting, Lan has spent years helping non-profits stay compliant and ensure financial transparency. She is deeply committed to using her skills to help organizations thrive while contributing to their positive impact on local communities. When she’s not working, Lan can often be found hiking the beautiful trails of San Diego, a region she admires for its scenic parks and natural spaces. As a firm believer in the power of open spaces for recreation and well-being, she is especially fond of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for its stunning coastal views.
Alison Park
Alison is a proud San Diego County native with a deep-rooted passion for community service, education, and public safety. She holds a BA in Social Science from San Diego State University, an AA in Fire Science, and a Master’s in Education from National University. Alison brings a diverse background spanning education, project management content development, event management, and fire/emergency services. She is also a committed advocate for military, veteran, and first responder communities, actively serving on several boards that support these groups and their families. She is the founder of Leaders Legal Foundation for Military Scholars, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Midshipman and Cadets of the 5 Military Service Academies and ROTC programs who need assistance in preserving their rights in a complicated system. Her deep connection to the most biodiverse county in the nation and its unique natural landscape informs her advocacy for preservation. She values the mission to expand access to the extensive county park system—for both current residents and generations to come.
Tasha Ardalan, San Diego County Farm Bureau
Biography is coming soon.
VACANT. We need you!
Are you interested in joining the San Diego County Parks Society Board of Directors to help enhance the quality of life in San Diego County by supporting exceptional parks and recreation experiences and preserving significant natural resources? Please send a cover letter and resume to us at info@sdcps.org.
SDCPS Staff and County of San Diego Representatives
The following individuals are employed or contracted by the San Diego County Parks Society or are representatives from the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation and are not voting members of the Board of Directors.
Davis Aspiras, General Manager
David is a long-time resident of San Diego. A San Diego State University graduate, David has been involved with the Parks Society for the past several years. David recommends the three-mile trail at Rohr Park.
Jason Hemmens, Dept. of Parks and Recreation Director
Jason has been professionally involved in developing innovative recreation programs and facilities for a broad range of constituents for over 20 years. He is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and active member in numerous professional organizations in the recreation and tourism industry. Jason has presented on a range of topics to groups including national, regional, and local conferences and workshops. He provides responsive, high-quality service to elected officials, employees, representatives of outside agencies, and members of the public by providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient, and timely manner.
Tony Richardson, Dept. of Parks and Recreation Liaison
Tony Richardson, CVA, oversees programs that connect volunteers to parks, preserves, community centers, and historic sites across the region for the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation and is a liaison to the San Diego County Parks Society. With a background in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and volunteer engagement, Tony has worked with organizations like Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, United Way, and the American Red Cross and is an AmeriCorps alumnus. He holds a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) credential and serves on the board of the National Association of Volunteer Program Leaders in Government (NAVPLG) and is a former board member of the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE). A passionate advocate for service and the outdoors, Tony enjoys hiking, camping, museums, and music, with favorite DPR spots including Los Peñasquitos Ranch House, William Heise County Park, and Agua Caliente County Park.