
Ray Pearson, Chairman

Brian Colby,
Brian is a Real Estate Professional with Sand & Sea Investments and is an advocate for the Carlsbad community in many ways. In addition serving on the board of the Carlsbad Fire Department Foundation, Brian also serves on the board of directors for the Carlsbad Boys and Girls Club, is an active member with Carlsbad Hi-Noon Rotary, and is an appointed commissioner on the City of Carlsbad Beach Preservation Commission. Brian has been married to his high school sweetheart Becky for 16 years and they raise 4 children together in the Poinsettia neighborhood in Carlsbad. Before dedicating his career to Real Estate with his brothers in 2014, Brian spent over 10 years traveling the county as an executive in the medical device industry with various companies from start-ups to large global organizations. Brian enjoys many activities but among his favorite are golfing, playing music, fishing, skiing, surfing, traveling, reading, and above all spending quality time with his wife and kids.

Katie Byrnes

Candice Gerlach, Scholarship Coordinator
Candice is a CPA in California and holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accountancy. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner, and an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Fraud Examiners.
Candice has over 15 years of experience in public accounting. Throughout her career her focus has been in a variety of areas and, she has also devoted a large amount of her time to not for profit tax compliance and governance. In an effort to show her gratitude for the sacrifices made by firefighters, Candice is devoted to assisting their efforts through the work of the Foundation.

Maureen "Mo" Booth, Secretary
Maureen is a Southern California native and spent her summers growing up vacationing in Carlsbad at the Carlsbad Inn with her family. When she and her husband Jess relocated to San Diego, she knew that Carlsbad would be the ideal location to start their family. They have been enjoying Carlsbad since 2015 and welcomed their first child in June of 2016. Maureen is a Paralegal specializing in Intellectual Property. Maureen is excited to serve on the board, which she joined in October of 2017. Maureen enjoys hiking, yoga, writing, and her family dog, Jedi.

Abby Jacobi, Marketing Manager
Abby Jacobi grew up in Michigan and moved to California in 2008, she grew up showing Morgan Horses. Abby graduated from University of Arizona – Global Campus with a degree in Operations and Analytics. Abby worked in the Carlsbad area for 8 years in marketing after moving from Michigan. In 2014 the Poinsettia fire landed on the building that she worked in and was heavily damaged. The Carlsbad fire department was fantastic in such a hard and stressful time, a relationship was made with the local department and sparked her interest for getting more involved and joined the Board.
Abby now lives in Nashville TN with her two cats Biggs and Smalls but is proud to support the foundation from a distance.

Division Chief, Nathan Pearson - Carlsbad Fire Department
Nate Pearson has been a firefighter with the Carlsbad Fire Department for 15 years. During his tenure with the fire department he has served the community as Paramedic/Firefighter, Engineer, Lifeguard, SWAT Medic and Captain. He was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2018. Nate is a California native and moved to Carlsbad in 2006. He and his wife, Danielle, have two children and spend their free time enjoying going to the beach, camping and sailing. As liaison to the Fire Foundation, Chief Pearson assists in educating and informing the board regarding the activities of the Fire Department.

Carl Pinkard

Honorary Board Member: Frank Whitton
Frank has been a Carlsbad resident since 1996, and has lived in North County for almost 50 years. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Frank was commissioned into the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant. Frank retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years as a Lt. Colonel. His second career included being appointed Associated Dean for San Diego Community College District in charge of two schools at the Naval Training Center.
Frank has served on the Carlsbad Traffic Commission, Planning Commission, and Juvenile Justice Panel. In 2013, he founded the Carlsbad Fire Department Foundation. In 2015, he was recognized as Carlsbad Citizen of the Year. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Army/Navy Academy, currently serves as Chairman of the Bertelsen Scholarship Committee, served as President of the Notre Dame Alumni Club of San Diego County, and has held dozens of other leadership positions in multiple organizations. Frank enjoys family, church, and golf.
Frank passed away in 2020, but will always be a significant part of this foundation and all it stands for.