Board of Directors

Dr. Richard (Rick) Barbers is a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He did his residency training at Cedars-Sinai/UCLA Medical Center and his fellowships under an NIH training grant in both Clinical Immunology and Allergy as well as in Pulmonary Medicine at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Barbers did additional training in lung transplantation medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine.

An MBA, Mr. Lee brings a wealth of experience to his service on the BREATHE LA Board from a successful career in business management. His professional experience includes a role as General Manager of Central Garden & Pet, a national distributor of pet products. Mr. Lee most recently served on the Development/Marketing Committee.

Mr. Nelson, a registered principal with First Wall Street Corporation, one of Southern California's largest locally owned brokerage firms, provides a wide range of client-specific financial services, including portfolio management, retirement and post retirement planning, estate planning, wealth transfer, credit counseling and repair.

In addition, Mr. Nelson is a consultant for the financial services industry and serves as an expert witness in securities litigation dealing with fraud and broker abuse.

Mr. Arlen is a seasoned business leader; successful serial entrepreneur; resourceful out- of-the-box thinker; and respected mentor. His service to BREATHE LA as a visionary with persuasive consensus building skills has been invaluable in leading the organization through dynamic change. Immediate past co-chair of BREATHE LA Marketing/Development Committee 2008-2009, Mr. Arlen has served as Board Chair and as chair of Bylaws & Nominating Committee 2008-2009.

Steven L. Bryson has been practicing law in the West Los Angeles area for the past 30 years. He is a Certified specialist in Bankruptcy Law, advising and counseling individuals and businesses in debt management and control. He is and has been an active member of numerous organizations related to his field, including the National Association of consumer bankruptcy attorneys; the Central District consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys' Association; and the California Bankruptcy Forum.

"Breathe L.A. has opened my eyes to the medical and environmental aspects of clean air and breathing issues," says Ms. Caster, who has been involved with the organization for almost three years and whose family members have been afflicted with asthma and lung cancer. "It led me to look at the causes of and treatment options for lung diseases, and what we can do to have an impact on the environment to prevent such health problems."

"I am proud to be associated with an organization that focuses on reaching out to lower income communities, people who may not have access to the highest quality medical care or education and information about these issues."

Mr. Duitsman is an Attorney at Law in private practice. His area of expertise involves estate planning law and he is extensively involved in the community. Mr. Duitsman has served BREATHE LA Board of Directors in a variety of capacities over the years including committee service on Development, Audit and Program/Research committees.

Dr. James is a retired Professor of Medicine. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Lausanne School of Medicine in Switzerland; and also received his Ph.D. degree at the same University. He has authored and co-authored several research papers, publications and abstracts during his tenure. Dr. James' experience also includes sports medicine.

He has a dual citizenship (U.S.A. and Swiss) and speaks five languages (English, French, Swiss German, Italian and Spanish).

Dr. Anita Kriplani is a solo practitioner of Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care and Internal Medicine in Los Angeles. She is Board certified in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Kriplani's clinical interests include diagnosis and management of Asthma, Acute Lung Injury and Pulmonary Hypertension. Dr. Kriplani is concerned about the air quality and its impact on Lung Health and that led to her affiliation with BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA).

Recognized as a Local Hero for Hispanic Heritage Month 2008, Mr. Medina retired from the Los Angeles County Health Department after 30 years, working his way up to Chief of the Hazardous Materials/Waste Management Program. As a BREATHE LA volunteer for over 35 years, he continues his advocacy role for lung health, clean air issues and a safer and healthier school environment.

Guy W. Soo Hoo received a B.S. degree from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. graduating with Special Honors in Biology and was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a, M.D. degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico and M.P.H. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health. He completed an Internal Medical residency at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and American College of Physicians and a member of the American Thoracic Society, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American Association for Respiratory Care, and the California Thoracic Society.

He has served on many committees for Breathe California of Los Angeles County and its predecessor including two terms as Chairman.

As president and chief executive officer for Breathe California of Los Angeles of Los Angeles County, Enrique Chiock is a driving force behind the organization and directly responsible for its day-to-day operations. Chiock utilizes his 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector towards establishing Breathe California of Los Angeles County as a leader in clean air and breathing-related issues, and lung-health research.