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Welcome to the Travis Ranch Career Day Registration Page.  Career Day at Travis Ranch is a way to provide our middle school students the opportunity to learn about different careers across various industries and disciplines.  The day is designed to help you make connections between educational studies, career options, and your own interests and strengths.

Registration is as easy as 1-2-3

Step 1: Explore the speakers below based on your career interest.  You can expand each industry list by clicking on the + sign.

Step 2: Select up to four (4) speakers you’d like to see by clicking on the drop-down arrow and selecting the speaker of your choice.  Note: Students MUST select a speaker for all four (4) sessions.

Step 3: Complete your registration by filling in your student information and confirming your speaker choices.

STEP 1: Find a Speaker
Dr. Rajeev Prasher, DDS- Dentist

Private practice owner at Angel Ranch Dentistry in Yorba Linda

Graduate of the University of Michigan

Cosmetic and Family Dentist

Zack Devore- Owner of FALCO Dog Training OC
Ryan Carlos - Firefighter - OC Fire Department

Ryan Carlos is an Apparatus Operator with his paramedic license for Los Angeles City Fire Department. He is stationed at Station 92 in Century City, which is close to several Hollywood studios and UCLA. He has been a firefighter for 18 years.

Spencer Block- Police Officer Anaheim PD.

I work basic patrol for the city of Anaheim. I am currently assigned to graveyards (night shift). I respond to calls for service and proactively try and find bad guys.

Elysse Salumbides – Director of Quality Systems for Hearthside Food Solutions

Graduate of PYLUSD (Bryant Ranch, Bernardo YM & Esperanza C/O 2002)

UC Irvine – School of Biological Sciences

Over 18 years experience in food manufacturing covering tofu, soymilk, yogurt, salads, sandwiches, cheese, breakfast food, cereal, bars, candy, lunchables, oreos and girl scout cookies.

Jess Battaglia- Senior Director of Sales- Grocery West at Eagle Foods
Simone LaCompte- Fitness Coach

Simone LeCompte is a small business owner in Yorba Linda. She owns a high tech gym that helps people get healthy in their 40s and older.She is passionate about helping people live their best lives! Simone is also a mom to 2 boys, Mark and Max.

Kim Derrick- Director of Employee Benefits County of Orange

Kim Derrick has a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton and has been a part of the Employee Benefits team at the County of Orange for the last ten years and is currently the Director of Employee Benefits. Employee Benefits administers and manages benefits, services, and programs to meet the physical, emotional, and financial health and wellness needs of employees, retirees, and their dependents.

Prior to assuming her current role, she was Senior Program Manager over the Benefits’ Program and Contracts team in addition to being the Wellness Program Manager since the program’s formal inception in 2014. During this time, she oversaw the implementation the County’s wellness program which included the creation of the County Wellness Center and Fitness Center.

Before joining Employee Benefits, Kim worked for County’s Health Care Agency, in contract management and development, managing over $20 million dollars in mental health contracts. Prior to joining the County; she had over 10 years of experience working in the healthcare and aerospace industries in workforce development and human resources.

Heather Timmins- Investigator OCSD

I have been with Orange County Sheriff’s Department for 17 years. I am the Senior Investigator for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. I’m also a Task Force Officer with Homeland Security. I run undercover chat operations. I investigate the numerous cases that are going on. I investigate online crimes and create fake profiles to arrest child predators.

Kristy Velasco- School Psychologist- Orange County Public Schools
Laura Brenes - Freelance Musician (horn)

Laura Brenes lives a life full of music. She studied with the legendary Vince DeRosa while obtaining her master’s degree at the University of Southern California. While still in school, she began performing with local orchestras and various ensembles. She has been able to perform in numerous diverse musical situations. Some highlights include being a part of the orchestra for the academy awards, touring the world with groups including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and performing concerts with Danny Elfman at the Coachella music festival. Over the years, the majority of her work has been in the recording studio where she has been able to perform with such legends as Kamasi Washington, Alexandre Desalt, Blake Neely, John Debney, and many more. Laura has been solo principal horn for many projects including John Williams’ series “Obi Wan (2022).” She released a solo album in 2015 entitled “a Time and a Place” which can be found on all platforms.

Julio Palacios and Nancy Shean- YL Parks and Recreation Department

The Recreation Division’s primary responsibilities include the development and leadership of a variety of recreational programs and family events to serve the Yorba Linda community, management of public rentals of community rooms and park shelters, provision of community volunteer opportunities, and improvement of the overall quality of life for all participating members.

Julio Palacios-Recreation Supervisor

Graduated from California State University Long Beach with a degree in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Management of Administration of Nonprofit and Volunteer Services and an emphasis in Campus Recreation and Student Services. Has been in the recreation profession for over 18 years serving in many capacities ranging from youth sports, teen programs, adult sports, senior programs, contract class programming and event planning. Currently, provides oversight supervision at the Travis Ranch Activity Center.

Nancy Shean- Recreation Coordinator

Graduate of El Dorado High School, class of 2011. Attended Santiago Canyon College and received three AA degrees in Psychology, Sociology and Behavioral Sciences, and Humanities. Graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelors in Psychology. Started with the City of Yorba Linda as a Recreation Leader, Senior Recreation Leader, Recreation Specialist and has now become a Recreation Coordinator. Has worked with facility rentals, senior programs, event planning, contract classes, and in house programming.

Esther Kim- Photographer

Esther Kim is an award-winning and internationally published commercial and portrait photographer. As a commercial photographer, she has worked for many popular fashion designers and brands including Dollcake, Itty Bitty Toes, The Carriage House, Liv & Stella, and Designer Daddy. Her styling and décor work has led to her becoming partnered with Bloom, Inc. and Williams Sonoma. Esther also has over 10 years of experience in working with newborn, maternity, and family portrait clients.

Aside from photography, Esther is an experienced educator with a Minor in Art and a B.A. in History from UCLA, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from CSUN, and three California Single Subject credentials in the areas of Art, Social Science, and General Science. Esther was the recipient of the Outstanding Student Teacher Award in her credential program and has also won 1st place for her Master’s Thesis on the use of Video Technology in Curriculum & Instruction.

Dave Leiter- JetBlue Pilot

I am avid aviator and have been given the opportunity to live out my aviation dreams. Flying is my passion and now I do it for a living. Currently, I am a Commercial Pilot and First Officer at JetBlue Airlines. I fly the Airbus A-320/321 which can carry as many as 200 passengers and weighs as much as 200,000 pounds. Prior to joining the airline, I was Captain of a Cessna 208 Caravan, for Catalina Flying Boats, flying cargo across the channel from Long Beach Airport.  After two years with the company, I accumulated over 1000 landings on Catalina Island. My experience has also given me the chance to become a certified flight instructor, earn an ATP and type ratings for several different corporate jets including the Falcon 50/900, Citation 650, and the Gulfstream G100. I had the opportunity to fly corporate jets all across the country. Along with my flying experience I have managed a hangar with a variety of jet, turboprop and piston aircraft. Prior to flying I worked in aviation marketing, helping customers advertise and sell their aircraft.

I have been in the aviation industry for the past 19 years and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Regina Hu and Jevee Tagarao- YL Public Works and Engineering Departments

Public Works and Engineering Department.  We are Civil Engineers specializing in Transportation, Land Development, Structures & Water Quality, as well as city Engineering.

Frank Stefano- Owner of Stefano’s Restaurant in Yorba Linda
Brad Holman- Founding partner of Liberated Brands (Volcom, Billabong, Spyder, RVCA, Captain Fin, Honolua, Quiksilver and Roxy) and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Liberated Brands is an apparel company that operates the Volcom, Billabong, Spyder, RVCA, Captain Fin, Honolua, Quiksilver and Roxy brands with over $1 billion in Revenue in over 60 countries.

Brad oversees all operational aspects of Liberated Brands including production, development, sourcing, compliance, distribution, logistics information technology, legal, planning and strategy for the global organization.

Previous to his role as COO, Brad was the Chief Financial Officer(CFO) at Volcom and previously a regional CFO at Quiksilver, Inc.  Prior to Brad’s 20 years experience in the action sports apparel industry, he spent 6 years as an audit manager at Deloitte, an international accounting firm.  Brad is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and has a bachelors degree in accounting from Brigham Young University.

Don Aase- Major League Baseball Player

American former professional baseball pitcher who played in the MLB from 1977-1990. He played for the Angels, Dodgers, Orieles, Red Sox, and Mets. He has a career 641 strike outs.

Dr. Kate Moore- Exotic Pets Veterinarian

Dr. Kate Moore originated from Clinton Township, MI where she cultivated a love of all creatures.  She graduated from Adrian College in 2011 with her Bachelor’s degrees in English and Biology.  She earned her acceptance into Western University of Health Science’s veterinary medicine program, and graduated in 2015.  She fell in love with the climate of Southern California and has spent the past years working in several small animal clinics with all kinds of animals, including exotics!  She continued her education and studied acupuncture and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine at The Chi Institute.  After working in a traditional brick and mortar practice, she realized the potential benefits of following an alternative path, as a mobile veterinarian.  In 2022, she opened Good Vibes Mobile Veterinary Services in order to provide in home veterinary care. In her free time, she enjoys making frequent trips to Disneyland, spending Sundays watching football, sewing, and taking her two rescue chihuahuas to the beach.  She’s also fortunate to have two beautiful nieces with whom she plays vet.

  • STEP 2: Add Your Speaker To a Session
    Add a speaker to each session by using the drop-down arrows and selecting the speaker of your choice.
    Remember you MUST select a speaker for all four (4) sessions to complete your registration.

    Note: you may change your speaker selection anytime prior to completing your registration.
  • STEP 3: Enter Your Student Information

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