Staff | Midpen Media Center

Bobby Chastain Executive Director
	Liuba Spitsyna Director of EducationMeet our active and multifaceted Director of Education – Liuba Spitsyna, hailing from the brave country of Ukraine. With an impressive background spanning diverse fields, she brings a unique blend of expertise to our team. Education has always been at the forefront of Liuba’s pursuits, and she holds a Master’s Degree in Education, specializing in teaching Japanese and English. Her passion for languages and dedication to providing quality education have shaped her into a skilled and knowledgeable educator. Beyond her educational endeavors, Liuba also served in the Secret Service, honing her abilities in strategic thinking, problem-solving, and maintaining utmost confidentiality. This background in security has instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail, which she now applies to her role as Director of Education. Liuba also has an extensive background in the modeling industry and video production. It is through the lens that she finds her voice and artistic expression. Capturing moments and telling stories through videos has always been her driving force. Networking is her super-tool, effortlessly connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and fostering collaborations. Her ability to build bridges and create meaningful relationships within the community strengthens our organization’s reach and impact.
Jesse Norfleet Director of Programs Jesse Norfleet is the Director of Programs for Midpen Media. One of his primary tasks is to work with youth, particularly those who are underserved and under-resourced, to get more involved in using video and technology as an empowerment tool, and giving them a voice. He also reaches out to local non-profit organizations to help and encourage them to use these same tools and our channels to tell their stories and highlight the work that they do.While his position is a relatively new one, developed in Sept. 2014, Jesse previously did a 12-year stint with the Midpen Media. During that time, he taught field and studio production, was a staff producer and served as Programming Director for 6 years. His production honors include numerous W.A.V.E. and Hometown Awards as either a Producer or Director.While TV and Video production have been a major part of his life, Jesse’s life passion has been to help develop youth, both academically and socially. He believes all children, should have the opportunity to pursue their passions, and to have a healthy productive life. He has over 16 years of working in youth development and education. Most recently he served as the Student Life Director for College Track East Palo Alto from 2007 – 2014. Other jobs have included teaching in public and private schools, and serving as a Director for the Leadership Training Academy and the Black Male Rebirth Project, both organizations based in East Palo Alto, CA.An avid music lover, Jesse has played with the Potential Jazz Ensemble since 1983. Although a long time Bay area resident, Jesse stills call Memphis, TN., home. His life goal is “to bring peace to the world, one day, one interaction at a time”.
	Patrick City Hall Video OperatorPatrick has been a City Hall Video Operator at the Media Center since 2008. He also volunteers in the studio as a camera operator.
Asia City Hall Video Operator/Studio Manager
	Mary Byler Business and Operations ManagerMary worked at Hewlett-Packard Company for 35 years and held a variety of positions from Master Schedule to Senior Quality Consultant to Marketing Services Director. She found her niche as a Program/Project Manager within the HP Software Division and went on to manage numerous collaborative Business and IT systems initiatives. Her first Encore Fellowship was at Family Giving Tree to implement a new version of the Salesforce Non-Profit Starter Pack to track donors and their donations. She then spent another year at the Santa Clara Library Friends and Families Foundation installing another new customer relationship management system. She is currently working as Business and Operations Manager with Midpen Media Center focusing on operational support and infrastructure improvements.
Brian Kraker City Hall Video Operator/Facilities
	Kevin Burnett City Hall Video Operator/Streaming Specialist/Programming/Website UpdatesAfter working in tech for 15 years, Kevin started in public access television in 2011 by taking the Media Center’s studio class. After taking the studio class, he started volunteering in various roles for studio productions. In 2016, he was hired as part-time staff, primarily to be a City Hall Video Operator, covering government meetings for the cities of Palo Alto and East Palo Alto. He also works as a meeting crew member for CreaTV in San Jose, covering Santa Clara County and the city of San Jose. In his spare time, Kevin likes to watch movies, read and take pictures with his camera.
Brian Jones Master Control OperatorTwo sons, lovely wife of 30+ years, lots of hiking, skiing. ….lived most of my life in Los Altos.
	Kaela *Production Specialist – Equipment*Meet Kaela, our talented Equipment Manager at Midpen. Since joining us in April 2022, she has managed our equipment room and shares her expertise by teaching video production, studio production, camera, and acting classes. Kaela is a valuable asset during live-to-tape productions, providing valuable assistance. With a genuine passion for equipment, Kaela proudly embraces her title as an “equipment nerd.” She finds joy in assisting others, helping them determine the best gear for their filmmaking projects, and picking up the equipment for the whole organization. Her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm ensure everyone receives the right tools for their creative endeavors. Currently studying Film/Television Production at De Anza College and moving to LA for CSUN (California State University Northridge), Kaela is eagerly preparing to transfer to a four-year college this coming fall. Her dedication to learning and commitment to her craft makes her a constant learner in the ever-evolving world of film and television production. Outside of work and studies, Kaela finds solace in the great outdoors. Whether capturing breathtaking nature photos or simply enjoying the fresh air, she embraces the beauty of the natural world. Additionally, she cherishes quality time spent with her loved ones, including her family, friends, and two adorable cats. She is dedicated to ensuring filmmakers have the right tools, fostering creativity, and contributing to the success of every production at Midpen.
Javier Jimenez Jr City Hall Video Operator/Social Media Manager/Studio ProductionJavier Jimenez Jr is originally from Michigan, where he got his bachelor’s in Film and Video from Western Michigan University. He started off as a volunteer with Midpen in 2019, hired on as a Studio Tech on 2021. He now servers as the Social Media Manager, a City Hall Video Operator, and Studio Tech.
	Megan Production Specialist – Summer Camps InstructorMegan Murakami has been passionate about filmmaking since 7th grade. She loves to find hidden stories and bring them to light. She lives by the philosophy that if her work can help one person; if one of her films can help one person feel like they aren’t alone, then she’s done her job. As well as filmmaking, Megan also enjoys graphic design, broadcast journalism, and digital drawing. She ran the Youth Sports Broadcasting program at the Midpen Media Center from 2021 to 2023 after being a crew member as a middle schooler for many years and then an intern in June 2021. She has helped teach summer camps in sports broadcasting, broadcast journalism, and studio production. She also holds the title of Media Production Specialist at Midpen, and is the youngest member of the management team. She helped create the 2022 Midpen Summer Internship Program and mentored students who were her age in topics such as filmmaking, journalism, and graphic design. Megan is currently a Freshman at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, pursuing a BFA in Film and Television Production.