Alumni Profiles

Jon Hoech (‘86, Biology), the vice president of animal care at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, loves working with passionate people who share his dedication to marine conservation. He also enjoys the beautiful view of the Monterey Bay from his office, similar to his favorite things about studying at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Hoech's journey to Cal Poly Humboldt reflects a passion for nature that has defined his life. Growing up in San Clemente, surrounded by the ocean, Hoech's early connection to the marine environment and love for scuba diving laid the foundation for his academic pursuits.

Motivated by a curiosity for the natural world, Hoech found his way to Humboldt, drawn by the redwood curtain, unique culture, and the promise of academic training that aligned with his interests. He dove into the College of Natural Resources & Sciences, exploring various fields from marine biology to mycology and physics, finally deciding to pursue Biology as his major.

Reflecting on his time at Humboldt, Hoech emphasizes the influential professors, small class sizes, and the immersive environment as key elements that shaped his educational experience. The redwood forest, Telonicher Marine Lab, and newly built facilities like the Dennis K. Walker Greenhouse added to the richness of his academic journey. Access to unique natural areas like the Lanphere Dunes National Natural Landmark and Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge further enhanced his connection to the environment and learning.

Some of his favorite parts of studying biology were the passionate professors, the experiential learning in the redwood environment, and the quality of instruction. He specifically mentions the impact of Biology professors like Gary Brusca, Tim Lawlor, and Native American Studies Professor Robert Lake, who broadened his perspectives beyond the scientific realm.

“The quality of the environment, including the resources and infrastructure on campus, the availability of good professors, and lastly, the wonderful environment of Arcata and Humboldt County make Humboldt a great place to study. It is a magical and beautiful place that can open young minds to new concepts and ways of thinking," Hoech says.

After graduating, a serendipitous opportunity at the Monterey Bay Aquarium changed his trajectory. Now, as the vice president of animal care, he oversees five departments: the applied water science team, the dive programs, the veterinary services team, the husbandry team, and the collections team. In managing and leading each department, he is applying everything he learned in the biological sciences curriculum as a student at Humboldt, from math and chemistry to ecology and microbiology.

“I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to work with such a diverse and talented group. Seeing the passion and dedication they bring to their work every day is a joy. I also appreciate the collaborative spirit within the aquarium, where everyone is working toward a common goal of inspiring marine conservation and appreciation for the world's oceans,” Hoech says.

Being part of the Privacy Leadership Team at Meta, Facebook’s parent company, which focuses on developing augmented and virtual reality technology, means thinking outside the box. It’s a daunting task for a team responsible for protecting users' privacy rights. However, as a leader on the team, Rebecca Beard (‘01, Art) finds this task effortless, thanks to the time she spent as an Art major at Cal Poly Humboldt.

“Meta hires some of the smartest people in the world, and I continue to learn and grow as a leader within the company. The culture at Meta pushes you to think differently and collaborate with teams across the company to develop creative solutions to difficult problems,” Beard says.

Beard is excited about the work she does at Meta, getting to set the stage for how privacy-enhancing technologies will change the world. As a leader of a team of global managers who develop privacy practices to protect users' data in the Metaverse, she works with Meta's privacy engineers to create products like virtual reality consoles and smart glasses.

Beard’s team at Meta previously worked with Luxottica, makers of Ray-Ban, to create a pair of sunglasses that could record video and post that footage directly to social media. Meta needed to develop a mechanism that allowed users to opt out of sharing their data, a process Beard says took time and innovative solutions.

Beard attributes Humboldt as a massive contributor to her success because she had the freedom to think creatively as a Cal Pol Humboldt Art student.

“I couldn't do what I do now without Humboldt because I must develop creative solutions for new technologies,” Beard says. “My experience at Humboldt gave me a new perspective and enabled me to develop creative solutions in my job.”

At Humboldt, she was a graphic designer, photographer, and illustrator. As an Art major, she spent much of her time working on projects, from conceptualization to execution. Beard credits the hands-on learning experience and her Humboldt professors for strengthening her creativity. When she thought she was done with an art piece, they pushed her and encouraged her to keep creating.

After graduating and spending a few years in different employment fields, including law and technology, Beard received her Master of Business Administration from San Francisco State University and her Executive Master of Business Administration from The Yale School of Business. She then moved into management roles in the tech industry.

After noticing the gap between male and female leadership and struggling to move up in the workforce, Beard has become passionate about uplifting, empowering, and mentoring other women.

“I'm passionate about helping other women move up, whether through an advanced degree, additional training, or having mentorship from somebody like me or another female leader,” Beard says. “In most cases, it takes women more time to get into leadership positions than men. I want to change that and lift other women in the industry.”

Steve (‘95, Speech Communications) and Amy Bohner’s journey from Humboldt students to successful entrepreneurs underscores the profound impact that their education and experiences at Cal Poly Humboldt had on their lives. They continue to contribute to the community, blending sustainability, creativity, and a strong sense of place in everything they do.

Steve’s introduction to Cal Poly Humboldt was through a friend and his love for soccer. He quickly immersed himself in the punk rock scene, becoming a DJ for KHSU before it became a public radio station.

"We played punk rock music and invited bands to come play in Arcata," he says. Among the bands they brought in were soon-to-be legends like Green Day. Thanks to the support of the station's general manager, Parker Van Hecke, this experience was crucial for Steve, teaching him valuable lessons in organization, professionalism, and community engagement.

Amy, a Child Development major at Humboldt, was inspired to attend after visiting the North Coast. She valued her time in the Child Development Lab, gaining hands-on experience with children and observing them through a two-way mirror, offering important learning opportunities.

“I loved working in the Child Development Lab. We would watch the other staff with the kids and just observe how they dealt with misbehaving or not sharing or whatever kind of situations came up. You could just see how it was handled in real-time, and I feel like I learned a lot from that experience,” Amy says.

Steve and Amy have nothing but praise for their time at Humboldt. Steve highlights the supportive environment that allowed students like him to take on significant responsibilities, encouraging a sense of professionalism and community.

After graduation, Steve founded Alchemy Construction in 1998, and Amy joined the crew soon after they met. Their firm has been integral in shaping Arcata’s landscape, contributing to iconic spots like Café Brio, The Alibi, and the Dead Reckoning Tavern.

Steve manages the construction company, which prides itself on green building practices like solar and radiant heating installations and utilizing recycled materials. His commitment to sustainability began early in his career, influenced by his work at the Arcata Recycling Center, and continues to be a guiding principle in his projects.

In 2015, Steve and Amy expanded their entrepreneurial spirit by founding Alchemy Distillery. Amy manages the whiskey distillery full-time, bringing her passion for sustainable practices to the forefront. The distillery is renowned for its zero-waste efforts, including donating spent grains to local farmers for livestock feed and using upcycled materials like bowling alley lanes for the tasting room’s decor.

Steve and Amy believe that experiencing the slower pace and friendly community of Arcata, along with its natural beauty, is an invaluable part of the Cal Poly Humboldt journey. Amy appreciates the lasting sense of community and the energy of living in a college town, making it an ideal place to both study and live.