Friends of Taylor Observatory
In partnership with the Lake County Office of Education and Lake County educators, Friends of Taylor Observatory (FOTO) enhances astronomy-related STEM education opportunities for Lake County’s K-12 Students.
FOTO operates, maintains, and upgrades Taylor Observatory’s astronomical telescopic resources.
To carry out its mission, FOTO applies for grants and seeks donations from individuals and local businesses.
Board of Directors
Eduardo Alatorre-Acevedo • President
Eduardo is a master's student at UC Davis working toward a PhD in geobiology. As well as teaching astronomy and robotics workshops, the ten-year Taylor veteran has lectured at the Observatory, the Sonoma County Astronomical Society, and the Ukiah Latitude Observatory. Eduardo directs the Friends of Taylor Observatory Spanish language program.
Find him on LinkedIn.
Christopher Nettles • Chief Financial Officer
Christopher Nettles, PhD, is a nonprofit and civic leader with doctoral training in community-based research, engagement, and social change. His lifelong interest in astronomy began as a teenager working at the Noble Planetarium in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. He brings experience in board leadership, fundraising, program development, education, and local service through his work with California Tendai Monastery, the Society for Community Research and Action, the Cobb Area Council, and Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association.
Find him on LinkedIn.
Daniel Gelman • Chief Financial Officer
Daniel Gelman joined the FOTO board in 2025. He holds a BS in Bioengineering from the University of California at San Diego and a Master’s in Science in Systems Architecting and Engineering from the University of Southern California. He describes FOTO's mission and what's to be learned about the universe as "humbling."
Find him on LinkedIn.
Barbara McIntyre • Secretary
Barbara earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Buffalo (SUNYAB), and enjoyed a nearly 30-year career at Praxair (formerly Linde-Union Carbide), focused on Operations and Advanced Control Systems. The former coordinator at Taylor secured solar energy installation and initiated the “Future Astronomers” and “FIRST” Robotics STEM programs at the Observatory.
Find her at TBD
William Haddon, PhD • Member
Bill holds degrees in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College and Purdue University, with a career in plant natural product research, food safety, and clinical diagnostics. As well as serving as Board president, Bill has lectured at Taylor Observatory on theories of the chemical origin of life on Earth, and worked to establish Dark Sky Certification and promote astrotourism in Lake County.
Find him on LinkedIn.
Angelo Parisi • Member
Angelo serves as Resident Astronomer for the Taylor Observatory, where he hosts shows at the Norton Planetarium. He was a founding member of the Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) in Sonoma County and developed PlanetWalk, a scale model of the solar system that exists as a permanent display on the trails of Sugar Loaf Ridge State Park. Angelo teaches and develops educational programs for the Lake County Office of Education.
Find him at Dark Sky Events.
Board of Directors Meetings
Friends of Taylor Observatory holds board meetings on the fourth Monday of every month.
Find an archive of past Board Meetings here.