Chamber of commerce electing new directors
Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce is electing its 2014 board of directors. The chamber is accepting ballots between now and Nov. 7. Members are invited to vote. There are 12 candidates for 11 open positions.
One of the most important responsibilities as a member of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce is selecting the business leaders to serve on the board of directors, said Zoe Taylor, interim executive director of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. “Your vote and participation is very important and valuable to the Chamber,” she said in an email Oct. 30.
The chamber of commerce utilizes an electronic ballot for a higher lever of security and accuracy. A ballot was emailed to each membership main contact.
Nominees for the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Descriptions provided by candidates:
Jeff Bower, TekTegrity, Vice President of Consulting (Incumbent)
Jeff Bower is the Vice President of Consulting at TekTegrity Inc., #2131 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America for 2012. His company provides information technology services to businesses, schools, local governments, and non-profit organizations throughout California’s Central Coast and Central Valley. Born and raised on the Central Coast with family roots in Paso Robles dating back to the early 1900s, Jeff graduated cum laude from Cal Poly with a degree in Business Administration in 2002. In the community, he currently serves on the board of directors for the Paso Robles Children’s Museum, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, and Agape Church in San Luis Obispo, as well as representing the Chamber on the Paso Robles City Supplemental Tax Oversight Committee, and supporting the Chamber as a Chairman Circle Sponsor. He and his wife, Michelle, live with their three children in Templeton on land that has been in the Bower family for generations.
Robert Covarrubias, CoastHills Federal Credit Union, V.P of Business Services (Incumbent)
My family relocated to Paso Robles in 1982 and I graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1986. I started my banking career with Templeton National Bank in 1990. Now after 23 years in banking, I currently work for CoastHills Federal Credit Union and oversee all of the business lending functions for the company. I love Paso Robles and try to give back whenever possible. I am currently a Board Member for the North County Boys and Girls Club, Vice-President of the Bearcat Boosters Board of Directors, President of NCI Affiliates Board of Director and of course a Board Member and Past President of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. Previously, I was involved, as a coach, with AYSO, Paso Robles Little League Baseball and Bulldog Baseball Club along with a number of other non-profit organizations through-out the North County. My wife Jennifer and I have been together for almost 8 years and married almost 2 years. We are a blended family and between the two of us have 5 children, RJ, TJ, Shaylin, Trey and Kaitlin.
Tracy Dauterman, Justin Vineyards and Winery, Senior Manager, Tasting Room & Guest Experience
A California native and graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Tracy Dauterman returned to California in 2007 to wet her feet in the wine industry after spending three years on the east coast working for management consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton. She began her career at JUSTIN as the Sales & Marketing Coordinator, working with both wholesale and direct to consumer teams to develop point of sale material. From there she moved on to her current position as Senior Manager, Tasting Room & Guest Experience where she is responsible overseeing the entire winery experience — the Tasting Room, JUST Inn, and The Restaurant at JUSTIN.
Jennie Enholm, CPA/Consultant
Jennie Enholm is a financial specialist. Previously, Jennie has been president and CFO for a number of startups and large corporations, and has a record of helping manage businesses’ profitability through growth and contraction. She has served on the Board of several organizations including the Association for Corporate Growth, Community Environmental Council and Equine Sports Foundation. As a CPA, Jennie owns her own accounting firm here on the Central Coast, is a lecturer at Cal Poly, and a lead consultant for the SBDC. She specializes in helping startups and small businesses create success through proactive accounting and advisory services including design and management of cost effective accounting solutions, financial modeling, capital acquisition and negotiation, and internal financial analysis. As the previous founder of a number of companies, Jennie has a true admiration and understanding for the entrepreneurial spirit and persistence that it takes to run a business. This mentality makes her a perfect fit for the Board and motivates her to find innovative ways to address the financial needs of local small businesses.
Ian Hoover, Paso Robles Waste & Recycle, General Manager
Ian Hoover is the General Manager of Paso Robles Waste & Recycle, Paso Robles Roll-Off, and Country Waste & Recycle. These Companies provide residential and commercial Solid Waste Services to the City of Paso Robles and surrounding areas. Paso Robles Waste & Recycle is a proud Chairman Circle Sponsor, and has been servicing the area and supporting the Community since 1957. Ian is a skilled engineer and fabricator, and has been working in the Waste Industry for over a decade. While studying Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly, Ian worked part-time for Paso Waste. He then formed his own company, Sphere Energy Corporation, which recycled and transformed used kitchen grease from restaurants into biodiesel fuel. Ian understands the needs of small businesses, and has gained much experience working with local government. Having grown up in Paso Robles and Templeton, he has intimate knowledge of the area, and a passion to maintain its charm while ensuring its vitality. Ian spends his free time working on numerous projects, as well as enjoying his friends and family.
Gina Lucich-Fitzpatrick, Mission Community Bank, Vice President/Branch Manager
Gina Lucich-Fitzpatrick is a fifth generation citizen of San Luis Obispo County and has earned the position of Vice President, Branch Manager of Mission Community Bank in Paso Robles. With nearly ten years in the banking industry, primarily working in the business development arena, she possesses a broad understanding of the business community in our local marketplace and the agricultural businesses of our rural populace. Gina has served on multiple boards including: The Cambria Rotary Club, Native Daughters of the Golden West, and Camp Ocean Pines. Recently, she joined the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Ambassador team and was the co-chair of the 2013 Business Expo. Due to her commitment to the advancement of today’s youth, Gina has volunteered as a Camp Counselor at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) for the past five years and plans to continue for years to come. In her spare time, Gina enjoys traveling, river rafting and spending time in the great outdoors!
Alex McGillivary, Wells Fargo Bank, Regional Private Banker
Growing up in Bakersfield it has always been a dream for Alex McGillivary to settle down and raise a family in the Paso Robles area. After graduating from UCSB with his degree in financial math and statistics, Alex has traveled the country and worked diligently to learn and grow as a professional to someday earn a decent living on the Central Coast. His experience lies in the fields of commercial real estate, financial advice, and investments. After much work, his dream came true last year in earning his way to a great job with a great company here in Paso Robles. In his role as a Regional Bank Private Banker with Wells Fargo he is tasked with advising and managing the relationships of high net worth families and business owners for their banking, investment, trust, lending, and estate planning needs. His first child Grace will be born in November and he is committed to doing his part in maintaining the values and culture that makes Paso Robles such a great place to live.
Bruce Ray, The Tribune and SanLuisObispo.com, President & Publisher
Bruce Ray has led The Tribune and SanLuisObispo.com as President and Publisher since 2008. He joined the company as CFO in 2007. During his tenure the company has successfully transitioned to a multimedia company with >400,000 monthly visitors, 36 million pageviews, and the largest circulation on the central coast of California. Prior to The Tribune, Bruce was an executive with Trimble Navigation. During his tenure there he served in senior roles across three divisions including the lead finance executive for the company’s largest division, which had over 1,000 employees located in 10 countries. He also served as a sales executive with responsibility for the Western US. Before Trimble, Bruce worked at several Fortune 500 companies including Nissan, Mars, and Intel. His prior media experience includes Excite@Home a Silicon Valley internet company. Since his arrival in SLO County, Bruce has been actively involved with community, regional, and statewide organizations. He serves on the board of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Economic Vitality Corporation, and he is the Vice Chair for the Central Coast Economic Forecast.
Al Stanford
Allow me to introduce myself, I am Al Stanford. I am fortunate to have called Paso Robles home for 56 years now. Yes I’ve lived in the area my entire life. I went to Paso Robles schools, Cuesta, and Cal Poly with a business concentration. I grew up in the family business, Oaks Drive In and Fox Theatre, and watched this small town grow. I am a second generation local business owner, Showman Enterprises. I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren who thankfully are still in the area. I had the good fortune to play sports in Paso Robles and have had the greater joy of coaching and supporting my children and grandchildren. I have been a chamber ambassador for many years and am involved with the Main St. program as well as many other non-profits that help shape our community. I would like to preserve our heritage and small town charm while continuing to growing our business base into the strong county leader we are known for. Thank you for your consideration.
Jeff Weidler, WineWare Software, President & CEO
I would be proud to be on the Chamber Board. My qualifications are being a Silicon Valley technology entrepreneur relocating to Paso Robles in 2002 and shortly thereafter founded WineWare Software which is the leading supplier of winery software nationwide serving over 600 wineries. Prior to WineWare, owned and managed several technology companies including taking 2 companies though a successful public offering. I’m very experienced at creating and developing national brands with an emphasis on marketing and sales. I bring enthusiasm, organization and a passion for the Paso Robles experience. I plan to promote business and tourism in the area particularly in the technology and wine industry segment. I bring a lot of energy and passion to a project and see it to completion. No task is too difficult and I know how to lead and motivate people. I’m willing to travel to promote the Paso brand. I was born in Lancaster, PA and migrated to Colorado, then to California since 1980. I was educated at the University of Colorado.
Jon Ansolabehere, Carmel & Naccasha, LLP, Attorney
Jon Ansolabehere is an associate attorney with Carmel & Naccasha LLP and focuses his practice in the areas of municipal law, land use, real estate and civil litigation. The firm has offices in both Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, and Jon shares his time between both locations in order to better serve his North County and South County clients. Some of Jon’s North County clients include the San Miguel Community Services District, developers, business owners, brokers, farmers, ranchers and property owners. Jon graduated from law school in the spring of 2011 with highest honors and was admitted to the State Bar the same year. Jon also received both his Master of Public Policy degree and Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Jon and his wife live in Atascadero where they have called home for the past 8 years. When not working, Jon and his wife are usually at their family’s ranch in Creston where they raise goats, ride horses, and enjoy the outdoors with their friends and family.
John Arnold, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Paso Robles, General Manager
I have been a proud resident of Paso Robles for almost 15 years and believe there is no better place to live or work! I am a proud father of two beautiful girls, Faith and Eden. Currently, I am the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express whose team I joined over 4 years ago. I have served as a board member of the Main Street Association and also as an Ambassador for the Paso Robles Chamber. Prior to Hospitality I was a Realtor for 7 years with Remax and Coldwell Banker. My passion is people and I get enjoyment out of meeting new people and building new business relationships and friendships. Some people in the community may know me as the guitarist for the local band Acoustify, which has given me the opportunity to visit many of our wineries, be a part of many of our local events and further establish personal and professional relationships within our community. If you ask me how I am you may just hear me say “Living the Dream”!
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