We proudly present to you our GFF Cabana Boys, Class of 2009. These contemporary gentlemen bravely stepped forward to support the mission of The Girlfriend Factor at our second annual Evening at Club Cabana. Jerry Dunn, shown with board members of GFF, received the most votes to earn the illustrious title of The Big Kahuna, Class of 2009!

Jerry Dunn - The Big Kahuna, Class of 2009
Jerry was born on April 1 and this set the pattern for the rest of his life. He squandered most of his childhood and virtually all of his adult life. This includes eeking out a degree at UCLA, a tour of duty in the U.S. Army and a career at Xerox Corporation. Jerry assists his wife, Donna, in her business, Donna Dunn & Associates, an interior design firm. According to Jerry his main task is to bring lunch to her each day. In addition, he occasionally hangs pictures, moves furniture and opens a bottle of champagne so that Donna and her client can celebrate the installation of a design project.

Jerry wanted to become a Cabana Boy because he owns a 1933 Ford Woodie, loves the beach and was told he'd be around a lot of girls.

Edward Barkett
Edward Barkett is the President of Atlas Properties, Inc., a real estate development and management firm operating over 1.5 million square feet of commercial, retail industrial and entertainment-related properties throughout the United States. He serves on the Board of Directors of several corporations and charitable institutions. He is most proud of his family and his favorite escape is abalone fishing.

Dr. Richard Nandi Chenik
New to the desert, Dr. Chenik recently opened Indian Wells Psychotherapy, a private practice offering therapy and psychiatric care in a warm and nurturing setting. In addition to his position as a psychiatrist of Oasis Crisis Services, a psychiatric emergency room in Indio, CA, Dr. Chenik maintains his Beverly Hills private practice and is the Co-Chair of the annual Thalians Ball which benefits Thalians Mental Health Center of Hollywood's Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His first job was working as a Cabana Boy.

Walter Clark
Attorney Walter Clark works to protect and advocate for the rights of consumers and citizens throughout the Coachella Valley, Victorville and the Morango Basin. He is recognized by the national Board of Trial Advocacy as a certified civil trial specialist and is board certified by the American Board of Trail Advocates. Throughout the Desert, Walter Clark's name is closely associated with his generosity in creating programs and projects to support healthy living and personal responsibility.

Larry Goodwin
Larry is the Founder and President of Health Insurance Network, a general insurance agency that has been servicing the Coachella Valley since 1988. Not only does his agency offer medical, life and long-term care insurance, they recently expanded to offer auto and homeowners insurance as well. As a past president of Palm Desert Rotary Club he remains heavily involved in giving back to our community. But his main priority for the last several years has been listening to his wife Joan as she established and now leads The Girlfriend Factor. According to Joan the man is an absolute saint.

Dennis Healey
Dennis is an attorney practicing law in the desert since 1970. He started with Jean Ann Hirschi and his dad, Hirschi, Healey & Healey in Palm Desert until 1984 when the firm became Healey & Healey. He specializes in estate planning, probate, and trusts. He is a past President of the Desert Bar Association, Desert Estate Planning Council, Palm Desert Rotary, Shelter From the Storm, and superb soccer coach for 12 years! He has three daughters, Julie, Jessica and Sara.

Richard Heckmann
Among his many accomplishments, Richard is the founder of US Filter and Heckmann Corporation and is part of an investment group that owns the Phoenix Suns. The Heckmann Center for International Entrepreneurial Management is located in Palm Desert, CA. Along with the State of California, Richard donated the funds to build the school on a 20 acre campus where students receive Masters of Business Administration from the University of California. His favorite escape is his boat.

Tom Kleine
Tom is President of Advanced Retirement Strategies, Inc. a full service financial advisory firm dedicated to helping their clients with a wide range of products and services. Tom is a fourth generation Californian who has been in the financial service field for over 20 years. His wife Cindy is on the Girlfriend Factor Board of Directors. According to Tom, she loves him and keeps him in line. In turn, he supports what she believes in.

John Martin
John is a Partner and Founder of C. Martin Co, Inc., a Department of Defense contractor specializing in Facilities Maintenance, Civil Engineering and Construction at US Military bases throughout the country. John and his better half, Laura "LC" Craig, are the best friends of Cindy and Tom Kleine. He feels that women really are from Venus (men from Mars) and you can't live without them.

Lee Morcus
Lee is CEO and co-founding principal of the Kaiser Restaurant Group which owns and operates Kaiser Grille, Jackalope Ranch, Hogs Breath Inn and Prime Chop House. He also is a co-founding principal and managing member in Morcus Management, a restaurant services company. Additionally, Lee is Board Co-Chair of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership. He admits that women are an unsolved mystery.

Davis Sezna
Davis is the President of La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West. He is responsible for asset management and community relations for both properties. He has spent over 35 years developing, owning and operation hotels, golf courses and restaurants. Davis is most proud of being a father and his willingness to learn.

Dr. Raj Sinha
Dr.Sinha is the President of S.T.A.R Orthopedics, Inc. of La Quinta and Co-Founder, Executive VP and Chief Medical Officer of Joint Replacement Hospitals of America, Inc. He remains active in surgeon education, lecturing world wide and organizing surgeon education conferences His wife, Kavita, is also a physician. He has three children who keep him busy and three Labradors who torture him.

Tim Snyder
Service defines much of the professional and personal life of Cabana Boy Tim Snyder. Tim has amassed an impressive career in the food services industry. Having enjoyed many years with the national steak house conglomerate Ruth's Chris, he became involved with the Girlfriend Factor while serving as General Manager of Ruth's Chris Palm Desert location. Tim immediately understood and embraced the philosophy behind the Girlfriend Factor, associating it with the philosophy upon which Ruth's Chris was founded. Without hesitation, he has made Ruth's Chris available to the Girlfriend Factor for many events, often with food and beverage specials that enticed prospective members and rewarded returning supporters The Go Girl Luncheon has been held each year at Ruth's Chris. Tim is married to his wife Stephanie, and they have four children.

Dr. Mark Sofonio
Dr. Mark Vincent Sofonio is a Board Certified plastic sugeon. A native of the Coachella Valley, he successfully completed the accelerated U.C.R./U.C.L.A. combined undergraduate medical school program with Magna Cum Laude honors. He served an Internship and General Surgery residency at the University of Hawaii. He completed his Plastic Surgery Residency training at the Medical College of Ohio. Sofonio is a respected member of the desert's medical community. His exceptional reputation for patient care has earned him numerous awards and recognitions. Dr. Sofonio has a special interest and extensive experience in performing aesthetic surgery. He specializes in all forms of body contouring and facial rejuvenation surgery including the latest techniques in laser surgery and hair restoration.

Additionally, Dr. Sofonio is one of the Fabulously Original Charter Cabana Boys.

Creek Williams
Creek has been a Personal Trainer in Palm Desert for the past 17 years and owner of Creek's Gym for 10 years. The majority of his clients are women and he has learned from them that as you gain self-confidence in your physical ability, you also improve confidence in your ability to deal with personal, family and professional relationships. In his previous life he was a member of the original LA SWAT Team.

Perry Zeigler
Perry Zeigler has been a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch since 1993. Zeigler specializes in asset management for individuals, private foundations and corporate cash management. Active the Palm Desert community, Perry Zeigler has been an ardent supporter of the Girlfriend Factor. He has generously offered his expertise to members in need of financial management. Perry Zeigler and his wife Libby have two children, Nikolas and Madison.

Additionally, Perry is one of the Fabulously Original Charter Cabana Boys.

Matt Christopher
Matt joined Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Palm Desert as its new General Manager after having previously been GM of Outback Steakhouse. He has a beautiful 6 year old daughter named Grace, and a very active 2 year old son, Carson. He loves living and working in our Desert community and his favorite possession is his Harley Davidson.