Mt. Helix Park Foundation
Board of Directors & Staff
Wes Troy
President
2023 - Present
Board Member Since 2020
Wes R. Troy serves as President of the Mt. Helix Park Foundation and brings both professional leadership and personal passion to the role. As General Manager of the La Mesa Lumber Co., he has built a career around serving his employees, customers and the local community. Wes was drawn to the Foundation through a deep appreciation for open space, nature, and the preservation of places that connect people to history and each other. He believes that protecting Mt. Helix Park means protecting something irreplaceable — a landmark that belongs to the community for generations to come. As President, Wes leads with a commitment to volunteerism and stewardship, giving his time so that others can continue to enjoy this cherished piece of San Diego's heritage.
Jeremiah Shultz
VP of Operations
Board Member Since 2021
Jeremiah is a La Mesa native with deep roots in the community and a strong commitment to service and leadership. He has been involved with the Mt. Helix Park Foundation since 2021 and is passionate about preserving and enhancing the park as a place of connection, reflection, and community heritage.
Professionally, Jeremiah is an executive leader with experience leading large organizations within dynamically changing environments by streamlining business processes, implementing cost control measures, and driving operational efficiencies. His experience includes global collaboration with teams in Mexico, Europe, and across the United States, bringing a broad, strategic perspective to complex business environments.
In addition to his corporate role, Jeremiah is the founder of Steadfast Strategies, a consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses navigate growth, transition, and operational challenges. His work includes developing leadership teams, integrating organizations after mergers and acquisitions, building scalable processes, and applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive measurable results.
Jeremiah has also served as a professor since 2021, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in operations, supply chain management, leadership, and production, where he is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders.
He holds an Executive MBA in Global Business from the University of Redlands, an Executive Certificate in Global Leadership from the Thunderbird School of Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University. He also maintains professional certifications in supply chain management, operations, and Six Sigma.
Jeremiah brings a practical, results-driven approach to leadership, grounded in a commitment to stewardship, continuous improvement, and building organizations that last.
Terri Steele
VP of Development
Chair of Development Committee
Board Member Since 2025
Terri Steele serves as Vice President of Development and Chair of the Development Committee for the Mt. Helix Park Foundation, bringing decades of experience in fundraising, strategic partnerships, and community-focused initiatives. Her career reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating lasting impact through thoughtful development work.
At Mt. Helix Park, Terri has played a vital role in advancing key projects, including securing grant funding for the park’s lighting improvements to enhance safety and accessibility during events. Her ability to connect resources, people, and ideas continues to strengthen the Foundation’s mission and long-term sustainability.
Terri is passionate about preserving Mt. Helix Park as a welcoming gathering place for the community and ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Christopher Kilrain
Cheif Financial Officer
Board Member Since 2018
Chris Kilrain is a financial advisor based in San Diego who has been working with individuals, families, and business owners since 2014. He focuses on helping clients make thoughtful, long-term financial decisions through practical, tax-aware planning.
He works with clients to build investment and planning strategies that are disciplined, straightforward, and aligned with long-term goals. Chris emphasizes cutting through noise, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and helping clients stay focused on what actually matters over time.
He earned his degree in Economics from San Diego State University and holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.
Jason Kardos
Secretary
Board Member Since 2019
Jason Kardos is a California real estate broker and founder of Mount Helix Lifestyles Real Estate Services, specializing in residential sales, investment properties, and rental portfolio management throughout San Diego County. With a background rooted in hands-on experience from a young age, Jason has built a reputation for strategic guidance, strong negotiation skills, and client-focused service across a wide range of transactions, including trusts, probate, and complex sales.
He earned his real estate license in 2001 and later his broker’s license, going on to establish his own brokerage serving East County communities. Jason holds degrees from Cuyamaca College, the University of Phoenix, and Alliant International University.
A longtime supporter of Mt. Helix Park, Jason serves on the board of the Mt. Helix Park Foundation as Secretary. His connection to the park began in childhood and continues through his commitment to preserving this cherished community space.
Members at Large
Bob Ball
Past President
Instrumental in Establishing the Foundation
Founding Board Member 1999
Bob is a founding member of the Foundation and was intricately involved in the original efforts to Save the Cross and end the years of litigation that sought not only to bring the Cross down, but also to end live theatre and events in the Park. Bob left his community service with GMIA to help wage that battle and formed the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mount Helix Nature Theatre in 1997. He has been on the board ever since, sharing his experiences and views of the past while offering ideas for the future growth of the Park with current board members.
Bob has been a past member of several community boards and is also proud of helping bring turf grass fields to many of our local elementary and middle schools for youth soccer and baseball. Bob also worked many days and late nights with his son Cameron, helping him attain one of his dreams: building and operating a craft brewery, known today as Helix Brewing Company here in La Mesa. Bob says to stop by for a great tasting beer anytime!
Bob is a former attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in San Francisco and is currently in private practice in downtown San Diego, with a focus on civil business matters, high-stakes tort litigation, and business formation and transaction work.
Bob and his wife, a longtime former Nurse Practitioner at SDSU, have lived in the Mt. Helix community for over 40 years and have raised four children who have gone on to successful professional careers in teaching, engineering, firefighting/paramedicine, law, and real estate investment. Bob and Debbie are also very proud grandparents and always hope for more little ones running around!
Steve Clay
Board Member Since 2019
My family has been in La Mesa since the early 1920s. My grandfather and grandmother attended the opening day of Mount Helix and continued to come for Easter Sundays afterward. I’m pretty sure their photo is in your office from opening day at the theater.
We have strong ties to the City of La Mesa and Mount Helix, as everyone in my family was born and raised here and spent many years attending Easter services at the park. I have owned a business in La Mesa for the past 25 years.
I would like to see Mount Helix continue for my grandchildren, which is why I serve on the Board, to help ensure the cross and the park remain for many years to come.
I attended elementary school, high school, and college in La Mesa and San Diego. My grandfather started the symphony in 1920, and I believe he played the cello in a quartet for the opening day at Mount Helix. I remember hearing stories about it at dinner when I was a young boy.
Bruce McIntyre
Chair of Habitat Committee
Board Member Since 2023
Bruce has served on the Foundation’s Board since 2023. As a retired environmental planner with a degree in biology, Bruce applies his education and his passion for the natural environment to maintaining the native habitats in the Park. He is also Chair of the Foundation’s Habitat Committee.
Chris Naire
Board Member Since 2022
Chris Naire has been supporting the Park as both a donor and a committed volunteer since 2016. Serving as the Music Chair for the annual gala/fundraiser and later on the Development Committee. Chris is a Mt. Helix resident and has served on the board since 2022.
The husband of 40 years and father of two came to San Diego in 1973 from India. He has served on boards for Fern Street Circus, CALSEIA, a San Diego-based solar organization, as well as on the Del Mar Heights Homeowners Association. In addition to being a commercial real estate broker and the principal for a residential mortgage company, he was part owner of a solar company.
Alice W. Smith
Yawkey Family Descendant
Founding Board Member 1999
I've retired from all my board memberships except for Mt. Helix and as secretary of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. I currently reside in a CCRC community in Sarasota, Florida, with my husband, and I hope to continue spending summers in Wisconsin.
Essentially, I've seen my Mt. Helix board duties as liaison between the interested Yawkey family members, helping to raise funds, and making sure the Foundation upholds the terms and preserves the integrity of the original Trust agreement establishing Mt. Helix Park. I've been on the board in this capacity since the 1990's.
Julie Mills-Brennan
Board Member Since 2024
Julie “Jewels” Mills-Brennan joined the Board in 2024 after years of dedicated volunteer service with the Foundation and now also serves on the Development Committee. Having lived in San Diego almost her entire life, she is a proud SDSU graduate with a degree in Business and a minor in Psychology. A mom of three, devoted dog lover, and full time Realtor in San Diego for 33 years, Julie loves helping people in all aspects of life. As a Mt. Helix resident who spends a great deal of time at the park, she is excited to help make it even better and continue strengthening the community she cares so deeply about.
Tracy Giordano
Board Member Since 2024
Tracy Giordano is a fourth-generation San Diegan, born and raised in La Mesa, with deep roots and a lifelong commitment to the community. Volunteering is a passion for Tracy, and she believes in giving back to the places that have shaped her life.
In 2024, Tracy joined the board of the Mt. Helix Park Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Mt. Helix Park, a registered California Point of Historical Interest. As a child, she spent countless hours climbing the amphitheater’s stone steps and admiring the iconic cross, making the preservation of this landmark especially meaningful to her.
Tracy also serves on several local boards and supports numerous community organizations and schools throughout La Mesa. Professionally, she is a REALTOR® specializing in residential and commercial real estate, bringing a relationship-driven approach to both her work and her community involvement.
Joe Forehand
Chair of Facilities Committee
Board Member Since 2025
Joe moved from Alabama to San Diego in 1980 and has lived on Mt Helix since 1990. Over his working career Joe was in senior management in Operations or Engineering for 7 medical device companies. His primary focus in each of these companies was product development and manufacturing transition. He is now retired and currently chairs the Facilities Committee for the Park and is spearheading several exciting projects.
Morgan West
Board Member Since 2025
Morgan West is an east county-based business professional with expertise in real estate and building meaningful partnerships. A longtime visitor to Mt. Helix Park and proud East County resident, he joined the Foundation's board to invest in the community he and his family call home. He brings a strong network and a hands-on approach to helping the Foundation grow by connecting people, resources, and opportunities in service of preserving this landmark for generations to come. Morgan lives in Fletcher Hills with his high school sweetheart and two sons, you can catch him at a baseball field or outdoors on the weekends.
Staff
Krista Powers
Executive Director
Former Board Member
Krista Bishop Powers grew up in the Mt. Helix area of San Diego County. She attended Whittier College, where she played water polo, studied abroad in Copenhagen, and later earned an MBA in Global Business from the University of Redlands, with additional study at Cambridge University and Birmingham. She holds several media certifications from SDSU and continues to moonlight as an adjunct professor.
Krista spent the first decade of her career helping brands connect with 13–25 year olds, creating lifelong brand loyalty. She worked with large destination events, unique brand experiences and activations, festivals, food and beverage, multinational tech start-ups, product marketing, and music licensing. Over time, she shifted into executive leadership, focusing on organizational culture, startups, and building companies for growth or acquisition.
After 20 years, Krista returned to Mt. Helix to raise her family and support her parents. She became involved in local nonprofit boards, including the Mt. Helix Park Foundation. In 2019, the Foundation needed a new Executive Director, and Krista was encouraged to step off the board and into the role, wanting to reduce work travel and be present for her kids. She is committed to upholding the Yawkey Family Trust, preserving the park as a free, thriving community space for future generations and local wildlife.
Mary Kirk
Event and Development Coordinator
Mary Kirk is a San Diego native and serves as the Event and Development Coordinator for the Mt. Helix Park Foundation, joining the team in 2023. She earned two associate degrees from Grossmont College in History and University Studies in Humanities and Fine Arts, and went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in History from San Diego State University. She also holds a Professional Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning from San Diego State.
Before joining the Foundation, Mary taught art classes at Mt. Helix Park for 10 years, building a strong connection to the space and its community. She has a passion for history, the arts, and event planning, and loves bringing people together to experience the beauty of this historic amphitheater.
Mary’s love of history and the arts comes together in her role, giving her a deep appreciation for the park and the community it serves.
Cheryl Lengyel
Bookkeeper
I'm an experienced bookkeeping professional with more than 30 years of real-world business and financial management experience. My foundation in bookkeeping was built through owning and operating two successful businesses: Four Seasons Ag Covering for 18 years and The Party Connection for 15 years.
Running my own companies gave me firsthand insight into cash flow management, payroll, expense tracking, budgeting, and financial reporting. For the past 15 years, I have applied that experience as an independent bookkeeper, supporting businesses with accurate financial records, organized systems, and dependable reporting.
I understand what business owners need because I’ve been in their position. My approach is practical, detail-oriented, and focused on helping clients maintain clarity and confidence in their finances.
