Spencer Stephens

Spencer Stephens brings over 25 years experience in technology and management to the advisory board. Starting in data communications as system engineer at the inception of the computer network industry, he has focused on the design and the innovative application of network systems. He has been a founder in high tech start ups, of which one went public and a second was acquired by 3Com.

His interests in the application of technology in the entertainment industry lead to him joining Walt Disney Television Animation as Vice President of Technology & Digital Production in 1997. There he architected the transition from traditional to digital animation and built a digital end-to-end virtual studio that brought together facilities in three continents.

Since 2002, he has been working as a technologist for Warner Bros, responsible for technology development and application across a broad range of digital content distribution and production systems. For two years he was General Manager of a $30M P&L division. This year, Stephens was named to the newly created position of Vice-President, Production Technology, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing the creation, evaluation and implementation of cutting-edge technologies to create new digital infrastructures, procedures and workflows that will facilitate the production needs of the Studio’s motion picture and television productions. He will also continue his leadership role in overseeing the Warner Bros. Entertainment Group’s ongoing support of PEPFAR (The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).

He serves as a member of the DVB Project Steering Board.

He has a BSc (1st Class Honors) in physics from the University of Sussex, UK and an MS in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley. He was born in London and moved to California in 1982.

Rodrigo Santos

Rodrigo Santos is an innovative engineer who approaches any project from many different angles while making the development of durable and efficient structures his top priority. In 1977, he came to the United States from his native Ecuador to study engineering, and soon earned his Masters in Civil Engineering from Stanford University. As principal of Santos & Urrutia Structural Engineers Inc., he currently brings his 20 years of experience to the development of mixed-use spaces, office complexes, apartment buildings and hotels. He has collaborated with world-renowned architectural firms Stanley Saitowitz, Ace Architects and Arquitectonica on such acclaimed structures as the Mill Race Park in Columbus, Indiana, the Dixie Jordan House in Oakland, California and the Alpine Drive Residence in Beverly Hills, California.

In 2000, Mayor Willie Brown appointed Rodrigo Santos to the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission where he served as the structural engineering chair. In 2004, newly elected Mayor Gavin Newsom picked Rodrigo to helm the BIC as the body's president. 

Rodrigo Santos has been active in community service projects throughout the city and especially in the Mission District where S & U makes its home. Rodrigo is a strong advocate of the Friends of the Urban Forest and the Coalition For Car Free Golden Gate Park. In addition, he has donated technical equipment and assistance to the York Street Community Center. Rodrigo is an avid marathon runner and has completed over 50 marathons in the last 10 years with a consistent under 3:15 Boston qualifying time.

Education:
M.S. Civil Engineering, Stanford University, 1982
B.S. Civil Engineering, Stanford University, 1981

Licenses and Appointments:
Civil Engineering, CA
Structural Engineering, CA
SF Building Inspection Commission, Structural Engineering Seat 2000-
SF Building Inspection Commission, President 2004-