Orange County Support Groups Seeking New Members!

PARENT NETWORK GROUP is facilitated by volunteers, Pamela George and Matt Bays. This group is a great way for parents of children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis to learn more about IBD from world-class healthcare professionals, build bonds with area families, and enjoy group activities together. This group meets quarterly in Newport Beach near Fashion Island, and will have a team at the Take Steps walk in Irvine for any interested families.

SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY GROUP is facilitated by Sheila Rowan and Phil Hering. This group hosts speakers, shares the latest information and offers a supportive environment monthly. Meetings take place at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills.

NORTH ORANGE COUNTY GROUP is facilitated by Allison Miller and Darrin Pagenkopp. This group starts out with an icebreaker, hosts speakers, shares support and covers a monthly topic. Meetings take place at Los Alamitos Medical Center. This group also has a voluntary opportunity to join their team, Poo Crew, for the Take Steps walk in June.

Introducing CCFA Greater Los Angeles Chapter’s New President of the Board

ANDREW BERMAN

Andrew Berman became involved with CCFA several years ago when he joined the Committee for the “CCFA Golf Classic”.  He soon became the Chairman of that event and was asked to serve on the Greater Los Angeles Chapter Board of Trustees. 

Andrew is a well respected entertainment industry veteran with over twenty five years of experience in sales, marketing, and distribution of entertainment properties to all media worldwide. He has represented all types of properties including theatrical feature films, TV Movies, animated series and specials, documentaries, and music specials. Andrew is currently Vice President of International Distribution for Fremantle Media, the producers of “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “X Factor.” 

Prior to joining Fremantle Media, he headed up a media consultancy firm ARB International that specialized in providing consultation with regards to the marketing and distribution of entertainment programming in all respective Medias. He also served a 2nd stint with TMS Entertainment, Inc. a division of videogame giant SEGA as their Executive Vice President and General Manager of their North American operations. Mr. Berman was the Executive VP for IDT Entertainment Sales. In that capacity, he was responsible for forming the worldwide sales division for NYSE publicly traded IDT Entertainment now known as Starz Media, a division of John Malone’s Liberty Media. He oversaw the worldwide sales and distribution for all IDT company produced properties as well as acquired third party product and successfully launched worldwide the acclaimed and Emmy award winning Showtime series “Masters Of Horror.”

Andrew also was responsible for the launch of the animated series “Wow Wow Wubbzy” and the successful international theatrical release of the animated feature “Everyone’s Hero.” Prior to that, he ran the U.S. office and led the worldwide sales efforts for TMS Entertainment, a well-known and distinguished Japanese animation production and distribution company and a subsidiary company of Sega Enterprises. He has also worked in various executive capacities in sales, marketing, and worldwide distribution at such companies as Harvey Entertainment, New World Pictures and MGM. He also has served as a consultant to several foreign distribution companies and was the co-producer of the independent feature film “Moving Alan” which won the coveted Best Feature Film award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. 

Andrew is a graduate of California State University at Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio Television and Film. He resides in Encino, CA with his wife Marci, who suffers from IBD, and their two daughters Lauren and Danielle.