Board of Directors

• Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., President
  Fr Spitzer is the President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith and the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership. He was President of Gonzaga University from 1998-2009.

  He has published 5 books and numerous scholarly articles, started 6 national institutes, and speaks widely on the philosophy of science, philosophy of God, and ethics.  View resumé

• Timothy R. Busch, President (Emeritus)
  Tim Busch has been a practicing attorney in Orange County for the past 30 years and founder of the Busch firm, which specializes in high net-worth estate planning, real estate and business transactions, and tax. Tim is also founder and CEO of Pacific Hospitality Group LLC, a hotel development and management company that owns and manages five hotels, including the Meritage Resort in Napa, the Crown Plaza Resort in Anaheim, and 3 Doubletree Hotels.

  Tim and his wife Steph are very involved in Catholic organizations and charities. Tim is founder of St. Anne School, J. Serra Catholic High School, the Magis Institute, and five chapters of Legatus. Tim serves on the Boards of The Catholic University of America, California Patrons of the Vatican Arts, the Papal Foundation, and the Church Life Institute at the University of Notre Dame.

• Bernarda Neal, Chair
  After a professional career in corporate marketing and advertising, Berni Neal now focuses full-time on Catholic evangelization and philanthropy. She currently serves on the Boards of Magis Institute, Birth Choice, the Orange Catholic Foundation, and Thomas Aquinas College. She is a member of Legatus, Orange Coast Chapter and the Papal Foundation. She lives in Capistrano Beach with her husband Rob. They have two children: Kira, a recent college graduate living in Washington DC and Collin, a junior attending Washington & Lee University.

• Robert Neal, Treasurer
  Robert Neal is the Senior Managing Partner for Hager Pacific Properties, a Southern California-based national owner of more than $1 billion of industrial, commercial, and multi-family properties. Prior to joining Hager Pacific, Mr. Neal held several senior posts with national real estate companies. During his career, he has been directly responsible for the acquisition, disposition, and development of approximately $2 billion of real property.

  Mr. Neal serves as the Treasurer for the Magis Institute, sits on the Foundation Board of Catholic Relief Services, is a member and past officer of Legatus, an international Catholic fellowship of CEOs and business owners, and chairs the Audit Committee of the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 1988 and completed his Bachelor of Science at California State University, Long Beach in 1982.

• Barbara Nicolosi Harrington, Secretary
  Barbara Harrington is the Executive Director of the Galileo Forum at Azusa Pacific University. She was the Founder and first Executive Director of the prestigious Act One: Training for Hollywood program. A screenwriter and member of the WGA-West, Barbara's most recent credit is co-writer of the 2011 Lionsgate/FOX release, Mary, Mother of the Christ.

• Rich Bridgford
  Rich Bridgeford graduated from Stanford University in 1982 in economics and Stanford Law in 1985. He worked a short time for the White House Legal counsel in Washington, D.C., and began his own Law Firm in 1990. His firm, Bridgford and Gleason in Alisio Viejo, specializes in business and real estate litigation and transactional matters. Rich is a member of Legatus and holds board positions at the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank.

• Douglas Brown
  Douglas Brown is an investment advisor. In addition to being on the Board of Directors of Magis Institute, Doug also serves on the Board of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, is a Knight of Malta, a charter member of the Hollywood Chapter of Legatus, and a Steward of St. Peter in the Papal Foundation where he also serves on the Investment Committee.

• Robert Crnkovich

• John Ford
  As CEO and Chairman of the Board of Insight Investments Corp, which he founded in 1987, John focuses on areas of management and growth, emphasizing to clients, employees, and vendors the absolute importance of long term thinking in preserving lasting business partnerships.
  
  John has a B.S. from the University of California, Santa Cruz and an M.B.A. from Arizona State University where he graduated with honors. He is an active member of Legatus.

• Joan Jacoby
  Ms. Jacoby has an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and a BA in Speech Communications from Kent State University. After earning her master's degree, she became involved in the Commercial Real Estate Development and Brokerage business. In 1992, she formed her own company, Jacoby Commercial Real Estate Services, and was involved in the leasing and sales of shopping centers in California and Arizona. After meeting Fr. Robert J. Spitzer and becoming acquainted with the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, she decided to dedicate herself to the Center's mission and has been involved with the formation of the Center from its inception.

• Allen & Kathleen Lund
  Allen Lund is President and CEO of the Allen Lund Company, a transportation and logistics provider he has owned and operated since 1976. He and his wife Kathleen have committed to many endeavors within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, especially benefiting Catholic education as well as co-chairing the Los Angeles Catholic Prayer Breakfast the past five years. Allen serves as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Portland and Chairman of the Board of St. Francis High School in La Canada.

  Kathleen Lund has been a leading advocate in pro-life causes and currently serves as President of The Right to Life League of Southern California. She serves on the advisory board for Sacred Heart Elementary School and is committed to many endeavors benefiting education for inner-city children.

• Michael Patterson
  Mr. Patterson is the senior shareholder and founding principal at Patterson, Buchanan, Fobes, Leitch & Kalzer, Inc., P.S. in Seattle, Washington. He is admitted to practice law in New York, Oregon and Washington. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gonzaga University, a Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School and a Masters of Law from New York University. Mr. Patterson is an accomplished attorney, presenter, speaker and writer in many areas including sex abuse, claims handling, risk management, litigation, employment, and public entity topics. In his free time he also serves in the following capacities: Board of Trustees and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Gonzaga University; President, Legatus, Seattle Chapter; Board of Directors of Magis Institute; Board of Directors of Legatus International; Board of Directors of the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership; Chairman of the Catholic Fund for the Seattle Archdiocese; Invited member of the Notre Dame Lawyer (Law Review); Nominated and elected to the national registry of Who's Who; Voted Top 20 Trial Lawyers by Judges in Western Washington; Stewardship Award for Archdiocese of Western Washington and Co-Editor of the Washington State Defense Trial Lawyers Association Newspaper.

• Valerie Rafferty
  Valerie Rafferty studied Elementary Education at Arkansas State University and Akron University. She has volunteered at the Life Center as a crisis pregnancy counselor and served on the board of Catholic Charities Orange County and PADRE Foundation, an organization for juvenile diabetes education and research. She has been a member of Legatus since 1989. Valerie believes that, "[her] faith and life experience has led [her] to believe that Magis Institute is the perfect prescription for countering the growing challenges presented by our secular culture."

• Phillip M. Ramos, Jr.
  Phillip M. Ramos, Jr. is founder and owner of Philatron Wire & Cable, one of the largest manufacturers of electrical cables in Southern California. His company has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine, and was recognized in November 2008 by the Orange County Business Journal as the Medium Family Owned Business of the Year.

  Phil is currently serving on the boards of Catholic Charities Orange County, The Loyola Institute for Spirituality, and San Antonio Church Pastoral Council. He has served on the boards of Goodwill Industries, Los Angeles, Legatus, Orange County Chapter, and Providence Speech & Hearing Center. Phil is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

• Raymond Rodeno
  Ray Rodeno, an attorney, has worked in various Catholic apostolates for more than 40 years, primarily in the cause of advancing Catholic education. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Magis Institute and as a Board Member of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles committee on wills and trusts, and the committee for leadership skills training for seminarians. He is s member of the Knights of Malta, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher and a Papal Knight of St Gregory.
• Douglas Stephen
  Following his service in the United States Air Force, Doug Stephen earned a Bachelors of Science degree at the University of Southern California. Upon graduating, he embarked on a sales career and eventually founded his own company that he successfully managed and grew to over 100 employees and sold in December of 2008.

  He currently serves on the board of directors for Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre and the Magis Institute. He is also involved with St Michael's Abbey, Catholics Come Home, Legatus, and the Knights of Malta.

• Robert J. Thiergartner Rober J. Thiergartner is co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of David Partners LLC, a Newport Beach based full service regional real estate firm. He is responsible for all aspects relating to the operation of a 22 million square foot commercial office, industrial, and business park portfolio. Under his leadership, Davis Partners has grown from a development company to a full service real estate firm and has more than doubled in size due to this focus on strategic expansion and strong client relationships. Mr. Thiergartner is a California native and holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from California Polytechnic University, Pomona and is a Certified Public Accountant.