Bob Schneider has been a dedicated and steadfast member of the Variety Board for many years, and currently serves as our President.

Bob and his wife, Julie Henthorn, moved to the desert in August of 2010 when Bob purchased Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours along with a business partner. Bob joined the board of Visit Greater Palm Springs in 2013 and currently has been active on the Tourism Foundation Board, as well. He also served on the Board of the Palm Springs Hospitality Association from 2012 to 2018.

Prior to moving to the desert, Bob and his family lived in Chicago where Bob was Senior Vice President at Frankel & Company. He was the lead on the McDonald’s account from 1982 to 1995 – the largest account in the agency, billing over $30,000,000.

In 1995, Bob and family moved to Los Angeles where Bob was Senior Vice President of Worldwide Corporate Promotions from 1995 to 2004 at Warner Bros. Studios. He was responsible for creating synergy efforts for all the tentpole film releases. In addition, Bob worked across all divisions of Time Warner to create promotions supporting film, video/DVD and television programs.

From 2004 to 2008, Bob was EVP at Davie Brown Entertainment, an entertainment marketing agency servicing the needs of Fortune 500 companies in the Hollywood community.

Barry Lane is an 18-year resident of Palm Desert who recently retired after a 42-year career as a North American Sales Executive with Avery Corporation. Building on his extensive corporate experience, he now serves as President of Harbinger National – where he advises independent entrepreneurs on business strategy, structure and operational processes.

Barry brings decades of leadership, planning and fundraising experience to the Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert Board, along with a strong commitment to supporting the organization’s mission and the children and families it serves throughout the community.

Cory Ornstein serves as Vice President at California Bank & Trust, where he helps individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals. A Maryland native, Cory relocated to California in 2013 and has proudly called the Coachella Valley home since 2016.

A former NCAA Division I student-athlete, Cory competed as a swimmer at Towson University near Baltimore, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2012. Following graduation, he pursued a coaching opportunity at the University of La Verne while earning his master’s degree. Throughout both high school and college, Cory was actively involved in community service, volunteering his time to teach water safety and swimming skills to children of all ages. As a former student-athlete, he found great fulfillment in helping young people develop confidence in the water while learning a critical life skill.

While at the University of La Verne, Cory met his wife, Michelle, a teacher at Desert Mirage High School, and the couple made the Coachella Valley their home. Committed to giving back, Cory enjoys being involved in the Coachella Valley through meaningful community service and is honored to support organizations like Variety that make a lasting impact on local families.

Jared Dineen Shanstrom is a full-time Realtor living and working in the Coachella Valley. He relocated to the desert in 2019 after a decade in hospitality sales with Marriott Hotels, where he held roles in several cities along the West Coast.

Beyond helping clients navigate the market, Jared is actively involved in the broader real estate community. He currently serves as a director at both the local and state levels of the California Association of REALTORS.®

A Washington State native, Jared earned his B.A. in Business Administration with a minor in International Business from Eastern Washington University. Jared’s connection to Variety is deeply personal: As a child, he was a Shriners kid – receiving care and support alongside other children navigating medical challenges. That experience instilled in him the value of being seen, supported, and surrounded by a community that believes in you – shaping the adult, parent, and professional he has become.

Today, Jared lives in La Quinta with his wife, their daughter and newborn son. He also leads a local dads group that fosters connection through meetups and community events. As a board member of Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert, Jared is honored to give back to a cause that profoundly impacted his own life and continues to uplift families across the region.

Armando Avalos serves as a District Representative for State Senator Steve Padilla, where he leads community engagement, legislative outreach and constituent services across the Coachella Valley, Eastern Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

A lifelong resident of the Coachella Valley, Armando previously worked with the City of Cathedral City and spent several years in management within the private sector – gaining hands-on experience in leadership, operations and community relations. He has since built strong partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations and education leaders to advance initiatives that foster regional collaboration, opportunity and equity.

Armando holds an MBA with a concentration in Public Administration and is pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration at California Baptist University. He is also completing the Leadership Coachella Valley program in 2026.

A proud husband and father of four boys, Armando brings the same dedication and compassion he has for his family into his professional life. His philosophy is grounded in accountability, integrity and service values that align closely with Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert’s mission of supporting children and underserved families throughout the region.

Patrick Evans is News Channel 3’s Chief Meteorologist and host of Eye on the Desert. You can also hear him Middays on 103.1 MeTV FM. Patrick has been the Coachella Valley’s source for weather and other news for more than 22 years, and can currently be seen from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. and at 12 Noon on News Channel 3.

Patrick, his wife Andrea, along with their children Karina and Vesta, love to travel and take care of their rescue dachshunds and rescue cats. Patrick has served on the Board of the Family YMCA of the Desert, the Desert Symphony, and Loma Linda Children’s Hospital Foundation. Aside from serving Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert, he also currently serves on the Board of Directors for Read with Me, and Animal Samaritans.

In April of 2014, Patrick was the 366th recipient of a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars as a result of his work with philanthropic organizations throughout the Valley. Patrick also earned an Emmy Award for his work on the KESQ morning newscast as well as a Golden Mike Award from the Radio and Television News Association.

A longtime devotee of Frank Sinatra – on occasion – Patrick can be spotted at various spots around the Valley crooning a few tunes with local musicians.

Marc Lodovico is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Vicky’s of Santa Fe Restaurant, Bar & Music Lounge. After graduating from Rutgers College with Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Communications for Advertising, he headed straight to New York City for his first job interview.

A marketing, advertising, and promotions executive, Marc spent the first 25 years of his career on Madison Avenue working with clients in the motion picture industry. More than a decade ago, he relocated to the desert and transitioned into a new client category, the hospitality industry.

One constant throughout Marc’s 40-year career has been his involvement with Variety Children’s Charity. At his first agency position, he was assigned to the pro bono account for Variety Children’s Charity of New York, where he immediately connected with the organization’s mission to help children in need. Marc has remained an active member ever since, notably serving as the second President of the Board of Directors of the newly formed Young Variety of New York.

After settling into the desert community, Marc’s strong sense of community led him to serve as an officer on the Boards of Directors for both the Indian Wells Chamber of Commerce and Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week. He joined the Board of Directors of Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert six years ago and previously served as President of the organization.

Stefanie Pagela is an accomplished Human Resources executive with more than two decades of leadership experience across luxury, resor, and full‑service hospitality brands. She currently serves as the Director of Human Resources at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, where she leads a large, diverse HR team and serves as a strategic partner to hotel operations, driving culture, engagement and associate development across the property.

Stefanie’s hospitality career spans renowned brands including Westin, St. Regis, The Phoenician, La Quinta Resort & Club (Waldorf Astoria) and multiple JW Marriott properties, where she has built a reputation for elevating workplace culture, strengthening leadership teams and guiding organizations through growth and transformation.

A lifelong champion of service and community impact, Stefanie has contributed her expertise to several philanthropic and health‑focused organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the American Heart Association, where she previously served in volunteer and leadership capacities. Her commitment to giving back – especially in initiatives that support youth, health advocacy, and community wellness – continues to guide her passion for board service.

Known for her people‑first leadership style, Stefanie is dedicated to fostering inclusive environments where individuals can thrive, grow, and contribute to meaningful shared purpose. She brings to the board a deep commitment to community, a strategic HR perspective, and a genuine passion for enriching the lives of others. With children of her own Stefanie is passionate about supporting our organization’s mission.

Penny Salamida serves as Financial Advisor with Cypress Wealth Services. In her role, Penny participates in a wide range of client responsibilities that include account servicing, relationship management, portfolio review, and financial planning. Penny’s goal is to ensure clients receive thoughtful financial advice as they navigate their financial lives. Penny works in a partnership and has over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry. She began her career in 1994 and was most recently an Executive Client Service Associate with Integrated Wealth Management. Before Integrated Wealth Management, Penny worked at Morgan Stanley. Penny is originally from Florida. She went to college in San Francisco and studied psychology and journalism.

I have the privilege of leading a great group of individuals who as a team deliver an unmatched client experience in the residential and light commercial HVAC, plumbing, and drain cleaning home services in the Coachella Valley. As the President and CEO of General Air Conditioning and Plumbing I am responsible for the continued growth and success of the company, it’s culture and its team members.