Board

Vacancies on the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation Board of Directors are filled with appointments made by the existing board in accordance with the foundation’s bylaws. While candidates for the board are typically nominated by the current board, nominations from the PSPF membership are welcomed.
A board member of the PSPF is enthusiastic and passionate about the preservation of the historic resources of the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. He or she has a commitment to the ideals of preservation and the PSPF mission.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation’s Board of Directors is composed of eight volunteers:

Ron Marshall, President Ron is a retired senior federal government executive and an author who has written on a variety of subjects including modernist architecture, silver jewelry and Scandinavian ceramics. He lives with his wife Barbara in a restored ranch house built by the Alexander Construction Company in Palm Springs’ “Sunmor” neighborhood. Doug Hudson, Secretary Doug is an architect whose work includes the recently completed Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. Since moving to Palm Springs in 2002, he has concentrated on residential and commercial projects, including Port Lawrence. Doug is a former member of the city’s Architectural Advisory Committee and presently serves on the Planning Commission. He lives in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood with his partner Erich Burkhart. Gary Johns, At-large Gary is a Realtor for Coldwell Banker and has been an outspoken advocate of preservation for many years. Gary frequently serves as the "public face" of the foundation before city boards, commissions and council meetings. Gary lives in south Palm Springs in a restored Canyon View Estates condominium designed by the firm of Palmer & Krisel. Richard “Kip” Serafin, Treasurer Kip is the principal of RICHARD ALLEN Associates which specializes in relationship marketing, sponsor relations, business development, public relations and events. Kip is also the founder and publisher of ALL Things Epicurean™ a table-top culinary guide.  Kip resides in Palm Springs and is involved with several non-profit organizations.

Stewart Weiner, Vice President Stewart has been in publishing for 40 years, editing magazines like Writer's Digest, Playboy Enterprises' Oui Magazine and TV Guide. Longtime editor-in-chief of Palm Springs Life, Stewart commissioned articles and photography that resulted in the book Palm Springs Modern. A PSPF member since 1998, he publishes and edits Season in the Sun, now in its seventh year. Patrick McGrew, At-large Patrick McGrew has been a licensed California architect since 1969 and served for many years as the president of San Francisco's Landmarks Advisory Board. He has an extensive background in preservation and has authored many books and articles on California's historic architecture. He has been active in Palm Springs' preservation issues since 2005 and lives in the Warm Sands neighborhood. Tracy Conrad, At-large Tracy is an Emergency Physician and the Chief Operating Officer of the famous Smoke Tree Ranch where she lives in an E. Stewart Williams-designed ranch house with her husband and two children. Tracy serves on the Palm Springs Planning Commission and is a former member of the Historic Site Preservation Board. She owns and has restored a number of historic properties in Palm Springs. James R. Harlan, At-large A Chicago native, Jim is a graduate of the USC School of Architecture. Jim established his architectural practice, which specializes in residential projects, in 1989.  Jim resides in a modernist home in Palm Springs’ historic Tennis Club neighborhood.

William Krisel, Board Member Emeritus A 1949 graduate of the USC School of Architecture, William "Bill" Krisel's huge body of work includes many important contributions to the architecture of Palm Springs. As a principal of the firm of Palmer & Krisel, Bill's local projects included designing modernist tract homes for the Alexander Construction Company in Twin Palms Estates, Vista Las Palmas and Racquet Club Road Estates. In recent years, aside from being an outspoken preservationist in the Brentwood area, Bill has found time to be a persuasive voice on such important Palm Springs issues as the historic designation of the Town & Country Center and Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan. In recognition of his preservation advocacy, Bill became the foundation's first board member emeritus in July of 2009. Donald A. Wexler, Board Member Emeritus A 1950 graduate of the University of Minnesota's School of Architecture, Don worked briefly for famed modernist architect Richard Neutra before coming to Palm Springs in 1952 to work with architect William F. Cody on the Tamarisk Country Club. After a productive partnership with architect Richard Harrison, in 1961 Don started his own firm and went on to build some of Palm Springs' most beloved civic buildings and residences (including the Palm Springs International Airport and the Steel Development Houses). Much of Don’s work was showcased during PSPF’s popular Wexler Weekend in January 2009 and included release of a tribute journal chronicling his incredible career. Don has been active in preservation issues involving the Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan, Oasis Commercial Building, Royal Hawaiian Estates and the Steel Development Houses. In recognition of his preservation advocacy, Don became the foundation's second board member emeritus in May of 2010.