Faces of PVHA

Born in Montebello, California in 1958, Jeff was raised in Costa Mesa. He attended California Polytechnic State University School of Architecture in San Luis Obispo and graduated in June of 1982. During this time, he also spent a year studying in Florence, Italy. Jeff’s first job after graduation was with Stewart Woodard and Associates in Costa Mesa where he worked from 1982 to 1984. Soon after, he struck out on his own and has been self-employed to this day. As a member of the Art Jury since 2003, Jeff is licensed in California, Hawaii and is NCARB-registered. Jeff, along with his wife Sharon, son Alec and daughter Noelle, reside in Huntington Beach, California.

As the newest member of the Art Jury, Miriam brings welcome expertise in landscape design. Miriam has extensive knowledge and experience working with water-wise plant materials, which are appropriate and often native to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. She has been leading design and installation projects across Los Angeles for nearly 20 years.

Miriam earned her degree in Fine Arts from CSULB, and later returned to school to follow her true passion and study Landscape Architecture at UCLA while raising two daughters. Miriam has earned numerous awards throughout her career, including an ASLA Award for Residential Design at Rocky Point in Lunada Bay, First Place Annual Beautification Award from the CLCA for the redesign of the promenade at the American Honda campus in Torrance, an Award of Excellence from Sunset Magazine, an honorable mention for the Entry Garden at the Pasadena House of Design, recognition of good land use and excellence in landscape design for the Bird Habitat at Conejo Valley Botanical Garden, and awards for the best overall design, interpretation of theme, and diversity of plant material at the Los Angeles Garden Show hosted by the California Arboretum Foundation.

Miriam is a licensed contractor and the owner and principal designer of Rainville Design Studio, a full-service landscape design and build firm in Redondo Beach. She works closely with her five-person team and clients to create thoughtful, comprehensive outdoor environments. Miriam specializes in residential projects and her “less is more” aesthetic involves all the senses and features native landscapes, water-wise plant materials, durable hardscape materials, and custom furnishings to create spaces that are sustainable and restorative.

Carolbeth was born in Palos Verdes Estates and had the privilege of attending Montemalaga Elementary School, Malaga Cove Middle School, and Palos Verdes High School. After graduating from PVHS, she attended University of Southern California and received a B.S. degree in Marketing and Finance. She received an M.A. degree in Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture.

After living and working in San Francisco, New York City, Dallas, and Manhattan Beach, Carolbeth made the decision to return to Palos Verdes to raise her children. Now a three generational family here in Palos Verdes Estates, her parents reside nearby in the home they have lived in since 1962.

Principal of Cozen Architecture for 20 years, Carolbeth has also served as a national, regional, and local Board Member for the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the AIA Long Beach/South Bay Chapter. Appointed in 2012, she has served on the Membership Committee of the Palos Verdes Golf Club. Responsibilities include direct oversight for promoting the club as a city asset to the residents of Palos Verdes Estates and ensuring that the club membership adheres to the rules and regulations of club by-laws and the city concession agreement. Keeping with a desire to serve the community, she is also a Mentor for the PVIT Engineering program at Palos Verdes High School. Carolbeth serves as Co-Director of Mobile Pediatric Orthopedic Education, a foundation dedicated to training undeveloped countries in Pediatric Surgery. She has also worked as a volunteer with the Cambodian Children’s Fund in Phnom Phen.