FACILITIES ADVISER
Christopher Espinosaz
Vigil Honor
Christopher Espinoza (aka Tomahawk) is a member of the Long Beach Area Council and has served as the Puvunga Lodge Adviser since 2018-2023. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1988. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 1989 and attained the Vigil Honor in 2018. In the early 90s he served on summer camp staff and at Lake Arrowhead Scout Camp he was given the camp nickname ‘Tomahawk’. During the summer of 2016, Tomahawk taught at a summer camp in China. This summer he will be serving, for the second time, on staff at the National Jamboree. He will also be attending his second World Jamboree as an Assistant Scoutmaster – this time in South Korea. He has also attended two NOACs – in 2018 and 2022. Tomahawk is the proud father of two sons and a daughter. His youngest son is an Eagle Scout and served as the Puvunga Lodge Chief in 2018.
AUCTION ADVISER
Bret Keesler
Vigil Honor
Bret has been involved as a registered scout/scouter in the California
Inland Empire Council (Riverside County Council) for over 45 years. His
scouting journey began with Cub Scouts in Corona, CA in Pack 251 and
continued through Boy Scouts in Troop 113, earning his Arrow of Light
and Eagle Awards along the way. He was inducted into the OA by
Cahuilla Lodge in 1993 and attained the Vigil Honor in 2001. Bret has
served in many pack, troop, district and council leadership positions
through the years. From Den Leader to Council Vice President. He
served as Asst. Scoutmaster for the 1993 and 2010 National Jamborees
and Staff for the 1997 and 2001 National Jamborees. Bret is Wood
Badge and Philmont trained and has earned the District Award of Merit
and Silver Beaver. He currently serves as a Crew Committee Member
for Venturing Crew 129 in the Mt. Rubidoux District as well as Member
at Large for the same district.
SHOWS/PRODUCTION ADVISER
Erik Zandvliet
Ordeal Honor
Erik began his Scout journey as a youth in Cub Scouting and as an adult as Cubmaster soon after his oldest son became a Tiger Scout in 2011. He led Pack 371 as Cubmaster for eight years. Erik first volunteered to help with Webelos Weekend in 2013 and was Event Chair from 2014 to 2017. He is always willing to volunteer when and where needed, including Camp-o-Ree, Scout-O-Rama, Pinewood Derby, Nominating Committee, Annual District and Council Dinner Committees, recruiting events, specialty trainings and even serves as a Merit Badge Counselor. He is currently the Council Roundtable Commissioner. Besides his Council position, Erik is Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 371 and is a member of the IronStar District Committee. Erik has served as the Polaris District Training Chair for three years, Polaris District Chair for two years and is currently on the Council Training Committee. He organized and taught over 25 training events, including Leader Specific, IOLS, BALOO, Trainer’s EDGE, Outdoor Webelos Leader and University of Scouting. Erik was awarded the Cubmaster’s Key, Scouter’s Key, Scouter’s Training Key, two Unit Awards of Appreciation, and the District Award of Merit. He was awarded his Wood Badge beads in 2017 and has served on Wood Badge staff for two years. Erik was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 2020. He served as the CVC Adviser of Shows in 2021 and as the Puvunga Lodge webmaster.
SPECIAL EVENTS ADVISER
Julie Stevens
Honor
I have been happily involved in Scouting since 2006, assisting my two boys in reaching Eagle along the way. I am currently the Advisor of Crew 604 and the Programs Chair for the Tahquitz District. I have been part of the OA for many years and look forward to helping at the Section level.
TRADING POST ADVISER
Ron Price
Vigil Honor
In 1962, Ron Ordealed with A-TSA Lodge 380. As a youth, he served as the Lodge’s Secretary and Treasurer. The Brotherhood Honor was received in 1963. In 1997, he joined the Crow Chapter of Wiatava Lodge 13. Ron served as the Chapter Adviser in 1999, 2000, and 2003. He received the Crow Chapter and Wiatava Arrowman of the Year Awards, as well as, the OA Founders Award. In 1999, he received the Vigil Honor from Wiatava Lodge. Ron has attended 9 NOACs – twice on Staff. He served as the Wiatava Lodge Contingent Adviser (2004 & 2006). In these years, the Lodge set back-to-back national records for the largest contingent to ever attend the event. In 2011, Ron joined Cahuilla Lodge 127 as an Alumni Member. Since 2012, he have served as the Adviser to the Lodge Treasurer and since 2009 he has served as the Section Trading Post Adviser.
SHORT CAMP ADMINISTRATOR
Joe Warner
Honor
Joe Warner joined the staff of the Long Beach Area Council as the Camp Tahquitz Director in October 2020. In this position, Joe oversees all aspects of managing Camp Tahquitz including, programming, maintenance, budgeting and long-range planning.
Joe is an Eagle Scout from our own Troop 75 and served on Camp Staff for five years