Mailing address and Box Office:
555 E. Ocean Blvd., Suite 106
Long Beach, CA 90802
Staff members may be reached via e-mail (first initial and last name @lbso.org) or by calling (562) 436-3203 and dialing the extension listed by their names below.
General email inquiries may be sent to lbso@lbso.org
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robert C. Jones, Executive Director
Robert Jones began his varied and distinguished career as a professional musician when he was still in high school (clarinet, saxophone, and flute). After taking his degree in Economics, he continued performing and teaching during 12 years as an administrator/negotiator holding local and national elected offices in the American Federation of Musicians. His orchestra management career includes positions of: Vice-President and General Manager of The Minnesota Orchestra; President and CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony; Vice President, Music, for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; President, and Chief Operating Officer of the National Symphony Orchestra; CEO and General Director of Opera Pacific. He has been affiliated with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra since July, 2009. For a more detailed career resume of Mr. Jones, please click here.
Vickie Mendoza, Executive Assistant, ext. 220
Vickie is a second generation native Californian, born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles. She became the Executive Assistant after almost 13 years as a proud Long Beach Symphony Orchestra volunteer. Prior to working for the Orchestra, Vickie was a litigation/transactional legal secretary at Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley, a law firm in downtown Los Angeles. She worked with partners and associates in Intellectual Property, Corporate Transactions (domestic and international), Entertainment, Estate Planning, and Taxation. She enjoys traveling and recalls as a highlight experience a ship cruise to the Southwest part of Alaska. Hobbies that enhance Vickie’s life are singing, cooking and listening to music, especially when the family is together at their favorite place to eat, home.
ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Janet Nyquist, General Manager, ext. 222
Prior to coming to LBSO, Janet worked as general manager of the symphony orchestras in San Antonio and Phoenix. By training, she's a pianist, organist and church choir director with music degrees from Samford University in Alabama and the University of Texas, Austin. She loves to travel, and visiting family and friends is at the top of her itinerary.
Education and Operations Manager, ext. 228
Allan Carter, Librarian, ext. 231
In addition to being a longtime resident and fan of California, Allan has been a violinist with LBSO since the early 1970s. Shortly thereafter he took on the job of librarian/stage manager and then focused on being the symphony's librarian. Besides performing and shuffling music, Allan enjoys teaching the next generation of young violinists and violists. His wife, Stephanie, a former member of LBSO, teaches middle school music in Long Beach. Their son, Doug, is leading the family into jazz via his piano playing.
Ryan Lee, Production/Stage Manager
Ryan has been working with the symphony since 2006. In addition to his work with the symphony, his past experience includes many theatrical ventures. He has a triple degree from California State University, Long Beach, with focuses in Business Management and Organization Management as well as a degree in Theater Arts. The arts have been a part of Ryan's life from a young age including playing in bands, orchestras, and choirs all his life. He enjoys the opportunity he has to work with such talent artists and all those who help to support the art as well.
Carrie Holzman-Little, Orchestra Personnel Manager
Carrie Holzman-Little has been a busy free-lance violist and contractor here in Southern California for the past 20 years. Born and raised in Long Beach, a Wilson High School graduate, she received a Bachelor of Arts from University of California at Santa Barbara. Carrie has been the acting music contractor for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for the past two years and is the permanent personnel manager of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Monica Symphony. Carrie also has a private teaching studio. In her spare time she likes to do triathlons. Carrie lives in a 100 year old house in Pasadena with her cellist husband, Dane Little, two teenagers and five large male cats.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Chief Financial Officer, ext. 236
Sophia Ramirez, Controller, ext. 225
BOX OFFICE
Florita Davis, Box Office Manager, ext. 232
Currently in her 18th season at LBSO, Florita is the woman to speak with when you want tickets for Classics or POPS! concerts. She personifies the orchestra's "welcoming spirit." Florita says: "I'm fun-loving, strong and, at times, a force to be reckoned with! My nickname around here is Flojo because I'll go the extra mile for our patrons. I love to fish, eat and hang out with my family and friends. If you ever need me, just holler, `Hey, Flojo!'"
MARKETING & ADVERTISING
Rick Berry, Director of Marketing and Communications, ext. 233
Rick is a life-long Long Beach resident, trumpet player, and marketing professional who has enjoyed attending Long Beach Symphony Orchestra concerts since childhood. He has an MBA from Pepperdine and a Certificate in Nonprofit Arts Management from CSULB. Rick has always been active in the community, as past Board President of the Long Beach Community Band and current board member of Arts & Services for the Disabled, Inc. An avid organic gardener and Sustainable City Commissioner, he enjoys living and working in downtown Long Beach, and riding his bicycle to the office.
DEVELOPMENT
Wanda Cockey, Director of Development, ext. 226
Long Beach became Wanda’s home when she followed her high-school sweetheart to the beach city from her own hometown in Oregon. Wanda has enjoyed working with several large non-profit organizations over the past 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in business management, a Certificate in Nonprofit and Public Organization Marketing and Fundraising from CSULB and a Certificate in Writing for Children. Second to her faith and family is the love of music which has been a part of her life since her earliest memories. Wanda is excited to be a part of the LBSO team and looks forward to learning more about your reasons for supporting the art of live music in our community.
Traci Glassock, Manager of Corporate Development and Special Events, ext. 224
Laura Nelson, Development Associate, ext. 227
Laura has spent the last 10 years of her career helping non-profit organizations, such as Hoag Hospital Foundation and Newport Beach Public Library Foundation, with development and special events. Laura is a native of Southern California and the Long Beach area, so she is extremely excited to part of such a worthy organization in her own backyard. She and her husband, Ken, are avid baseball fans in their leisure time and spend many summer evenings cheering for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The rest of their spare time is consumed by catering to their spoiled-rotten cats; Orange Julius and Vincent McLovin’.
Administration
