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About MAX

MAX is a social community for gay men and their friends. 

Our members join MAX to form real relationships with real people. We are a fun, open, diverse and welcoming community where everyone is welcomed to contribute to the group's overall success. Through MAX events, people regularly meet old friends, meet potential friends, lead, support and participate in interesting events, and have fun.

MAX (originally known as Men’s Associated Exchange) was established in 1988 in response to the AIDS crisis. Out of fear, many gay men had stopped going out; MAX’s purpose was to create a “safe space” for gay men to socialize. Within a short time, it had grown to over 1000 dues-paying members who participated in dozens of activities each year. After an eight-year hiatus, MAX was revived in 2016, in part to enable people to meet others in person and in social settings. MAX continues today as a vibrant gathering place for our community.

Join MAX here.

MAX Board


Jim W. Tom
Chairman

Jim was part of the original MAX. He favors events that strengthen fellowship among members, and diverse activities that appeal to a broad membership. He has championed an assortment of MAX events, including dine-abouts, the outdoors/hiking and community service. Now retired, Jim had worked as a commercial real estate appraiser and last handled the western U.S. states. He had served on the board of Open House, a non-profit dedicated to LGBTQ senior services and housing. Raised in Hong Kong and Mexico, Jim currently resides in Dolores Heights.


Jerry Tusan
Secretary and Director of Events

Jerry Tusan has hosted many popular MAX events including beverage tastings and several of our My Favorite Place monthly dinners. He currently works as a wine distributor in San Francisco. He first joined Max in 1994 and was originally active in the East Bay MAX. A third-generation Californian, Jerry splits his time between his two homes in San Francisco’s Diamond Heights and the East Bay.

        

Dennis Lam
Treasurer

Dennis Lam has been working in high-tech for over 30 years and a resident of the mid-peninsula. He is a foodie and loves to try out different cuisine of the world. He likes to go to the movies, especially enjoys indie and foreign films; movies that tell a compelling story. His other interests also include traveling, cooking, gardening, exercising, swimming, indoor rock climbing and other outdoor activities.


Bruce Cecil
Member-at-Large

Bruce Cecil is a native Kentuckian who has lived in the Bay Area for the last 12 years. Before that, he lived in Southern California. He has served previously on the MAX board, as well as on the board for Discovery Community. He previously worked as a journalist and a mechanical engineer and currently is an educator. Bruce lives in Berkeley.


Stephen Geisheker
Member-at-Large

Stephen Geisheker is new to San Francisco and new to MAX.  Stephen moved here from Silicon Valley where he worked in high-tech until his retirement. He enjoys music, theatre, food, social events, and the outdoors. He also is on the board of Mentor-Tutor Connection that provides educational support to struggling students. Stephen hopes to bring some new events to offer MAX members.  Stay tuned!


Kenneth Cleaveland
Member-at-Large

Ken Cleaveland retired from a 40+ year career as a lobbyist for commercial property owners and construction trade organizations in a number of U.S. cities. He recently stepped down after eight years as a San Francisco Fire Commissioner. Previously, he was very active in the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, and won their lifetime achievement award in 2013. A native of Florida, and graduate of Florida State University, Ken enjoys his retirement by traveling as much as possible, socializing with his friends, particularly in MAX and the Black Tie Club,  and enjoying the many cultural events in the Bay Area.



Major Contributors

Paul Munro

Jason Feinberg

Phil Carberry


MAX
584 Castro Street #672
San Francisco, CA 94114
concierge@maxsf.org

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