Staff

STAFF MEMBERS

All of the educators at Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College update their knowledge by attending seminars and workshops on a regular basis. Our staff of highly motivated educators and administrative staff share their commitment to higher educational goals. The experienced and dedicated staff maintains Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College as a quality educational establishment.

 

EDUCATORS

 

Kathleen Lytle, Owner

35 years in the industry

Hello. I'm Kathy Lytle, and I began my education in the very capable hands of Ed Lytle, my father. Not only was Ed capable in the ways of hair, but he was also very savvy with people and business.

In February of 1976 I started my career at Lytle's as a receptionist. After 6 months of meeting clients, handling the booking and learning the office, I began watching the fun and excitement the staff and students were having and I knew what I wanted to do. I still recall the day I marched into my dad's office expecting a brick wall about my idea to be a hairdresser. He once came home after a particularly hard day and announced, "Never follow in your father's footsteps," so I knew he wouldn't approve of my desire to be a hairdresser. When I told him I know now that being a hairdresser is what I must do to be happy, he quietly said, "I knew if I kept my mouth shut you would come around." I was elated. I enrolled at Lytle's and the world of beauty opened up to me.

When the first amazing year was complete (hair shows, competition, eating, breathing and doing hair), my father started talking about US and the future of Lytle's. To gain the salon experience I craved, I knew it was necessary to continue my education and I couldn't do it alone so I paired up with a friend and we started Rajamaur, my first salon. Rajamaur was the first full-service salon in Santa Rosa, offering Hair, Skin and Nail services. I loved it all! Years of doing it all is a very good teacher. Shows, classes, and more clients helped round my training with experience, which made it easier and more fun, if such a thing was possible!

As a hairdresser, my favorite day was one that involved multiple services on one client. Not only did it maximize my dollar per hour capabilities, it gave me the time to really lavish the client with the service that should come with our expertise. I love the little things. Clients love a professionally executed service along with special touches; that's why they come back.

I began my teaching career in the freshman room, possibly my favorite position in the school. I also really enjoy the floor time, doing services with the students and being a small part of the beginning of a new professional in the best business in the world.

My favorite products have to be Goldwell, KMS and Enjoy. They have the best products and Marlene, our Goldwell rep, truly understands customer service. She is the best representative ever (she works for Goldwell and KMS, lucky them). My favorite tools have to be my CHI blow dryer and the several flat irons I use create the most dramatic changes thermal styling has to offer.

The most amazing thing about my job is that for 30+ years I have been paid to do something that fills me with passion. I LOVE MY JOB!!!

I spend my leisure time with my children. I love to cook and serve, especially for a large crowd. I love variety in my food. My mother is a great cook. Sun bathing and spa hopping are a great pleasure for me. Flower and veggie gardening bring peace to my life; it's meditation for me. I love being at home.

I am most proud of the small part I have in making a difference in the way the world sees my profession. By helping the young see the difference they can make in their clients' lives while doing their craft, and the self-esteem that can be obtained by working hard and making a difference, is what this is all about. Each person has a choice about their life and what they want to do with it.

My mentors were Ed Lytle, the most amazing father and boss, who taught me, by example, to be strong and flexible in joy; Yosh Montoya for his expertise and humble ways; and the amazing people that surround me each day at work for helping me see what I do that is good and when to get my head back on straight.

I give back through community service, which is the greatest strength we have in our own local families to make a difference. This is one of my greatest joys.

 

Deborah Smith, Student Salon Educator
34 years in the industry

Debbie got her career start at Edie Adams Cut & Curl, Novato, CA. She decided to go to Cosmetology School because, as a child, she spent a lot of time cutting and styling her dolls' hair.

She thinks the best part about skin care is seeing the change in a client's face after a service. Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant is her favorite skin care product. Her favorite tool is the Conair 220 Blue Comb and her fingers. Her favorite services are haircutting, color, perming, waxing and facials. She can't wait to see her students' progress from trainee to professional.

Icons in the industry such as Yosh, Marvin Westmore, and Vidal Sassoon inspire Debbie.

She spends her leisure time camping, dollhouse collecting, kayaking and gardening. She listens to all music except techno and rap. She loves butter and taker her own cube to family dinners. The book Jaguar Women had the biggest impact on her.

She is most proud of being a success in life. Professionally, she loves what she does. She can't believe she gets paid to do what she loves.

Personally, she is proud that she built a house with her daughter.

Ed Lytle, founder of Lytle's REBC and her beauty college instructor, was one of her early mentors. Ed showed her the first scissor cut after he took a haircutting class in London with Vidal Sassoon.

She gives back with lots of volunteering and taking care of friends and family who need help with cleaning, yard work, etc.

 

Linda Williams, Lead Educator - State Board
30 years Industry Experience
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc. – 1979
                     UC Berkeley – Phase 1 Teaching Credential
Career Start: Rancho Mirage, CA.

Linda got her start in the industry when she graduated from high school at 16 and became the first 16 year old to enroll at Lytle's REBC, even though her enrollment was met with great resistance. Of course, she proved everyone wrong by graduating at the head of her class. She has been at Lytle's since 1981.

What she loves most about doing hair, skin, nails and makeup is the human contact and the connections made. Her favorite product is tamer foam and her favorite tool is her brush. Her favorite services to perform on a client are chemical texturizing and wet styling.

The best part about her job is interacting with the students. And REBC students love working with Linda, as well.

Her inspiration comes from her family, who taught her integrity and how to be human; and Ed and Kathy Lytle, who taught me to be an ethical professional with a passion to be great.

Linda spends her leisure time with her family and doing yard work (it's a lot cheaper than seeing a therapist). Her favorite music is all about the beat, and she loves chicken tacos.

Linda is a big believer in helping people who don't have much. She has found that most just need a hand up, and our little part in their coming up is greatly appreciated.

Her philosophy is, "Love what you do and it will love you back."

 

Amy Loeser, Student Salon Educator
35 years Industry Experience

Amy has owned and operated four salons in the last 35 years; three in the Bay area and one in Wisconsin. She always wanted to learn and do more in this industry and was very fortunate to work with a lot of talented stylists over the years and she learns something new every day from someone.

Amy went to beauty school at La Barrs College of Beauty, in Redwood City, CA in the 1970s.
Her first stylist position was at The Production Salon in Belmont, CA, where she worked with 20 veteran stylists who taught her a lot very quickly. She enjoys all aspects of hair styling, and especially loves doing haircuts and color. She thinks of Keratin protein, her favorite product, as holy water. Her favorite tool is a razor, and if you ever saw Amy do a haircut you'd understand why. She is amazing. She loves to create new forms with haircutting and then impact the color. She is inspired when making people more beautiful.

She loves seeing the light go on for students – the "ah ha" moments and celebration of concepts.

She spends time with her twin daughters and enjoys riding horseback in beautiful Sonoma County. Amy is most proud of her accomplishments and growth in the beauty industry, and of her children.

Her mentors were Yosh and Deepak Chopra and she gives back by volunteering for community projects, fund raising, and working with Locks of Love.

 

Chuck Kaufman, Student Salon Educator
32 years Industry Experience

Chuck graduated from Jerry Lee Beauty College of Sacramento and Woodland in 1979. He got his start in the industry when family and friends recommended enrolling in a cosmetology school. What he loves most about doing hair, skin, nails and makeup is seeing the warm glow of happiness from clients after their service. Enjoy Hydrating Shampoo is his favorite product and he is an artist with a razor and color His favorite services are cut and color. Chuck loves working with the students and all of the staff at REBC.

Chuck spends his leisure time with his wife, working out, hiking, reading, and traveling,

His inspiration is Steven Janssen, the international educator for Pivot Point and successful REBC graduates. Salon Success and the Holy Bible are the books that had the biggest impact on Chuck, and his mentor is Kathy Lytle. Chuck is an analytic team player with a calming effect thrown in. He has an abundance of patience and a big ear for listening to what the students have to say.

 

Farideh Saharkhizan, Lead Educator - Zone 1
12 years Industry Experience
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc.

Fari, as we call her, graduated from Lytle's about 14 years ago. She started her Cosmetology career at Bellisima Hair Studio in Santa Rosa, CA. She enjoys making others look pretty and feel good about themselves when styling hair and applying makeup. Her favorite product is Hot Darling by Goldwell. She is a genius with shears and tweezers, and can't wait to do a haircut and style. She is very artistic in arching eyebrows and also enjoys facial threading.

The best part about her job as REBC's freshman educator is seeing students grow and become creative as they move along in this industry. She gives back by giving her students the best education possible.

Kathy Lytle, her mentor; and her family, inspire her. She spends her leisure time reading, walking and listening to jazz and classical music. Her favorite foods are Chinese and seafood.

The book Beyond Potential by Steve Stefano had the biggest impact on her. She is most proud of her three children.

 

Kim Krueger, Director of Education
3 years Industry Experience
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc.

When Kim was 17, she wanted to go to beauty school, but her mom told her she was going to college. She got her law degree, passed the bar, and practiced law for several years. Then, she decided she would pursue her teen dream. She quit her job, enrolled at Lytle's, and the rest is history.

Once she was licensed, she got her start at Bellezza Salon in Healdsburg. She continued at the salon, but also began working part-time as a floor educator at Lytle's about two years ago. Recently, she accepted a full-time position as our education director.

Kim loves showing people what they can do to improve their natural good looks. Enjoy's Creamy Pomade is her favorite product. It's the bomb for fringe. Her blow dryer is her favorite tool. Her favorite service to perform is the Brazilian Blowout. The transformation wows people. She loves that every day is a new adventure; no two clients or students are the same.

Students inspire her daily. They push her to think about why and how we do what we do. They are a constant challenge, and always inspire her to be her best.

She has a secret fondness for House of Pain and Eminem. She really digs a meaningful rap.

The book that influenced her most was Green Eggs & Ham because it's a great lesson in being open to trying everything life has to offer, and showing you that closed-mindedness only holds you back.

She is most proud of her daughters; every day they amaze her with how smart and funny they are.

She's had many mentors. Every job she has had lead her to someone who guided and taught her how to be better.

 

Austin Trombley, Student Salon Educator
3 years in the industry
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc.

Austin joined the REBC staff two years ago. He currently assists the Zone 1 educator, and also helps with Pre-Board exams. By gaining his cosmetology license, he continues his family's tradition in cosmetology that started with his great-grandfather.

 

 

 

 

Janet Yiznitsky, Lead Receptionist
Education: Montgomery High School, Santa Rosa, CA
                     Business College in Reno, NV
Career Start: KESQ-TV, Palm Springs, CA

Janet makes sure everything runs smoothly in the salon. And she does it with such serenity and quietude that our salon clients have no idea she is handling 15 things at once. Our students praise her, the clients love her, and REBC would be lost without her.

Janet loves providing exceptional customer service to our clients and interacting with students and clients.

She spends her leisure time with family and friends, loves listening to jazz, blues and rock & roll, and she loves all kinds of food.

 

Patricia Rose, Associate Director

Nearly 20 years ago Patty and school owner Kathy Lytle met on a girls' retreat and became fast friends. Over the years that friendship led to Patty coming to work for Kathy at Lytle's in 1998 managing the Business Office as well as functioning as Assistant to the Director.

As one of the few members of Lytle's staff who does not hold a Cosmetology license, Patty has taken many classes over the years ranging from business to psychology to philosophy. These arenas help her guide the business with both her head and her heart. Although business is what she does, it's people that she really loves and that fascinate her, so whenever time permits she loves spending time in our salon receiving services from students and trys to help guide them from a client's perspective. Her favorite product is Goldwell's Rich Repair Line which helps with the effects of Sebastopol's infamous 'West County well water'!

We asked her what her favorite tool was and she said 'well I'm not very good with my blow dryer so I'm going to have to say the Internet – there's so much information available there, I would have to say it's the best tool anyone could have.'

Patty loves the people she works with and says that the Lytle's staff is the most dynamic, fun-loving and supportive group of people she has ever worked with. Additionally, welcoming new students and watching as they grow and develop their talents and gifts is absolutely priceless.

She spends her leisure time with her family and friends, who love to gather at each other's houses and share cooking, music, good wine and great conversation, laughter and love. She also loves quiet time reading, meditating or practicing yoga. Patty also loves the outdoors, hiking or biking or spending time at the coast, in the Redwoods or just being in her own backyard. She and her husband planted an amazing organic garden this year and look forward to even more veggies next year.

Next to fresh organic vegetables, salt is Patty's favorite food!! Patty loves lots of different music, but her favorite is her sons Justin and Joshua's tunes. Guitar, keyboards, vocals - more. Wow!

People inspire her. Kindness inspires her. Learning inspires her. The awesome beauty of nature, like the colors of a silent sunrise, or the green of spring after winter - these take her breath away.

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, Patty says, is an amazing book that has made a big impression on her, but The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield was very impactful as well. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is always close at hand, she loves to open to a random verse as an inspiration.

Patty is proud of the excitement, pride and excellence our staff has in how we do what we do! As a mom, she is most proud of the awesome young men her sons have grown up to be.

Kathy Lytle is one of her many mentors. Kathy is not only a successful business woman, but teaches all in her world to be successful, too, by maintaining integrity, generosity and laughter!!

 

Amanda Keith, Director
14 years as a Licensed Cosmetologist
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc.; Santa Rosa Junior College

After graduating from Lytle's in 1998, Amanda developed a deep passion for cosmetology, esthetics and postsecondary education. Receiving her cosmetology license opened the door to working in many different facets of Cosmetology and Esthetics education at Lytle's. She has received specialized training in financial aid, student services and cosmetology education. She is a member of AACS, CASFAA, NASFAA and she thrives on the opportunity to assist students in meeting their educational goals.

Amanda enjoys connecting with prospective students, seeing them all the way through the enrollment process, to graduation and beyond.

HAIRSPRAY is by far her favorite product, while her favorite tools are the round brush for styling, and her computer for Financial Aid.

She takes pleasure in spending time with family, running for charity, exercising, reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

 

Brenda Keehn, Lead Administrator / Student Services
6 years as a Licensed Esthetician
35 years Administrative/Marketing Experience
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc.

Brenda's responsibilities at Lytle's include admissions, product ordering, taking care of IT issues, operations, accounts payable backup, problem solving, managing the web site, marketing, and special projects. She is also instrumental in making sure our annual Hair Harvest Event in support of cancer victims runs smoothly and effortlessly. She occasionally teaches a Dermalogica product class to staff members, and makes sure the students stay on track with hours and operations while in school.

Brenda got her start in the business world at the Better Business Bureau in Tampa, Florida, and after several job offers that took her from Florida to Santa Fe, New Mexico, she found herself in California. She spent 23 years at Optical Coating Laboratory managing the marketing department, and in 2005 decided to retire. Her manicurist suggested she go to Esthetics School, she thought it was a great idea, and she loved Lytle's so much she never left. She loves everything about working at Lytle's.

She is inspired by God; her husband Don; and Kathy Lytle. According to Brenda, her husband and Kathy are two of the most ethical, amazing, giving people she has ever known. Don is a wonderful man with all the qualities she wishes she had. And after hearing Kathy at the General Orientation, she knew she had to go to school at Lytle's.

Brenda loves country western and easy listening music, loves Thai food, and the books that influenced her more than any others are the Bible and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Brenda gives back by donating money to her church, people and charities, and volunteering at church and in the community.

 

Kylie Woolen, Admissions Leader / Financial Aid
2 years as a Licensed Cosmetologist
10 years Administrative Experience
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc. – July 2009
Career Start: LeClerc Model and Talent Agency, Santa Rosa, CA.

Kylie's responsibilities at Lytle's include most aspects of admissions. She also manages our Social Media sites and is involved in marketing here at the college. She teaches various makeup classes throughout the year and also facilitates our students' live resumes.

She got her start in the industry as a Portfolio Makeup Artist at LeClerc Model & Talent Agency in Santa Rosa. After getting a taste of the industry she decided that becoming licensed was the next step. After getting her Cosmetology license in August 2009 she started working as our Wednesday evening Receptionist. She furthered her career working at Supercuts, Studio C, and also as a Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist.

Her favorite services to perform are bridal hair and makeup because you get to make the bride feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. She loves that she is making the person in her chair feel like a new person. She loves using Goldwell Big Finish Hairspray and her makeup kit filled with many brands. Her favorite tools are her cosmetics, makeup brushes, and shears.

She enjoys seeing the growth of a student from the first day they inquire about school to the day they graduate and then ultimately become licensed and find their first job. She loves helping clients and making their experience an enjoyable one.

Students, co-workers, nature and music all inspire Kylie. She spends her leisure time painting, gardening, exercising and cooking for friends and family. Her favorite music is anything with a great beat that makes her want to dance. She will eat anything Italian (pizza, pasta, and don't forget the garlic bread).

The book, Shine, by Larry A. Thompson, a powerful 4-step plan for becoming a star in anything you do, had a big impact on her. She enjoys reading motivational book as well as anything to do with marketing and business.

She is most proud of graduating from high school at age 16. Any positive, strong female is a mentor to her.

She gives back by coordinating our Annual Holiday Food Drive and Sonoma County Hair Harvest.

"Life should be lived as a celebration of every minute of every day. It is not a long, hard preparation for a party someday. The party is now. So, celebrate your life as it happens. Celebrate your talents, your interests, your opportunities, your failures, your loved ones, and your spirit." - Larry A. Thompson

 

Shenaya Muniz, Admissions
2 years as a Licensed Esthetician
12 years Administrative Experience
Education: Lytle's Redwood Empire Beauty College, Inc. – February 2010

Shenaya began her career at the young age of 16 working as an office assistant at an insurance company. As part of Lytle's Admissions staff, Shenaya handles office and clerical tasks, sets up  admissions appointments, enrolls students, provides prospective students with enrollment information and followup, and takes care of student needs.

As a little girl she was always fascinated with makeup and skin care. While other kids would spend their allowance on candy and toys, Shenaya was buying Avon and drug store cosmetics.

She enjoys interacting with different people and personalities. Most of all, she loves helping people look and feel their best. Shenaya loves Dermalogica's PreCleanse and Daily Microfoliant, and she can't live without MAC's Painterly Paint Pot. Her favorite tools are a curling wand and makeup brushes. Her favorite services to perform on a client are exfoliating facials and makeup application.

What she loves most about her job is helping students through their beauty college experience and being able to relate to them and share in their excitement once they've reached their graduation day.

She spends her leisure time cooking, reading, spending time outdoors during Spring and Summer, spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants, and listening to music.

Successful people who are passionate about what they do and help to guide others to do the same inspire her.

She loves listening to a little bit of everything when it comes to music; from hip hop/R&B to country and reggae. Her favorite food is Mexican and Thai.

She is most proud of following her passion and working in an industry that she has always wanted to be a part of.