2005 - 2006 Class XXI Bios & Photos

	Adema - Craig = Page 1	Gomez - Polse = Page 3
	Danielson - Goddard = Page 2	Roberts - Verutti = Page 4

CHERRY ROBERTS Debt Consultant, Founder of Woodland Financial Wellness, Inc. Cherry grew up in the East Bay Area and vacationed at the family beach house in Aptos from the age of 7. Cherry was a UOP music major/math minor until she changed her goals and graduated from Control Data Institute in the early 70s. She worked in her profession for 30 years, including more than 13 years with IBM. With a “been there, done that” feeling about programming, she founded a Debt Resolution company because of the need she observed in her church and community. Initially a home-based internet company, they relocated to their current location in Soquel Research Park to provide a more personal experience for their clients. Cherry, her husband, two 21-year-old sons, an infant grandson and “the baby’s mom” live in a geo-dome home “in the wilderness” on the mountain above Scotts Valley. Her heart has belonged to Santa Cruz County since childhood.

PATRICIA SAPONE Deputy Chief of Police, Santa Cruz Police Department Patricia has been with the Santa Cruz Police Department for 25 years. She still enjoys going to work and has new challenges every week. Patricia looks for ways to ensure the department is providing the best level of service possible to the community. As a native, she has deep ties to Santa Cruz and cares about the quality of life for residents and visitors. Through Leadership Santa Cruz County, she looks forward to learning more about the county, meeting new people, and making new friends. Patricia hopes to expand her knowledge of local resources, both in the public and private sectors.

MARCENE Y. SAXMAN RN, Maternal Child-Health Director, Dominican Hospital The professional accomplishment Marcene is proudest of is getting her Master of Science in Nursing Education. She graduated from a diploma nursing program and later earned nurse practitioner certificates in Ob/GYN nursing, a BS in Nursing and her Master’s degree. In November 2004, Marcene went from being a staff nurse to Nurse Director. With this new role in mind, she especially looks forward to learning more about Santa Cruz County government and the people who make up this wildly diverse county. Since Marcene’s focus has been on health care and education, she feels it will be fun and interesting to explore the local judicial system, business arena, arts and culture, and all the other subjects Leadership Santa Cruz County covers. She currently sees herself as more of a manager than a leader, and will be delighted to sit at the feet of leaders within and outside of LSCC and learn.

RUTH SEAGRAVES Executive Director, Happy Valley Conference Center Raised in the Midwest by community-minded artists, Ruth learned quickly that while necessities and art supplies were plentiful, one had to be innovative and hard working to have "extras," lessons that have proven very useful. With a graphic design degree, Ruth began working as an Art Director for a publisher and realized the importance and impact of visual communication. Taking her creativity and project management skills, Ruth gravitated to the non-profit sector as the editor of a non-profit magazine in Seattle. Later, Ruth became the Alumni Director for her alma mater, Graceland University, and gained valuable experience in the world of friend raising and fund raising. In 2001, Ruth and her family relocated to Santa Cruz where she is now the Executive Director of Happy Valley Conference Center, a 501c3 that transforms communities by offering retreat and conference center services to non-profit and public organizations.

LEE SEPULVEDA Lieutenant, City of Santa Cruz Police Department Lee has lived in Santa Cruz for forty-two years. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School and then attended college, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science. He is married with four children. His wife is a graduate of Leadership Santa Cruz County, Class 19. Lee began working at the police department in 1978 and is now assigned as a Watch Commander in patrol. Lee is the founder of the La Playa Support Group, which is a multi-agency group of city employees dedicated to improving the quality of life in and around the Beach Flats area of the City of Santa Cruz. Lee joined Leadership Santa Cruz County because he would like to make new contacts and stay active in his community. He is looking forward to this opportunity!

JACCI STERLING BIO PENDING

SHEILA SUTPHIN Realtor, Sherman and Boone Real Estate Sheila was born in Watsonville and has lived locally all her life. She has a passion for Santa Cruz County and desires to learn more about this special area. Sheila worked in the medical field until six years ago when she began selling real estate for Sherman and Boone. Leadership Santa Cruz County has been of interest to her for several years and she has finally been blessed with a time allowance to join in. Sheila is looking forward to gaining team building and leadership skills, and learning much more about what is happening behind the scenes in the diverse communities of Santa Cruz County.

ART THOMAE Artist Arturo Manuel Thomae was born and raised in Oakland, California. After receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, he started his career in the burgeoning electronics industry. Soon after, he left the high-tech world and lived in Baja California on land his family homesteaded. Upon his return to this area, Arturo became a self-employed artist, builder, and general handyman. For the past 35 years, Arturo has painted murals, founded a successful sign business, built homes, and performed general maintenance on commercial buildings and apartment complexes. He has a degree in Fine Arts from West Valley College. He lives in Aptos, with his wife Teresa and his two children, Giancarlo and Julia, and a really fine dog, Bruno. Arturo enjoys jazz, fine art, and restoring vintage British motorcycles and 356 Porsches.

CAROL TURLEY Homeowner Association Manager, Pajaro Dunes Association Carol is a proud Pajaro Valley native and shares her home in Watsonville with husband, DeWayne, and daughters Caitlyn and Heather. She has attended Cabrillo College, Pacific Union College, and Colegio de Adventistas en Sagunto, Valencia, Spain. Her 23-year history of employment with Pajaro Dunes has allowed her to grow professionally and provides her with a creative outlet and broad scope of experience. She is committed to her community and hopes to develop relationships and knowledge through Leadership Santa Cruz County to enable her to be of service to the Pajaro Valley and Santa Cruz County.

GABRIELA URIAS Office Coordinator, Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc. Gabriela has lived in Watsonville for 19 years, and has worked for Driscoll’s for 13 years. She attended Cabrillo College where she took English and computer classes. Gabriela likes to get involved and work on projects for community organizations through the company she works for, as well as on her own time. She is looking to gain experience, learn more about the community where she lives, and discover opportunities to help non profit organizations.

JUDY VASQUEZ Paralegal, CRLA Judy M. Vasquez is a nice person who cares deeply about her family, friends and her community. She loves life and laughs much. She has a background in law as a paralegal and has served with many county and Watsonville-area groups, with specific emphasis on helping those who are under-served and in need. References are available upon request.

MIKE VENEZIO Fire Captain, Santa Cruz City Fire Department Mike has been in the fire service for 25 years. He started with volunteering in Santa Clara County while attending Mission Collage. Mike has been with the Santa Cruz City Fire Department for the past 21 years and held the positions of Firefighter, Engineer and Captain. Mike has also been the President of the Firefighters Union for the past 8 years. He has lived in Santa Cruz County for the past 20 years with his wife of 18 years and two small children.

JACKIE VENTURA Administrative Analyst, City of Watsonville Jackie is currently employed as an administrative analyst with the Redevelopment and Housing Department for the City of Watsonville. She began her career with the city over twenty years ago. Jackie was born in Mexicali, Baja California, and was proud to become a U.S. citizen in April 1995. Growing up in Aromas and Watsonville sparked an interest in learning more about the Pájaro Valley and becoming more involved in the community over the years. Her two children, Jay Jay and Vince, along with grandson Ricky, continue to make the Pájaro Valley home. She is a founding member of the Watsonville Police Department's volunteer program and continues to serve with that program. Jackie enjoys attending her grandson's sporting events, reading, music, and spending time with loved ones.

CHARLIE VERUTTI Director, Physical/Occupational Therapy, Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Charlie is married and the father of three grown children. He started as a physical therapist in 1975 at Community Hospital of Santa Cruz where he worked for two years. He worked at Dominican Hospital for six years, and has been with Santa Cruz Medical Foundation for 21 years. Charlie has been lucky to serve in the Physical Rehabilitation Department that has grown from two employees to 35. He has served on many boards over the last 30 years: Rotary, Good Shepherd School, Parks and Recreation (city), President of the Friends of Parks and Recreation for the last 15 years, Easter Seals and the Citizens’ Committee on Community Improvement (City of Santa Cruz). Charlie is hoping that LSCC will increase his understanding of how non-profits can benefit this great county. Meeting fellow class members and exploring new areas of the county will help round out his knowledge and abilities.

Gary Smith Executive Director, Leadership Santa Cruz County Gary started his career as a firefighter in Davis in 1970. Gary and Barbara were married in 1974 and have raised three daughters, Amanda, Hollie and Meggie, and now have two grandsons, Eli and Luke. In 1979, Gary was promoted to Fire Marshall in Manteca. He received a BS degree in Fire Administration from Cogswell College in June 1984 and, in November, was hired as the Fire Chief in Watsonville. In 1991, Gary was asked to serve as Watsonville’s Assistant City Manager and Fire Chief. He accepted the position of Fire Chief, Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District, in February 1999. In July 2003, Gary “transitioned” from active duty in the fire service to a life of community involvement, serving on numerous local and national professional organizations. He was selected as Executive Director for Leadership Santa Cruz County in May 2004. Gary looks forward to building stronger leadership within Santa Cruz County.

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