Carl Kruse

Carl is a fourth generation Californian born and raised in the Sacramento area. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara where he met his future wife Mary Jane. They moved to Poway in 1975 with their daughter Tisha who graduated from Poway High School. Carl was a Poway City Council Member from 1982-1990 and Mayor in 1986 and 1988. He served on the Poway Center for the Performing Arts joint-use committee with the Poway Unified School District during the planning and construction of the facility in the late 1980’s. He retired in 2008 as a Senior Vice President after 39 years in banking and finance.

Carl’s community service and philanthropy includes his 22-year membership in the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club where he served as club president in 2006-2007 and as District Governor covering San Diego and Imperial Counties in 2013-2014. He served as Chairman of the Rancho Bernardo Chamber of Commerce and was selected as a member of the Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame in 2025.

Carl has supported Poway OnStage’s mission to entertain and educate the community for over 35 years. He is honored to serve on the Board of Directors where he can contribute his financial background and municipal government experience to assist in the continued success of the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.