President 2011-2012 - Sydne McMahon

Profile written by Wayne Mostecky, SDGC Secretary

What do you think of when you hear the word Sydney? Perhaps, as do so many, the wonder down under that is the beautiful Australian capital city might come to mind. But when members of the San Diego Gator Club hear it, chances are that thoughts turn to Sydne McMahon, who spells her name just a bit differently, and currently serves as our President-Elect to Mr. Mike Bordon.

And trying to closely follow along as you listened to Sydne tell her life story, would be as difficult as trying to follow along as you kept your eye on one of those marsupials that bounces around that city of the same name—the one she describes as her favorite place in the world. After being born to a native New Yorker mom and an Australian-born dad who moved to Manhattan after meeting her mom while he was working there, Sydne’s journey has been one of N.Y. baby Gator smiles, to young lady Gator frequent flyer miles.

Sydne moved to Stuart, Florida at the age of 11 from her birthplace of Glen Cove, NY, only to move again, this time to California at age 16, transferring from Martin County High School (FL) to South Pasadena High School in Los Angeles. Her time spent in Florida was special enough to leave a lasting impression, however, one that would ultimately lure her back to an education and experience that only a Florida Gator can appreciate. Though she considered attending some California Universities, she chose the community college route so she could transfer to Florida, where “the rest,” you might say, “is History.”

Yes, Sydne’s History degree somehow took off and landed her in her current job as an IT Project Manager for a San Diego insurance company. In 2006 she decided to come and check out a viewing party at Players, where she was greeted by then officer Ed Tennant, who introduced to her now close friend and game-day buddy, Marlene Pearah.

“Some of my closest friendships have been formed because of the San Diego Gator Club,” said Sydne. “I can't imagine spending my Saturday's in the fall anywhere else. I'd love to see our club grow with more active Gators and plan events that are not sports focused.”

Whether going for runs along the coast, hanging out with friends, shopping, attending concerts or sporting events, or just dreaming of a gorgeous Sydney afternoon, Sydne McMahon loves San Diego, loves the Gator Club, and would love to meet you at our next SDGC event!

Webmaster - Marshall Spevak

Profile written by Wayne Mostecky, SDGC Secretary

This terrific looking website you are viewing is made possible by our very own top-notch Webmaster, Marshall Spevak. Marshall designed our site, easily one of the nicest sites of any local Gator Club in the world, from scratch, using suggestions and input from many of our local club leaders and his own creative imagination. He works diligently to maintain the site with updated details regarding schedules, scores, photos, and other pertinent event information on a very timely basis. He also continuously upgrades and improves the site to include an ever increasing plethora of useful and entertaining material. And as he meets the needs, wants, and deadlines of various club officers, he must balance his efforts to effectively manage his own business and personal affairs. Marshall is currently an Associate Publisher at Elsevier Public Safety Publications. He earned his Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences at UF in 1982, after attending Wolfson Senior High School in Jacksonville, FL.

Marshall also enjoys, when he manages to tear himself away from his computer screen, photography, surfing, travel, his daugther, Annika and his two rescued greyhounds, Gia and Bentley. He celebrated his ten year anniversary last October with his wife Liz, whom he married on a day that the Gators beat Auburn 24-10 in 1997! So if you see Marshall or his lovely wife enjoying a game at Players or any other Gator Club event, say hello to them and let him know how much the SDGC appreciates what a great face his work has put on our great club!

Academic Affairs VP - Peggy Poulsen

Profile written by Wayne Mostecky, SDGC Secretary

As the Club's VP of Academic Affairs Peggy primarily focuses on its academic scholarship funds, which now include one in memory or our recently departed and beloved member, Monty Pearah. Our Club, as with all of the Clubs in Region 8 (west of the Mississippi River), is striving to take a more pro-active role in raising more funds for needy, worthy Gator students. "We have a wonderful and strong social component (in our Club), and I would like to strengthen the academic support side," Peggy said of her role within our organization.

Peggy is a Gator true and through. Although she was born in New York City ("New York City?!"), she attended Ft. Lauderdale High School before attending, and then earning a BA in Political Science from, UF in 1970. She presently owns a graphic design company in Mission Hills and lives in Poway. When not involved in Club activities or running her company, she enjoys reading, gardening, volunteering, and watching all kinds of college sports.

Peggy has other loves as well, namely her converted "Great Gator Mater" hubby Bob, actually a U of Maine alum and local attorney, and her daughter Rachel, who works at the San Diego Zoo. She also loves cats (don't Gators eat cats?)... all cats, really, but particularly her very own fat cat named Fudge. Gator Nation will only survive and thrive with a healthy crop of future Gators, and programs like local Gator Club scholarship funds can only help that long term objective. So when you see Peggy, be sure to thank her for the efforts she makes to raise money so UF will continue to be an option for all deserving students!

Profile written by Wayne Mostecky, SDGC Secretary

"Who's that man sitting at the corner table by himself?," I am often asked. "If I had buck each time a new member asked me that I could eat the Players buffet for free each week!" (-SDGC Officer Wayne Mostecky)

Well, that man is Ken Wilder, the Club Music Coordinator, or as he prefers, simply "The Music Man." And he's not as alone as he may appear to be. He sits with his passion. He sits with his spirit. He sits with his sound system. He loves it. And he's not always physically alone, either. He brings his grandchildren to the Club, and many veteran members stop by during the course of a viewing party to say hello to Ken. He is a former UF Marching Band member. He is a former SDGC President. These qualifications bring with them the unique ability for Ken to infuse a special atmosphere of Gator pride, Gator spirit, and Gator glory to our events. He knows what songs to play, and when. He knows what cheers to start, and when. Without Ken, Saturdays at the West Coast Swamp would certainly not be the same.

At-large Director - Devin Lebrun

Profile written by Wayne Mostecky, SDGC Secretary

In June 2008, Devin completed his second consecutive term as President of the San Diego Gator Club, and had previously spent one year as President Elect under then President Ed Tennant. As our President, Devin coordinated activities of officers and volunteers, and was the club liaison with the University of Florida Alumni Association. Among his duties and goals were to increase club attendance, diversity, and UFAA memberships. Devin’s goal was to create a fun, open, and exciting atmosphere so Gators could feel at home in the "West Coast Swamp." He did a great job of that, as attendance reached an all-time high for both football and basketball viewing parties during his time as President.

Devin is from Tampa, FL, and earned his UF Electrical Engineering BS degree in 2001, and his MS in 2003. He currently works as a Medical Device Engineer and lives in Pacific Beach with his wife of three years, Linnea, and his dog Mukana. When asked what he likes to do to relax when he's not staying fit and active by participating in individual and team sports and activities, Devin just said, "I dream big dreams!"

Devin will now serve as one of the club’s three Directors At Large. When you see Devin around at a Club event, be sure to thank him for all he has done to make our great Club run as smoothly as it has. Let him know how much we all appreciate his stepping up and serving as President Elect and/or President for three straight years!

At-large Director, Bena Leslie

Profile written by Wayne Mostecky, SDGC Secretary

After attending Nova High School in Davie, FL, Bena earned her BA in Business Administration from UF in 2003. These days, she is putting her degree to work as a Business Manager for I.O. Environmental and Infrastructer, an environmental consulting firm. In addition, she still utilizes her "Girl Friday" attributes by working as a property manager, and by stepping in as a teacher or assistant when necessary. Bena is single, and lives in the amazing community of Normal Heights, a place where she says there is still the feel of "everybody knows your name."

"Every year I get more and more involved with UF and football," Bena said. "Seems like graduating was just the beginning of my fun college experience!"

So if you can't join her for happy hour, be sure to at least say hello to her at the next club event, and thank her for all she has done. Thank you, Bena!

At-Large-Director, Mike Bordon

Mike grew up in Miami Beach as a brainwashed Seminole fan, thanks to his older brother, an alum of the rival university. At the end of high school he fought off the hypnosis and made the logical choice to attend the University of Florida. While a student, the Gators racked up THREE national championships, which made leaving that much more difficult after graduating in 2007 with a degree in Computer Engineering. After a year in Melbourne (Florida, not Australia), Mike moved to beautiful San Diego, where he now enjoys Gator Chomping strangers and living life to the fullest. His other passions include Padres baseball, Chargers football, happy hours, good music, cheap chicken wings, and NASCAR (yes, NASCAR).

Mike has been involved in the Gator Club for as long as he's lived in San Diego. He assumed the role of Young Alumni Coordinator midway through the 2008 football season, and now takes on the title of President for 2010-2011.

You can catch Mike at almost every Gator Club event, and he is always looking forward to meeting new Gators. If you see him around, introduce yourself, buy him a beer, throw in your ideas for club events, buy him a shot, or any combination of the above. If you don't see him around, then say "hi" on Facebook, and start coming to more events!

Director of Outreach - Kathlene Stakley

Kathlene puts her full-time career as an Event Coordinator to good use at the San Diego Gator Club. As the Director of Outreach for the San Diego Gator Club, Kathlene focuses on coordinating local events with distinguished UF professors and alumni when they are in town. She also helps coordinate other events for the club, mainly the annual baseball game with the Padres!

Kathlene was born and raised in Naples, Florida by die hard Seminole Fans (her father is a graduate of FSU). However, when it came time to choose a college, she chose to leave her past behind and commit to being a Florida Gator and she has never looked back. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration and German (yes, German!) from UF in 2005. Most of her free time in college was spent working at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, which is where she developed her love of coordinating events. Kathlene now works full-time for Viejas Arena on San Diego State University’s campus.

She lives in Rancho Bernardo with her husband, Will, two year old daughter Madison, and their dog Kadi. In her free-time, she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, eating exotic food and running. Kathlene and her family can be seen at most Gator Club events supporting their favorite teams.

Merchandise Coordinator - Mandy Tennant

Amanda, or Mandy to her Orange and Blue network, has never attended University of Florida. She hasn't even lived in the great Sunshine State. What she does have is a love for UF, and a rabid fascination with Gator Sports! She is also a Life member of University of Florida Alumni Association. Now...not being an alumni but having membership...Life Membership, at that...I'd say that the rest of you Alumni who aren't members need to be ashamed of yourselves! She loves to travel to Gainseville for Alumni events, Women's Clinic in June, and to any Gator game, anywhere.

Mandy has been an Officer for SDGC off and on for eight years, in many different roles. When not serving as an Officer, she is behind the scenes volunteering for events, viewing parties, and helps in any other way she is needed. This is Mandy's second year as Merchandise Coordinator, and she will be responsible for custom ordering and inventory control.

Because she lives over an hour North of San Diego, Mandy may not be at every viewing party, so be sure to say hello and let her know of any ideas or requests you may have when you do see her! As an single, full-time working mother of three (one at home,) Mandy is extremely busy juggling day to day adventures! (Sorry guys, she's happily dating someone!) But always has time for the Gator Nation.

Merchandise Co-Chair - Bob Poulsen

Bob, a University of Maine grad, is a converted Gator through his wife, Peggy, the Gator Club VP for Academic Affairs and took this position with the club because he already has a closet full of Gator polo shirts, sweatshirts and hats. A former college sports information director and sportswriter/photographer, he is now a staff attorney for the San Diego Superior Court. His love of college football is also fulfilled as a “Red Coat” committee member for both the San Diego Holiday Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl and this year is chairman of the Holiday Bowl Kickoff Luncheon.

It will be fun to help provide loyal San Diego Gator fans with the latest and most fashionable Gator gear for the upcoming season!