The Committee

Cheryl Paller

A native Angeleno with nearly 50 years of experience in banking, I currently serve as a Managing Director at Bank of America. My husband, Gary, and I began rebuilding our home on Coastline in 2010. After the fire, I volunteered with the Architectural Committee to help ensure that we could all rebuild a more beautiful neighborhood—efficiently and thoughtfully.

Gary Ovsiowitz

I had the good fortune of growing up in Sunset Mesa, in our family home on Castlerock Road. After college, getting married, and starting a family, my wife and I moved back to the area twelve years ago to raise our kids. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Architectural Committee for the past four years, and I’m looking forward to returning to the neighborhood I love—this time on Clifftop Way—with all of our wonderful neighbors.

Len Ovsiowitz

I’ve been a proud resident of the Mesa since Labor Day 1979—46 years and counting. Both Mark and Gary grew up here and returned as soon as they could afford to, drawn back by their love for the community. I’ve been involved with the Architectural Committee for the past 10 to 12 years. Our home survived the recent fire, and I’m grateful to share that we have moved back home.

Mark Ovsiowitz

I’ve been part of the Sunset Mesa community since childhood, having grown up here from my elementary school years. After spending some time away, I returned with my wife and kids 15 years ago to raise our family in this special neighborhood. I’ve served on the Architectural Committee for the past four years and feel truly fortunate to be part of such a strong and connected community.

Mark Stoeckinger

As the former Chair of the Architectural Committee for the past three years, I now serves as a key resource for past AC site visits and rulings, particularly in OVI (Obstruction of View and Impact) disputes. Over the last two years, I have successfully represented the HOA Board in multiple cases before the LA Superior Court, helping to uphold the Board’s position on the CC&Rs with strong results.

Phil Cohen

Along with my wife, Angie, I’ve lived in the Mesa for the past 17 years—and we’re looking forward to the next 17. It’s been an honor to serve as the longest-tenured member of the Sunset Mesa Architectural Committee, volunteering for over 15 years to help protect our community’s cherished ocean views.

Rick Silver

My wife, Paulette, and I have lived on Clifftop Way for nearly 40 years. Over the years, we’ve supported the HOA Board and the Architectural Committee by providing historical perspective and serving as resource participants, drawing on our own experiences as well as insights from original homeowners like John Lehne, Tom Cheatham, and others who watched the neighborhood take shape between 1963 and 1967.

I’ve served the community in a variety of roles, including Director of Emergency Preparedness, organizer of the Street Representatives Committee, and coordinator of the Sunset Mesa-ge newsletter. I also developed our two-way radio communication system and helped launch the NOAA emergency notification radio giveaway program in partnership with LA County. For decades, our garage proudly served as Sunset Mesa’s voting station.

Wendy Wilimovsky

I’ve called Sunset Mesa my home and community for over 30 years. My husband and I raised our two boys on Kingsport Drive, and no matter where life takes them, the Mesa will always be home in their hearts. We are currently planning and working toward rebuilding our home as soon as possible.

With an entrepreneurial background in fashion design, home furnishings, marketing, and business management, I bring both creativity and practical experience to the table. I'm deeply passionate about helping to rebuild this unique and wonderful community and staying connected with those who share that same commitment.

Ana Zapata, AIA, outside consultant to the AC

Ana Zapata is a licensed architect with over 15 years of experience designing and delivering a wide range of projects, including high-end residential, hospitality, mixed-use developments, and affordable housing. She earned her master’s degree from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), where she developed a forward-thinking design approach grounded in both technical excellence and creative problem-solving.

During her tenure at AC Martin, one of Los Angeles’ most respected legacy firms, Ana led complex design initiatives and collaborated with institutional and private partners. Her work there helped build strong, lasting industry relationships that continue to shape her practice today.

At Archinecture, Ana believes design is a vital driver of human well-being and enduring value—a powerful tool that enhances lives, strengthens communities, and delivers meaningful social and financial returns. 

Beyond her professional practice, Ana is deeply committed to community service. She joined the Sunset Mesa Architectural Committee to support the neighborhood’s rebuilding efforts following the devastating wildfire. With close friends in the area, she felt a strong responsibility to contribute her architectural expertise and help ensure the community’s recovery is thoughtful, resilient, and true to its identity.