“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

BEN MUNZON – DIRECTOR
ZORINA NOLAND – BOOKKEEPER
MARGARET WRIGHT – SECRETARY
DARREN HYSON – WEBMASTER
KAREN DWIMMEL – TREASURER

BEN MUNZON

Benardo I. Monzon has established himself as an independent business consultant. His expertise is in conducting business on a global level with several international and domestic companies. A few of his current and prior business affiliations include IPRO REAL ESTATE, Newport Beach, CA, WILROC Realty, San Diego, CA, KARATBARS INTERNATIONAL, Stuttgart, Germany, ROLAND LAND INVESTMENT Company, Ventura, CA, CITCO Petroleum Company,

Houston, TX, GRANDE Homes, INC. San Diego, CA, AB Telecomusa, Inc., San Diego, CA, Marranzini Law Firm in the Dominican Republic. Associate Connections. Inc. a PhilippineCorporation, Manila, Philippines. Pentagon Cargo, Inc., San Diego, CA, Kilat International, Ltd., based in Pasadena, CA; other previous business affiliations include Global Funding Group out of Seattle, WA; First Clearing International, Las Vegas, NV; and SORSE CORP., based in Muncie, IN.

As an independent business consultant, Mr. Monzon identifies and establishes viable business relationships with his clients and associates. In this capacity, he must ensure the continuity of specific projects and quality of service in the areas of business development and funding. He is also invaluable in providing information regarding private banking practices involving secured bank deposits to finance certain types of buy/sell transactions.

Mr. Monzon’s recent business activities included his association as a principal with Tradewind International, Seattle, Washington. Tradewind International Inc. was established to develop and finance opportunities in foreign trade, particularly with import and export activities designed to promote the modernization of private and public industry in developing and emerging nations.

Other associations included the San Diego area, the law offices of Attorneys Earl F. Tritt; Maxwell Agha; Beverly Higgens-Marshall, as well as the law office of B.S. Tsui of Seattle, Washington.

Working with these law firms, Mr. Monzon’s primary responsibilities included case management, legal research, pre-litigation and informal discovery, the preparation of settlement and trial briefs as well as other related duties.

Mr. Monzon began his professional career in the personal and commercial insurance industry in 1975, starting his own multiple lines insurance brokerage agency before selling his interest in 1989. While establishing himself as a consultant and independent contractor with several law firms in San Diego, as well as in Seattle, he later formed Investment One Mortgage Company. Investment One Mortgage Company was a mortgage brokerage firm based in San Diego, California specializing in residential and commercial financing with an emphasis in business development. While still president of Investment One Mortgage Company, he sold his interest in the company to his partners in 1991. This allowed him the opportunity to focus his attention towards being a consultant and independent contractor.

Benardo Monzon attended San Diego State University and continued his undergraduate studies as a Business Administration major at National University before attending Western State University

School of Law. He has been a member of the multi-ethnic committee of San Diego State University Alumni Association, co-founder of the Asian Business Association in San Diego, and is also involved in various civic and community organizations.

MAGARET WRIGHT

I retired in 2002 after completing more than 30 years as a high school English teacher. I also worked with middle and elementary school students as well, often on an individual basis.

I earned a Doctor of Education Degree from United States International University, San Diego, in 1985. I had set that as my ultimate education goal. I hoped to become a female high school teacher who could encourage students by example from my own experiences.

                My efforts were realized when one of the young women I had taught returned to visit me in the school and proudly explained that she had completed the requirements for her PhD. She said that she wanted to be able to make choices in her career that having the advanced degree would allow her to make.

               I spent many hours working with students who needed special assistance because of illness, death in the family, insufficient finances, and/or catastrophic home situations. I am still working with students and look forward to contributing in some capacities through the TEDDY BEAR program that the Espiritu family recently initiated.

                In addition to a career in public education that I enjoyed for more than three decades, I also have had multiple years of memberships in California Teachers Association, the Coronado Library Board of

Directors. The Friends of the Library,  the Parent, Teacher, Student Association of the Coronado Unified School District, the Homeowners Association of my residence, and Head of the English Department, where my schedule included classes in remedial assistance, honors sections, and home-bound instruction that provided students with specialized assistance.

KAREN DWIMMEL

I’m a Baby Boomer, born in Worcester, Massachusetts.  I relocated to California in the late 1970’s.  My professional career was in the world of investments.  I retired in 2008.

In 2005, I started a long relationship with a non-profit, PAWS of Coronado (Pacific Animal Welfare Society).  I joined their Board of Directors as Treasurer in 2008.  I became President of the Board in 2013.

In 2014, PAWS was asked by the City of Coronado to run the Animal Care Facility.  I served as Medical Director.  I retired from that position in 2020.  I still volunteer with the kittens and cats who come into the shelter.  I foster kittens and help teach kitten classes at their summer camp.

I have been a volunteer manager at a local thrift shop operated by Christ Church for over 25 years. 

I have been a supporter of the Coronado School of the Arts – awarding seats in the auditorium to the students who excelled in the COSA Program.

I am thrilled to be a small part of Operation Teddy Bear.

ZORINA NOLAND

With over 20 years of experience as a full-charge bookkeeper across multiple industries, I am honored to support Operation Teddy Bear by managing its financial records. My expertise includes financial reporting, reconciliations, payroll processing, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. I believe in the mission of providing comfort to children in crisis, and I am passionate about ensuring the organization has a strong financial foundation to continue making a difference. Giving my time to Operation Teddy Bear allows me to contribute in a meaningful way to a cause that brings hope and reassurance to those who need it most.

            My life has been enriched by a love and devotion focused on children who need support to overcome a trauma that could overwhelm them. I hope to continue to devote time and energy to helping make a positive impact in the life of some child or children.

DARREN HYSON

Darren Hyson works with DeZignIT Solutions, a website and design company based out of Austin, TX. Mr. Hyson as been programming since the mid 80s starting out with writing simple programs with his Commodore 64. This early interest prompted him to seek a formal education in Computer Science at Louisiana State University where he was a member of the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) and Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) clubs (1987-1988). While involved with those organizations he participated and won awards in programming contests. Mr. Hyson has received City recognition through Austin’s major newspaper for the design of a web site for the church in the Austin American Statesman March 22nd, 1997 & 1998 issue in the Business and Person Technology section. Mr. Hyson has experience with computer debugging and database creation with the United States Air Force, and worked at IBM before becoming a Firefighter with the city of Austin in Austin, Texas. He is also a member of the HTML Writers Guild and the National Black MBA Association. Mr. Hyson has a high level of commitment to excellence and customer service. Mr. Hyson is honored to serve as the webster for Operation Teddy.