Honorary Chairs

MIKE AND MARIBETH MAHER

HONORARY CHAIRS

Maribeth and Mike Maher, longtime community residents and volunteers, have been named Honorary Chairs of Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad’s 34^th Annual “Black and White Masquerade” Gala. 

Mike Maher joined the Club’s Board of Directors in April 2013. “I had been to several of the Club’s fundraising events, and really liked what I saw. I was somewhat taken aback by the level of commitment and devotion exhibited by the board and the Club’s CEO, Brad Holland. And it meant a lot to Maribeth because we could make a difference in our community.” 

In addition to their activities with the Club, the Mahers have given countless hours and donations to other nonprofits including the USD golf program, the Diocese of San Diego, Solana Beach Board of Directors, St. Vincent de Paul, and the La Costa Youth Organization.

Maribeth and Mike were introduced to each other by roommates in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1974. Blame it on bad timing, but Mike was accompanied by a different date. As fate would have it, they ran into each other five years later at the roommates’ wedding and immediately started a long distance romance (Mike had moved to California). They were married in 1980 and made Carlsbad their home. They have three children – Ryan (34), Matthew (32), and Kalyn (30). October will be an exciting month for the Maher family, as Kalyn is expecting their first grandchild on the exact same day that Matthew is getting married. 

Mike has more than 40 years of experience in Financial Services: he was Senior Vice President of Merrill Lynch from 1976-2014, and formed his own firm in 2014. He holds a B.S. from the University of San Diego and a M.S. from San Diego State University. In 2008, he was honored as USD’s Alumni of the Year. Maribeth holds a B.S. degree from Western Michigan, where she competed as a gymnast and worked in the athletic department during the school year and as a lifeguard in the summer to pay for her education.  She also timed and officiated wrestling – and at 5’2” and 115 pounds no one questioned her calls. After college, she taught school before becoming a full time mother. 

“It’s satisfying to know we’ve had an impact on the kids in our community," said Maribeth. Mike added “I have a little more time on my hands, and the kids are such a great cause.” A 6-time cancer survivor, Mike was recently honored by the American Cancer Society as “Survivor of the Year.” He credits the love and support of Maribeth and their family for this victory.

“We are so pleased to honor this couple who have given so much to the Club and the Carlsbad's youth,” said Gala Co-Chairs Barbi Nelson and Viola Wheelihan. “This recognition is long overdue, and is well deserved!”