Alicia Eidson M.A.-M.F.T.
Chief Executive Director and Founder
Mrs. Eidson has had a tremendous story, this far and promises to have lots more to share in the coming years. She has an Associates degree in Human Services, a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Development and Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She and her husband started Renewing Hearts Inc in 2005 and has had several years of Not-for-profit experience with many other DBA’s in the past.
She worked as a family and individual counselor for 13 years, a professor and instructor in California and Florida for almost 20 years and is now running Ocean Waves Radio. Ocean Waves Radio began in 2020 in the middle of the worst part of the pandemic and started with about 4 listeners and now has thousands. She has great communication skills and has spoken for several groups, schools and organizations and loves public speaking.
Her heart and mind is passionate about being a place that can hire those with disabilities and especially those with visual impairment and total blindness. She, herself is totally blind and has been for the past 45 years. She feels like she was so blest to have had many support her physically and emotionally while she has traveled her journey. She has a heart for others who do not have the same opportunities due to different circumstances and backgrounds. She wants for those who love music and loves her passion for those in need to join her team by becoming a part of her staff or a part of her donor team in helping to make dreams come true.
Rick Eidson
Financial Director and Founder
Rick Eidson graduated with an engineering degree from San Luis Obispo Cal Poly. He is the founder of Renewing Hearts Inc and is now a supporter and donor of Ocean Waves Radio which is a DBA running under Renewing Hearts Inc.
He is a husband, father and absolutely loves being a grandfather! He has worked at Lockheed Martin for over 45 years as a software engineer and has worked on many technological issues for Ocean Waves Radio. His desire is to see Ocean Waves run on its own with donor support and sponsorships in the near future.
John Gassman
Member at Large, Networking Specialist and Radio Personality
John graduated with a BS degree in Communications, from Cal Poly in Pomona California. Identical twin brothers, John and Larry Gassman Launched their radio careers in 1973, at a small radio station at Rio Hondo College in Whittier Ca. By 1980, they were the sole hosts, producers and engineers of the KPCC-FM radio program, “Same Time, Same Station”. The show was devoted to airing vintage radio programs which featured dramas, comedies, variety programs, news broadcasts and documentaries from the 1930’s, ’40’s, and ’50’s. These original productions were aired in their entirety, uncut and uninterrupted.
The weekly program also featured interviews that the Gassman’s had conducted with various personalities from the Golden Age of radio. The list included such luminaries as Stan Freberg, Norman Corwin, Steve Allen, Robert Trout, Cleve Hermann, June Foray, Parley Baer, Ralph Bell, Andre Baruch, and Bea Wain. The brothers even managed to successfully reunite Space Patrol’s radio cast both in the studio and via the phone from various points within the United States.
The two brothers bring a dazzling energy and wit to the airwaves. Their extensive knowledge and background in the genre make for a very interesting and fun listening experience. The Gassman’s also began hosting their shows on yesterday USA in 1986. Now they can be heard on many different web sites and several radio stations throughout the United states.
Larry chaired 16 radio conventions from 1984 to 2000, for SPERDVAC, The Society To Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety, and Comedy. www.SPERDVAC.com
John acted as the program chairman, helping to plan all of the events on stage. John and Larry have been in the radio industry for over fifty years and treat it as a hobby. Their networking capabilities have allowed them to meet thousands of people in Radio and in other Areas.
John is now on the board of Directors of American Council Of The Blind’s Diabetics in Action Affiliate bringing knowledge to the many diabetics who are members of that group. John also serves as Educational committee Chairman of ACBDA bringing monthly meetings featuring guest speakers who discuss various aspects of being a Diabetic.
Before Retiring in August of 2023, John’s day time job was spent working for the Walt Disney Travel Company where he worked for twenty years booking vacation packages for the Disneyland resort. He was the first totally blind person ever hired at the Disneyland Resort. He tested his JAWS Screen reading software to be sure it worked with the Disney Reservation System.
He trained 17 blind employees during his twenty years with Disney and won the highest and most prestigious award the Disney Company bestows on a select few who win the Award. John won the Walt Disney Legacy Award in July of 2019 given to half of 1% of the Disney Employees. What is the Walt Disney Legacy Award? Here is a brief description as taken from www.disneylegacy.com
Inspired by Walt Disney’s personal example and lasting legacy of excellence as a dreamer, a creator and an inspiration, The Walt Disney Legacy Award is a global acknowledgement of those who put forth their very best efforts for our Guests, their fellow Employees and the Company.
Recipients of The Walt Disney Legacy Award are selected by their Leaders, direct reports and/or co-workers as exceptional. They consistently Dream, Create and Inspire by supporting the business objectives and goals of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
John looks forward to networking for Ocean Waves Radio and bringing people and organizations together to further the purpose of the station.
DeAnne Curto
Board Secretary
DeAnne Curto is a servant leader on a mission to promote curiosity, confidence, courage, and service in her work with students and adults in the defense, education, business, and nonprofit sectors. She has worked as a purchasing agent and project manager for software and interactive technology projects in support of the United States Army. In the education sector, she has served over 1,000 public and private school students since 2005. She is also the founder of Wijits [When I Join in The Solution] – a startup that seeks to use interactive technology that allows students to explore the career roles that contribute to a thriving city community.
In the nonprofit sector, Ms. Curto was the founding Director of Member Services and served two-terms as the Board Secretary for Central Florida Community Arts where she provided foundational leadership in scholarship oversight, merchandise campaigns, volunteer management, and community service projects. She has also served as a career coach for The Jobs Partnership of Central Florida and as a tutor for the Adult Literacy League.
Music has been a key interest and source of joy throughout her life. She was chosen to participate in the Florida All-State High School Chorus, was the high school choir president, and received an award for an original composition for piano. She has performed with the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park along with singing in church choirs and select ensembles for over twenty years. Her musical interests range from sacred and worship music to country, jazz, easy listening, and soft rock. It is common for her to curate a playlist even while taking a walk.
While not legally blind, DeAnne has undergone corrective vision surgery and has learned to adapt to multiple eye conditions that persist. She became an on-air reader with the Audio Reading Service, a program where volunteers read the newspaper for the visually impaired, on public radio station WMFE on the campus of the University of Central Florida. She also learned the Braille alphabet so she could write to a friend who is legally blind. Her love of music and her appreciation for vision challenges fuel a desire to promote the mission of Ocean Waves Radio. She sees it as a place where limitations are lifted, opportunities are opened, and music is used to inspire staff members, donors, sponsors, and the listening community.
Ms. Curto holds an MA from Rollins College. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in American and English Literature from Florida Atlantic University. She has recently earned a graduate level credential in Academic Advising from Kansas State University.
Larry Gassman
Networking and Technology Director
Identical twin brothers, John and Larry Gassman are used to surprising skeptics. Blind since birth, they have been exceeding the expectations of doubting observers all their lives.
The Gassman’ s radio careers were launched in 1973, at a small radio station at Rio Hondo College in Whittier. By 1980, they were the sole hosts, producers and engineers of the KPCC-FM radio program, “Same Time, Same Station”. The show was devoted to airing vintage radio programs which featured dramas, comedies, variety programs, news broadcasts and documentaries from the 1930’s, ’40’s, and ’50’s. These original productions were aired in their entirety, uncut and uninterrupted. The show lasted until March of 2000.
The weekly program also featured interviews that the Gassmans had conducted with various personalities from the Golden Age of radio. The list included such luminaries as Stan Freberg, Norman Corwin, Steve Allen, Robert Trout, Cleve Hermann, June Foray, Parley Baer, Ralph Bell and Andre Baruch. The brothers even managed to successfully reunite Space Patrol’s radio cast both in the studio and via the phone from various points within the United States. John and Larry also hosted “Same Time Same Station” on KCSN Northridge fromMarch 2001 until early 2002.
John and Larry began working for Yesterday USA in 1986 doing segments devoted to aspects of Old Radio. In August of 1988 they spoke to owner and Co-Founder, Bill Bragg about hosting their own show. It continued until 2001. Same time Same Station was brought back to the Internet, as well as to Yesterday USA in 2010. It continues to this day.
Now, “Ocean Waves Radio, is very proud to air “Same Time, Same Station” with John and Larry Gassman. The two brothers bring a dazzling energy and wit to the airwaves. Their extensive knowledge and background in the genre make for a very interesting and fun listening experience.
Remember that before television there was radio. Listeners had to rely on their imagination to create the images and characters in the stories being broadcast. Harken back to those glorious days of live radio theater with John and Larry Gassman.
Larry’s life and career extended to more than just radio. He worked for Marriott International, for over 20 years, testing the Marriott reservation system as well as Marriott web pages for accessibility issues so that others who were blind could effectively make reservations. He retired from Marriott in October of 2020.
Later in 2022 he began a part time job with the American Council Of The Blind, as their Media Coordinator. Larry sings with Barbershop choruses and quartets, and has done so since 1973. He has held many offices including President with several chapters in the Barbershop society. He joined the American Council of the blind in 2018 and soon became the President of the local Orange County California Chapter, as well as a board member of the California Council Of the Blind.
Larry is a type 2 Diabetic, and helped form the local California Diabetics in Action. He also joined the national organization ACB-Diabetics In Action. He has served as secretary, First Vice-President, and began his term as President of ACBDA in January of 2024. His deep involvement with his church, plus his many associations with Radio, Performing as a Barbershopper, plus the American Council of The Blind has given him a multitude of contacts, with literally hundreds of people which will help him, as he begins his association with Ocean Waves Radio.
Consultants:
Paul Tambrino, Finance and Order
Jeff Thom, Legal Advocate