Advisory Board

Cathy grew up in Slidell, Louisiana (just outside of New Orleans) and set out to be an interior decorator/ architect.  While in college, perhaps due to youthful vigor, Cathy realized she could help make the world a better place and has worked towards that end ever since.

Cathy has considerable experience in program development and volunteer recruitment.  She has also completed a variety of fundraising and non-profit management coursework.  A sample of her past responsibilities include the coordination of conferences for the National Audubon Society; development of the first citizen enterococcus (bacteria) monitoring program in Alabama, and serving as the state coordination for the International Coastal Cleanup.  She has also spent a significant portion of her professional life recruiting volunteers, drafting press releases, developing newsletters and begging for money.

Cathy's first task will be to work on a Resource Guide for the Santas!  She will also spearhead the design and implementation of Santa-America's online newsletter.  Cathy will chair the Santa-America Board of Advisors.

When not working, Cathy spends her "free time" serving as a Councilperson for the City of Daphne, AL, and is a member of the Daphne Planning Commission and Daphne Downtown Redevelopment Authority.  Cathy also serves as a board member for the Bay Rivers Art Guild and an ex-officio member of the Olde Towne Daphne Association.

Cathy has been a member and supporter of Santa America since 2004 and welcomes the challenge before her.  She stated "As a mother I have witnessed the love, hope and joy that Santa Claus can bring a child.  I am excited to be an elf on Santa-America's team and am looking forward to spreading the miracle of Santa throughout the year."

On a personal note, Cathy has been married nearly 9 years to Larry and they have a beautiful son, Augie.  Larry is the founder and president of Barnettes Classic Homes, a home repair and improvement business, and is working tirelessly to build a champion tree house.  Augie is enrolled in Kindergarten at Bayside Academy and enjoys taekwondo, tennis and art.  Cathy enjoys traveling with her family and hopes to find the time to get back into scuba diving.

Augie has already told his friends that his mom is going to work for Santa Ernie and that she has a direct line to Santa at the North Pole!

Jason was born, raised, and educated in Mobile, Alabama. He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of South Alabama in 2001. After graduation, Jason developed software for Chapura, Inc.—an industry leader in handheld synchronization technology.

In late 2004, Jason founded Eggplant Systems and Design—an Alabama based company specializing in web development, computer training, and technical support.

With over a decade of experience in web design and application development under his belt, Jason is a true web master. He uses technology to help our Santas, elves, and supporters spread love, hope, and joy to children who desperately need it.

Recently, Jason married his college sweetheart Amanda Odom, and jolly Santa Ernest was present for the ceremony!

In his spare time, Jason enjoys books, video games, foreign films, piano, and spending time with his family. He also studies music under the excellent guidance of Dr. David Durant at the University of South Alabama.

While growing up in “beautiful historic” Brewton, Alabama, her love of books, reading, and close relationship with a maternal aunt, who was a high school librarian, Nita always knew she wanted to be a librarian.  It was no surprise to family and friends when she pursued a degree in School Librarianship/Educational Media. After graduation, she spent several years teaching at McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile.  Leaving the educational arena, for a few years, she was Media Specialist, then Director of Volunteer Services at Providence Hospital.  At Providence, she recruited, trained and supervised Volunteers in all areas of their service to the hospital.

Her husband's career took the family out of state for the next 20 years to a number of places.  Among them, a favorite stop was in Ohio where she spent that time raising her son, volunteering in his school library, eventually returning to teaching. While in Ohio she says, “I was the luckiest librarian in the world, I was asked to start an elementary library from the carpet up for a brand new elementary school in the Columbus area.  What fun!!” After moving to Northern California near Napa, she volunteered in her son's high school, working her way up the “ranks” chairing committees, eventually chairing the school's “Gala”, and working on the “Wine Auction”, as well with working as a committee member for the annual golf tournament for 5 years.  She admits to getting pretty good at recruiting volunteers, donors, developing events and “begging” for anything that helped make those occasions the best they could be.

Nita will begin her work with Santa-America as Administrative Director, working with Santa, Mrs. Santa and Elves, helping them in completing their requirements before they begin serving the children who are the reason for our work.

Nita and her husband of 37 years, Larry, a Vice-President for ThyssenKrupp/Safway Services have recently returned to Alabama and enjoy living on Wolf Bay in Orange Beach.  They have a wonderful, handsome son, Tom, who attends Troy University.  They attend St. Thomas by the Sea Catholic Church in Orange Beach.  Favorite pastimes are reading, cooking, doing things with friends and spoiling not only her son, but grand nieces and nephews as well.

Since Christmas is her favorite holiday, Nita looks forward to being a part of such a wonderful group of people who make the “Love, Hope and Joy” of this time of year last all year long for some very special people.

With a remarkable resemblance to St. Nick himself, and a warm, sincere and jolly persona, Carl has been one of Santa's helpers since 1983, and has appeared exclusively at NorthPark Center in Dallas, Texas during the holiday season since 1989.  He now has parents who visited him as children bringing their children to visit.  Santa conducts a daily storytime, with tales of grouchy elves, demanding dragons, and life at the North Pole, which attracts hundreds of eager listeners.  His wife, Peyton Hayslip, a professional actress and performer joins him, as Mrs. Claus when possible, to the delight of the children.

Carl selected children's belief in Santa as the topic of his doctoral dissertation for his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.  He was nicknamed the "Santa Scholar" and is sought out annually by the media for his thoughts on things Santa-related.  He has been the subject of pieces in People, The Wall Street Journal, Life, USA Today, and others.  He co-authored a book entitled “All I Want for Christmas Is...”, a collection of children's letters to Santa Claus.

Touring as a storyteller, performer and speaker to schools, festivals, conferences and special events, Anderson has been called "Central Texas's Best Storyteller" (Austin Chronicle), and "entertaining, enlightening, and pertinent", "spellbinding, funny, warm and gentle" by those who have seen him perform.  He has written a variety of theatrical pieces for children, including Hold On To Your Dreams, and The Jolly Tales of the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  In addition, he has created inspirational and entertaining pieces for adults, including Have Faith?, and an overview of Santa's role in his life and our culture: Searching for Santa and Finding Hope, based on journals he has kept of his years in the red suit and his research, considered "a winning autobiographical tale... hilarious" (Austin American Statesman) and "an extraordinary blend of humor, pathos and intelligence" (Austin Chronicle).

Carl can be reached by email at carl@thistlemouse.com, and Santa and Mrs. Claus can be visited and reached at www.santaandmaggieclaus.com.

He was employed by Marriott Corporation's Turnpike Division with their facilities start-up group. Gary specialized in new service facilities start-up and existing service unit turn around.

Gary served as Food & Beverage Controller at the PGA National Golf Club where he routinely interfaced with many of golf's PGA legends. The emphasis was on absolute quality and consistency of service at this showcase facility.

He served as a recruiter for retail sales personnel with John Sexton & Company specializing in food service recruiting and placement.

Returning to the food sales sector, Gary consulted with national restaurant chains in staff training and facility turn-around.

Gary is the founder and principal of Santa Atlanta Incorporated (www.SantaAtlanta.com). Santa Atlanta manages over 45 natural bearded Santa's specializing in high quality holiday visits to private homes, corporate events, business promotions and community events. He has developed many of the marketing & operational control and data systems, quality assurance measurements, and "value added" products and special services, such as a mobile photography studio that are now hallmarks of contemporary high quality Santa visits. Santa Atlanta has grown to become one of the largest privately owned Santa Companies east of the Mississippi.

Committed to the value of continuing Santa education, he hosts Santa Tim Connahan's "International University of Santa Claus" in one of the largest IUSC training sessions held each year around the USA.

Santa Gary resides in Duluth, Georgia, north of Atlanta. When he is not focused on advancing Santa Claus around the Southeast, Gary is a model train builder and Care Bear collector par excellent!

He is president of RealSantas.com, supplying 'real bearded' Santas all over America and is the Executive Director of the almost 600 member, international Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas.

He also directs the International University of Santa Claus (IUSC), and has trained hundreds of Santas in special workshops across America.

Santa Tim has been seen by millions while appearing on Dr. Phil, the Tonight Show, Mad-TV, and as the official Santa for the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

He has appeared in commercials for such clients as Old Navy, Kraft, Nabisco, Planter's, Dannon and Cool Whip.  Tens of thousands of children and their families have been delighted with visits from Santa Tim, along with special events and private parties for hundreds of organizations and corporations including Capitol Records, Hallmark, In N Out Burgers, KIIS-FM, Los Angeles Country Club, Southwest Airlines, The USO, The Salvation Army, The St. Regis Resort and Spa, The Regent Beverly Wilshire, McDonalds, Marvin and Barbara Davis, Reese Witherspoon and Steven Spielberg.

A native Californian, Tim Connaghan has performed, entertained and produced special events throughout California for over 30 years, including community theatre, performing magic, producing shows at the Hollywood Bowl and Universal Amphitheater, and announcing at the Coliseum.  When not in California, he is usually visiting his daughter in New York.

His voice ranges from the deep styles of Gary Owens, Don Pardo and Thurl Ravenscroft, to the comic diversity of characters including Bullwinkle, Barney, Goofy and Mickey, having studied with famed character voice artist June Foray.  Having performed with Community Choirs and in Musicals, his comic timing and tenor/baritone range are well received.  He is comfortable in front of any audience whether it is four, forty, or forty thousand.

Starting as a broadcast journalist, Tim spent almost a decade as a News Director and radio personality in Central and Southern California.  While in radio, he found his talent for fund raising, which began a 25-year career raising millions of dollars working for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the March of Dimes, the City of Hope, and the American Cancer Society.  He has appeared on over seventy televised programs, news conferences and media events and co-hosted 3 telethons.

Flying is one of his great loves and he has over 2,000 hours in the air as an observer in helicopters and loves riding roller coasters.  This past Memorial Day he began his summer vacation at Coney Island by announcing the Salvation Army's plan to give away thousands of free, one-week camp trips to inner city kids across America.  He then boarded Coney Island's famous Cyclone Roller Coaster for a few trips with some past camp attendees.

On December 7, 2004, Santa Tim officially opened Knott's Berry Farm's 'The Silver Bullet,' fastest, highest and longest roller coaster ride on the West Coast.  On opening day, he rode the new coaster a total of 17 times for live video feeds across the United States.  He said, "It was like flying with the reindeer, lots of loops, turns and corkscrew twists!" He hopes one day to experience the trill of flying in a fighter jet.

In the role of "Kris Kringle," he speaks on "The Origins of Santa Claus," "The Symbols of Christmas," and "How to get a Head Start on the Holidays." As Stand-Up Comedian 'Kris K', he has appeared at the Improv, the Ice House, the Comedy Store and other venues.

He is in high demand as Santa and can be reached for appearances and presentations at:
(951) 779-0536 or www.SantaHollywood.com.

Following his military service, he majored in history, philosophy and the social sciences at Montana State and Western Montana State Universities. He also studied theology at Mount Angel Seminary at Saint Benedict, Oregon.

John has extensive experience as a writer, reporter, and press photographer—including working for regional newspapers and periodicals. He has won numerous awards for his columns, writing, feature articles, and photography. He has also written a how-to manual for new Santas—sharing some of his experiences and life lessons as Santa.

In addition, he has served as press secretary and speech writer for both the Montana Lt. Governor and the State Department of Transportation, with additional experience as a public affairs officer and deputy squadron commander of Civil Air Patrol. He is a member of numerous professional journalism societies.

John brings a solid combination of public relations and press/journalism experience to the world of Santa Claus. In addition to mall experience, he also does private and corporate visits.  John also uses his talents as a ventriloquist and magician to reach children during his visits. He is a member of the North American Association of Ventriloquists and the Brotherhood of Christmas Magi.

Active in community affairs, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and is involved with a newly forming Boys and Girls club in his home town.

John's leisure activities include: photography, painting, poetry, creative writing and historical research.

Elizabeth's journey into Photography was a circuitous one. She grew up on Alabama's Eastern Shore and is the youngest of five girls in an Italian-Irish Catholic family. Her parents instilled in her strong family values and the importance of a strong work ethic. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Psychology and went on to do a year's graduate study in Social Psychology at the University of Kentucky. While there, Elizabeth longed for the human interaction and human contact that a research-based Social Psychology program could not offer and found her next calling in the field of Occupational Therapy.

In 1994, she attended San Jose State University and received her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy.  Over the next seven years, Elizabeth's work in Occupational Therapy alternated between a spinal injury population and a geriatric population.

In 1997, Elizabeth took her first trip to Ireland and, during the planning for this experience, she picked up her first camera.  Needless to say, it was love at first sight.  Over the next seven years, Elizabeth used the bulk of her spare time to pursue her photographic education, culminating with the decision to open her first studio in August of 2004.  Elizabeth's style of portrait photography is unique and always with the goal to tell the story.  For Elizabeth, her camera is the window into the souls of the people she photographs.  "Every life is unique.  Every life has a story to tell.  I strive to tell that story through photographic images.  I think I am so fortunate in that I get to go to work every day and make something beautiful.  Aside from my children and my family, that is one of the greatest blessings of my life."

When the call came from Santa-America, Elizabeth was proud and excited to be able to contribute something to this amazing organization.  She viewed it as the perfect marriage of her past and present and jumped at the opportunity to use the skills she acquired while working in the healthcare community and the skills she uses daily in her role as a photographer to benefit such a deserving population of people. She strongly believes in the Spirit of Santa Claus and has instilled that belief in her own children.  "You never really outgrow Santa.  He lives in my heart and in every fond Christmas memory I have of my childhood.  Again, I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to work with a group of people dedicated to spreading that spirit year-round."

When not working, you can find Elizabeth spending her time with her husband Keith, and their two beautiful children-Jack and Sam.  Keith works for Essex Corporation / John Hancock as a regional vice president and must travel away from home three to four days a week.  "It is hard on everyone to be separated, but we make a special effort to have quality time together when we are all home.  Keith is such an amazing father, and my children are so lucky to have him."  Jack is five years old and loves music, and building, and using his imagination.  He is very excited about his mommy working with Santa.  Sam is only fourteen months old, but is already developing a strong personality and is an absolute joy to be around.  "Between my kids, my family, and a new business, my time is pretty well spoken for, but I love music, singing, dancing, and traveling and try to do those things as often as time allows."  Elizabeth says this may well be the best time of her life.

Elizabeth McGonagle Graham,
Owner of Lasting Memories Photography
1903 Main Street, Suite B
Daphne, Alabama 36526
(251) 626-6078

The couple was a celebrated Santa and Mrs. Claus in Southern California and was widely photographed. Santa Joseph appeared as a mall Santa, in photo shoots and commercials, home and corporate visits, as well as a public relations figure and media director for Discover Santa in 2006, a highly successful Santa Convention in Branson, Missouri. They had decided to move from their Southern California base to begin a new life in Tennessee.

Mary calls their new home in East Tennessee “Christmas Central” because of the incredible celebrations, decorations, and most importantly - family orientation and values of the region.  They love their new home area and are establishing some long term events and relationships almost as fast as you can say Kris Kringle!

Santa Joseph and Mary now appear each holiday season at Tanger Five Oaks mall in Sevierville, Tennessee.  Santa Joe as he is also known, has been interviewed and seen in countless newspapers, radio and TV stations as well in commercials for Disney and Nickelodeon. He and Mary also starred in a half hour program for Wealth TV entitled “Stories of Santa & Mrs. Claus”.  Santa Joseph is also the model for Brenda Harris Tustian and is represented in her paintings “A Christmas Party” which was commissioned by National Geographic, and “The Greatest Gift of All” her most recent watercolor painting. So whether you watch CNN, Good Morning America or read USA Today you have probably seen Santa Joseph.

Most recently the couple has begun to work with the beautiful City of Gatlinburg, Tennessee to put on an annual convention, parade and workshop for others wishing to discover the joy and love of portraying Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Called Celebrate Santa, it will take place each year beginning in March, 2009.  You can learn more about this annual event at www.celebratesanta.com.  Santa America is one of the two primary charitable organizations that will be supported by Celebrate Santa, the other being East Tennessee Children's Hospital.  Said the Moore's, “We can't think of a more worthwhile organization and we could not be prouder of our association and are dedicated to Santa-America and what it stands for.”

He began his professional stint as Santa with the Santa Plus organization, serving as Santa for the Fayette Mall in Lexington, Kentucky and then several years in Nashville, Tennessee at Bellevue Center.

Prior to becoming Santa, he pastored churches in Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida.  He and his wife, Jeanetta, graduated as the first married couple to graduate together from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.  Jim's major was history.  His minors were Bible and Philosophy.  He served on the first National Alumni Advancement Board at Belmont.

He has pastored churches, is a professional speaker and is the author of the book Things Kids Say to Santa.  He served on the National Board of Directors for Race Track Chaplains of America.  Jim also served as the Chaplain for the Broward County Fair, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  During the time he served as Chaplain we had a booth at the fair, entitled "Cups of Cold Water and Jesus." We gave out water and thousands of tracts.  The Broward County Fair is one of the largest fairs in the United States.

Jim and Jeanetta have been married for forty-five years.  They have two adult children, Valerie and Barry.

He also operated a successful family owned landscape contracting business in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  During this time he also served as a Christian activist.  It was at this time that he appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Santa Jim has been written up in many magazines and newspapers, including USA Today, Washington Times, Nashville Tennessean, Paducah Sun and in many papers in a story that was picked up by the Associated Press.

He appeared on Fox and Friends and also served as the Santa for Montel Williams' Christmas Eve show and numerous other TV stations.  He had his own cable TV talk show in the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood area.  He now co hosts a TV talk show entitled the Fabulous Fifties and Beyond.  He conducts over 200 radio interviews during the Christmas season.  He also appeared on the cover of Nashville Life Magazine.

He has done commercials for Easter Seals, Bellevue Center Mall, Nashville Predators Hockey Team, Nashville, Tennessee ABC affiliate, Channel 2, WKRM.  He was Santa at the international ASTD conference held in Orlando, Florida in 2005.

Jim loves to read, travel, entertain and do photography and woodworking.

He has a passionate love for children.  Each year he participates with other soap opera and music stars in the "Telethon of Stars." This telethon benefits Easter Seals.

Claushimself has appeared in many stories in newspapers and magazines in Arizona, as well as at least 7 states west of the Mississippi.  A reporter for the Good Morning Arizona show dubbed him as Claushimself when she first met him.  He has also appeared in photo work for magazines and commercials with American Express, the Phoenix Suns, and many local businesses, as well as several athletes, movie stars, singers, and a past vice president.  He was the Broadway Stores organizer of Breakfast with Santa for 14 years.  He christened the new S.W. Airlines Terminal with the Mayor when it opened in Phoenix and has been the provider of Santa at the Ritz Carlton, the Phoenician, and the Princess Resorts since they came to the Valley.  He has also been the Santa for the Phoenix Suns, the Chaparral Suites, and many home customers for over 25 years.  His customers are the Who's Who of Phoenix, including the Dial Corporation, Prudential Services, Arizona State Retirement Services, ASBA, ASU Sports, AZ Expos, Bashas' Groceries, Cox Media, Az. Blue Cross, (3) Merrill Lynch offices, and many more to numerous to mention.

“When newspapers and magazines interview me, I ask them not to use my real name, because I want the children who see the article to only know me as Santa or Claushimself.”

Claushimself can be contacted at (602) 954-TOYS (8697) or www.santaclausandcompany.com.

He is a graduate of Baker University with a degree in management, and has completed additional studies in sociology.  John has taught at numerous sales and marketing seminars and conferences.  He is an instructor for the Kansas City Boiler Operator's Certification Program.  He has served on the National Board of Directors of the Association for Facilities Engineering.

He is a District Account manager for Nalco Company specializing in industrial water treatment.  His career has focused on sales and sales management with assignments in Oklahoma City, St. Louis and Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri.

John and his wife Helen have been married for 32 years.  They have two children.  He is active in his church and community.  His family is his "Number One" priority.

Since first donning "THE SUIT" in 1978, John has delighted in home visits and personal visits with children.  He has attended International University of Santa Claus taught by Santa Tim.  He is a member of The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, and is on the National Beard Registry (#1721).

John has developed solid press and media relations in the Kansas City area based on mutual respect, credibility and trust.  He is regularly featured in the Kansas City Star and TV.  He is prefers to be referred to as... “Santa.”

He served as a military police office in the USAF in the USA and Ramstein, Germany—attaining the rank of sergeant  He also worked as a police park ranger and forest fire fighter for the National Forest Service before pursuing his commitment to the priesthood.

"Santa Friar David" has worked as a mall Santa, and found his commitment to being Santa while visiting children's hospitals in Rome during his university studies  Bringing Love, Hope and Joy to special needs children is a natural extension of his priestly duties.

"Santa Friar David" brings a special perspective to the Santa-America Board of Advisors as he helps us in our commitment of bringing our special needs children "Love, Hope and Joy" wrapped in a big hug with an ecumenical spirit that transcends religion, race, disability, gender, and ethnicity.

Santa Bob is Santa 12 months a year for LifePath Hospice. While the primary mission of Santa-America is bringing Love, Hope and Joy to children under Hospice care or other stressful situations, Bob has learned that bringing this same Love, Hope and Joy to the elderly patients of Hospice is also personally rewarding. When we realize these Hospice patients may only have a few days, a few weeks, maybe a few months, it is truly remarkable to see how just a short magical visit from Santa can create such a radiant smile, make those eyes sparkle again, maybe make their heart soar again, if for just a few minutes, even if perhaps, for the last time, shows again just how important Santa-America's work is.

Bob is also an experienced professional clown, Waki The Wizard. He joined the Egypt Shrine Clowns in 1983 and is still an active Shrine Clown. Bob entertains children with his amazing balloon sculpturing, face painting and comedy (wacky) magic at corporate parties, picnics and other special events.

Bob served as Egypt's Chairman of Shriners Hospitals Services for eight years. Bob learned and demonstrated excellent media public relations skills. Bob's primary responsibility was to find children with medical problems Shriners Hospitals could treat. With a lot of assistance from other Shriners, Firefighters, Doctors and Nurses, Bob set records for the numbers of children sponsored by Egypt's Shriners and treated at Shriners Hospitals that will never be surpassed or even equaled.

Bob's various entrepreneurial business experiences created excellent business skills. The Investment Banking firm of Crosby & Elkin, and the Commerical Investment Real Estate Brokerage firm of Hulsberg-Elkin were successful firms of years past. Bob started the Robert Elkin Agency in 1989, as an independent insurance firm. Bob is still an active broker, with a General Lines Insurance License.

After graduating from Hot Springs Ark. High School and serving his ANG Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base, Bob returned to Tampa to continue his career with Sherwin-Williams Co. Several years and several promotions later, Bob was appointed as the youngest ever Branch Manager and moved to Murray, Kentucky. Bob spent six years in Murray, before moving to the sun and fun of Florida!

Bob has been married to JoAnn for 28 years.  Together, they have four children, five grandchildren and one great grandson! Bob has called the Tampa Bay Area home for the last 35 years.

Santa Bob is available anytime to speak to your organization or group about the excellent work Santa-America performs for our local community.

You can e-mail Santa Bob at santa@santatb.com, or you can visit him on the web at www.santatb.com.