Our Staff
The staff and leadership team at Whispering Winds is dedicated to upholding our mission and ensuring every guest experience is exceptional. The office staff manages all operational aspects, including programs, marketing, finances, guest services, and administration. Meanwhile, the camp staff fosters a welcoming and enriching environment, maintaining facilities and coordinating activities to bring our mission to life.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at Whispering Winds guides the camp’s mission with strategic oversight and leadership. Their diverse expertise and dedication ensure Whispering Winds remains a Christ-centered refuge for all to connect with God in nature.
Tim Cusick
Board Chair
Managing Director – Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors, Downtown San Diego Branch
Tim has over 40+ years of experience as a Financial Advisor. He contributes to a variety of professional groups and is very involved in his community. Tim serves on the Board for Fresh Start Surgical Gifts Foundation, whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of children with physical deformities through gifts of reconstructive surgery. He is a member and past president of the Coronado Rotary Club, active in the Cursillo movement, and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Coronado. As the Board Chair for Whispering Winds, Tim acts in a completely separate role from his position as a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors.
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.
| Investment and Insurance Products: Not FDIC Insured / No Bank Guarantee / May Lose Value |
Tim Slentz
Board Chair
Managing Director – Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors, Downtown San Diego Branch
Tim, a University of Notre Dame alum, has served 25 years in the US Navy. He is a Naval Aviator with over 4,000 hours flying in the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft and over 430 landings on aircraft carriers. He and his wife Christina have lived in many places during Tim’s career, including Virginia, Rhode Island and Germany. They’ve found their parishes in each location to be a welcoming community. Tim and Christina have three children and are parishioners of Sacred Heart, Coronado. Tim is a self-proclaimed “beer snob”, loves outdoor physical fitness and reading – particularly about the Civil War. He believes being in nature brings us incredibly close to God!
Larry Varela
Secretary
Professional Land Surveyor at County of San Diego, Real Estate Agent
Larry has been employed by the County Surveyors Office for 30 years. He and his wife Angela are parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene (Baypark). Larry is active in his parish community in the Men’s Group, as a Eucharistic Minister and as a member of the “Community Building” committee. He also served six years as the head coach for The School of the Madeline football team.
Peter Kuebler
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer, Sentek Global
Peter has over 25 years of hands-on experience as a senior financial executive and controller. An alum of Loyola Marymount University, he earned his MBA from USC. He and his wife Kathy are parishioners at St. John the Evangelist.
Curtis Helfers
Vice President, Helfers Electric Company, Inc.
Curtis has used his electrical expertise wiring many buildings at camp over the years, including both Milner and Juanico Lodges, the Chapel, Dining Hall, Welcome Center and Shepherds Hall. He was one of the first people back on the mountain after the 2003 Cedar Fire to ensure it was safe to turn the electrical back on to the remaining buildings. Curtis and his wife Amy have three teenage children and are parishioners at St. Rose of Lima. Curtis, currently the Grand Knight of the St. Rose of Lima Knights of Columbus, is very involved in the Cursillo movement and the annual St. Rose of Lima Men’s Retreat held at Whispering Winds. He enjoys a round of golf when he gets the chance!
MJ Patrick
Retired PE Teacher & Athletic Directer
MJ served as the PE Teacher and Athletic Director at Our Lady of Grace School for 25 years, working with kids from grades K thru 8th. She also had a Swim School for 30 years teaching all ages. MJ volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul Center under the supervision of Sr. Carmel Lohan, facilitating a women’s support group. She also helps a friend coordinate a Christmas Stocking Program for the homeless, stuffing stockings with purchased and donated items and giving them out on Christmas Eve. Committed to staying active, MJ plays tennis, paddle boards, rides bikes and hits the gym to stay in shape! MJ and her husband Dick are parishioners at Guardian Angels.
John Bradel
Vice President, Highland PM LLC
John has been involved in the commercial construction industry for over 40 years, overseeing the construction of nearly $1 billion of commercial and residential projects in the San Diego and Southern California region. John has served as a board member for several non-profit organizations, including Christian Youth Theatre and Invisible Children. John has been married to his wife Debbie for 40 years and has been blessed with seven children. They are parishioners at St. Kieran in El Cajon, and are active in the diocesan marriage mentoring program. In addition to his hobbies of gardening and remodeling, John finds particular fulfillment in being Debbie’s helper in her Abortion Pill Reversal ministry, which has saved the lives of over 600 babies in the past six years.
Msgr. Mark Campbell
Ordained Minister & Camp Chaplain
Msgr. Campbell has been a part of the San Diego Diocese since he was ordained at Saint Brigid’s Parish in Pacific Beach in April of 1971. He has served at St. Patrick’s Parish, Immaculata, Santa Sophia, Immaculate Conception and Our Mother of Confidence. He earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at the University of San Diego and an advanced degree in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He retired in 2021, celebrating his 50th year of ordination. Msgr. Mark became involved with Whispering Winds more than 35 years ago and continues to serve many youth, family and senior groups at camp.
Rob Laff
Quality Assurance Manager, United Launch Alliance
Rob has been a Quality Assurance Manager for an aerospace company for over 43 years. He and his wife Rosemary are parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lakeside. Rob is an active member of a multi parish Men’s Prayer Group and recently served as Treasurer for Cursillo.
Robert Wiley
Retired Project & Facility Manager
Robert Wiley has over 40 years of experience in corporate construction and facilities management, including roles at HomeFed Bank, Hewlett-Packard, and Biogen Idec. At Biogen Idec, he managed a biopharmaceutical facility project in Denmark. He has served on several non-profit boards in San Diego, including four years on the board of the International Facility Managers Association (two as chairman), seven years on the board of Whispering Winds Catholic Camp and Conference Center (five as chairman), and as a board member for Rise Up Industries. Currently, he volunteers with You Did It for Me, supporting the unhoused in San Diego East County. Robert is also a parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in El Cajon.
Stephanie Kiesel
CFO & COO, University of San Diego School of Law
Stephanie spent nearly 14 years at the University of San Diego School of Business managing graduate programs before leading zero8hundred, a non-profit aiding military transitions. In January 2021, she returned to USD as CFO/COO of the School of Law. A non-practicing special education attorney, Stephanie helped launch the Whispering Winds Special Needs Family Camp in 2013. She has served on boards for Noah Homes, SoCal Weimaraner Rescue, and the San Diego Humane Society. Stephanie and her retired Navy pilot husband, Marty, have a son, Nick, at St. Augustine High School, and are parishioners at Mission San Diego de Alcala, where she has sung in the 9 AM folk group for nearly 25 years.
Robert Burner
Executive VP California Sheet Metal
Over 30 years of construction experience – CEO /President of American Sheet Metal, which recently merged with California Sheet Metal in 2021. Robert is now Executive VP and board member of California Sheet Metal, which is an employee-owned company. Married for over 25 years to Lisa Burner and blessed to have 2 great young adults. Robert is active in the Cursillo movement, where he made his weekend #286 and parishioners at St Charles Borromeo. Lisa is a leader in a women’s bible study called “Walking with Purpose,” and Robert is active with the Men’s Prayer group.
Kelly Sinclair
President, Business Office Outfitters
Kelly and her husband are the owners of Business Office Outfitters, where Kelly serves as President of the company for the past 33 years. Kelly handles all financial and HR responsibilities of the company and oversees Sales, Operations, accounting, and marketing for the company. Kelly has been part of the Lion’s Club of La Mesa for over 33 years and has held all offices of the club including President. Kelly also sits on the board of the Whispering Winds Woman’s Auxiliary. She received her degree in Psychology and Sociology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Kelly and her husband of 32 years have 3 children, one of whom works in the family business full-time. They attend St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. In her spare time, Kelly likes to be involved in the community, bible study and prayer groups, reading, or exercising.
Annette Moore
Realtor & Co-Owner, Nordic Properties & Nordic Construction
Annette has 44 years of experience in marketing, business development & management. She has worked in the telecom industry for 18 years in large corporations and several start-ups before partnering with her husband, Tom, in a construction and real estate company. Annette is a San Diego native, married to Tom for 41 years, and has two adult children. She is active in Cursillo and St. Therese parish as a Eucharistic Minister.
Fr. Mike Murphy
Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Coronado
Father Murphy was ordained to the priesthood in 1983. Father Mike earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, and worked as a radio personality and program director at KPSI in Palm Springs. He entered the St. Francis Seminary in 1978. He attended the Gregorian University in Rome, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Theology and a Licentiate Degree in Spirituality. Father Mike has served in several parishes as a priest as well as Director of the Permanent Diaconate, Vice Rector and Academic Dean at St. Francis Seminary, and Director of the Office for Priests for 25 years. He currently serves as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Coronado.
Don and Maureen “Mo” Kojis and Jerry and Anne Tisi went to Forest Home Camp in the San Bernardino Mountains in the 1970s. Both couples thought they would have a fun family vacation and their children would experience Jesus in a joyful, welcoming environment. It was that and so much more! Following those summer trips, the dream of starting a Catholic Family Camp came to life, and because of their faith, vision, and hard work, their lives, and the lives of thousands of others, were changed forever.
Don Kojis
Co-Founder
Along with Jerry Tisi, Don founded Whispering Winds in 1978 and consistently served the organization in several capacities: Board of Directors, Executive Director, Director of Operations, and Director of Community Relations. A graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Don played NBA Pro Basketball from 1963 to 1975, including three years with the San Diego Rockets. In the years prior to founding the camp, Don worked successfully in the sales industry. Don passed away on November 19, 2021. He is survived by his wife Mo of 52 years, his three grown sons and seven grandchildren.
Jerry Tisi
Co-Founder
Along with Don Kojis, Dr. Jerry Tisi founded Whispering Winds in 1978. In 1988, at the age of 52, he suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage and was reunited with our Lord. He was a pulmonary specialist and a founding member of the UC San Diego School of Medicine. He wrote “Pulmonary Physiology in Clinical Medicine,” considered the standard text in the field. Tisi was three times awarded the Kaiser Permanent Excellence in Teaching Award, selected by a vote of the university’s medical students. Tisi earned his medical degree and completed his internship and residency at Georgetown University Medical School and Hospital. He did post-graduate research work at UC San Francisco. He also served several years as chief of the pulmonary section at the San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Maureen Kojis
Co-Founder
Maureen Kojis, better known as “Mo,” is the wife of the late Don Kojis and a co-founder of Whispering Winds. While flying with the Houston Rockets NBA team in 1968, Don met Mo, a flight attendant. They had three sons and now have three great daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren. Mo is active in her church community at St. Therese parish, and one of her passions is volunteering at Whispering Winds. She is often heard saying: “Christ calls us daily to pray and to serve others. God is good all the time!”
Anne Tisi-Denbow
Co-Founder
Anne Tisi-Denbow, widow of Dr. Jerry Tisi, is a co-founder of Whispering Winds. In 1996, Anne and Ken Denbow met through the RCIA program at St. Therese Parish, and they have been married for over 25 years joy-filled years. Between the two of them, they have 6 children, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and another great-grandchild on the way! Anne and Ken enjoy traveling the world and stay very busy volunteering at their parish and preparing taxes through the free Tax-Aide program.