Frontwave Foundation

Meet the Frontwave Foundation Board of Directors

The Frontwave Foundation Board of Directors reviews and awards grants and sponsorships to advance its mission to improve our communities. Our board members are unpaid volunteers and are comprised of Frontwave Credit Union employees or serve on Frontwave Credit Union's Board of Directors.

Frontwave Foundation Board of Directors

Sarai Rodgers

Chairperson

Ms. Rodgers is a dedicated and accomplished leader, serving as the Chair of the Frontwave Foundation. She brings a wide variety of experience and expertise to Frontwave Foundation. Her background includes leadership positions at the executive level with several companies in a variety of industries. She has served as the Human Resources Director at Netscape Communications, the Director of Organization Effectiveness at AOL Time Warner, the Vice President of Human Resources at Modern Postcard, the Director of Human Resources at West Development, the Vice President of Talent Resources at ARS National Services and currently is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Frontwave Credit Union.

Ms. Rodgers earned an MS degree in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco and a BA degree in Public Relations from San Jose State University.
Beyond her professional endeavors, she is an advocate for supporting local non-profit businesses including Habitat for Humanity, Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center, Casa de Amparo, Challenged Athletes Foundation, and local food banks.

Chip Dykes

Vice Chairperson

Mr. Dykes joined Frontwave Credit Union in 2017 as Military Relations Manager and currently serves as Vice President, Community Relations.

Mr. Dykes served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During his time with USMC, Mr. Dykes held positions including administrative chief, Drill Instructor, Water Survival Instructor, Battery Gunnery Sergeant, Personnel Officer, and retired as Chief Warrant Officer 3. He is a life member of the 1st Marine Division Association, the Drill Instructor Association, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Mount Soledad Memorial Association.

After retiring from the USMC, Mr. Dykes worked in the mortgage banking industry for several years before joining Pioneer Services, a Division of MidCountry Bank, as its Military Relations Manager, and eventually Branch Manager. Mr. Dykes then served as the Director, Standardized Military Police Vehicle Program for Motova8 Inc, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business, prior to joining Frontwave.

In his spare time, Mr. Dykes is an active member of the Oceanside community and an avid volunteer. He has served as the Chairman of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee for the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce; President, Friendly Sons of St Patrick of San Diego; the District 5 Representative and Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Council of San Diego County; Chairman of the Board at Joe and Mary Mottino YMCA; President of the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Association (SgtMajor Leland D “Crow” Crawford Chapter)’ Commander of American Legion Post 365 in Vista CA; and Trustee, Plaque Designer and Speakers Bureau Chairman for Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial.

Bob Ross

Treasurer

Mr. Ross has been a member of Frontwave Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee since 2018. He attended a major Supervisory Committee Conference, completed the prestigious Credit Union Volunteer Achievement Program and other courses which have broadened his knowledge and understanding of credit union operations and his duties and responsibilities as a Supervisory Committee member.

Mr. Ross is the past President of the MCRD San Diego Museum Foundation Board and current President of the Pendleton Memorial Golf Association. Both positions require his many and unique business skill sets. Mr. Ross has also volunteered as Chairman of the Oceanside Telecommunications Committee for over 25 years; Vice Chairman of the San Diego County Telecommunications Committee for over 10 years; and as a Planning Commissioner for Oceanside for over 5 years.

Mr. Ross served in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as an MSgt Telecommunications Chief in 1987. Using the skills he learned in the USMC, he became the Site Development Manager for PacTel Cellular (now Verizon). His critical thinking, problem solving abilities and team player skills enabled Mr. Ross to be an integral part of the team that installed and turned on the first 5 cell sites in San Diego County.

Mr. Ross continued his career in cellular service as the VP of Operations for JNB Telecom, overseeing the design and installation over 9,000 cell sites and seven switching facilities across the country, which required financial management skills rarely found. After his retirement in 2011, he joined the Center for Municipal Solutions, an organization which provides the development of Telecommunications Ordinances and Wireless Application reviews for over 1,000 communities across the country.

David Kerton

Secretary

Mr. Kerton joined Frontwave Credit Union in August 2010, and currently serves as the Vice President of Facilities, and Chief Security Officer.

His education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Nottingham Trent University in England. He then studied for the bar exam at Birmingham Polytechnic. Upon passing the bar exam, Mr. Kerton was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court in England and Wales.

Mr. Kerton relocated to the United States and has been a resident of Southern California for the past 30 years. An active member of the Oceanside community, Mr. Kerton has served on the Boards of several non-profit organizations over the years, with particular emphasis on serving community youth.

Michael Brigagliano

Director

Mr. Brigagliano has served the credit union since October 2014, when he was appointed to the Board of Directors as an Associate Director. He became a full Board member in early 2015, was elected to the Vice Chairman’s post in March 2018, and served as the Chairman from 2020 to 2022.

Mr. Brigagliano has spent more than two decades in the consumer finance, mortgage lending and loan servicing industries. His experience includes direct management of a $4 billion-plus loan servicing portfolio. In his current role as Senior Vice President of Veterans Choice Home Loans, he assists veterans across the country in obtaining affordable home loans.

His education includes study of Business Management in New York. Mr. Brigagliano has been trained in the Six Sigma business management method, studied at GE Mortgage University, and completed the Dale Carnegie advanced course “Skills for Team Success.” He is currently licensed by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System.

Mr. Brigagliano believes in giving back to the community. He has made charitable contributions to the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Doctors Without Borders and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Suzanne Walden

Suzanne Walden is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in marketing, business development, product management, and digital banking in the financial services industry. Currently, she serves as the VP of Marketing at Frontwave Credit Union, where she has a proven track record of driving growth through strategic marketing initiatives, product innovation, and effective team leadership. Her expertise in managing cross-functional teams and developing innovative programs that align with organizational goals makes her a valuable asset to the Frontwave Foundation board.

Shahzadee Engels

Shahzadee "DeeDee" Engels is an entrepreneur and community advocate with over 30 years of experience in event planning, marketing, and business management. She owns Cigar Grotto, a boutique cigar shop, and is a partner at Latitude 33 Brewing Company in Vista, CA. DeeDee is passionate about giving back through her nonprofit, Cigar Grotto Gives Back, which supports veterans and their families. Her expertise and dedication to the community make her a valuable member of the Frontwave Foundation board.

Frontwave Foundation Establishes Itself as a Force for Good in Community

OCEANSIDE, CA (February 21, 2024) – The Frontwave Foundation has announced a $12,000 donation to four local organizations in San Diego, San Bernardino, and Riverside communities, aligning with its mission to empower the community through collaboration and advocacy.

The Frontwave Foundation, a non-profit charitable foundation established by Frontwave Credit Union in 2023, announced today that it has donated $12,000 across four local organizations within the San Diego, San Bernardino, and Riverside communities in support of various missions in-line with the Foundation’s pillars.

“At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to empower and improve the lives of our community through collaboration, advocacy, and education,” said Sarai Rodgers, Chair of the Frontwave Foundation. “Through our unwavering dedication and the generosity of our supporters, we aim to be a force for positive change within our community and beyond.”

The Foundation’s donation closed out its 2023 year with four donations made by December’s end, each contributing $3,000 towards Freedom Dogs, Got Your Back San Diego, Twentynine Palms Community Food Pantry, and the Brother Benno’s Foundation. Respectively, these donations will support the recovery of wounded military heroes using specialty-trained service dogs; weekend food assistance for children attending San Diego schools; and feeding the homeless and underserved populations across North County San Diego and Twentynine Palms.

Just as Frontwave Credit Union has a long and proud history of giving back to the communities who have supported them over the last 70 years, the Frontwave Foundation was founded to take that spirit of giving to the next level. With five pillars at its helm, the Frontwave Foundation focuses on supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and their families; feeding the hungry; helping the sick and disabled; providing emergency assistance; and serving its local communities across San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

The Frontwave Foundation is funded by donations from Frontwave Credit Union members, employees, and supporters. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the Foundation can do so online at www.frontwavecu.com/foundation or by mail at 1278 Rocky Point Drive Oceanside, CA 92056.

For more information regarding the organizations the Foundation has supported, visit Freedom Dogs (www.freedomdogs.org), Got Your Back San Diego (www.gotyourbacksandiego.org), Twentynine Palms Community Food Pantry (www.facebook.com/feed29/),  and the Brother Benno’s Foundation (www.brotherbenno.org).

 

About the Frontwave Foundation

The Frontwave Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by Frontwave Credit Union in 2023. It is dedicated to improving lives and making a positive impact in its local communities. Through collaborative partnerships, sponsorships, grants, and volunteering efforts, it actively works to address the needs of those in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

Media Contact:
Chip Dykes, Vice Chair
Frontwave Foundation
[email protected]
800.736.4500 x1575

Frontwave Foundation Donates $5,000 to Veterans Association of North County

OCEANSIDE, CA (November 28, 2023) – The Frontwave Foundation announced today that it has donated $5,000 to the Veterans Association of North County (VANC), a local organization that provides a wide range of services and resources to veterans and active-duty military personnel.

The donation was made as part of the Frontwave Foundation’s ongoing commitment to help support the military community and honor their service and sacrifice. The Frontwave Foundation is the charitable arm of Frontwave Credit Union, a member-owned financial institution that serves over 120,000 members in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

“We are thrilled to support the Veterans Association of North County and their amazing work to improve the lives of our military heroes and their families,” said Sarai Rodgers, Chair of the Frontwave Foundation. “We share a common vision of serving those who serve our country, and we are proud to be a part of their journey.”

The Veterans Association of North County is a one-stop resource center that offers a variety of programs and services to veterans and active-duty military personnel, such as education, employment, health, housing, legal, and social services. The organization also operates a 10,000-square-foot facility in Oceanside that hosts over 30 veteran organizations and serves as a hub for community events and activities.

“We are very grateful to the Frontwave Foundation for their generous donation and their partnership in our mission,” said Chuck Atkinson, Founder and President of the Veterans Association of North County. “Their support will help us continue to provide essential services and resources to our military community and make a positive difference in their lives.”

For more information about the Frontwave Foundation, visit frontwavecu.com/foundation. For more information about the Veterans Association of North County, visit vanc.me.
 

About the Frontwave Foundation

The Frontwave Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by Frontwave Credit Union in 2023. It is dedicated to improving lives and making a positive impact in our local communities. Through collaborative partnerships, sponsorships, grants, and volunteering efforts, it actively works to address the needs of those in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.


 

Frontwave Credit Union Launches Frontwave Foundation, Making Inaugural $10,500 Donation to Rady Children's Hospital

OCEANSIDE, CA (November 3, 2023) – Frontwave Credit Union announced today the launch of the Frontwave Foundation, its non-profit charitable foundation that strives to be a force for good and leave a lasting impact on the community.

“This incredible initiative reflects our longstanding commitment to serving our communities and giving back,” said Bill Birnie, President & CEO of Frontwave Credit Union. “As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to the Frontwave Foundation making an even greater positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.”

To celebrate the launch, the Frontwave Foundation donated $10,500 to Rady’s Children’s Hospital, one of the largest pediatric healthcare providers in California.

“We are proud to launch the Frontwave Foundation and make our first donation to Rady’s Children’s Hospital, a remarkable organization that shares our passion for improving the lives of our community,” said Sarai Rodgers, Chairperson of the Frontwave Foundation.

The donation will support the hospital’s mission to provide excellence in care, research, and teaching for children with complex medical conditions. The hospital serves more than 250,000 children each year and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

“We are so thrilled to have the continued support of Frontwave Credit Union and its members,” said Alex Loker, Vice President of Philanthropy at Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation. “For many years, Frontwave has provided a great example of what it means to make San Diego’s kids and families part of their mission. We are proud to be the first beneficiary of their Foundation and look forward to celebrating Frontwave’s local impact for years to come.”

The Frontwave Foundation focuses on five pillars: supporting veterans, active-duty service members, and their families; feeding the hungry; curing the sick; providing emergency assistance; and serving our communities across San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

The Frontwave Foundation is funded by donations from Frontwave Credit Union members, employees, and supporters. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the Foundation can do so online at www.frontwavecu.com/foundation or by mail at 1278 Rocky Point Drive Oceanside, CA 92056.

About the Frontwave Foundation

The Frontwave Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by Frontwave Credit Union in 2023. It is dedicated to improving lives and making a positive impact in our local communities. Through collaborative partnerships, sponsorships, grants, and volunteering efforts, it actively works to address the needs of those in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

About Rady Children’s Hospital

Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is the largest children’s hospital on the West Coast and one of the nation’s top pediatric healthcare systems. Ranked as one of the 10 best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2023, Rady Children’s includes a 511-bed pediatric hospital that serves as the largest provider of comprehensive pediatric medical services in San Diego, southern Riverside, and Imperial counties. With more than 40 locations, Rady Children’s is the only health system in the San Diego area dedicated exclusively to pediatric health care and is the region’s only designated pediatric trauma center. Rady Children’s is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to support its mission.

Frontwave Foundation Donates $2,000 to Oceanside Police Officers’ Association for Facility Upgrades

OCEANSIDE, CA (June 20, 2024) – Frontwave Foundation is proud to announce a $2,000 donation to the Oceanside Police Officers’ Association. This contribution will support the Association’s ongoing efforts to upgrade their facilities, ensuring that officers are equipped with the necessary resources, skills, training, and overall well-being to excel both professionally and personally.

"We are honored to support the Oceanside Police Officers’ Association. We share a common commitment to supporting our Veterans and our community,” said Sarai Rodgers, Chair of the Frontwave Foundation.

This renovation will not only benefit officers' professional development but also ensure they have a supportive environment for their health and wellness. The upgrades are designed to create a space where officers can recharge, learn, and grow, ultimately enhancing their ability to serve the community effectively.

The $2,000 donation will be used solely for the building renovation, ensuring that community outreach efforts remain strong.  This strategic allocation of resources highlights the Association’s commitment to maintaining the balance between facility improvements and ongoing community support.

“Our continued success depends on great organizations like yours,” said Joe Roy, Vice President of the Oceanside Police Officers’ Association. “Your donation will help our city and community thrive today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. We are grateful for Frontwave Foundation’s support in helping us meet our $220K goal.”

The Frontwave Foundation is committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves. This donation is a testament to the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support local organizations that have a significant impact on community well-being. By partnering with the Oceanside Police Officers’ Association, Frontwave Foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for both officers and residents, fostering a safer and more cohesive community.

About the Frontwave Foundation

The Frontwave Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by Frontwave Credit Union in 2023. It is dedicated to improving lives and making a positive impact in its local communities. Through collaborative partnerships, sponsorships, grants, and volunteering efforts, it actively works to address the needs of those in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. The Foundation's initiatives focus on various areas, including education, health, veterans' support, and community development.

Get in touch with the Frontwave Foundation.