(left to right:  Rita DeRama, RJ DeRama, John Chavez, Dean Castro)

(Top Row, left to right:  Rita DeRama, RJ DeRama, John Chavez, Dean Castro

Bottom Row, left to right:  Elizabeth Valenzuela, Agnes Pornela, Kirsten Garwood)

RJ De Rama, Executive Director
RJ De Rama was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma in 1977. Contrary to standard practice at the time, which called for removal of both eyes, he was given aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. He has been in remission since 1977 and had normal visual acuity in his right eye. However, his vision deteriorated from damage caused by the radiation therapy. This radiation retinopathy caused wet macular degeneration and, in 2005, Mr. De Rama had become legally blind.
Prior to his vision loss, Mr. De Rama was a science teacher at Carson High School and then worked for Merck & Co. as a pharmaceutical sales representative.


John Chavez, Director and President
John Chavez works for Seal’s Best Care in Costa Mesa, CA. He is the Vice President of Customer Relations. John has numerous accounts with businesses all over Orange County providing his clients with compressed gasses for medical and commercial use. He is part owner of the company and purchased the company in April 2005. He was also a beach supervisor at Huntington State Beach in the 1980’s.
Mr. Chavez lost his vision as a result of a cardiac arrest in 1984 during surgery to repair a broken ankle. The lack of oxygen to the brain caused his blindness. However, John has overcome his inability to see and has enjoyed success in his professional career.

Dean Castro, Director
Dean Castro currently works as a Sr. Technical Business Analyst for Experian located in Costa Mesa, CA. He has experience spanning many aspects of IT including functional requirements gathering, project management and application development. He is a UC Irvine Alumnus with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. After changing course from a career in Physical Therapy, he has been in the Information Technology industry for the last 7 years. Dean joined the OC Makapo Aquatics Project to put his talents towards what he believes to be a truly good cause. He understands the importance of athletics to promote discipline, physical fitness, and strength of character.

Agnes Pornela, Director and Treasurer
Agnes Pornela, currently a Research Associate for the Capital Group Companies in Los Angeles, CA.  She has many years of experience in the retirement and mutual fund industry.  Graduating from Cal State University Fullerton, Agnes has been in the financial industry, quite extensively.  Agnes has also spread her time amongst the non-profit community, as an intern for Hostelling International USA, as well as a member of the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce.  Agnes is an alumnus of the Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program, a program designed to educate professionals for life-long services in the governance of non-profit organizations.  

Kirsten Garwood, Director and Makapo Canoe Club Coach

Rita De Rama, Secretary
Rita De Rama, the wife of RJ De Rama, is an UC Irvine alumnus, earning a degree in Biological Sciences. She has worked for a medical device company, Irvine Biomedical Inc., a St. Jude Medical company, which designs and manufactures cardiac catheters since 2003. She originally started in the Research and Development department and has transferred to the Clinical Department as a Clinical Research Associate. She has participated as a team member to bring various diagnostic and therapeutic products to the US and International markets. She has also been a successful project manager for several products launched in the US market.
She has been closely linked with the blind community all her life. She grew up and was very close to her cousin, who is legally blind due to glaucoma. She learned how to help him at a very young age, and since her husband is now blind, she fully understands the importance and the need for blind and VI individuals getting involved in team sports.

Elizabeth Valenzuela, Intern
Elizabeth Valenzuela is OCMAP's newest intern. Currently, a student of the Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program.  Elizabeth is a recent graduate of California State University Dominguez Hills, majoring in Liberal Studies. She currently works for the Capital Group Companies as a Retirement Plan Services Representative. Elizabeth provides great insight and strength to the group.

Kaneka Chhim, Intern
Kaneka Chhim is a Senior Business Systems Analyst at The Capital Group Companies in Irvine, CA.  She has worked in the IT field for many years since graduating from UC Irvine with B.S. in Computer Science.  She also received an MBA from Pepperdine University and has experience in management and project management.  Kaneka started working with OC Makapo Aquatics Project as an intern while she was in the Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program (RVLDP).  Upon graduating from RVLDP, she decided to continue working with OC Makapo Aquatics Project to help it expand and grow.  During her free time, she likes to spend time with her dog: hiking, obedience training, and agility training.  She also enjoys traveling.