As President, Wexler oversees day-to-day operations of all the Pali Entertainment Group family of companies.
Wexler is a well-respected businessman, particularly within the camping industry where he has been a regular spokesman for the news media and at industry events. An accredited member of the American Camping Association and the Association of Independent Camps, Wexler has served on several boards of directors including the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, where he received the Best New Business award in 1992, and the Entrepreneurial Organization where he acted as Philanthropy chair. He is also just finishing up his membership into the Young President Organization.
In 2000, he was also honored as a finalist for the Award for Business Leadership, presented by Ernst & Young in their Entrepreneur of the Year program. Wexler received a bachelor’s degree in both Economics and International Relations from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He earned an MBA with a specialization in interpersonal relations at the University of Southern California..
He has two wonderful children Noah, age 4, and Rachel, age 3, who he spends
every spare moment playing with.
IAN BRASSETT Director, Pali Overnight Adventures
Ian "Gunner" Brassett has a lifetime of experience at summer camps, from his early years at an East Coast camp, his tenure as a head counselor and then senior program director at Pali, to his current and ongoing role Summer Camp Director. In addition, through his strong affiliation with the American Camping Association - conferences, leadership roles, trainings – he is intensely focused on ensuring that every aspect of our staffing, facility and programs exceed all international standards for safety, programming and overall excellence. Ian and our senior leadership team dedicate themselves throughout the year to designing and fine-tuning all aspects of camp to ensure the ultimate summer experience for your kids. During the summer, his leadership, energy and magnetic personality are a hallmark of the Pali Experience.
DEREK TENNEY Director, Pali Institute
Derek has been in the outdoor education field for going on a decade. Since graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in Biology he has traveled the county (ME, NC, CA, FL, RI) exploring new places and teaching students about the world around them. He settled at the University of Rhode Island for a number of years where he directed their summer camp and environmental education programs.
Deciding to make Outdoor Education his life long career he then attended the University of New Hampshire where he received his masters in environmental education. As director of Pali Institute he oversees staffing, program development, budget and everything Pali Institute related. Derek grew up in the woods of Maine where he developed a love of fishing and the outdoor life. Pali Mountain is a great extension to that love with its forests and mountain landscape.
VACHE EUREDJIAN Marketing Director, Pali Entertainment
As the Marketing Director of Pali Entertainment, Vache oversees the day-to-day marketing of Pali Adventures, Pali Institute, and Pali Mountain. His responsibilities include advertising, promotions, and Internet communication.
Vache has a strong background in international business and marketing, serving as marketing manager for both Compass International and C-Thru Industries. He has also a long history of serving children and young adults in the not-for profit sector. He has been a volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation’s children's camp program for 6 years and was named an ambassador for the charity. Vache serves as a board member of Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Schools and leads the college group at the Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church.
Vache earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California with emphases in marketing and distribution management. His main interests are retail and Internet marketing, graphics, and advertising campaigns. Outside of work, he enjoys fixing cars, playing sports, biking, and hanging out with his friends and family.
"My own experience at summer camp helped me mature and build character at an early age. My goal is to make this available for every child."
TONY LEES Facilities Manager
When it comes to making Pali run smoothly, Tony Lees is at the heart of the machine. He is in charge of maintenance, construction, remodeling, landscaping, housekeeping and any facility need that may arise. Prior to coming to Pali, Tony worked for 16 years at the University of California at Riverside as the Senior Superintendent of Housing Operations. He was responsible for maintenance, housekeeping, landscaping, access control and security. In 1995, Tony was featured on the cover (and in an article) of Security Magazine for a key coding system that he designed for UC Riverside housing.
Prior to that position, Tony worked at Disneyland for 9 years in several positions including: Construction Supervisor, Planning/Estimator, Maintenance Supervisor, Project Manager, Mill Shop Supervisor and Carpenter. He supervised major refurbishment projects, routine maintenance, and new construction projects for the entire park. His education includes the Gemological Institute of America, Disney University and the International School of Construction Estimating.
Tony has four children and four grandchildren. Along with his large family, Tony enjoys hiking in the forest and around the lakes, playing games and sports. He says, “We love to have our home filled with family all the time. I enjoy helping people in any way I can. Over the years it has most often involved helping the elderly, including maintaining their homes, etc…” Of his current position, the California native says, “We’ve got a good team at Pali and I’m really happy to be here.”
PAM ORR Controller
Originally from Costa Mesa, California, Pam Southron graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. After a couple of years, she decided to go back to school and study accounting. She subsequently earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration/Accounting from California State University Fullerton and started her career at Deloitte & Touche, one of the largest international accounting firms.
Two years later, she became a Certified Public Accountant and moved to Aspen, Colorado where she worked at a CPA firm. Her 16-year accounting career includes serving at two private liberal arts colleges, and working as a Controller for an electrical contracting company. Now the Controller at Pali Mountain, Pam says, “I enjoyed being in the mountains so much that I moved up here. I enjoy snow and water skiing, mountain biking, playing tennis and most anything outdoors. “
The oldest of three children, Pam has one brother and one sister. She was a volunteer with the Forest Service for over 7 years and was involved in the Winter Sports Program. Pam also volunteered at Snow Valley and Bear Mountain Resorts where she greeted visitors, answered questions and assisted skiers. She was also one of the founding members of the Fire Education Program, to help educate the public on fire safety and prevention. For the past 3 seasons, she has been a volunteer ski patroller at Snow Valley.
MERRY POTTER Publisher
Merry Potter comes from a family of seven children. This lineage would prove to be good preparation for her career in family publications. A graduate of the University of Colorado and Memphis State University, this Colorado native has extensive publishing and marketing experience with over 30 years in daily newspapers, business periodicals, weekly magazines and parenting publications.
Currently, Merry serves as the publisher of the Family Magazine Group, the publishing arm of the Pali Entertainment Group. She is responsible for all aspects of publishing for Los Angeles Family, South Bay Family, Ventura Family, San Gabriel Valley Family, Santa Clarita Family and Las Vegas Family magazines. Additionally, she oversees the Family Survival Guide, Family Fun Book, Holiday Gift Guide and First Class Travel. Together, these publications represent the largest free parenting publication group in America.
She attributes the successful rise in popularity of these magazines to the passionate dedicated employees who comprise the staff. Merry says, “Their selfless efforts to improve the lives of Family's readership, their children's lives and their own are the foundation of the magazines’ success.”
An active participant in the community, Merry has served on the boards and committees of the L.A. Economic Alliance, International Family Film, Parkinson’s Resource Organization, Silver Key, Foster Parents Association and the Multi-Family Housing Association.
When she is not overseeing multiple family-related publications and taking care of her own family (she has a husband and two children), Merry lends a hand to charities such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, the Parkinson’s Research Organization, Lily Claire Foundation, Silver Key and the Benefit for our Bravest.
Family is a consistent theme in Merry’s personal and professional life. "It’s so satisfying when your job is to help families, in general, and children, in particular," she smiles.
