2005-2006
Scroll to bottom of page to download PDF of class yearbook.
JANENE ADEMA
VP/Branch Manager, Rabobank N.A.
Janene is VP/Branch Manager for Rabobank N.A, formerly Community Bank of Central California. She is also a professional public speaker, and has traveled worldwide as an international motivational speaker. She enjoys speaking engagements within the Santa Cruz business community. Janene is passionate about supporting non-profit organizations, and is a Bereavement Counselor for Hospice Caring Project. She is on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz, as well as the Santa Cruz Business Council. She serves in the Santa Cruz Rotary Club, the Dominican Hospital Guild, and several other non-profit organizations. Janene has lived in Santa Cruz for 26 years. Janene joined LSCC because of her love for Santa Cruz County and her desire to learn more about it. With the knowledge she will gain from LSCC, it is her desire to ake a greater contribution to this wonderful county.
BECKY ALEXANDER
Sales Associate, BT Commercial Real Estate
Becky enjoys working in commercial real estate, where she’s able to help businesses buy, sell, and lease property in the Santa Cruz County area. She grew up in Arkansas, got a B.S. in Physics in 1986 and moved to the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area to work for the government. Traveling cross-country on business for several years, she developed a desire to live in California. That opportunity came when she went to work as an engineer for Silicon Systems in Santa Cruz in 1992. Her career transitioned from engineering to sales in 1996 while working at Applied Materials. She continues to enjoy the challenge of sales, although now in a different field and much closer to home. She’s fortunate to share her passion for gardening in this amazing climate as a volunteer gardener with the Assisted Living Project in Scotts Valley.
JO ANN ALLEN
Program Coordinator, Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Jo Ann has been married 32 years to her high school sweetheart. They have two married children, ages 27 and 29, and one magnificent grandson, age 3. She has been an administrator for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education for 16 years. Jo Ann has an eclectic background in clothing design, art, community organizing, grant writing, education, and program management. Through the application of the latest theories and a common sense trial and error approach, she has designed successful model programs for “high-risk” children, youth and families highlighted at national, state, and regional conferences and in best and promising practices publications. As an innovator of programs and services to meet the changing needs of Santa Cruz County, she feels Leadership Santa Cruz County will expand her experiences and abilities to identify emerging local trends leading to program improvements, enhanced services and, ultimately, success for all Santa Cruz County students.
OMID AMINIFARD
Director of Rides and Attractions, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Omid arrived in San Diego, California, as a young boy. During a visit to Sea World, he found his calling in the amusement industry. After years at Sea World, Omid became Lead Ride Operator for the Giant Dipper roller coaster in San Diego. Eventually, he made his move to the ever-expanding Las Vegas strip and was hired as a supervisor for the Rides and Attractions Department at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Always looking for a new challenge, Omid was hired as the Director of Tower Operations for the Stratosphere Tower. After eight years in Las Vegas, he grew tired of the Las Vegas lifestyle. Omid was offered the position of Arcades and Attractions Director at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and has since taken over the ride operations department. When not working, Omid enjoys spending time with his wife and 14-month-old son.
JOYCE ANDERSON
T.V. Producer/Host
Joyce is the board chair for the American Red Cross Santa Cruz Chapter. She also serves on the board of directors of Community Television of Santa Cruz County, where she is treasurer and producer, and hosts two weekly television shows, “Inside Santa Cruz” and “Women in Business,” a joint production with the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. Joyce also does public service announcements for nonprofit events. Her production company, Joyce Anderson Productions, produces and choreographs bridal fashion shows at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz for the Seaside Company, and for other organizations at the Santa Clara Convention Center. She is the public relations director for Rancho Shopping Center in Los Altos. Through Leadership Santa Cruz County, Joyce hopes to share with others in the community and to grow in mind and spirit.
JUDY ANDERSON
V. P. Branch Manager, Comerica Bank
Judy works for Comerica Bank as a branch manager, as part of a 36-year career. Judy started as a teller and worked her way up to her present position. She currently serves as treasurer on the board of directors for the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. She is also the president of the Felton Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, a board member of the Mountain Parks Foundation, and a board member of the Felton Cemetery Association. Judy enjoys participating in community events and giving back whenever she can. She is very interested in learning more about Santa Cruz County and how each individual community works.
WES ANTHONY
Teacher, Musician, Owner of E3 Playhouse
Wes is the founder of E3 Playhouse, a new restaurant/bar/"live" music venue in downtown Santa Cruz. E3 stands for Entertainment, Education, Eatery. He plays sax, flute and bass in 10 bands, ranging from swing, salsa, R&B and Americana. His Masters degree in music performance from San Diego State University, along with 2 years teaching elementary, junior high and high school band, inspired him to create his own school of socials arts which includes music, dance, language, and art. Wes wants to bring a high level of culture to Santa Cruz. He plans to be an active member in the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, Elks Club and Leadership Santa Cruz County.
STEVE BAUER
Firefighter/Apparatus Engineer, Santa Cruz City Fire Department
Steve is being sponsored by his employee organization, the Santa Cruz City Firefighters, Union Local 1716. Steve has served the union in various capacities and is looking forward to continuing the union’s efforts at outreach and service to the community at large, and in furthering relationships with community leaders. Steve was born and raised in San Francisco and received a B.S. in aeronautics from San Jose State University. Prior to his firefighting career, he spent seven years in airline and aerospace firms within engineering and technical management. Steve enjoys the outdoors, vintage European cars, and foreign travel, having taken two years off between careers to travel much of the world. He is excited by this opportunity with Leadership Santa Cruz County to learn and experience more of our vibrant, multifaceted, and diverse community.
KATHY BISBEE
Director of Marketing, Cruzio
Originally from Western Maine, Kathy is the Director of Marketing at Cruzio, voted “Best Internet Service Provider” in Santa Cruz County for the past 11 consecutive years. With a B.A in Political Science/Social Sciences from the University of Maine, Kathy is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and Public Relations at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Kathy enjoys pioneering new efforts: she was the leadership force behind Cruzio’s annual Small Business Fair, the Spanish services program, and Cruzio’s new retail location in downtown Watsonville. She currently serves on the Santa Cruz County Workforce Investment Board, Santa Cruz Downtown Commission, Santa Cruz Film Festival Board of Directors and the Campaign to Renew School Funding (2005). Kathy produces CruzioTV, a monthly technology education program on Channel 25. She often kayaks in Monterey Bay with her husband, Alec VanderWoude, a local web designer/IT professional.
DENNIS BLACK
Mortgage Broker, PFS Mortgage Loans
Dennis has lived in Santa Cruz County for a total of fifteen years. He and his wife are co-owner/brokers of PFS Mortgage Loans of Santa Cruz. They also own a real estate investment company. Their business thrives on repeat and referral opportunities to serve others. Dennis is in his third year of serving on the Board of Directors of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. He is also active in building the Aptos Museum. His personal hobbies include golf, fishing around the world, and traveling with his wife, Diane. Dennis is looking forward to learning more about the dynamics of Santa Cruz County and the opportunities for getting even more involved in giving back to the community he loves.
JOY BLANDING
Education Coordinator, Go Kids, Inc.
Joy, a native Californian, grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Three years ago she returned to the county and lives in Aptos with her lab, Pandora. Joy holds an MBA in Leadership with a B.S. in Human Development. She has published two children's books addressing decision-making and unconditional love. With over 15 years of management, teaching, and training experience, Joy is the Education Coordinator for Go Kids, a child development agency. She ensures quality for children and staff, providing coaching and coordinating training/staff development. Joy serves on the Community Foundation Silicon Valley's "Young Readers-Future Leaders" Advisory Council and sits on the panel for the South County Multi-Disciplinary Support group (MDS) assisting childcare professionals. She is a "trainer of trainers" for the Inclusion Symposium Project, and a member of the Health Consortium Advisory Committee. She enjoys gardening, the outdoors, and traveling and hopes to visit every continent during her lifetime.
HIRANYA BREWER
Santa Cruz County Childcare Planning Council Coordinator
Hiranya was born in South India (and has lived abroad in both Asia and Europe). She calls Santa Cruz home and has attended school here from kindergarten through her BA program in cultural anthropology and K-12 multiple subject teaching credential program, both at UCSC. Hiranya taught bilingual kindergarten and first grade for four years and then returned to Cabrillo College to study early childhood education. She currently coordinates the Childcare Planning Council for Santa Cruz County, which advocates for quality, sustainable, and affordable childcare. Her passion and vision are to foster and encourage conscious, healthy, and positive relationships between caregivers and children in order to bring about real and lasting social change.
BETH FROST-CRAIG
Executive Assistant, Neighborhood Childcare Center
After graduating from California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in Psychology, Beth moved to Santa Cruz with a strong desire to work in the education sector. She worked as a Program Coordinator for UCSC’s Web and Internet Technologies Department during the dot-com boom. After that bubble burst, Beth joined Neighborhood Childcare Center. Working at a non-profit childcare center has exposed her to many issues, needs, and opportunities in Santa Cruz County. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the center, she has gotten involved in city government and is currently active in the Fund Development committee, which aims to ensure continued financial stability of the center. Beth enjoys working closely with so many families in the community and hopes to enrich their lives with the experiences that the Leadership program has to offer.
JOANNE DANIELSON
Public Safety Coordinator, California State Parks
Joanne grew up in the Bay Area. She attended West Valley College and Oregon State University where she earned her B.S. degree. Before she worked for State Parks, Joanne worked for the National Park Service and for an environmental education program. In 1980, she was hired as a state park ranger and attended basic police academy training in San Jose. She has worked and lived in the Central Coast area for 25 years.
RICARDO DE LA CRUZ
de la Cruz & Associates, LLC
Through LSCC, Ricardo hopes to gain a better understanding of the political trends of the Monterey Bay area. His goals are to expand affordable housing programs, implement State Proposition 50 policies in identifying new water sources, and encourage pending Santa Cruz County community plans. Prior to starting a land use development business 15 years ago, Ricardo served in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam War, taught full-time at the high school and college levels, and worked for the California Coastal Commission, City of San Jose, City of Santa Barbara, and U.C. Santa Barbara. Ricardo earned a BA from U.C. Santa Barbara and an MPA and teaching credential from San Jose State University. He serves on the Board of Directors for both Santa Cruz CASA and the International Desalination Institute at the California State University at Monterey Bay. Ricardo is a member of the Urban Land Institute.
CECILIA DE LA GARZA
Coordinator, Faculty Relocation Assistance and Dual Career Programs, UCSC
Cecilia coordinates two programs at UCSC designed to provide assistance and support to candidates and appointees for ladder-rank faculty and senior management positions. Because many of the issues she encounters are related to community resources, Leadership Santa Cruz County will be an invaluable experience. She has been at UCSC for seven years and has a long history in the area, having grown up in the Salinas Valley and attended Stanford University. In fact, several of her siblings have attended and/or worked at UCSC. She currently lives in Santa Cruz with her husband.
TAMARA DOAN
Director of Programs, Coastal Watershed Council
Tamara moved to Santa Cruz in 2000 to become a volunteer coordinator at the Coastal Watershed Council. After a 16-year career dressing film sets in Los Angeles, she went back to school in 1994 to study science. In 1999, she earned a BA in Environmental Studies, focusing on natural resources, from UCSC. She and her partner, now husband, Gerry, left the big city for “small town life” in Santa Cruz. Since joining CWC, Tamara has become the Director of Programs and oversees the programs and operations of this local non-profit. CWC's mission is to “preserve and protect our coastal watersheds through community stewardship, education, and monitoring.” Over the last five years, Tamara has worked with hundreds of volunteers monitoring Santa Cruz County streams to evaluate habitat conditions and identify pollution sources. Tamara enjoys artisan bread baking, pottery, walking and reading with her husband, and pampering her cats.
PEGGY DOLGENOS
President and Co-founder of Cruzio
The Internet is still an interesting and exciting field for Cruzio co-founder Peggy Dolgenos. She's currently involved in expanding Cruzio's horizons in new technology such as online classified ads and in business areas such as wireless access. Peggy's technical background, a degree in Computer Science, combined with 18 years of experience working with computers, adds to her understanding of the inner workings of the Internet. However, she has never forgotten her non-geek roots, and works hard to make Cruzio's technology useful and understandable to artists and paralegals, as well as computer engineers.
RON DUNCAN
Water Conservation Coordinator, Soquel Creek Water District
Ron obtained a B.S. in geology and an M.S. in hydrology. He spent the first 13 years of his professional career in the environmental/engineering consulting arena. Since 1997, he has worked in the public sector for the Santa Cruz Harbor and now for the Soquel Creek Water District. Ron and his wife selected Santa Cruz as the place to raise a family after searching the United States. Since he was a young boy, he has had a passion for and commitment to water. Ron hopes to apply his enthusiasm and knowledge regarding water and his growing leadership skills to help this region solve water-related issues.
BRENT DUNTON
Mortgage Consultant, Santa Cruz Home Finance
Brent recently took up employment with Santa Cruz Home Finance, and is enjoying learning the many things to know about being a mortgage consultant. He is also working at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as a sales manager. Brent is a native Californian, having grown up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He went to Chico State University and obtained degrees in communications and business, as well as a Master’s Degree in Recreation Administration. In 1995, he moved back to Santa Cruz and collaborated with his brother, Shaw, to start up a local adventure teambuilding company, APEX Adventures, which combined their passion for the outdoors and their calling to bring people together in a cohesive environment. Brent enjoys weekend camping and spending as much time possible with his two young children, Taeg and Lazuli, and wife, Sheila.
JOHN EISKAMP
Raspberry and Blackberry Grower
John received his Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Sciences from Fresno State University in 1987. He returned to Santa Cruz County to farm, first working as a ranch manager for Quail Mountain Herbs. In 1989, he started his own business, J. E. Farms, Inc. and became a fifth-generation farmer in the Green Valley Road area of the Pajaro Valley growing raspberries and blackberries for Driscoll Strawberry Associates. He currently farms 160 acres of berries. John is Director of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. His Leadership Santa Cruz County experiences will enable him to more effectively serve the Farm Bureau by giving him a better understanding of county-wide issues and how they affect farming in Santa Cruz County. He resides near Watsonville with his wife, Caroline, and two children, Michael, 13 and Jennifer, 10. In his free time, John enjoys attending his kids’ sporting events and collecting and restoring antique clocks.
VALERIA ERDOGAN
Chief of Clinics, County of Santa Cruz
Graduating high school at age 16, Valeria attended UC Santa Cruz, majoring in biology and economics. She completed her education at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga in Health Services Administration. After 27 years in the medical field, she has been Operations Supervisor for San Jose Medical Center, Manager of the Departments of Medicine and Surgery for Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and Outpatient Services Director for Monterey County. Valeria is now Chief of Clinics for Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency. For six years she has volunteered in both Santa Cruz and Monterey at ABC Health Group, a program focused on improving the health of the African-American community. Married for 18 years with a 10-year-old daughter, Yasemin, she loves spending time at the beach and traveling with her family. Valeria would like to learn more about the history of the county.
LIZ EVANOVICH
Government and Community Relations, University of California, Santa Cruz
Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Liz attended Cabrillo College, and then transferred to the University of California, Santa Cruz where she received a BA in Sociology. She worked in the banking industry while raising a family; her two children are currently attending college. In 2000, Liz decided it was time to spread her wings, leave her comfort zone, and find new challenges in the business world. She had a crazy, but brief, experience in the world of high tech but then found her true home back where she started, at UC Santa Cruz. She works in the office of Government and Community Relations where her work focuses on community outreach.
ARMANDO GALINDO
Service Center Manager, Applied Industrial Technologies
Armando Galindo emigrated from Mexico to Santa Cruz in the mid eighties and met the love of his life, Carla, on the Santa Cruz Wharf. Even though Armando didn’t speak much English and Carla didn’t speak much Spanish, the two connected beyond the language and have been happily married for 17 ½ years. Armando has worked for Applied Industrial Technologies for 16 years and is currently the Service Center Manager for the Watsonville Branch. He enjoys problem solving and working with the public, and has lead his branch to achieve two President’s Awards within the 420-branch company. Armando enjoys playing various sports and is an avid tennis player. He joined LSCC so he could better serve Santa Cruz County, which has provided him with so many opportunities.
LUIS GARZA
BIO PENDING
CHRISTOPHER GEORGE
Regional Vice President, Primerica Financial Services
Christopher is a husband, father, entrepreneur, and fifth generation resident of Watsonville. He has committed himself to helping local families understand money, how it works and the opportunities it creates. The biggest challenge for working American families is the successful use of money: what to do about debt overload, insurances, saving for emergencies, retirement or college for the kids, and how to curb harmful spending habits. Education is the key. The more people we teach, the more people we touch. Christopher’s company is currently pioneering a process of employee education that will make employer-sponsored retirement plans much more effectual. Christopher is excited to be part of Leadership Santa Cruz County since it offers opportunities to connect with influential business and social leaders, and encourages the exchange of knowledge, ideas and resources that can directly benefit working families and business owners alike in Santa Cruz County.
TOBY GODDARD
Water Conservation Manager, City of Santa Cruz Water Department
Toby Goddard has been with the Water Department for over 10 years and is responsible for implementing programs that increase water use efficiency throughout the city's water service area. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, is an active member of the American Water Works Association, and serves as the city's representative on the California Urban Water Conservation Council. Toby sees Leadership Santa Cruz County as an opportunity to develop interpersonal and communication skills with other community leaders, and plans to put those skills to work to achieve solutions to the region's complex water supply challenges. His wife, Kimberly, works in special education for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. They have two teenage sons: Brook, 17 and Scott, 15, both at Soquel High School. Toby enjoys playing tennis, reading American history, and spending time with friends and family on their sailboat at the harbor.
LETICIA GOMEZ
Manager, MACSA San Jose Youth Services
Leticia G. Gomez has lived in Watsonville for twenty-five years. Her small family includes her parents, a younger brother, and a lovable West Highlander Terrier mix dog. Leticia enjoys traveling, music, outdoor activities, and working with children. In 2001, she graduated from Cal State University Monterey Bay with a B. S. in International Entrepreneurship and a B.A. in Human Communications. Leticia has volunteered for many non-profit agencies. Currently she works as the Manager for MACSA San Jose Youth Services. She researches community needs and then seeks the funds to implement services that will provide opportunities for youth and families to improve their assets and quality of life. Leticia has been a part of many collaborative and partnership agreements throughout Santa Clara County, including the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Taskforce, Region V Collaborative, Strong Neighborhood Initiative, and Mayfair Adult Learning Taskforce.
ADAN GOMEZ-PARRA
Program Specialist, City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services
Adan Gomez-Parra is from Watsonville and is the younger of two siblings. He is a student at Cabrillo College, majoring in architecture. Adan’s hobbies are playing guitar and piano; and he is a black belt in Taekwando, plays soccer, coaches football, and enjoys working on art. Through the years, Adan has been very involved in the community through his hobbies, school, and work. He has enjoyed the opportunities to work with his community and wants to learn more about it and the surrounding area. Adan felt Leadership Santa Cruz County would be a great avenue to learn more about the unknown resources and needs of his community so he can get more involved.
MARTIN GUERRERO
BIO PENDING
ANGELICA HARO
Administrative Assistant, Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc.
Angelica has lived in Watsonville for 10 years and has also worked for Driscoll’s for 10 years. She attended English classes at Cabrillo College and earned a certificate in Human Resources Management from UCSC Extension in 2002. Angelica enjoys working on projects that involve helping others. The accomplishment she is proudest of is learning English in a very short time. Even though she thinks she still has a lot to learn, she’s able to express herself with no problem. Angelica is looking forward to participating in Leadership Santa Cruz County and to meeting other people who have similar interests. She hopes to learn more about what is going on in her community and to find a place where she can share what she learns.
JANET JOHNSTON
Human Resources Manager, Central Coast Alliance for Health
Janet was born and raised in England. She arrived in the USA in the summer of 1969 as a foreign exchange student. On her return to the States in 1974, she made her way to Santa Cruz where she has lived on and off for over 30 years. Her work life in England included a position at the US Embassy in London as a liaison for US military personnel in and around Southern England. Janet has worked as a volunteer for the county’s Meals-On-Wheels program, and has recently been honored as the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Holiday Food Drive Coordinator of the Year for 2004. Janet works as the Human Resources Manager for Central Coast Alliance for Health, a locally managed non-profit health plan whose programs include Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Healthy Kids, and In Home Support Services (IHSS). She has been a proud employee of the Alliance for 7 years.
SANDY KAPLAN
Santa Cruz Association of Realtors
Sandy has been a resident of Santa Cruz County since 1974, and a local realtor for 22 years. She is co-owner of Santa Cruz Properties and is known with her business partner as “The Sandy Team.” She is currently the 2006 President-Elect of the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors and a director of the California Association of Realtors. Sandy has a B.A. degree in Administration and Community Development from Antioch University, and has always been active in her community. She has been a community organizer, served on the county Women’s Commission, been active in local school issues, and is currently working on the lack of affordable housing. As a trustee of the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors Housing Foundation, her goal is to bridge the gap to home ownership. Sandy is participating in Leadership SCC to gain further knowledge and contacts to improve her effectiveness serving the local community.
SHANNA McCORD
Reporter, Santa Cruz Sentinel
Shanna McCord is a graduate of Cal State Sacramento and Stanford University. For several years she worked as a news reporter for television stations in Arizona, Oregon and the Salinas-Monterey area. After earning a master's degree in journalism at Stanford in 2002, Shanna switched her reporting career to newspapers. Prior to moving to Santa Cruz in January 2004 for a position at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Shanna covered crime news for the San Diego Union Tribune. Currently, she is the city government reporter for the Sentinel. Shanna volunteers as a big sister with the Big Brother/Big Sister program of Santa Cruz County.
ELLEN McGIBBEN
Realtor, Sherman and Boone Real Estate
Ellen McGibben, a 28-year resident of Santa Cruz County, spent 17 years working as a registered nurse. The time was split between Watsonville Community Hospital and the Santa Cruz Surgery Center. She is currently a realtor with Sherman and Boone Real Estate. With a strong focus on customer care, Ellen enjoys the process of issue spotting and providing for the needs of her clients. Ellen is the mother of three grown sons and, with her husband, Dennis, welcomed their first grandchild in August.
KATHARINE P. MINOTT
Foglady Design, llc
Katharine, a fifth generation Californian, has lived in Aptos since her childhood. Raised in an academic and politically active family, Katharine was encouraged to develop a keen advocacy for improved human rights and environmental law. Katharine earned a B.A in Psychology from UCSC and holds certification as a substance abuse counselor. She attended postgraduate studies in Land Use Law and Environmental Policy. Katharine’s focus of interest is in upscale designs for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Katharine is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the International Association of Color Consultants and Designers (IACC). Katharine currently serves as Chairperson on the Santa Cruz County Parks Commission.
ANDREAS MUELLER
Chief Strategist, Bloofusion, Inc.
Andreas grew up in Germany and has lived in France and Japan. He met his wife, Suzanne, during their graduate studies in 1986 at UC Davis. They are now raising two kids, eight and twelve, in Rio del Mar. Andreas began his career in 1989 at Seagram’s in San Francisco, marketing wines from France and Germany in the US. In 1994, he worked for Esker, a French software company in San Francisco, heading up the marketing department. In 1997, he joined JSB, a UK software company located in Scotts Valley, as its VP of Marketing and the whole family moved down from Mill Valley to Santa Cruz. There he got hooked on surfing. JSB changed names to SurfControl, went public, and Andreas decided to switch gears in 2001 and co-founded Bloofusion, an online marketing agency. Andreas is interested in networking and connecting people, thus joining Leadership was an easy decision.
GRACE MUNDY
Residential Real Estate Specialist, Bailey Properties
Grace graduated from San Jose State University and received a B.A. in psychology, with a minor in business. She worked as an operations manager for Mervyn’s Department Stores for 10 years. In 1985, she moved to Aptos, obtained her real estate license the following year, and joined Bailey Properties in real estate sales. About that same time, she joined the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. Since then, she has served on various committees and has chaired several of them. In 1995, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce named her Woman of the Year. She is a past president of the Aptos Chamber and continues to serve as a member of their board of directors.
KARLA NORTON
Pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church
After over 20 years in the healthcare field working as a clinical laboratory scientist, Karla felt God calling her to serve as a minister. After attending seminary school, she was fortunate enough to be called to serve in her hometown. Karla has been at Trinity Presbyterian since February 2004. Karla has a strong passion for social justice and looks forward to engaging with those in leadership roles in the community. She hopes to learn how to work more effectively on issues that concern her, as well as discover the concerns of the people in the community around her.
DEENA PAIS
Realtor, Karon Properties
Deena has a diverse personal history and extensive business background. Raised largely in Ethiopia and Jamaica, and well traveled throughout Europe, she readily embraces the differences that make Santa Cruz unique. A graduate of the University of Redlands, Deena has utilized her marketing and customer service skills while working at Fortune 500 companies such as Bank of America and IBM as well as in family-owned businesses such as The Magic Castle, a premier private club in Hollywood. However, it was the magic she found right here in Santa Cruz for the past seven years that has made Deena an enthusiastic supporter of our local community. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors. She is married to David Pais, an environmental health and safety manager, and has two young daughters.
BARBARA PERMAN
Manager of Training and Development, UC Santa Cruz
Barbara manages the Training and Development Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is responsible for designing the training strategy and course offerings for more than 3500 staff employees. She holds a Master’s degree from Yale University and a Bachelor of Art from the University of Minnesota. Barbara has worked in training and development in the Bay Area for 15 years, including working as a seminar leader for the Tom Peters Group delivering programs on leadership, communication skills, team building and delivering legendary customer service. Formerly a hospital administrator in Boston, she enjoys being of service to the community and hopes to find opportunities to get involved in Santa Cruz County through the LSCC program. Barbara was raised in the Midwest and has lived in Santa Cruz for four years. She enjoys Scottish folk dancing, vintage European cars, visiting cathedrals and hiking along the beautiful Santa Cruz coastline.
RICK POLSE
Attorney
Rick and his wife, Robin, have lived in Santa Cruz County for over 25 years. Robin writes and directs children’s theatre productions at the Santa Cruz Montessori School. They have two adult daughters: Annie, who is a third grade bilingual teacher, and Lara, who is a senior at UC Davis. Rick has been an estate planning attorney for the past 27 years. He recently sold his practice so he could make a career change into the world of philanthropy and community development. Rick is a past board member of the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. He also envisioned and directed the Planned Giving Center at the Foundation. He appreciates LSCC providing the opportunities to learn from recognized experts about different aspects of living in our county, and to get to know a diverse group of classmates who share common concerns.
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
Assistant Administrator/Perinatal Director, Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center
Jacci has been a perinatal (maternity) nurse for many years, and has been in nursing management for 20 years. She came to Santa Cruz 10 years ago to assist in the opening of the then new Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center. She was passionate about creating a model that supported and promoted a healing environment, was patient and family centered, and provided safe, high-quality care. This has clearly been achieved as evidenced by ongoing patient satisfaction scores in the 98th percentile nationwide.
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.
