2007 - 2008, Class XXIII

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CHUCK ALLEN

Community and Real Estate Services

Chuck is a life-long resident of the Pajaro Valley, and currently serves the Watsonville/Pajaro Salvation Army Corps as Advisory Board Chairman. His service to the Salvation Army spans two decades and, with other community leaders on the board, he knows the unending community service needs within the Pajaro Valley. Chuck holds a BS degree from Cal Poly in Agricultural Business and, in addition to being the co-owner/manager of the Red Roof Inn, he is active within the local agricultural and floricultural market as an agricultural and horticultural real estate specialist. Life-long community service is Chuck’s goal and passion, and the benefits and relationships from Leadership Santa Cruz County will help him continue to achieve his goals.

STEVEN ALLEN

Broker Associate, Coldwell Banker

Steve was born and raised in Santa Cruz County. He attended Aptos High School and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Marketing. Steve started his real estate career in San Francisco in 1998 when he received his California Brokers License. For the past eight years, he has been associated with Coldwell Banker in Santa Cruz County. Steve is the incoming Secretary/Treasurer for the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors and will be a director with the California Association of Realtors (CAR) in 2008. He has received various designations from CAR over the years including CCIM, CRS, GRI and e-Pro. Steve is also a real estate investor and manager of the Bartfield Real Estate Group that owns and operates commercial properties in California and Oregon with approximately 100 employees.

VICKI BORIACK

Program Officer, First 5 Santa Cruz County

Vicki is a long-time resident of Santa Cruz County, having moved here 27 years ago from the Midwest. She has two grown children and a beautiful two-year-old grandson. With multiple careers under her belt, from school teacher, to designer/merchandiser in the outdoor industry, to a decade in public health, Vicki now happily advocates for our county’s youngest children through her role at First 5. Program development and community organizing are among the passions that drive Vicki’s work. She looks forward to enhancing those skills through Leadership Santa Cruz County while building relationships and learning from other leaders committed to programs that effect positive change in the world and promote healthy communities.

BRENDA BRENNER

Director of Operations, American Medical Response

Brenda is the Director of Operations for American Medical Response (AMR) in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties and is responsible for the operation of the emergency ambulance service. She began working for AMR in 1979, starting out as an EMT, then a paramedic, working her way to her current position last December. While she still has her paramedic license, she stopped practicing after having her children. Brenda has been married to her husband, Allyn, a retired Santa Clara County firefighter, since 1980. She keeps busy with her career and three children: David (20), Alaina (17), and Alex (13), all of whom play roller hockey, one on a travel team. In joining Leadership Santa Cruz County, Brenda hopes to learn more about Santa Cruz County’s needs and desires so she can become a positive force within this wonderful community.

ANGELA CLINE

Director of Finance, United Way of Santa Cruz County and First 5 Santa Cruz County

Angela moved to Santa Cruz County eight years ago from Silicon Valley after several summers of visiting her father in Soquel. She lives on the West Side of Santa Cruz with her husband, Brian, who grew up surfing at Pleasure Point, and their four-year-old son, Caden. After several years in the construction industry in Silicon Valley, Angela found her passion working in the non-profit sector for the last three years in Santa Cruz County. Working with some of the best leaders in Santa Cruz County has inspired Angela to make a difference in her community. She takes pride as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer working with children in the child welfare system. Angela looks forward to LSCC providing a deeper insight into both profit and non-profit sectors in our community so she can better serve and make a difference in the community and its families.

CAROLYN COLEMAN

Executive Director, Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center (SCCCC)

Carolyn is Executive Director of Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center (SCCCC), the largest nonprofit provider of human services in Santa Cruz County. Its child and family development programs encompass Head Start, Community Recovery Services, Youth Services, and Community Support Services. Carolyn has worked at SCCCC since 1981, and as Finance Director for the past ten years. She has a BA from University of Rochester and an MBA from Santa Clara University. Carolyn has lived here since 1979 with her husband, Curt, principal of Branciforte Small Schools Campus in Santa Cruz. Their children, Jonathan and Becca, both attend Brown University. Carolyn has been active in local public education issues and COPA, an interfaith community organizing effort. She loves movies, books, cooking, and travel. Carolyn is excited about expanding her awareness of the issues facing the county through participation in LSCC and using that knowledge in her role as a nonprofit leader.

TISH DENEVAN

Interviewer/Corporate Trainer, Santa Cruz Seaside Company

Tish has been a Santa Cruz County resident since 1977. As a long-time Santa Cruz Seaside Company employee, she is responsible for conducting corporate trainings and interviewing staff positions for the Boardwalk, Cocoanut Grove, Sea and Sand Inn, Carousel Motel, and Boardwalk Bowl. She has conducted more than fifty classes, giving tips and real-life examples of how to apply and interview for jobs at Santa Cruz County high schools, Cabrillo College and for “Your Future is Our Business Roadmap Career Education” sessions. She is a 20-plus-year member of the Santa Cruz Bodysurfing Association and competes internationally. Her passion for the ocean, and the history and community of Santa Cruz led to Leadership Santa Cruz County, as well as the inspiration the group provides for community involvement.

LESLIE DE ROSE

Trustee, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

Leslie has lived in Santa Cruz County for 22 years in downtown Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Aptos, and Watsonville. Until October of 2007, Leslie worked for the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association. As Membership and Media Services Manager for over eight years, Leslie was part of the team that opened the Aptos History Museum, and worked on the Second Harvest Food Bank Holiday Food Drive, Adopt a Family Fashion Show and Gift Drive, Save the Music for Aptos Schools, Shop Local Program, and the Aptos Home Tour benefitting the Cabrillo College Distinguished Arts and Lecture Series. Leslie became a member of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2006. Leslie lives with her two school-age children in Watsonville.

JIM DIAS

Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal, Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District

Jim is fourth generation Watsonville and lives on his grandparents’ ranch in Pajaro. He has been married for 28 years, has four kids, and recently became a grandpa. Jim has been in the fire service for 29 years and is a Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal for the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District. He is involved with code development locally and at the state level. Jim was involved with the first fire sprinkler ordinance in this county, and saw the fruits of that decision about a year after enactment. A small child started a fire in the garage of a family’s brand new home, a fire sprinkler activated, the fire was extinguished, the child was not injured, and the family stayed home that night. He is looking forward to learning what other leaders in the community are doing and how, as a community, we can work together for the good of all.

JENNY DUNTON

Marketing and Communications Director, Premiere Events, Inc.

Jenny has lived on the Monterey Bay Coast for the last 14 years with her husband, Shaw, owner of APEX Adventures. They are parents of two future leaders, Cooper (7) and Luke (5). Jenny thrives on spending time outdoors: she enjoys nature’s beauty and the thrill and adrenaline rush it can offer. She is also inspired by creative endeavors. Jenny graduated from Chico State University where she received BA degrees in Interior Design and Studio Art, as well as a minor in Graphic Design. In 2006 she pursued her creative passions further and received her certification as a Professional Home Stager. Jenny is proud to be in her 11th year with Premiere Events, Inc., a local event and meeting management company, and is the Marketing and Communications Director. Her passion within Premiere Events is to grow the business in a sustainable direction and to demonstrate leadership within the hospitality industry.

REMINGTON DUQUE

Sunrise Bay Mortgage

MARILYN FAHRNER

Life Coach, Second Wind Coaching

Marilyn moved to Santa Cruz with her three children in 1975 to complete her BA in Politics at UC Santa Cruz. She and her partner purchased their Santa Cruz home in 1978 where they raised their sons. She put down roots in this beautiful area, enjoying SCUBA diving, participating in the Quaker community, and engaging in political activism protesting nuclear weapons. Following a career in Public Accounting, Marilyn earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling, interned at Family Services in Watsonville, and received her Marriage Family Therapist license. She practices in Soquel and enjoys working with clients on self awareness and life satisfaction. Seeking wider community involvement, Marilyn became certified as a Life Coach. She is passionate about connecting people and organizations with the power of their dreams. Through the LSCC experience, she hopes to learn more about the needs of the county, find new involvements, and network with other participants.

PHILLIP GRAUBERGER

Vice President Premier Client Manager, Rabobank

Philip grew up in Foster City and attended Junipero Serra High School. After high school he joined the Air Force and learned electronics, specifically inertial navigation and Doppler radar systems. After being stationed in England for three years, Phillip left the Air Force and returned home. Within months he started working part time for a local bank. Twenty-two years later he is still in banking as Vice President Premier Client Manager for Rabobank, and has done everything from courier to Information Technology Manager. Phillip moved to Santa Cruz in 1992 to work for Coast Commercial Bank where he was nudged into community service. He served on the board of the Homeless Services Center for eight years until briefly leaving the area for two years. He is a member of the Elks, Rotary and the board of Dientes, a non-profit providing dental care to low income residents of Santa Cruz County.

LISETH GUIZAR

Claims Investigator, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District

Liseth has been a resident of Santa Cruz County for the past three years. She is a Claims Investigator for the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District, a public agency that encourages and facilitates higher education for its employees and that motivated her to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. She has served in the American Red Cross of Stanislaus County as well as Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County. Liseth has a strong passion for music and performed as a vocalist with the Latin Magic Band in Stockton, California, for several years while living in the Central Valley. She is looking forward to learning about the inner-workings and issues of the community and applying that knowledge to her job and personal civic participation.

EILEEN HAMILTON

Attorney, Law Offices of Margaret Leonard

Eileen is a California native, graduate of Cupertino High School, UC Berkeley, and UOPís McGeorge School of Law, and the proud mother of Grady Hamilton, a graduate of Davis High School, Class of 2000, and of UC Santa Cruz. Her first job after college, as a Peace Corps teacher in Ivory Coast, West Africa, combined her three passions: global affairs, education and philanthropy. Throughout a career in teaching, charitable planning, and law, she has found ways to include these elements. In late 2007, she took over the downtown law practice of Santa Cruz attorney Margaret Leonard, a longtime local leader, advocate and representative of the local LGBT community, allowing Margaret to retire. Eileenís new solo practice caters to all shapes and sizes of family, including registered domestic partners, traditional and modern married and unmarried couples, and singles.

ANTONINA HINES

Program Specialist, Seniors Council

Born in San Francisco, Antonina has lived in Santa Cruz for most of the last 25 years. She’s had various careers, including park ranger, teacher, mental health worker, community center staff, and subsidized childcare coordinator. In her current position, Antonina works closely with low-income seniors who volunteer in their communities either mentoring or tutoring children, or as companions to other seniors. She also handles many of the program’s administrative needs. Her diverse skills include fluency in Spanish, graphic design, photography, writing and proofreading, and songwriting. She lives in the Seabright area with her partner, Len, and they are so grateful to live in such a wonderful place! She enjoys hiking, camping, singing, and working with infants and toddlers in her spiritual community. Through LSCC, Antonina hopes to strengthen her contacts and confidence, tap into her latent leadership skills, and contribute to a stronger community.

BETH HOLLENBECK

Music and Worship Director, Felton Presbyterian Church

Beth is a Santa Cruz native. After completing high school at San Lorenzo Valley she attended UC Santa Barbara, graduating with a degree in music. Upon graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music that led to a job in Sweden as a pianist/singer. While in Sweden, Beth composed, produced, and performed for two original CD’s under her own independent record label, Glacier Records. After touring in the US, Europe, and Japan, she met her husband while visiting her parents in Felton. Since moving back to Felton, Beth has been the Band and Choir Director at SLVHS, and the Choir Director at Felton Presbyterian Church. She is completing her Masters in the Art of Teaching at Bethany University. She is a founding member of CORE (Citizens Organized for Responsible Ecology), dedicated to maintaining and overseeing the protection of the San Lorenzo Valley watershed.

CORINNE HYLAND

Senior Health Educator, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency

Corinne is a native Californian who grew up in Sonora, a small town in the Sierra foothills. She received her Master’s degree in Public Health from California State University, Long Beach in 2000. She moved to Santa Cruz and started working for the county in injury prevention in 2002, when she also became engaged to her husband, a Santa Cruz resident. For the last five years, Corinne has coordinated the Community Traffic Safety Coalition, a multi-disciplinary group, which focuses on bicycle and pedestrian safety. Recently she has begun working in the areas of Tobacco Prevention and Nutrition Education and hopes that through Leadership Santa Cruz County she can better understand the needs of the community. When she isn’t working, Corinne enjoys spending time with her husband, son and daughter, baking, and riding her bike.

STEVE JAMES

Police Sergeant, UC Santa Cruz Police Department

Steve has been a resident of Santa Cruz County for 18 years. He is married and has two grown sons. Steve is a sergeant with the UCSC Police Department and has served in that position for the past 16 years. He is currently assigned as the training and administrative sergeant. Prior to his employment with UCSC, Steve worked for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol. Steve’s hobbies include working with computers and gardening. Steve is hoping to learn more about the community and to make new contacts through Leadership Santa Cruz County.

KEVIN JEFFERY

Assistant General Counsel, Graniterock

Kevin is Graniterock's Assistant General Counsel, working at the company's Watsonville corporate office. He and his wife live in Aptos with their four children, all of whom attend elementary school in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Kevin is a member of the Committee for Good School Governance, and of Graniterock's Santa Cruz County Community Action Volunteers committee. He is a frequent volunteer at events in the Watsonville public schools, and enjoys coaching local youth soccer and softball teams. Kevin is a graduate of Stanford University and Stanford Law School. He and his family moved to Santa Cruz County in 2006 and, as a recent transplant, Kevin is excited about the LSCC opportunity to meet community leaders and learn more about the industries and infrastructure that support this county.

YVETTE JORDAN

Chief Executive Director, Santa Cruz County Fair

Yvette was born and raised in Cordele, Georgia, and moved here in 1971 to begin her freshman year at Watsonville High School. She attended Cabrillo College for three and a half years, focusing on business administration. Yvette began working at the Santa Cruz County Fair in 1972, progressing from Account Technician, to Business Assistant II, Deputy Manager and, finally, to CEO. She is the mother of two wonderful adults: Amy, 30, lives in Citrus Heights, graduated from Watsonville High in 1995, UC Davis in 1999, and works as a legal secretary; and Antoine, 25, who graduated from Watsonville High in 2000 and works for the City of Watsonville. Yvette feels she has always lived within a box, never wanting to step out. Leadership Santa Cruz County will give her a chance to meet new people, be exposed to new ideas and, perhaps, find out more about herself.

LAURA KASA

Executive Director, Save Our Shores

Laura has a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in environmental policy from Columbia University and a BA in Spanish Language and Literature from Villanova University. Her family lives in New York. She moved to Santa Cruz, knowing no one, to revive Save Our Shores. After arriving and realizing there were less than two months of funding left, she was able to secure funding to keep the organization going. Laura brought on a new board of eight people and a staff of four within the year. As a person new to Santa Cruz and trying to re-grow a local organization, she feels the need to learn as much as she can about Santa Cruz County. Her knowledge will help her run programs that will best serve the community. Laura is interested in spending as much time as possible outdoors enjoying Santa Cruz, swimming, biking, climbing, and hiking.

ROSE KEVERN

Programs Assistant, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau

Rose was born and raised in Watsonville and has never wanted to leave the Pajaro Valley. She worked for the County of Santa Cruz for 16 and a half years and is currently enjoying her position, for the past 10 years, as Programs Assistant for the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. Rose also works for the organization, Agri-Culture, and is a coordinator for the program, Focus Agriculture. She lives in Watsonville with her husband, Richard, and their two grown daughters and four grandchildren whom they spoil any chance they get. Through Leadership Santa Cruz County Rose hopes to meet and understand individuals in leadership roles, and learn more about the county she lives in and its direction for the future.

DALE KNIGHT

Assistant Director Special Education, Santa Cruz County Office of Education

Dale started his life in the Great Plains of the United States. While growing up in Kansas (and Oklahoma) Dale quickly realized that in order to have a quality life, he needed to move to a different location. During the first part of his eleventh-grade year, Dale and his mother made the move to California. Dale’s mom found her long-lost brother living in Grass Valley. Upon graduation from Nevada Union High School in 1989, Dale signed on for a brief stint in the United States Navy. Once he realized that military service was not for him, the Dale-meister started college and has not turned back since. Today, Dale spends his time in graduate school (working toward a Doctorate in Education), sport bike riding, snowboarding, scuba diving, researching sharks, or any other activity that causes adrenaline to flow. Luckily for him his loving wife, Monika, allows him the freedom to play.

THERESE LARSEN

Executive Assistant and Operations Analyst, SurfControl

Therese and her husband, Erik, live in Ben Lomond with their beautiful daughter, Kate, who is now 10 months old. When Therese is not hiking or playing at the park with Kate, she is a dynamic Executive Assistant and Operations Analyst for the CIO at SurfControl, in Scotts Valley. Recently, SurfControl awarded Therese the MVP award for negotiating a $32,000 credit and an estimated $180,000 annual cost savings for the corporate US-based cell phones, a tribute to her streamlined business practices that reduce business costs. Throughout Therese's career and life, she finds herself naturally taking the initiative to bring people together to meet a common goal and wants to broaden her leadership skills. Therese loves living and working in Santa Cruz County and is looking forward to deepening her roots and making positive changes in her community by participating in Leadership Santa Cruz County.and help make Santa Cruz a better community for all.

MIKE LEE

Communications and Marketing Director, Dominican Hospital

Mike is a California native and a resident of Ben Lomond. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Government/Journalism from California State University at Sacramento. He has a California teaching credential for secondary schools in the subject areas of journalism, social science, and fine art. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he came to Dominican Hospital 20 years ago as a writer/photographer. He has a son and the privilege of working for a mission-driven, values-based organization that is crucial to the community fabric of Santa Cruz County.

DON LIPOMA

Realtor/Associate, Mitchell Properties

Don has been a county resident since 1982 and lives in Corralitos where he and his wife, Deborah, raised their children, Emily and Thomas, both now in college. Don grew up in the Central Valley where he was involved in his family’s farming business. After receiving a degree in Biology from UC Santa Cruz, he worked in the petroleum and transportation service industries. He is a Realtor/Associate with Mitchell Properties in Santa Cruz. Don has volunteered in many community activities, primarily in support of his children’s school, sports, theater, and Boy Scout programs. He also is a longtime volunteer at his church and with the Pajaro Valley Satellite Shelter Program. He feels a deep commitment and personal responsibility to outreach and activism in our community, and wants to contribute to preserving the qualities that make Santa Cruz County unique.

LARRY LOPP

Self Sponsored, Retired

Larry Lopp was born, raised, educated, and married in Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota and joined Hewlett Packard as an electrical engineer for 16 years doing development of semiconductor processes and devices. He and his wife, Nancy Jo, moved their family to the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1972 where the family has lived and prospered ever since. Larry left the corporate world in 1980 to pursue wider interests. He co-developed an intensive training course in semiconductors which he has taught around the industrialized world for the last 27 years. Larry is an active member of Skyland Community Church. His interests remain broad and he has developed skills as a woodworker, mason, plumber, electrician, and gardener. He is an avid Santa Cruz surfer. Larry is taking this course to better understand how he may assist his community develop and face its challenges in a positive and cooperative manner.

ANNA LUNA

Anna received a B.A. in Chicano/a Studies and Economics from the University of California. She joined the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County in 2006 and provides general administrative support to the development team and is the scholarship coordinator. Anna joined Leadership Sancta Cruz County to grasp a better understanding of the many resources available in the community and to connect with local community members.

MICHELLE MAGGIO

Real Estate Agent, Sherman and Boone

Michelle hails from the Bronx, New York, and since her twenties has lived in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Burlingame before settling comfortably in the Aptos area 22 years ago. Her current position as a Real Estate Agent at Sherman and Boone allows her constant contact with the community. Her profession is further complemented by volunteer work at the Alzheimer’s Association in Santa Cruz, which she has happily pursued for a year and a half. Michelle has also been a dedicated member of CERT, the Seascape Community Emergency Response Team, for one year. She plans to use Leadership Santa Cruz County to guide her passion for the community toward a more productive future.

KATHLEEN McCARTHY

Program and Grants Manager, Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust

Kathleen has lived in Santa Cruz County for six years. She joined the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust staff in August 2005 to oversee its strategic grant making and support programs. Kathleen also serves on the Board of Directors of the Santa Cruz Women's Health Center. She has a Master's Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Non-Profit Administration from San Francisco State University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Community Studies from UCSC. Kathleen sees Leadership Santa Cruz County as a way to gain a broader understanding of the community and to learn more about how she can make a meaningful contribution to this county. She currently resides in Santa Cruz with her husband, Zack Hood.

KIMLIN McDANIEL KEITH

Registered Nurse, Lecturer, Dominican Hospital, San Jose State University

Kimlin has been involved in political and social work in the community since she first moved here 30 years ago. She and her husband have lived on the east side of Santa Cruz for the last two decades, raising two kids who have launched into the wild world. Kimlin is a graduate of three local institutions: she has an Associate Degree in Nursing from Cabrillo College in 1987, a BA in Sociology at UCSC at the age of 43, and a Masters in Nursing Education from San Jose State last year. These days she has the challenge of balancing two wonderful jobs: being with families at the sacred time of birth as a labor nurse at Dominican, and raising our next generation of nurses as a lecturer at SJSU. Kimlin looks forward to discerning her future community involvement with LSCC.

ALLAN McLEAN

Retired Aerospace Engineer

Allan was raised on a ranch in North County and attended local schools and colleges. He’s married with 7 children. Allan’s 40-year aerospace career has little bearing on current interests. Retirement has provided time to observe local activities and assess ongoing community needs. Allan has seen a shift away from an agricultural base, but it is not clear what we are shifting toward, other than growth. He is concerned about quality of life issues posed by amorphous growth and thinks we can do better. For instance, instead of building the county out like our inland neighbor, we should use our natural beauty as a magnet to power a much stronger tourist economy. Santa Cruz County needs a more attractive, convenient, and robust day-use infrastructure including a county-wide trail and tram and trolley system, with additional hiker/biker/beach-goer services. The LSCC forum may provide opportunities to explore such alternative-to-growth ideas.

KATHERINE MOORE

Membership and Donor Stewardship Manager, Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Katherine is a development professional with more than fifteen years experience fundraising for nonprofits. A California native, Katherine recently returned to the state after a thirty-year absence. Katherine, her husband, and two children moved to Santa Cruz in the fall of 2003. She promptly took a position in Watsonville with a program that provides emergency and transitional housing for homeless families. She now works at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Lab, a self-funded member of UC Santa Cruz, which provides marine science and conservation education to the community as well as visitors from around the world. She is passionate about the community’s responsibility to help others in need, and its obligation to responsibly steward the environment and natural resources for generations to come. Katherine hopes Leadership Santa Cruz County will provide her with the opportunity to learn more about, and make a greater contribution to the community.

CATHY NOVAK

RN, Director, Medical Surgical Services, Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center

Cathy was born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from Holy Name Hospital and Saint Petersburg College with a degree in nursing. Cathy moved with her family to Santa Cruz County in 2000. She has been employed by Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center since that time. Her passion is patient advocacy. Healthcare is continually evolving, and healthcare leaders have the responsibility to make these transitions in the community. Through Leadership Santa Cruz County, Cathy would like to gain a wider perspective of community issues, and learn how to be more involved. Her hobbies are gardening, walking, and spending time with family.

NANNETTE O’CONNOR

Employer Relations Manager, UC Santa Cruz-Career Center

Nannette, a native Californian, grew up in Campbell and graduated with a B.S. in Health Science from San Jose State University. She spent 12 years in Human Resources and, for the past 16 years, has served as the Employer Relations Manager for the UC Santa Cruz Career Center. Nannette manages the Career Center’s employer relation efforts that include strategically identifying major prospective employers seeking to hire college students. She is responsible for cultivating community relations, overseeing the On-Campus Recruitment Program, Corporate Sponsor Program, and quarterly career fairs and workshops. Nannette and her husband enjoy walking on the beach, riding bikes, gardening, and playing with their Tibetan terrier, Ta-Shi. By attending Leadership Santa Cruz County she hopes to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding Santa Cruz County and gain more contacts to improve her effectiveness in serving the University and its students.

RON OLIVER

Fire Chief, City of Santa Cruz

Ron has over 31 years in the fire service, and was hired by the City of Santa Cruz on October 1, 2006. Ron also served for seven years as Chief for Redmond, Oregon. Prior to Redmond, he was with Vancouver Fire Department for 23 years, serving as Firefighter/EMT, Company Officer, and as a Chief Officer in the areas of training, emergency operations and human resources. Ron served as the President of the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association and was on advisory boards for the Central Oregon Boys and Girls Club and Central Oregon Community College’s Paramedic Program. He was also a member of the Governor’s Facility Steering Committee. Ron and his wife, Sue, live in Aptos and have two grown children. He enjoys music, golf and classic cars. Ron hopes to gain a better understanding of the community in order to guide the Fire Department in providing outstanding service.

CARA PEARSON

Vice President, Pacific Cookie Company

Cara was born in New York and has lived in Santa Cruz since she was four years old. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from UCSC. Her family has owned and operated Pacific Cookie Company since 1980 and she has worked within the management side of the company for seven years. Currently, she wears many hats in the company and holds the title of Vice President and part owner. Cara lives in the Seabright neighborhood with her husband, James, and her 18-month-old daughter, Lily. She enjoys spending time with her family and taking advantage of many of the outdoor activities Santa Cruz has to offer. Cara became interested in LSCC as a unique opportunity to learn more about our county and plans to use the information and relationships to become more involved in the community.

EMILY PETERSON

Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates

Emily was born in Sacramento but moved to Morgan Hill when she was two years old. After graduating from high school, she attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and earned a BS in Animal Science in 2004. While attending Cal Poly, Emily did a study abroad program in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Soon after graduating, she got a job at Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates and has been there for the past two years. Emily began in the Production Management department and later moved to the Food Safety department to work in pesticide regulations. She currently lives in Aptos and has been there for the past year. She enjoys riding her two horses, spending time with friends and family, and reading. Emily decided to participate in Leadership Santa Cruz County so that she would be able to learn more about the community that she now lives and works in.p>

TESS PIAZZA

Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank

Tess lives in Santa Cruz with her husband, Aaron. She moved to Santa Cruz in 2002 from San Jose. Tess holds a bachelor degree in Communications and Management Information Systems. She is proud of her 17-year career with Wells Fargo Bank, dealing primarily with developing and delivering business training programs. She currently holds the relationship Manager position with Wells Fargo Business Banking, which gives her the opportunity to help her customers succeed financially, work close to home, and get involved in her community. Tess is looking forward to volunteering in various community organizations, and learning more about the Santa Cruz community and how she can make a personal contribution. She also hopes to have time to play tennis.

ANNA MARIE PONCE