Monterey Bay Institute of Electrology Staff

Learn From Industry Professionals

All instructors at MBIE are required to maintain a license in good standing with the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Our instructors are required to maintain knowledge of current and revised BBC Rules and Regulations changes and updates, Health and Safety updates, and current equipment safety and regulations.

MBIE instructors are Certified Professional Electrologists (CPE), a designation earned through the American Electrology Association which requires 75 hours of continuing education over 5 years in order to maintain the credential.

Instructors and other staff members are required to attend an orientation/training meeting to ensure that they are proficient in the communication methods that will be used to interact with the Hybrid Distance Learning HDL course students. Methods include the use of email, Skype, texts, voicemail, the United States Postal Service, and FedEx and UPS (overnight express services).

Faculty will be required to answer student's questions promptly and to exercise patience and understanding when interacting with students; every effort must be made to answer student's questions by the end of the business day.

Instructors

Randa Thurman, LE, CPE
Director/Instructor

• Director & Owner of Monterey Bay Institute of Electrology, 2004 - Present
• Owner, Pacific Coast Electrology
• Professional speaker/trainer of advanced training classes for the Electrologists
• Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE)
• California and Nevada Licensed Professional Electrologist
• Certified Instructor in the Jane Riddle Technique

Ms. Thurman has been a Licensed Professional Electrologist since 1991. Her expertise is based on her electrology training at the Jane Riddle Institute where Ms. Thurman also became a certified instructor in the Jane Riddle Technique. She was Assistant Director of the Jane Riddle Institute from 1994 through 1999. In 1996, having sold her Grass Valley, CA practice, she moved back to the Monterey Peninsula and opened a new office in Pacific Grove, CA. In 2004 she opened the Monterey Bay Institute of Electrology in Monterey, CA. Ms. Thurman's business success is demonstrated having owned and operated four successful practices, including associates. Ms. Thurman is currently 2nd Vice President of the Electrolysis Association of California (EAC) and 3rd Vice President Membership Chair of the American Electrology Association (AEA). She has been a continuous member of both since 1991.

Robert F. Von Essen, LE, CPE
Administrator/Instructor

• Assistant Director and Co-Owner Monterey Bay Institute of Electrology, Since 2004
• Co-owner of Pacific Coast Electrology Center
• Licensed Electrologist
• Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE)
• Certified Instructor - Jane Riddle Technique
• Lecturer for the Electrologist Association of California, 2012, 13 and 14.
• Key Note Speaker for the American Electrology Association Annual Convention, Florida 2014
• Member of the CA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Task Force review of Rules and Regulations for the practice of Electrology

Mr. Von Essen became a Licensed Electrologist in 1995. As an entrepreneur and successful businessperson, the Institute and students will benefit from Mr. Von Essen's extensive knowledge of both the electrology profession and the business world.

Karena Kalinuk, L.E., CPE
Clinical Instructor, MBIE - 2012 to Present

• California Licensed Electrologist and Esthetician
• A graduate of Monterey Bay Institute of Electrology, 2005
• Certified Professional Electrologist (CPE)
• New Jersey Licensed Esthetician
• Spa Director at Ventana Resort, Big Sur CA
• In private practice from 2006 to present at Pacific Coast Electrology and Skincare

Karena's background in skincare and electrolysis is exceptional to the Institute and students.

Jane Viera-Riddle, LE, CPE
Visiting Instructor

• Owner, Jane Riddle & Assoc., private practice, Retired 2017
• Former Director, Jane Riddle Institute of Electrology
• California Licensed Electrologist
• World Renowned and Sought-After Speaker in the Field of Electrology

Ms. Riddle, a leader in the field of electrology, began her electrology profession in 1968. She was the owner/ director and instructor of the Jane Riddle Institute of Electrology (JRIE) located in Modesto, CA for over 24 years. She established JRIE in Japan in association with OZ International and was a member of the Barbering and Cosmetology Program Task Force on Curriculum updates and laser hair removal. Ms. Riddle is an honorary member of the Electrologists Association of California where she has held the positions of President and 2nd VP and was a board member on the National Commission for Electrolysis Certification.