The People Behind the Murals

S. Elaine Lyttleton

President – Businesswoman. Owner (with her husband Norman Case) and Executive Winemaker at Hatfield Creek Winery, Ramona CA. Creator of the H.E.A.R.T. Acronym, founder of the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project and the Ramona Art & Wine Festival. Retired tax professional (Enrolled Agent), businesswoman. Former Chairman of the Board of the Carlsbad (California) Chamber of Commerce, Former Chairman of the California Tax Education Council, Former Campaign Manager of the YES on Legoland California Initiative Campaign. A passionate advocate for Economic Development and Small Business.

Molly

Molly Jaeger-Begent

Vice President – Artist and Art Gallery Owner. A resident of Ramona since 2008 when her family bought the Old Owen Ranch on Highland Valley Road. Molly and her husband David Begent owned a successful San Diego construction company that specialized in biotech tenant improvements for 30 plus years. They moved to Ramona after they retired to pursue their goal of becoming full time artists. They converted one of the two barns on the ranch into a 10,000 square-foot art studio and the other barn into an “Art Barn,” and they began creating art while becoming involved in the Ramona Art Community, which to their delight they learned was quite robust. They now host several art events on their ranch, and the family runs a non-profit art gallery, 2Create Gallery—which has one of Ramona’s wonderful murals on the front of the building—on Main Street in historic downtown Ramona.

Rob Lewallen

Treasurer – Designer and Builder of energy efficient homes. Former member and past Chairman of the Ramona Community Planning Group, founding member / current Chairman of the Ramona Design Review Board / Chairman of the Ramona Village Design Committee / Board member of Sustainable Ramona / Organizer of the Ramona Earth Day Festival / Performing musician in the Ramona and San Diego area / 2022 recipient of the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

Robert E. Krysak

Secretary – A practicing attorney. 2015 through 2018 Ramona Chamber of Commerce President, Present Treasurer. Former member and chairman of the Ramona Municipal Water District Board of Directors. Served as Ramona’s representative on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors. Served 7 years on Ramona Town Hall Board. Formed and served on Committee for a Better Ramona. 2023: President of the Ramona Bar Association, Board member of the Ramona Food & Clothes Closet, Chairman of the Ramona Leadership Council, Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project Secretary.

Chris Anderson

Director – REALTOR® & Ramona Community Leader

A proud Ramona resident since 1985 and local REALTOR® since 1989, Chris Anderson is deeply rooted in the charm and spirit of this small town. With a passion for real estate and community service, Chris has dedicated her life to helping others while preserving the unique character of Ramona.

Her commitment to the community is reflected in her long-standing leadership roles, including serving on the Ramona Planning Group, the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, the Ramona Rodeo Board, and the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project. Chris has also led the Ramona Real Estate Association as President and went on to serve as President of the San Diego Association of REALTORS®️.

Her influence extends beyond the local level as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for both the California Association of REALTORS®️ and the National Association of REALTORS®️, where she advocates for the industry and property rights on a broader scale.

Chris’s experience, leadership, and love for her hometown continue to make a lasting impact on the real estate profession and the community she proudly calls home.

Lisa

Lisa Barnett

Director – Businesswoman – Owner, Farmer and Creative Director at Backcountry Gardens, Ramona. Co-chair of the Ramona Art and Wine Festival committee. Standing member of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) Marketing Committee. Co-founder and chair of Ramona Grape Stomp Committee. Retired after 30 years in Information Technology.

Andrea Gibson

Director – Andrea Gibson is a Northern California native who made Ramona home in 2016. With a degree in Construction Management and Engineering from CSU Chico, she’s built a successful career in the construction industry and has served as president of her own consulting business since 2018. Beyond her professional work, Andrea is deeply involved in the Ramona community. She’s a past president of the James Dukes PTA, has served on the Friends of Ramona Unified Schools nonprofit board since 2020 (and as president since 2022), and was elected to the Ramona Community Planning Group in April 2025.

When she’s not working or volunteering, Andrea enjoys life with her husband and their seven kids—always juggling projects, kids sports, family, and community with a smile.

Steve Hale

Director – Steve Hale has lived in Ramona since 1998 and has been a volunteer at various local organizations and events, including the Ramona Motorcycle Rally, the RVVA Wine Competition, the Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival, and the Art and Wine Festival benefiting the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project. He is a retired District Operations Manager for the SDG&E Gas Transmission District.

Michelle Kelleher

Director – Businesswoman and owner of DezignPea, Michelle has over 35 years of experience in print and website design, marketing, advertising, and content creation. She has worked with large companies like the Navy, San Diego; Hawthorne Caterpillar, Rancho Bernardo, and even drove a big yellow truck! Throughout the years, she has supported many non-profits. Her passion stems from a love of art and design, and she finds joy in creating and supporting her clients’ dreams through building their businesses. She works with the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association’s Marketing Committee and is a wine enthusiast supporting the Ramona wine region. She is passionate about art, music, wine, nature, animals, education, and gardening.

Danni Pearson

Director – Danni Pearson is an award-winning painter and native San Diegan. She and her husband Matt made their way up the hill to Ramona in 2004, where they made their home in the Acres. Over the years, Danni successfully ran 2 small businesses before deciding to fully dedicate her time to motherhood. In true Danni fashion, she was running an In-home daycare before she knew it. Thanks to her kids, she remembered she was an artist, and she started a Face Painting business. Danni is very passionate about her art. She’ll find a way to decorate whatever she encounters whether it be faces, canvases, wood, rocks, wall murals, and occasionally utility boxes. She’s even custom painted shoes! In 2019, she was selected to paint a wine barrel for the Ramona Art and Wine Festival. She used her creative skills, and her husband’s fabrication skills, to transform a wine barrel into a bar height table suitable for a glass of wine and good conversation.

Mindy Waldhauser

Assistant Geriatric Care Manager and Patient Advocate. Mindy has been with Grace Care Management for the last 17 years. Prior to that she worked for ARCH Health Care and Palomar Medical Health Group since 2003. Mindy is active in several volunteer committees in Ramona. She is a member of the Ramona Art and Wine Festival committee, chairing both the Vendor and Silent Auction subcommittees. As a member of the RVVA, she volunteers on both the Marketing Committee as well as the Social Committee. Mindy is a past Board Member of the Ramona Pregnancy Care Clinic and a longtime board member of Ramona School District PTA. (Photo credit: John Hancock)