Board
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Ralph Greenwood
President Ralph Greenwood is Chief Financial Officer at W. Bradley Electric, Inc. in Novato. WBE provides a wide variety of electrical and low voltage construction services, including traditional commercial and industrial electrical construction, telecom voice and data installations and cabling, security control systems, audio visual and network installations, and traffic signal and lighting infrastructures. Prior to WBE, Ralph has worked in the consumer products and retail industries. Ralph has been a Marin County resident for the past 46 years.
W. Bradley Electric, Inc.
90 Hill Road, Novato CA 94945
T (415) 898-1400 F (415) 898-5991
rgreenwood@wbeinc.com
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Vance Ashe
Director Leadership Novato 2006
Vance Ashe is a Senior Technical Consultant with the Ashe Management Group. He and his brother, Mark, are co-owners. Ashe Management Group brings affordable computer systems, software and network support to small business owners. Ashe acknowledges that being actively involved with the Chamber has helped his business grow. He hopes that one day Novato's entire downtown will be a wireless 'hot spot’ for computer users modeling after other cities that already offer wireless technology. Vance has been active in Chamber activities since the summer of 2003. He graduated from the Chamber's Leadership Novato Program in 2006 and serves as a Chamber Ambassador. In his personal life, Ashe is engaged to be married later this year.
Ashe Management Group P.O. Box 14959, Santa Rosa, CA 95402 T (707) 328-3568 F (707) 237-9559 vea@ashemgmt.com
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David Bentley
Board Director Leadership Novato 2001
David Bentley has served as Auditor-Controller of the North Marin Water District since 1987. NMWD provides water service to over 21,000 connections serving approximately 60,000 people in Novato and rural West Marin County. Prior to North Marin, he worked as a City Finance Director, a CPA, and a sawmill accountant.
David currently serves as Vice-Chair of Novato’s Measure F Oversight/Citizens Finance Committee which monitors the revenues and expenditures pertaining to the 5-year ½ cent sales tax approved by Novato voters in November 2010. The committee also works with the City Council and staff to review the City’s financial assumptions and strategies toward the goal of achieving fiscal sustainability. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee, an ad-hoc committee charged with making recommendations to the Board concerning current and proposed laws, regulations and policies affecting Novato.
David is a resident of Novato and is an active member of The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His four children have all successfully launched and four of his five grandchildren reside in Novato.
North Marin Water District
999 Rush Creek Place
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 897-4133
(415) 892-8043 fax
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Joel Brand
Director Over 17 years in the insurance brokerage business, Joel has focused on the unique needs of the hospitality industry. He began his career in 1992 with Kelter-Thorner Inc. of California, where he was responsible initially for identifying and assessing the property exposures of the firm's hospitality clients. Joel quickly became a commercial insurance broker and spent the next five years producing and managing a large group of hospitality accounts. He left Kelter-Thorner in 1998 to join HRH, where he was a top producer in their Hospitality Practice for ten years. Joel has continued his advancement in the industry, joining EPIC as a principal of the firm in 2009.
Known for his creativity, responsiveness and aggressive client advocacy, Joel has advised and served a diverse group of hospitality clients ranging from smaller bed & breakfast properties to multi-location hi-rise hotel chains. His areas of expertise include workers' compensation, directors & officers, employment practices liability, property exposures, genenral liability, garage keepers and other bailee exposures, course of construction, and umbrella/exess liability programs. Academically, Joel is trained in a range of financial disciplines. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from San Jose State University as well as a Degree in Risk and Insurance from the College of Insurance (now St. John's University) New York.
Joel is an active member and supporter of the California Hotel and Motel Association as well as the Novato Chamber of Commerce, where he is on the Board of Directors.
Edgewood Partners Insurance Center
123 Mission Street 26th Floor, San Francisco CA 94105
T (415) 356-3942 F (415) 284-9954
jbrand@edgewoodins.com |
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Mike DiGiorgio
Vice President Leadership Novato 1997
Originally from New York, Mike has been a resident of Novato for 20 years. Mike has quite a variety of careers under his belt including foreign trade, worked on Bart with Kaiser Sand & Gravel, stockbroker, worked for Di Giorgio Corp, ran a commuter airline, worked for aircraft speculators, and owned a video store. His political career took off in 1993 when he became a member of Novatos homeless commission. He has since become a member of the Hamilton Advisory Committee, been elected to City Council from 1995-2003, been Mayor twice, been President of Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilpersons, Board member of Downtown Business Association from 2005-2007, represented Novato on the Congestion Management Agency (now TAM) for eight years, Member of the Board of Novato Sanitary District, Member of the Labor Negotiation Committee and Solid Waste Committee, original SMART Board Member, Board Member of the Marin Association of Realtors, and Chair and Treasurer of Government Relations Committee. Mike is a 1996 Graduate of the Novato Leadership Program and was a Leadership Program Chair in 2004. He is presently a Real Estate agent with Athas & Associates. He and his wife of 31 years, Donna, have a son, Anthony, a neuro monitor who is entering Medical school this year.
Born in New York City, Mike moved to California when he was two. He grew up in Burlingame, attended Menlo High School and University Of Arizona, Following a three-year stint in the U.S. Army stint, Mike returned home to graduate from San Francisco State with a major in International Trade and Minor in Transportation. He earned his MBA from Pepperdine University.
Athas & Associates 820 Grant Avenue, Novato CA 94945 T (415) 246-5599 F (415) 884-2411 mdigiorgio@hotmail.com
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Brian Finnegan
Treasurer Leadership Novato 2008
Brian Finnegan of Burr, Pilger & Mayer was recently promoted to Partner in the widely respected CPA firm. He has worked with the NCOC for six years as an Ambassador, in the Leadership Novato Class of 2007 (that year’s Valedictorian) and as a member of the Chamber’s Finance Committee since 2008.
“I’ve lived in Novato my whole life, and I have a solid understanding of what the Chamber does and how it runs,” Brian explains. “My company is a firm believer in giving back and getting involved within communities. It makes sense to join the Chamber board where I can volunteer for my community.”
Brian praises Coy Smith for taking the Chamber to a higher professional level in the five years he has been CEO. “We want to keep marching down the path the Chamber’s present leadership has created."
Burr, Pilger & Mayer
5 Hamilton Landing, Suite 120, Novato, CA 94949
T(415) 421-5757 F(415) 288-6288
bfinnegan@bpmllc.com
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Tim Howard
Director Tim has over 12 years in the hospitality industry with Marriott International. He has been a General Manger for Marriott for ove six years. Currently he is the General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Novato; a hotel that offers services and accommodaitons to area business and leisure travelers. Tim moved to Marin in 2007 and resides in Sausilito. Tim serves as the Chairperson onthe Novato Tourism Committee of the Novato Chamber of Commerce. He is a Board member for the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is also President of the Rotaract Club of Novato; a Community service based club affiliated with Rotary International for 18-30 year olds. In his free time, Tim volunteers at the Marin Humane Society, and the Novato Human Needs Center. He likes to cook and play sports. He enjoys socalizing with friends, and visits his family in North Carolina whenever possible. He is also a 2005 graduate of Leadership Charlotte in North Carolina. Courtyard by Marriott Novato - Marin/Sonoma
1400 North Hamilton Pkwy, Novato, CA 94949
T (415) 883-8950 F (415) 883-8960
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Gary Joseph
Vice President
Leadership Novato 2005 Gary Joseph was born in San Francisco and raised in Kentfield, but as a newly wed in 1970, he (and his wife Judi) chose to purchase their first home in Novato. As enthusiastic youth and community volunteers ever since, they've happily raised their two children here. Gary was most recently the Development Manager for the Novato Youth Center, where he managed the tutoring programs and special projects. Prior to that, Gary spent 35 years in the Trust Department and Wholesale Banking Department of Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco. Gary is a member of the Novato Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and a graduate of the Novato Leadership Class 2005. He currently serves on the Executive, Personnel and Board Membership committees. Additonally, he is a member of the DNBA Marketing committee and other advisory committees. He has previously served in a wide variety of volunteer capacities including Co-Chairing the Novato 2010...Celebrating 50 Years Steering Committee. Gary's always been proud to call Novato his home, and he feels privideged to be able to live and work - in a community he loves and is honored to have the opportunity to contribute, in a small way, to Novato's special spirit. |
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Eileen Joyce
Immediate Past President Leadership Novato 2004
Eileen Joyce has lived in Novato for over 30 years. When she moved to Marin County, she left behind the corporate life of an executive with Cost Plus Imports to become an entrepreneur.
Eileen first began a company that distributed fine gourmet food to restaurants, delis and shops throughout Marin. After selling that business, Eileen opened a Toy Store on Grant Avenue in Old Town Novato and eventually worked as a manufacturer’s representative selling wholesale gifts and toys.
Currently, she is a Realtor with Frank Howard Allen here in Novato where she has served her clients as a successful residential specialist in Marin and Sonoma Counties for over ten years.
As an Entrepreuner, Eileen is proud to have been a member of the Novato Chamber of Commerce for almost twenty years. By taking advantage of all of the opportunities that the Chamber of Commerce offers, her business has flourished. Now she spends time giving back to the Chamber as a volunteer. “I firmly believe that every business in town would profit from joining the Novato Chamber of Commerce – it is the best way to promote your company for the least amount of money.”
Frank Howard Allen
915 Diablo Avenue, Novato CA 94947
T (415) 307-6659 |
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Kelli Nevin
Director I am a fourth-generation San Franciscan who has recently moved to beautiful Marin County. I work for Pacific Gas & Electric in their Local Government Relations department and represent the utility to the government entities of Marin and Sonoma Counties. This job is highly fulfilling and exciting for me as I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Political Science in 2004 and received my Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2008. While a student, I held internships in both the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office under Kamala D. Harris and in the Office of San Francisco Board Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, both of whom were excellent mentors.
In my free time, I love Giants baseball, travelling to visit my relatives in Ireland (where I enjoy duel-citizenship), and volunteering for Advokids, a Marin County non-profit organization dedicated to defending the rights and meeting the needs of foster children.
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Jerry Peters
Director Leadership Novato 1998 Gerald "Jerry" Peters, a third generation Californian, moved to Novato in 1975. He was formerly the Manager of property and facilities for the law firm Brayton Purcell, a member of the the Chamber since 1974. Jerry joined the Chamber Board in 1993, served as President in 2005 and was named Novato Citizen of the Year in 2008. He has served on several key committees including Downtown Alliance, Marketing, Leadership, Communications, Membership, Finance and Art, Wine & Music. Jerry is a founding member of the Novato 4th of July Parade committee and served as Chair of the Novato Save the Depot Task Force. He is a 1997 Leadership Novato graduate. 2350 Dominic Drive, Novato, CA 94947
T(415) 897-0910
Agp1066@juno.com |
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Jay Strauss
Director Jay R. Strauss, Law Offices of Jay R. Strauss, is a practicing attorney in the areas of Business Law, Real Estate, Employment Law, Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Tax and Civil Litigation. He currently sits on the Novato Planning commission and was formerly the Mayor of Lafayette California and President of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. He graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law "With Highest Honors" and is working toward a Masters Degree in Taxation. Jay has spent several decades representing small, medium and large businesses and their owners. Jay has also spent years as an entrepreneur (dot.com, human resources/employee leasing, mortgage brokerage, pharmaceuticals, etc.) and was General Counsel of a publicly traded (NASDAQ) company. Jay believes that Chambers of Commerce play a vital role in the civic affairs of communities such as Novato by advocating the business interests that provide essential goods, services, jobs and tax revenues. Jay Strauss |
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Mary Strebig
Director Mary Strebig is Manager of Marketing and Communications for Sutter Health’s Novato Community Hospital and Sutter Terra Linda Health Plaza. Mary is a thirty-year veteran of public relations and marketing in the public and private sectors and holds accreditation from Public Relations Society of America. She also brings a perspective to the board from her background in direct sales and as a small business owner. Mary is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Novato and continues to participate in this important program as a moderator. As one of Novato’s largest employers, Sutter Health looks to the Chamber as an important partner in promoting the economic health and vitality of the community.
Mary Strebig
Sutter Health/Novato Community Hospital
415-209-1328
415-827-4997
novatocommunity.sutterhealth.org
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Carol York
President Elect Leadership Novato 2008 Carol York, Bank of Marin's Northern Marin Regional Manager, has 32 years of professional banking experience, the last five with Bank of Marin in Petaluma and Novato. She currently manages both the Ignacio and Grant Avenue Bank of Marin branches, while also volunteering with several non-profit organizations. Carol began her banking career in Novato and worked for many years at a large bank as a Regional Manager. When it came time to return to the more personal level of community banking, she found the perfect fit at Bank of Marin. Bank of Marin 1450 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945 T 415-899-7341 F 415-899-7344 carolyork@bankofmarin.com |
