Graduating from the University of Illinois, Fred began his career as a CPA. For sixteen years he was president of Rothenberg Health Systems, a California firm that developed and marketed software for the healthcare industry. Now retired and living in the Upper Ojai, he devotes his time to Help of Ojai, the Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation, and his beautiful wife, Ila.
Fred started into serious photography as a teenager. He likes photographing people and scenes that tell a story. He has participated in several Ojai Art Center exhibits and regularly displays his photos at the Ojai Library Bookstore. In 2006 he had a two month, one-man show at the Hummingbird Inn of Ojai. Fred regularly does pro bono photo work for the Ojai Music Festival and Help of Ojai. Several of his photos are on permanent display at the Ojai Community Hospital.
In 2007 he and Ila produced Faces of Help of Ojai, a book of photographs and words that highlight the efforts of senior volunteers.
He currently has a one man photo show at Ojai City Hall scheduled to run through March 13, 2009.
His own blog can be found at www.fredila.com
