WHO WE ARE

Crime Survivors works in your community to make victims’ rights a top priority. We facilitate communication and cooperation across various public service, government and non-profit organizations to ensure that victims’ rights are understood, and that the services victims are entitled to are received. If you think you are not receiving the assistance you should, please contact us.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

Founder / CEO

Patricia Wenskunas

Patricia Wenskunas is the Founder/CEO of Crime Survivors, Inc. and has gained national renown for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the victims of violent crime. Crime Survivors is dedicated to the proposition that with community support, respectful advocacy and hopeful healing, one can survive a violent crime, and thrive in their personal lives. Ms. Wenskunas stresses the important distinction between being a victim and a survivor, and it is this mindset that forms the basis for the organization’s universally-praised work.

Ms. Wenskunas’ passion to assist those who have been victimized by criminal attacks and tragedy is driven by her own personal experiences at the hands of a vicious assailant in her own home on April 4, 2002, and the humiliation and injustice she experienced at the hands of the criminal justice system.

In both instances, Ms. Wenskunas fought back and prevailed. It was through these tremendously negative experiences that she found her courage and her voice, and has used them both to help others to be transposed from victims to survivors ever since.

Ms. Wenskunas was one of the early proponents of California’s Victim’s Bill of Rights known as “Marsy’s Law,” a state constitutional amendment that was passed into law by California’s voters in 2008. Intended to help re-balance the scales of justice so that survivors and the families of murder victims would have rights too, “Marsy’s Law” is now part of the California State Constitution, as well as certain sections of the state’s Penal Code.

Ms. Wenskunas’ civic involvement extends well beyond the organization she founded. She is the Founder and former CEO of Orange County Crime Stoppers, an Advisory Board member at CalVCP, a Board member at Crime Victims United, and a past Board Member for The Children’s Advocacy Center and California Crime Stoppers.

Professionally, Patricia’s has found success as the owner of Creative Coordinating, a catering and event planning company. Her culinary artistry and event planning expertise has helped to make the firm one of Orange County’s leading catering and event planning companies.

Ms. Wenskunas remains passionately involved with victim’s rights issues and is an acknowledged spokesperson who is frequently sought out to deliver awareness on a host of issues through presentations for church groups, high schools, forums, women’s groups, victims organizations & law enforcement agencies.

Patricia has paved the way for victims of violent crime to truly survive and thrive. Today she forges ahead fighting and championing for victims when they don’t have the strength to do it on their own. She has truly become a voice for the voiceless.

The statement that guides Ms. Wenskunas’ life is simple: “With Faith, there is Hope.”

Board Chair

Burton Brink

Burton Brink started his Law Enforcement Career in 1977 as a Police Explorer with the city of Arcadia. In 1982, he became a Police Reserve Officer for the Monterey Park Police Department.

In 1989, he was hired by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he stayed until retiring in October 2017.

During his over 40-year career in law enforcement, he has worked various assignments as a deputy sheriff including patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, motors, training officer, and motorcycle training officer.

In January 2009, he was promoted to Sergeant working custody and patrol divisions. In 2012 he oversaw the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s “Montrose Search and Rescue” team out of the Crescenta Valley Station. He has responded to numerous Search and Rescue callouts, within Los Angeles County as well as statewide. He was also in charge of the station’s police explorers, Reserve Deputies, disaster communications team and civilian volunteers.

In 2015, he was transferred to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau, Headquarters (S.I.B.) at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles. He was the sergeant in charge of their Social Media and Film and Media Program. He was one of the Department’s Press Information Officer (P.I.O.) for major incidents for Sheriff McDonnell.

Burton was one of the Board of Directors for the Professional Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County (PPOA) for five years before retiring.

Burton is an Amateur (Ham) radio operator with an F.C.C licensed call-sign “N6USO” and he owns numerous communications repeaters in Southern California where his linked system talks around the world. He is an emergency communications and equipment specialist for disasters.

In Burton’s free time, he enjoys camping in his motorhome and spending time with his wife and family. Burton’s wife, Kim is also a retired sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Burton also spends his time involved in numerous charity events for kids, as well as Law Enforcement charities (Baker to Vegas official since 1986).

Burton is also a Commissioner for the City of Arcadia, where he and his wife live, and very active in various groups within the community.

Board Member

Randy Burba

Randy Burba – provides 32 years of experience in higher education public safety. This includes highly successful leadership in the areas of law enforcement, fire & life safety, emergency management, and threat assessment. Moreover, Randy’s advanced understanding of public policy has afforded him the privileges of working with organizations at all executive levels and leading key policy development, change management, and professional association activities among his previous board service. His service illustrates a broad spectrum that includes serving one of California’s largest private universities, The University of Southern California, for 19 years before transitioning to one of the West’s top ranked institutions, Chapman University in 2005, where he was named Chief of Public Safety.

Randy recently served as the President of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and is a past president for the California College and University police Chiefs Association (CCUPCA). Serving in these roles has afforded Randy the opportunity to successfully create and facilitate legislation at the local, regional and national levels, and these efforts have directly contributed to redefining a variety of best practices among public safety professionals, as well as colleges and universities, allowing them to actively and confidently provide safer places for everyone they serve. Randy’s public safety commitments are genuinely of a public policy level, however, as he also serves as the Chair for The Board of Directors for Crime Survivors Inc., an organization dedicated to providing support to those who have been victimized by violent crime.

As a graduate of the West Point Leadership Command Program, the University of Southern California’s Delinquency Control Institute, and Gavin De Becker’s Threat Assessment Academy, Randy has successfully implemented several advanced threat assessment protocols and contemporary best practices. Randy’s additional professional memberships include; The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), The National Association of Campus Safety Administrators (NACSA), the Association of Industrial Security (ASIS), and The Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP).

Chief Burba also provides consulting services to public and private universities in the areas of police & campus safety reviews and assessments; mass emergency notification systems; emergency preparedness and planning program development and their associated response procedures; active assailant training strategies and multi-jurisdictional strategic planning protocols for active threat responses; and federal & state compliance methods. Randy has shared his expertise generously at several national conferences for groups that include: the University Risk Managers, National School Safety Council, and Campus Safety Magazine. He has been included in key issues articles and features published by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the Washington Post, Inside Higher Education, and The Army Times, and is a contributing author for the Careers in Government blog.

Treasurer

Janet Wilson-Irving

Janet Wilson-Irving began her career in the Amusements Industry over 27 years ago working as a Sales Representative at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. She immediately fell in love with the idea of “selling fun” and helping others. She continued that journey for many years by pursuing new opportunities with Palace Entertainment as the National Director of Sales and as the Director of Sales with Apex Parks Group.

After taking a 6-month break in 2018-19 from her professional career, she began to realize more than ever that focusing on health, family and strengthening her faith by helping others was where her next chapter was to begin. In 2019, she was presented with an opportunity to work at St. Cyprian Parish in Long Beach, where she has been a member of for over 25 years. She is currently helping to coordinate and execute all major events as well as being the liaison for the various ministries. She says it has been a humbling experience, especially after working in corporate America for so many years, but doing “God’s work” has far surpassed anything she has done before.

Janet served on the Board of Directors for Crime Survivors Inc. and has been involved with the organization from its beginning stages. Her continued passion, belief and hope, is to help victims learn how to become survivors by providing them with the proper resources and guidance.

Secretary

TERRY JOHNSON

Terry Johnson is a child abuse and rape detective with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau.

She has been a police officer for 17 years. Prior to working this unit, for almost 10 years, Terry worked as a street cop at Compton Sheriff’s Station and also in a medium to maximum security jail, East Max Detention Facility.

Terry has worked on a federal task force, as a sworn-in federal investigator with the United States Postal Inspector’s Service, conducting a large, federal child exploitation investigation.

She was recently chosen to be involved with another task force, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Overdose Task Force.

She is certified with the State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training to instruct at the academy on her expertise and profession. She enjoys teaching the new recruits.

Her professional awards include the life-saving award and the Meritorious service award of conduct.

Terry has her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading a good non-fiction novel, being grounded in her faith and world traveling.

“Do not forget that true love sets no conditions; it does not calculate or complain, but simply loves.” Saint JP II

Board Member

Beverly Johnson

Ms. Johnson is a Partner at Johnson & Bertram LLP. Ms. Johnson has practiced law in Southern California for over seventeen years. Ms. Johnson has extensive trial and arbitration experience, and has handled complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts from inception through appeal. She has advised her clients through a wide array of legal disputes, including matters involving civil RICO, securities claims, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty, shareholder-related claims, contract claims, insurance matters, judgment enforcement and collection matters, SEC investigations, fraudulent conveyance, and a variety of business torts. She has obtained multi-million dollar judgments for several clients. She has also obtained terminating sanctions in numerous cases due to opponents’ discovery abuses. Ms. Johnson also provides pre-litigation advice and counseling to clients in an effort to resolve potentially costly disputes without the need to go to court.

Prior to joining Johnson & Bertram LLP, Ms. Johnson was Of Counsel in Dorsey & Whitney’s trial practice group, and was also a member of two other practice groups devoted to electronic discovery and nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. Prior to that time, Ms. Johnson was associated with two multi-national law firms, and also worked as an Enforcement Attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ms. Johnson received her law degree, cum laude, from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where she was an editor of the Southern California Law Review. She received her undergraduate degree in business administration, summa cum laude, from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, where she was a member of the USC Student Senate and Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Ms. Johnson is admitted to practice in all state courts in California, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Ninth and Fourth Circuits. She is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and has served as a director of a Santa Ana-based national charitable organization since 2008. She has also served as volunteer pro bono counsel for clients of the Public Law Center since 2006.

Board Member

Thomas Laing

Tom recently rejoined the Board, after previously serving for 8 years including as our chairperson. Tom served as a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for 35 years before retiring as a patrol division chief.

Tom retired in July 2013, and joined his wife volunteering with their church community food and clothing distribution program, attending Crime Survivors events, and volunteering at their three grandchildren’s schools. In addition, Tom serves as President of a Foundation that provides college scholarships and grants to youth camps and educational programs as well as serving as a volunteer listener for a law enforcement crisis hotline. Tom and Janice enjoy spending time with their family, attending and supporting their grandchildren’s activities, attending sporting events, hanging out with their friends, and traveling.

Tom expressed his appreciation for being part of the Crime Survivors Board again, as together we not only recognize the organization’s 20 years of serving victims with resources that provide hope, but to seek more opportunities for those we serve to survive and thrive!

RESOURCE CENTER STAFF

Founder / CEO

Patricia Wenskunas

The statement that guides Ms. Wenskunas’ life is simple: “With Faith, there is Hope.”

Community Development

Jenna Brouwer

CRIME SURVIVORS COUNCIL

The Crime Survivors Council includes individuals that believe in our mission, vision and values and support us with programs, services and events. They attend functions when needed, and if possible, and can make introductions to community leaders, elected officials and business owners for possible partnerships and collaborations to expand our mission in the community.

Our Council is integral to bridging the gaps and creating crucial relationships between survivors and stakeholders such as business owners, community leaders, and elected officials. With the partnerships and collaborations our Crime Survivors Council facilitate, we are able to make a great difference in the lives of the victims and survivors whom we fight for.

Tim Murphy

Police Lieutenant, Seal Beach Police Department
Julia Clasby

Todd Spitzer

Michael Hestrin

Dan Dow

Don Barnes

Sheriff Chad Bianco

Dr. Kali P. Chaudhuri

Dr. Sumanta Chaudhuri-Saini

Laurie Davies

Chris Kelly

Dr. Stephany Powell

Dr. Ana Nogales

Tim Shaw

Al Murray

Hon. Arianna Barrios

Gene Hernandez

Tri Ta

Kevin Muldoon

Andrew Meyer

Cameron Knauerhaze

John Thomas

Gisselle Espinoza

Brian Moriguchi

David Chewiwie

Rick Martinez

Jonathan Hatami

Michael Carrillo

Moses Castillo

Eileen Frere

Kelli Reid

Jo-E Lopez

Kelly Lam

Shari Farmer

Jeff Corless

Katie Gilbertson

Rachael M. Watkins

Christina Selter

Noel Nassar

Stuart Haskin

Vericia Miller

Nathan Hittle

Susy Flores

Agnes Gibboney

Navid Tayebi

Trish Steele

Allie Jacoby

Frances Rodriguez

John Adair

Ernie Castelo

Matt Regan

Dienna Rogers

Vincent De Vargas

Katrina Owens

Michael Paul Thomas

Kevin B. McDonald

Monica Torres

Carolyn Perrier

Jennifer Lundy

Eric Granof

Sandra Morales

Sean Cook

Maggie Kreins

Teresa Smith

Michael Streed

Lew Stowers

Michael Ames

Vern Pierson

Mike Hamel

Gregory Totten

Anne Marie Schubert

Farrah Khan

John Gillis

Diane Harkey

Mack Jenkins

Darin Lenyi

David Grkinich

Ronald Hernandez

Shannon King Ginter

Diane Brooks Dixon

Denise French

Abby Baron

Tim Murphy

Chief Dan Adams

Chief Tom DaRe

Chief Jon T. Lewis

Ruben Nava

Henry Hsu

Sharon Angel

Frank Lee

Kathy Cady

Suzy Betz

Michelle Cardoza

Captain Rich Ruiz

Meagan McCarthy

Mike Gatto

Sylvia Calandrino

Joe Abbed and Imelda Hernandez

Police Lieutenant, Seal Beach Police Department

Julia Clasby

Dr. Mandy Mount

HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD

The Advisory Members for Crime Survivors are individuals that believe in and support our mission, vision and values and are on hand for any advice for the overall organization structure in supporting programs, services and events and are able to provide advice for best practices if needed.

This is only an advice and supportive seat and is not an active role in day to day operations. These individuals do not have any organizational voting powers or fiduciary director duties in their role as an advisory member.