Riekes Center Staff
Founder
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Gary Riekes - Founder and CEO
Gary has been a professional musician since the age of 9. He was a member of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra and numerous contemporary performance groups. He is a graduate of... read more
Gary has been a professional musician since the age of 9. He was a member of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra and numerous contemporary performance groups. He is a graduate of... read more
Administration
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Tom Cronin - Operations Director
Tom moved to the Bay Area from Minnesota after an overseas detour though New Zealand and Australia. In fact the first house he lived in was just down the street on Eighth Ave. He now lives in Redwood City ... read more
Tom moved to the Bay Area from Minnesota after an overseas detour though New Zealand and Australia. In fact the first house he lived in was just down the street on Eighth Ave. He now lives in Redwood City ... read more
Lex Ebbink-Alemania - Student Services Manager
Lex was born in Redondo Beach, California, where she lived until her family relocated to San Mateo, California, in 1990. She attended a private school, where she completed an... read more
Lex was born in Redondo Beach, California, where she lived until her family relocated to San Mateo, California, in 1990. She attended a private school, where she completed an... read more
Sabrina Garretson - Front Desk
Sabrina grew up playing Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Badminton for Woodside High School. She was involved with school plays for three years and became Vice President her first three years ... read more
Sabrina grew up playing Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Badminton for Woodside High School. She was involved with school plays for three years and became Vice President her first three years ... read more
Catherine 'Trina' Taufoou - Billing
Catherine, who's known to most people as Trina, was born on the beautiful island of O'ahu, Hawaii ... where the famous TV series Magnum P.I. was filmed. She now lives in Belmont, CA and has been ... read more
Catherine, who's known to most people as Trina, was born on the beautiful island of O'ahu, Hawaii ... where the famous TV series Magnum P.I. was filmed. She now lives in Belmont, CA and has been ... read more
Ali Tyson-Taufoou - Office Manager / Marketing Coordinator
Ali Taufoou was born in Lansdale Pennsylvania in the year 1985. She moved to Missouri when she was four years old and considers this her birthplace. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in ... read more
Ali Taufoou was born in Lansdale Pennsylvania in the year 1985. She moved to Missouri when she was four years old and considers this her birthplace. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in ... read more
Creative Arts
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Aaron Alvarez - Drum and Art Instructor
Aaron Alvarez was born in August of 1988, in the city of Uruapan in Michoacan, Mexico. Aaron or Bocho, as every one knows him, immigrated to the United States in 2001 ... read more
Aaron Alvarez was born in August of 1988, in the city of Uruapan in Michoacan, Mexico. Aaron or Bocho, as every one knows him, immigrated to the United States in 2001 ... read more
Drew Annis - Video Production and Art Instructor
Drew Annis is from Iowa, he is excited to work at the Riekes Center and he's dedicated to helping students of any pursuit towards their goals, in whatever area they may be... read more
Drew Annis is from Iowa, he is excited to work at the Riekes Center and he's dedicated to helping students of any pursuit towards their goals, in whatever area they may be... read more
Sagesse Graham - Video Production Program Coordinator
Sagesse also known as Jessie, grew up in Olympia Washington, and is a graduate of the Evergreen State College where she studied Film, Video, and Audio production as well as Youth Empowerment ... read more
Sagesse also known as Jessie, grew up in Olympia Washington, and is a graduate of the Evergreen State College where she studied Film, Video, and Audio production as well as Youth Empowerment ... read more
Maddy Lough-Stevens - Front Desk / Voice Instructor
Maddy Lough-Stevens has been involved at the Riekes Center in one way or another since she was 12, through various programs, such as Nature Awareness and Student Services, but her true love has always ... read more
Maddy Lough-Stevens has been involved at the Riekes Center in one way or another since she was 12, through various programs, such as Nature Awareness and Student Services, but her true love has always ... read more
Nick Machado - Front Desk / Bass and Piano Instructor
Nick Machado was born in Fremont, California in 1985. At a young age he started picking out songs by ear on a toy keyboard that his parents had bought him. When he was 9 his parents bought him a ... read more
Nick Machado was born in Fremont, California in 1985. At a young age he started picking out songs by ear on a toy keyboard that his parents had bought him. When he was 9 his parents bought him a ... read more
Geoff McCann - Guitar Instructor
Geoff grew up in Menlo Park, California, and went to public school until high school when he attended St. Francis in Mountain View. There he played basketball... read more
Geoff grew up in Menlo Park, California, and went to public school until high school when he attended St. Francis in Mountain View. There he played basketball... read more
Mike Osborn - Drum Instructor
Mike Osborn was born in 1983 in San Jose California. In Junior High Mike became very interested in music and while a freshman at Junipero Serrah High School he took a beginning percussion class that would ... read more
Mike Osborn was born in 1983 in San Jose California. In Junior High Mike became very interested in music and while a freshman at Junipero Serrah High School he took a beginning percussion class that would ... read more
Aidan Young - Creative Arts Director
Aidan grew up in the woods and rolling hills of central New Jersey, and began learning nature awareness and creative arts at an early age. He performed in his first concert at the age of 11. As a homeschooler... read more
Aidan grew up in the woods and rolling hills of central New Jersey, and began learning nature awareness and creative arts at an early age. He performed in his first concert at the age of 11. As a homeschooler... read more
Ryan Tapley - Guitar Instructor
Ryan grew up in Livermore, California, where he was involved in the public school's Music Programs playing the trumpet from elementary school through highschool. After injuring himself on a skateboard ... read more
Ryan grew up in Livermore, California, where he was involved in the public school's Music Programs playing the trumpet from elementary school through highschool. After injuring himself on a skateboard ... read more
Zen Zenith - Guitar Instructor
Zen was born in Truro, England on June 15th, 1982. His family moved to the California bay area when he was 13 where he spent most of his teenage years. Zen was raised as a homeschooler and ... read more
Zen was born in Truro, England on June 15th, 1982. His family moved to the California bay area when he was 13 where he spent most of his teenage years. Zen was raised as a homeschooler and ... read more
Athletic Fitness
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Chris Cunningham - Strength Coach
My name is Chris Cunningham and I have been associated with the Riekes center for about 6 years now. I am an active coach for the core program at the Riekes Center and to simply put it; I love my job! ... read more
My name is Chris Cunningham and I have been associated with the Riekes center for about 6 years now. I am an active coach for the core program at the Riekes Center and to simply put it; I love my job! ... read more
Tim Dempsey - Pinnacle Coordinator
Tim was born and raised in Peoria, IL. In 1980 he graduated from Peoria Central high school where he was an all conference soccer, team captain and MVP. There he was also track team all area honor ... read more
Tim was born and raised in Peoria, IL. In 1980 he graduated from Peoria Central high school where he was an all conference soccer, team captain and MVP. There he was also track team all area honor ... read more
Francisco Lara - Strength Coach
Francisco is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Physical Education and an emphasis in Athletic Injury Prevention. He is also has an internship as the assistant strength ... read more
Francisco is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Physical Education and an emphasis in Athletic Injury Prevention. He is also has an internship as the assistant strength ... read more
Jesse Lindenstein - Strength Coach
Jesse graduated from SJSU with a degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Adapted PE. He has worked with children with learning disabilities at Menlo... read more
Jesse graduated from SJSU with a degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Adapted PE. He has worked with children with learning disabilities at Menlo... read more
Robbie Merrill - Strength Coach
Robbie was born and raised in Menlo Park. He started working for and exercising at the Riekes Center as a student when he was in the 7th grade. He has since been with us, aside from the time... read more
Robbie was born and raised in Menlo Park. He started working for and exercising at the Riekes Center as a student when he was in the 7th grade. He has since been with us, aside from the time... read more
David Nava - Strength Coach
David Nava was born on May 19, 1985 in Redwood City, CA. At the tender age of 6, "Nava" (as he is more often called) began playing baseball and soccer... read more
David Nava was born on May 19, 1985 in Redwood City, CA. At the tender age of 6, "Nava" (as he is more often called) began playing baseball and soccer... read more
Cameron Potratz - Strength Coach
Cameron was raised in La Honda, California, a small town about 45 minutes away from the Riekes Center. When he stared high school at Summit Preparatory in Redwood City in 2004, he moved to San Carlos ... read more
Cameron was raised in La Honda, California, a small town about 45 minutes away from the Riekes Center. When he stared high school at Summit Preparatory in Redwood City in 2004, he moved to San Carlos ... read more
Justin Shetler - Strength Coach / Customized Programs
Justin is the director of Fernside Mentoring Programs, as well as being a coach himself. His background is in nature awareness and survival training, and was introduced to athletic fitness through physical therapy ... read more
Justin is the director of Fernside Mentoring Programs, as well as being a coach himself. His background is in nature awareness and survival training, and was introduced to athletic fitness through physical therapy ... read more
Kevin Symes - Strength Coach
Kevin ("Boogie") is currently a student at San Jose State University. He is studying Business Management with minors in Communication and Accounting. He received a couple offers for golf ... read more
Kevin ("Boogie") is currently a student at San Jose State University. He is studying Business Management with minors in Communication and Accounting. He received a couple offers for golf ... read more
Sione Taufoou - Athletic Fitness Director
Sione, a San Carlos native, played football in high school for Saint Francis, and then at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota... read more
Sione, a San Carlos native, played football in high school for Saint Francis, and then at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota... read more
Physical Therapy
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Paula Chan - Physical Therapy Director
Paula, a native of Los Angeles, earned a B.S. in Kinesiology in 1988 at UCLA and an M.S. in Physical Therapy (M.S.P.T.) in 1991 from the University of the Pacific. She gained athletic... read more
Paula, a native of Los Angeles, earned a B.S. in Kinesiology in 1988 at UCLA and an M.S. in Physical Therapy (M.S.P.T.) in 1991 from the University of the Pacific. She gained athletic... read more
Floyd Vito Cruz - Physical Therapist
After graduating from San Francisco State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology, Floyd completed his M.S. in Physical Therapy at the University of California, San Francisco. Prior to graduate school..read more
After graduating from San Francisco State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology, Floyd completed his M.S. in Physical Therapy at the University of California, San Francisco. Prior to graduate school..read more
Candy Lopez - Patient Coordinator
Candy was born in Redwood City and grew up in East Palo Alto. She attended Menlo Atherton High School. She worked in banking as a teller and worked herself up to operations manager within six years ...read more
Candy was born in Redwood City and grew up in East Palo Alto. She attended Menlo Atherton High School. She worked in banking as a teller and worked herself up to operations manager within six years ...read more
Nature Awareness
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Mark Batcheler - Nature Awareness Instructor
Mark was born in a secluded section of central Wisconsin where kids still ran free around the neighborhoods and the woods were never far away. When he got good at disappearing outside for hours at a time... read more
Mark was born in a secluded section of central Wisconsin where kids still ran free around the neighborhoods and the woods were never far away. When he got good at disappearing outside for hours at a time... read more
Anole Dahlstrom - Nature Awareness Instructor
Anole has been immersed in the Nature Awareness Department for several years not only through the eyes of her kids that are involved in our weekly programs, but also through the many family events ... read more
Anole has been immersed in the Nature Awareness Department for several years not only through the eyes of her kids that are involved in our weekly programs, but also through the many family events ... read more
Ken Clarkson - Nature Awareness Director
Ken grew up hiking the Appalachian Trail of the Blue Ridge Mountains and canoeing the rivers of southwest Virginia. This also explains why he often has a banjo in tow... read more
Ken grew up hiking the Appalachian Trail of the Blue Ridge Mountains and canoeing the rivers of southwest Virginia. This also explains why he often has a banjo in tow... read more
Kate Peters - Nature Awareness Instructor
Kate Peters was raised roaming the oak woodland forests of the San Francisco Bay Area, getting her hands dirty at a sustainable agriculture farm called Hidden Villa. From the beginning ... read more
Kate Peters was raised roaming the oak woodland forests of the San Francisco Bay Area, getting her hands dirty at a sustainable agriculture farm called Hidden Villa. From the beginning ... read more
Mackenzie Price - Nature Awareness Instructor
Mackenzie Price was born and raised in Southern California. She always sought out the wild places in her suburban home: building forts in the canyon, playing in the waves or feeding the chickens in her backyard ... read more
Mackenzie Price was born and raised in Southern California. She always sought out the wild places in her suburban home: building forts in the canyon, playing in the waves or feeding the chickens in her backyard ... read more
Sky Snyder - Nature Awareness Instructor
"Skynote" Sky Snyder was born and raised far out of cell phone reach in Fall River Mills, Northeastern California. He grew up with his hands in the dirt or gripped around... read more
"Skynote" Sky Snyder was born and raised far out of cell phone reach in Fall River Mills, Northeastern California. He grew up with his hands in the dirt or gripped around... read more
