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Brian E. Joseph, DVM, Executive Director
With over 36 years of professional experience in publicly, privately and society operated aquariums, museums, nature centers and zoos, Dr. Joseph provides strategic leadership to the Nature Center. He began serving as a board member in 2004 and became the Executive Director in November 2009. A native Chula Vistan, Dr. Joseph attended Lillian Rice Elementary, Chula Vista Junior and Senior High Schools, and Southwestern College. He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis, as well as a BS in Zoology from San Diego State University and Graduate studies in Biology.
With Dr. Joseph’s direction, the Nature Center board and staff successfully transitioned from a City-operated organization to a non-profit operation in February 2010.
Dr. Joseph currently lives in Escondido with his wife Sally and their five daughters (the “girls” consist of three Bernese Mountain Dogs, a Schnauzer, and a calico cat).
Ben Vallejos, Chief Operating Officer
Ben@cvnc.us
Ben began with the Nature Center as a volunteer aquarist in 1990 while working full-time as an operations manager at Macy’s. Growing up in Hawaii, he has always loved being near the ocean and the amazing creatures it holds. Although his first official paid position at the Nature Center began in 2002 as a part-time gift shop manager, he has always played a role in the aquarium division. Now as the Chief Operating Officer, Ben oversees the daily operations and finances of the Nature Center.
With proper permitting (of course!), Ben has personally collected many of the marine animals on exhibit at the Nature Center. One of his favorite parts of working at the Nature Center is talking to guests about the cool native animals that live in San Diego Bay. Next time you visit, ask him what he caught recently.
Ben holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from San Diego State University and an Associate’s degree in Aquarium and Aquaculture Science from Saddleback College.
Sally Joseph, Animal Care & Training Supervisor
Sally@cvnc.us
Wendy Spaulding, Director of Education and Guest Experience
Wendy@cvnc.us
Wendy joined the Nature Center staff in February of 2010 to head up and develop education and interpretive programming. Her favorite aspect of her chosen career is the opportunity to make meaningful connections between people and animals. She feels that the most important thing she can do to make a positive impact on the natural world is to spread her own love, fascination and excitement to others.
Wendy has been putting her passion for animals and the natural world to work since she graduated with a biology degree from Northwest Nazarene University in 1994. She has worked as a wildlife educator, animal trainer and program manager at a number of conservation education facilities around the country, including Sea World Orlando, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Wild Wonders, Inc. and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Wendy is originally from Walla Walla, Washington, and spent most of her life in the Northwest before moving to California in 2006. She lives with her husband, two kitty daughters and a new Bernese Mountain Dog in Oceanside. She loves doing outdoorsy things, as well as music, photography, knitting and felting.
Gilberto Alvarado, Maintenance
Gilberto@cvnc.us
Gilberto came to the Nature Center in March 2010, after working in both the food service and the construction industry. He is in charge of Center maintenance, and enjoys his job because of the closeness and friendliness of the staff and the proximity to animals. He enjoys learning new things, and strives to learn about all aspects of the Nature Center.
Gilberto is originally from Mexico. He came to the United States 20 years ago, first settling in San Jose, CA. He has been in San Diego for the past 10 years. When Gil is not working, he likes spending time with his wife and two children, bicycling, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, cooking, camping, and playing the guitar.
Tina Matthias, Programs & Volunteer Coordinator
Tina@cvnc.us
The longest-term staff member at the Nature Center, Tina began at the Nature Center in 1987, just two months after opening day. Prior to transferring to the Nature Center, Tina worked with the City of Chula Vista Recreation Department. Her passion is working with people, which makes her an ideal staff member to work with the Nature Center’s volunteers—over 150 at any given time! Tina also assists in the development and delivery of educational and family programs.
Among her favorite aspects of working for the Nature Center is the family atmosphere among the staff and volunteers. She also loves the fact that everyone is dedicated to working with a shared mission.
Tina was born in Hawaii, but grew up in Chula Vista, graduating from Hilltop High and Southwestern College. She still resides here with her two sons and the neighborhood cats that have adopted her.
Tilli Moore, Administrative Assistant
Tilli@cvnc.us
Karen Quiros, Chula Vista Elementary School District Science Resource Teacher
karen.quiros@cvesd.org
A San Diego native, Karen went to college at UC Davis, majoring in Physiology. After teaching high school Biology and Life Science in Sacramento for 2 years, she moved back to San Diego and got her MEd. from UCSD and taught at Biology and Life Science at Chula Vista High School.
In 2004, the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) hired Karen to work as the Science Resource Teacher at the Nature Center. She teaches a hands-on, standards-based science lesson to one or two classes a day from schools in the CVESD. Working at the Nature Center is Karen’s dream job. She loves teaching children about their local wetland environment and bringing science alive to students. Everyday she inspires students to love science and care about the world around them.
Anna Ransler, Administrative Assistant
Anna@cvnc.us
Mark Valen, Horticulturalist
Mark@cvnc.us
Mark joined the Nature Center staff in February of 2010 as a horticulturalist to continue the design, implementation, and maintenance of the CVNC native plant gardens. He also leads the weekly composting workshops.
A lifelong Chula Vistan, Mark has fond memories of attending the Nature Center as a child with his family. Mark attended Hilltop High School and has a B.A. degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz in a major called “Sustainable Social Networks.” Mark has an extensive background in organic gardening, urban agriculture, and sustainable living. He’s worked as an educator and mentor in these fields, and feels most alive when he can share his passions with others.
Mark feels blessed to work outdoors on a beautiful wildlife refuge and is excited to continue the Nature Center’s legacy of educating the public about the important wonders of the San Diego’s wild lands and its many inhabitants.
Sophia Velasquez, Development Assistant
Sophia@cvnc.us
Katie Wedemeyer, Lead Educator
Katie@cvnc.us
Katie joined the Nature Center Staff in March 2010. She assists with all aspects of the Nature Center’s Education Department, including the development, coordination and instruction for day camps, Boy and Girl Scout programs, and Overnight Adventures. Her favorite aspect of the job is facilitating up-close animal interactions, “Seeing a child's face light up when an animal enters the room is priceless!”.
Katie received a B.S. in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution and a minor in Spanish Literature from the University of California, San Diego. During her undergraduate studies she interned at the Barcelona Zoo in Barcelona, Spain and held a graduate level research internship at the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia. She currently holds an internship with the NOAA Marine Turtle Ecology and Assessment Program, studying Green Sea Turtles in the San Diego Bay.
She is originally from Summerland, California where she was either at the beach, in her backyard or on the soccer field. She is passionate about conservation and plans to get a PhD, focusing on marine turtle conservation.
