LEADERSHIP

FOUNDERS

  • DICK METZ

    FOUNDER

    Dick Metz contributed the vision, initial funding, and first objects to the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center. Central to the mission, he has since donated his estate which includes his extensive surfboard collection and great variety of surf memorabilia to the museum. Dick, who grew up in Laguna Beach in the company of such notables as Hobie Alter, Reynolds Yater, and Hevs McClelland, is himself a pioneering figure in the sport and its industry having served as the driving force behind Surfline Hawaii and the Hobie Sports retail chain. He enjoyed his youth as a traveling surfer who cross-pollinated a fledgling South African surf scene with the thriving surf culture in California alongside Hobie Alter and Gordon Clark, and it was Dick who suggested to Bruce Brown that he film for The Endless Summer in South Africa. After changing the course of surf history, his goal is now to preserve it.

  • SPENCER CROUL

    CO-FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER

    Spencer Croul grew up surfing in Newport Beach, California in the early 1970s, bicycling to the beach with surfboard in tow. A San Diego State University graduate in Recreation Administration Management, he earned his Associate of Arts degree at Orange Coast College after graduating from Newport Harbor High School in 1974. He worked 15 years in the private sector as a foam packaging designer and later in the family paint manufacturing business before finding and pursuing his passion as a surf culture preservationist. He has amassed his own private collection of historical surfing artifacts, and brings not only his collection of objects to SHACC but also his vast knowledge of contemporary surfing collectibles and history. Presently residing in Newport Beach, California with his wife Susan, Spencer enjoys spending time with his family and continues to surf whenever possible.

FOUNDING PARTNERS

Fernando Aguerre • Hobie Alter • Nick & Terri Bacica • Dick & Una Baker • Larry & Louise Balma • Bob Baugher • Jim & Linda Biram • The Bill Blackburn Family • The Brewer Family • Bruce Brown • The Cachia Family • Jon Checkie • Mark Christy • Ed Clapp • Bing Copeland • William Crawford • Donnie Crevier • Jack Croul • Brad Croul • Gary Dapelo • The Greg Dillion Family • “Ron Jon” Dimenna • Joe & Ellie Dunn • Howard Ecker • The Engh Family • Keith & Chris Eshelman • Bob Estes • The Etherton Family • Mike Feder • Mike Fox • The Mark Fragale Family • Randy French • Mike Gerard • Robert & Robin Gerard • Sam & Teresa Gornto • Louis Graziadio • Don Hansen • Jeffery Harris • The George Hawn Family • David Heath • Randy & Debbie Hild • Flippy Hoffman • Walter Hoffman • Thomas Holbrook • Rob Insinger • John Insinger • Mark Kehke • Wing Lam • Cecil & Mary Lou Lear • Chris Lee • Jay “Sparky” Longely • Pat Magee • Mike Mann • The Bob Mardian Family • Tony & Carrol Mardian • Mike & Sharon Marshall • Takuji Masuda • John & Robby Mazza • Judy “Jams” McGill • Bob McKnight • Gordon & Lisa Michie • Richard & Vicki Mobley • Dickie Moon • Denny Moore • Bev Morgan • Paul Naude • Greg Newman • Rich Novak • David Olan • The Pat O’Neill Family • The Orbelian Family • The Tom Peck Family • Steve & Debee Pezman • Dan Pincetich • Davie Reese • Mahi & Robert Riley • Thomas & Carrie Rolfes • Peter Rothschild • Jeff Sangster • The Sandy Saxten Family • Wayne Schafer • Ernie Schneider • Ron & Lona Sharp • Doug Simpson • Ralph Simmonds • Earl Smith • Griff Snyder • Larry Stone • Joe Tabler • The Thibaut Family • Bill & Peggy Thrailkill • George & Nina Trosset • Joe Twombly • Butch VanArtsdalen • Dale Velzy • Hank Weeks • Michael Whitaker • The Duffy Whitmer Family • Charles Wilson • Renny Yater

BOARD MEMBERS

  • JEFF ALTER

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & BOARD MEMBER

    Jeff inherited a watersports Legacy of surfing and sailing from his father, industry icon Hobie Alter. A lifelong surfer, he grew up surfing in San Clemente, San Onofre, Beach Road, and Baja. In addition to surfing, Jeff has held many national titles in sailing. He is the former Executive Director of the International Hobie Class Association, the former president of Hobie Designs, overseeing brand licensing, and the former president of Hobie Surfboards, overseeing surfboard, and watercraft, innovation and manufacturing. Jeff currently serves on the International Hobie Class Association Council and Rules Committee.

  • MARK CHRISTY

    BOARD CO-CHAIR

    A lifelong Laguna Beach resident, Mark has been the president and owner of Hobie Sports since 1996, pushing the brand to its current status as a universally recognized leader in surf, lifestyle, and specialty retail. In addition to his work with Hobie, he is a managing partner at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, transforming the property into an internationally awarded luxury resort. Before joining the board, Mark was a founding partner at SHACC.

  • PAUL NAUDÉ

    BOARD CO-CHAIR

    Paul is a dedicated surfer with the 50-year career in the surfing industry. Currently the CEO of Stokehouse Unlimited, he is a former leader at Gotcha, Billabong, and the founder of Vissla. he has also held significant roles in the Surf Industry and Manufactures Association (SIMA) for the past 25 years, including serving as President. Before joining the board, Paul was a founding partner at SHACC. In his free time, he continues to surf and build boards in his Laguna Beach workshop.

  • SPENCER CROUL

    BOARD MEMBER

    Spencer is the co-founder of the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and has served as a board member since its inception, including holding the roles of chair and co-chair over his tenure. A lifelong surfer and water sports enthusiast, Spencer is a passionate surf culture preservationist and avid collector of surfing artifacts. he also serves as the General Manager of properties and employees for his family business interests.

  • PATTI PANICCIA

    BOARD MEMBER

    Both a surfer and contest organizer, Patti co-launched IPS, the first World Pro surfing tour in 1976, running the women’s division. She surfed on the first pro tour and consistently ranked in the top ten women in the 1970s. Patti remains an avid surfer and often speaks at women’s athletic events today. She is a former CNN correspondent and has been an adjunct law professor at Pepperdine Law School since 1987. She is also a Los Angeles County Commissioner.

  • GREG MACGILLIVRAY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Greg is an award-winning film director with over 40 years of experience. A pioneer in IMAX documentary filmmaking, he has directed over 50 films and garnered two Academy Award nominations over the course of his career. Greg is also well-known in the surf world for co-directing the classic surf documentary Five Summer Stories. His innovations have advanced the Giant Screen Theater industry greatly and he is renowned for his work in both surf films and mainstream cinema.

  • RANDY HILD

    BOARD MEMBER

    A veteran of the action sports industry, Randy has over 40 years of experience developing surf retail. He is the former EVP at Quicksilver and was instrumental in building the Roxy brand into a global powerhouse. He is currently a partner at the Funstrs creative agency, working with major brands like Ralph Lauren, Jose Cuervo, and the World Surf League.  Before joining the board, Randy was a founding partner at SHACC.

  • DAN MCINERNY

    BOARD MEMBER

    With over 40 years in the surf industry, Dan is a founding partner of the footwear brand Olukai. He previously held leadership roles at Quicksilver and Roxy. Dan is also the Executive Director at AMA Olukai Foundation, which is active in environmental efforts and supporting Hawaiian communities, particularly after the Lahaina fires in 2023.

  • ROYCE CANSLER

    BOARD MEMBER

    Royce has 58 years of experience as a surfer and businessman the surf industry, Playing key roles at Gotcha, Billabong, Bing Surfboards, and Rusty. he is known for his strategic leadership in sales, marketing, and surf shop relations. Royce is currently the Global Sales Manager at Bing Surfboards.

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS

Bill Blackburn • Steve Pezman • Jay “Sparky” Longley

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Gerry Lopez • Shaun Tomson • Randy Rarick • Linda Benson • Fred Hemmings • Greg Loehr • Betsy Gordon • Carlos Amezcua

COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE

Spencer Croul • Patti Paniccia • Randy Rarick • Matt Warshaw