Our Team
Chris L Christensen
Tour Guide
I was born and raised in the heart of "Gold Country" by an outdoor-loving father who intimately knew the mountains, rivers, and streams that were once teaming with 49ers.
Every free moment was spent camping, fishing and exploring the same places where miners from the 1800's had discovered the vast riches of the Sierra Nevadas and the San Joaquin Valley.
In doing so, I traveled hundreds of miles of the same rivers and streams where the miners traveled and mined.
Having mined and panned for gold, I can attest to the back-breaking work and intolerant conditions that the miners endured.
When not leading tours, Chris stays very active in the Sacramento community as a high school sports official and avid golfer.
Observing our young ones, our future, enjoying the rich history of our state's capital along with discovering how people existed when our state was born are what I most enjoys about being a SacTown Bear Flag History Tour guide.
Trish Portale
Tour Guide
Growing up in Sacramento, I have had a first row seat in experiencing the history and political climate of both California and the Central Valley. As a career teacher in the region, California history was my favorite subject to teach, and with SacTown Bear Flag Tours I have the opportunity to explore the history more deeply and to share this rich history with my favorite people--kids! From the history-laden American River, to the Transcontinental Railroad experience, to the ever-bustling Capitol, there is so much to experience in Sacramento.
As a child, my father directed me to attend the local colleges, which I did and graduated from U. C. Davis with a B.A. in Human Development. After attaining a teaching credential and teaching for a few years, I went on to study Family and Child Counseling and achieved an M.A. Ed. I spent a few years counseling with children and realized I missed the classroom experience and the ability to reach children on a more personal level with more contact than one hour a week in counseling offered, and I returned to the classroom. After 35 years in Education, I am now retired and have fun teaching what I love without all the paperwork! I am happy doing what I love and I look forward to meeting you and sharing my love for history and the rich California experience with you.
Tammi Beck
Tour Guide
I am a native Californian, born in Southern California and relocated as an adult to Northern California to continue my education and raise a family.
I spent 15 years as an Entertainment Coordinator for a large advertising agency and later transitioned to a career in law enforcement. I am grateful for the diverse expereinces I have had.
My true passion lies in personal training, which I have been certified in for many years. I love resistance training and living a clean eating lifestyle. I believe the body is a remarkable machine that requires a regimen to function optimally, and I am passionate about helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle.
I am an energetic, spontaneous, and active individual who enjoys various sports such as tennis, pickleball, cycling, and hiking. I am always up for a challenge and have a fun competitive spirit.
My life revolves around my family. I have two sons, one of whom has blessed us with twin boys. I am actively involved in their lives and cherish the time I spend with them.
David Ted Biesanz
Owner, Tour Guide
I am so excited to take over the helm of this amazing company! I have learned so much about California history and how to present it from Susan Esterley, and although she’s passed the baton to me, she will always be a major influence.
First of all, I am so excited to guide you personally through Old Sacramento, the California Railroad Museum, the California State Capitol, Sutter’s Fort and more!
We certainly hope you enjoy viewing our 7 Virtual Tours as much as we did creating them for you!
Occupations: Radio disc jockey, Television Reporter, 33 years as a teacher in the San Juan Unified School District - 27 @ Mesa Verde High School: English, Speech & Debate, AVID, Radio-TV, and Theater Arts & yearbook adviser. I earned my Masters in Education back in 1996.
I coached 7 different sports / 47 high school teams (Tennis, volleyball, softball, basketball, football, track & field and golf).
My wife, CJ, and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary on August 13, 2023 with an overnight adventure on Old Sac’s Delta King Riverboat. We have been blessed to have two wonderful daughters - the eldest followed in her father’s footsteps as a third grade teacher while the other is an executive assistant to a man who sits on the board of 20 companies. I greet the morning with my Yoga practice nearly every day, and I don’t feel quite right if I skip it. From 1982-85, I played drums in a 60s band entitled ‘The Sensational Sixties.’ Since I retired from teaching recently, I’ve been drumming nearly every day. My wife and I love to sit & sip in the morning to share news about our daughters, and current world events. Our latest addition is Jaxon Jordan Hall, our first grandchild, and neither my wife nor I can ever spend enough time with him.
Harrison Esterley
Tour Guide, Webmaster,
Virtual Tour Producer
I first started working with Bear Flag Tours when I first moved to Sacramento, CA from my hometown of Chapel Hill, NC. I have always had a passion for learning about history. I enjoy practicing guitar and exploring photography and videography in my spare time. While in high school, I directed and produced a feature length documentary; The Bedford Boys focused on the young men from Bedford, Virginia who gave their lives in the D-Day invasion of 1944.
I have loved working for SacTown Bear Flag Tours, it is so fun to meet and teach 4th graders! I recently moved back to the East Coast to finish my degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in December 2022 with a Bachelors of Arts in History.
I currently do sales in medical device consulting in Morrisville, NC, but I have maintained my connection to SacTown Bear Flag Tours by maintaining the website and Virtual Tours!
Lucas Immenschuh
Cinematographer, Lighting, Video Editor, Videographer
Hello, I'm Lucas Immenschuh! (videographer)
I have been filming/editing videos for over 10 years! I started in middle school making silly videos at a park with friends. We filmed in the creek, making videos about Zombies. We named the movie series “Zombies in the Creek”! (I know Oscar winning title). In high school, I filmed almost everything I could: school plays, sports, rallies, etc. My media teacher, Mr. B (A tour guide at the time), always encouraged me to pursue a career path in video, so I did!
Toni Anderson
Tour Guide
Hey everyone! I was born and raised in North Jersey, and moved to CA in 1979. I attended college in Ohio, and when I finished I traveled extensively in the states and abroad for 2 years.
I attended cosmetology school and worked in the industry for over 20 years. I managed a salon chain in Northern California.
Over a year ago, I retired from private post secondary education as an admissions representative where I interviewed students before leading campus tours.
My daughter, Brittany, who is married, has 2 precious little girls 5 and 7 years old who are the apple of my eye.
I am an avid tennis player, where I compete locally and throughout the U.S. I love social gatherings, concerts and dining out. I enjoy cooking and baking. Most of all, I love seeing my grandchildren a few times a week, as well.
I’m so looking forward to leading tours, and hopefully, our paths will cross soon.
Life is good!
Debra Padjen
Tour Guide
I am so grateful to be a native Sacramentian and Californian. I love our weather and how centrally located we are to great places from any direction. I have had a passion to know our history and now I can share that knowledge with so many young students.
I graduated from Casa Roble High School and American River College with an AA in Liberal Studies. For over 30 years I worked as an Admissions Representative and Advisor for several career colleges including Heald College for over 20 years. Now I work for the 95 year old iconic welcoming service, Welcome Wagon.
My family has deep roots in our community. My mother went to Sacramento High School and worked as a teenager at the Alhambra Theatre. My grandfather worked as a coal and gold miner in the 30's and 40's. My dad and two of my uncles all worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Let's get to know our history and preserve our state together.
Deni Scofield
Tour Guide
Deni is an Arts Advocate and Theatre Educator in the Sacramento area. Deni graduated with a B.A. in English/Theatre and M.A. in Creative Writing. Deni taught and directed high school theater for over 30 years, and she’s also a published playwright. Her source material is, of course, teenagers! When Deni isn’t writing, directing or traveling, she loves to be on stage herself and has performed in various theaters throughout the Sacramento and Placer region. However, the most fun she has performing is when she’s leading a group of energetic and inquisitive fourth graders during a SacTown Bear Flag Tour!