Board

	Eileen Joyce 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 Coldwell Banker 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.” Coldwell Banker 1737 Grant Avenue, Novato CA 94945 T (415) 878-0370 eileen.joyce@cbnorcal.com
	Vance Ashe Vice President 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 1967, Novato CA 94948 T (707) 328-3568 F (707) 237-9559 vea@ashemgmt.com
	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
	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
	Ralph Greenwood President Elect 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
	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 is the Development Manager for the Novato Youth Center, where he also manages the tutoring programs. Prior to joining NYC 5 years ago, 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 serves on the Chamber's Art, Wine and Music Festival Committee, Business Showcase Committee, Golf Committee and the Leadership Novato Alumni Committee. He also is a volunteer for the Novato Police Departments DARN group. Gary's always been proud to call Novato his home, and he feels privileged to be able to live - and now work - in the community he loves and honored to have the opportunity to contribute, in a small way, to Novato's special spirit. Novato Youth Center 680 Wilson Ave, Novato CA 94947 T 415.892.1643 ext 225 F 415.892.5098 garyjoseph@novatoyouthcenter.org
	Bruce King Director Bruce's background includes diverse business management experience in growth companies. Bruce is Chief Financial Officer of SolarCraft, a leader in Solar Electric and Solar Thermal installations headquartered in Novato for the past 25 years. Prior to joining SolarCraft, Bruce was chief Financial and Operations Officer at The Coaches Training Institute where he was instrumental in the development of strategies and the infrastructure to facilitate growth from $4 milliion to $10 million over five years. Prior to CTI, he was co-owner and President of Kingsbrook foods, an international food ingredients broker working with global food manufacturers including Nestle, Kraft and Heinz, among others. While at Kingsbrook sales grew more than four-fold over six years to $26 million. In 2000, Bruce merged the company with a fellow industry leader, leaving to seek out the next challenge. Prior to Kingsbrook, he was with Coopers & Lybrand in New York City as a member of the Financial Advisory Services Group. In addition to his involvement with the Chamber, Bruce is active with the North Bay Leadership Council. He completed his BA in economice at Colgage University, received his MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business and is a CPA. Bruce lives in Novato with his wife and two children. SolarCraft 285 Bel Marin Keys Boulevard, Suite D Novato, CA 94949 T (415)382-7717 F (415) 382-0592 bking@solarcraft.com
	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. Law Offices of Jay R. Strauss (415) 265-5555 jrs@lawjrs.com
	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. Brayton Purcell 2350 Dominic Drive Novato, CA 94947 (415) 897-0910 Agp1066@juno.com
	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 (415) 842-3100, San Rafael, CA 94949 bfinnegan@bpmllc.com
	Claudine Whitney Director Claudine Whitney is the marketing and business development representative for California Land Title in Novato. She has been a Chamber member for 8 years and has served on numerous committees. Claudine was an Ambassador for 5 years and chaired the committee for 2 years. She also served on the Novato Art & Wine committee and was instrumental in acquiring all of the wine in donations, and is looking forward to being involved again this year. Claudine is excited about being a Director so she can be more involved in community affairs. The Chamber has provided Claudine and California Land Title many business contacts through various events and the opportunity to give back to the community in Novato. Stewart Title of California 7250 Redwood Boulevard Suite 208, Novato CA 94945 T (415) 892-5800 F (415) 892-7221 cwhitney@stewart.com
	Carol York Director 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. Her numerous community responsibilities include the Novato Chamber's Leadership Novato Alumni Association (she graduated from Leadership Novato in 2008), Board Treasurer of Novato Human Needs, President of the Board of Petaluma People Services Center, and a committee member of "Paint the Town Red.” When not volunteering her time and leadership, Carol's specialty is working with local business owners on commercial loans and day to day finances to help them better run their business. Bank of Marin 1450 Grant Avenue T 415-899-7341 F 415-899-7344 carolyork@bankofmarin.com