CATHY BRENDEL
REGULAR DIVISION 2023
As Director of the City’s Parks and Community Services Department, Cathy oversaw the origins, development and operations of Moonlight Amphitheatre and of the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, (both its acquisition and its conversion into an educational museum).
Cathy assisted in the creation of the Wave Waterpark; the creation of the City’s Out and About senior transportation program and overhauled the City’s rental programs which facilitate the public’s use of City buildings for public use. She has overseen the Moonlight Amphitheatre capital building improvements after the passing of Proposition L and the building of new ballparks and recreational areas.
She has facilitated fundraising for the community’s nonprofit Moonlight Cultural Foundation, the 4th of July Committee, Operation Hope, Rotary Club, Amigos de Vista Lions Club, Alta Vista Gardens, Vista Garden Club, and Friends of the Rancho, The Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis. She has volunteered countless hours with City Beautification committees, Operation Hope, the Moonlight Angels and has represented Vista as President of the San Diego Chapter of the California Parks and Recreation Society; she was given a CPRS Presidential Award in 2002.
Cathy Brendel moved to Vista to work in 1978 right after she graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Recreation Administration. She began her work as a recreation supervisor assisting Jim Porter. In 1980 Cathy, Jim, Jean Cole and Kathy Brombacher stood on a simple cement stage in Brengle Terrace Park, imagining a musical theatre program which would serve the community.
Then Cathy went to work with Jean Cole, setting up ticketing, fences, access and concessions to open Moonlight’s first season in 1981. Over the years she has written grants and obtained work underwritten by the community for Moonlight’s ADA parking lot, backstage deck, large new Ticket Booth, an enlarged patio and restrooms, ADA access areas and the stage house renovation funded by Proposition L and finished in 2009.
Cathy never missed a production at Moonlight for all of its history. She has been saluted by the City Council as Management Employee of the Year, attributing her success to strength of character, tremendous dedication and vision. She is an administrator who always gave above and beyond; who was admired by staff and community.
Part of Cathy’s legacy is being a crucial part of all the dreams, fundraising, planning, and advocating for a new era of Moonlight Stage Productions in the City of Vista. She inspired the staff by being an administrator who challenged staff to have faith in their dreams; to change; to adapt and always reach for excellence. Staff and citizens committees agree that Cathy spent 30 years supporting dreams and building strong programs for Vista.
Mayor Judy Ritter has said upon her retirement that Cathy was a great lady and an expert at diplomacy; she was much loved by her staff and members of the community.