Board of Directors

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Bonnie Ayers-Namkung
SEO Copywriter
1206 Third Street, Ste. 2
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 459-8966
Term: 2013 (1)

Title: Principal

Professional Duties: Marketing consulting, copywriting, search engine optimization of websites

Professional Experience: 11 yrs. – self-employed marketing/copywriting services;
3 yrs. - freelance magazine writer

Accomplishments/Community Service: Founding Board member of EcoFair Marin (green festival hosted by City of San Rafael), Board member of Marin Association of Female Executives

Other Volunteer Activities: Copywriting/marketing services or consulting volunteered for these organizations: To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation; Starlings Volleyball; Greening for Profit; Youth in Arts; eco-exist; Women's Initiative for Self Employment clients; ArtWorks members

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Board of Directors; Green Committee – past co-chair; GreenUp! editor

Personal Information: From Wyoming, but have lived in Marin for 20 years with husband and 2 children. Interests include dance, hiking, reading, jewelry making, travel.

Laura Bertolli, Corporate President
Bertolli's Auto Body Repair Inc.
1445 East Francisco Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 456-1992
Term: Board Chair

Title: CEO

Professional Duties: Operate an auto repair business. Act as personnel manager, bookkeeper, sales force, insurance claims negotiator, marketing director, advertising contact, social media tech, event planner, file clerk, coffee maker.

Professional Experience: ASE certified, I-CAR certified, licensed Real Estate Broker, Woman Owned Marin Business (WOMB) administrator. 

Accomplishments/Community Service: Various community boards and organizations such as Rotary, Bank of Marin advisory, San Rafael Pacifics advisory, Rock for Good foundation,  PTA, Marin Catholic Interact club.

Other Volunteer Activities: School volunteer, girl school leader

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Director 8 years, Interim Chair, Chair-elect, member of committees:  GAC, Membership, business showcase, leads group, auto industry, Economic Development, women’s conference.

Personal Information: Single mother of three wonderful children living in San Rafael. I’m a Marin County native, one of four daughters born to an Italian immigrant. I love international travel, road trips, outdoor activities, car shows and listening to live music.

Mark Carrington
Cornish and Carey Commercial
1101 Fifth Avenue, Suite 230
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 254-1067
Term:2013(2)

Title:  Senior Associate

Business Name: Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark Knight Frank

Professional Duties: Sale and Lease of Commercial Properties; Representation of Buyers/Tenants of Commercial Properties; Consulting

Professional Experience: 17 years of experience in commercial real estate; Over $2.5 Billion in commercial property sales; Facilitation of many of the North Bay’s largest lease transactions.

Accomplishments/Community Service: Vice Chairman, Economic Sustainability, SRCoC; Chairman, Marin Cricket Club, 2000-2004; CoStar Top Marin Office Leasing and Investment Sales Broker 2010/2011; Award for Outstanding Achievement, Colliers International, 2005; Team Spirit Award, Cushman & Wakefield Capital Markets Group, 2003

Other Volunteer Activities: Board of Directors, Carrera de San Rafael; Coach, Marin Highlanders Rugby Football Club; Team Leader, Safe Routes to Schools

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Vice Chairman, Economic Sustainability

Personal Information: Mark spent four years in the South African Defense Force where he reached the rank of Lieutenant and commanded an Infantry Company in an elite unit.  That experience is often put to the test while raising three active sons.

Mike Christian
Toyota Marin
445 E. Francisco Blvd
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415)456-7626
Term: 2012 (1)

Lorraine Gauthier
Nelson Family of Companies
18 Professional Center Pkwy, 2nd Floor
San Rafael, CA 94903-2703
(415) 479-5101
Term: 2012 (2)

Title: Director/Senior Consultant, Finance & Accounting

Business Name: Nelson & Associates, a division of Nelson

Professional Duties: Consultation services related to HR, Staffing, and Recruiting for finance and accounting staff.

Professional Experience: Over 25 years in the Human Capitol, HR, and Staffing industries.

Accomplishments/Community Service: Board of Directors San Rafael Chamber, former board member of Marin Human Resources Forum, Community Advisory Board for Family Service Agency of Marin, committee chair for corporate donations- Wine, Women & Shoes event for Sunny Hills Services

Other Volunteer Activities: Marin SEL-volunteer consultant for corporate sponsorships

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Board of Directors, Executive Committee-Treasurer, Previously Chaired Ambassador and Membership committees

Personal Information: Born and raised in Marin-also raised three sons here.

Jayati Ghosh
Dominican University
50 Acacia Ave.
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 457-4440
Term: 2013 (1)

Title: Associate Dean, School of Business & Leadership, Dominican University of California

Business Name: Dominican University of California 

Education:  Jayati earned her Ph.D.  from University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, in 1991.  She received an M.A.  degree in 1986 from Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada.  She also holds M.Sc. (1983) and B.Sc (1981) degrees from University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India.

Professional Duties:  I am the Associate Dean and also teach in the School of Business & Leadership at Dominican University of California.

Professional Experience:  I have been in higher education for over 20 years.  Prior to my tenure at Dominican University of California, I have taught at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada.

Professional Service: Currently I am a member of the Academy of Management and Academy of International Business.

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Serving on the Board of Directors, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce

Personal Information:  I live in San Rafael and am married with two grown children. I enjoy travelling and reading.

Carol A. Harris
Kaiser Permanente
99 Montecillo Drive
San Rafael CA 94903
(415) 893-4069
Term: 2013 (1)

Title: Community and Government Relations Manager

Professional Duties: Carol is responsible for internal and external communications programs including community and government relations, marketing, and media relations.

Professional Experience: Over 20+ years work experience in community relations, communications, and program development for various nonprofit organizations. She previously held positions with the Children’s Environmental Health Network and the American Diabetes Association, as well as worked in the field of real estate and urban economics consulting.

Accomplishments/Community Service: Carol is a graduate of the San Rafael and Novato Leadership Institutes and is a past board member of the San Rafael Rotacare Free Clinic. 

Other Volunteer Activities:  She is a school volunteer and room parent.

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Board of Director and member of the Government Affairs Committee.

Education: Carol graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz and earned a Masters in Business Administration from U.C. Berkeley.

Personal Information: Carol grew up in San Rafael and now lives in Novato with her daughter. She enjoys the outdoors, biking and hiking, camping, and folk dancing.

Bob Herbst
San Rafael Airport LLC
400 F Smith Ranch Road
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 472-7700
Term: 2012 (1)

Title: Owner/Project Manager

Business Name: San Rafael Airport LLC

Professional Duties: Robert manages the day to day operations of the San Rafael Airport. San Rafael Airport is a private general aviation airport housing 100 aircraft hangars and a small industrial park. In 2001-2004, Robert managed a complete Master Plan Renovation of the airport, including the installation of a 45 kilowatt rooftop solar project to provide renewable green power for airport operations. In October 2012 he completed Marin County’s largest solar project, which provides renewable power to Marin Clean Energy customers. He is currently working on a LEED Gold certified community sports facility to be located at San Rafael Airport.

Professional Experience: Robert is a principal with family-owned JHS Properties, a local Marin County based real estate investment firm that develops, owns, and manages office and industrial properties. Notable projects include the Autodesk World Headquarters, Bay Park Office Center, and San Rafael Airport, all located in San Rafael.

Accomplishments/Community Service: Robert serves on the Operations Committee of the Marin Art & Garden Center.

Other Volunteer Activities: Robert helps coach his son's and daughter’s local sports teams, and is an active participant (and current Chief) with his children in Indian Guides and Indian Princesses.

Chamber of Commerce Role: Robert is on the San Rafael Board of Directors and is Vice Chair of Economic Sustainability, overseeing the Green Business, Education, and Economic Vitality Committees.

Richard Kalish
Kalish Nexon LLP
999 Fifth Ave., Ste. 320
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 482-2810
Term: 2012 (2)

• Undergraduate degree from the UC Berkeley.
• Law degree from Boalt Hall at UC Berkeley, where he served as Research Editor of the California Law Review.
• Admitted to the California Bar in 1973. From 1973 to 1975 served as the law clerk for U.S. District Judge Albert C. Wollenberg, in San Francisco.
• Private practice in San Francisco specializing in business and real estate law and litigation before becoming Vice President and General Counsel for Drever Partners Inc., a real estate holding company with 700 employees and a multi-state real estate portfolio valued at approximately $650 million.
• Began current law practice in San Rafael in 1999 after the company was sold.
• Represents buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants of commercial properties, including office, apartments and shopping centers, in a wide array of transactions, including acquisitions and sales, financing, leasing, title questions and operational issues.
• Teaches Business Law and Ethics in the School of Business and Leadership at Dominican University of California.
• Served as Mayor and City Councilmember in Belvedere in Marin County
• Currently Chair of the Board of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.
• Serves on numerous other boards, including the Marin Symphony Association, Marin Forum, MarinSpace, and Friends of San Rafael.
• Formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the Marin Center for Independent Living.
• Past-President of the Rotary Club of San Rafael.
• Member of the Real Estate Section of the State Bar of California and the Marin County Bar Association. AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Donna Lemmon
Integrated Community Services
3020 Kerner Blvd., #A
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 455-8481
Term: 2013 (3)

Title: Executive Director

Business Name: Integrated Community Services

Professional Duties: Plan, organize and monitor all fiscal, programmatic and community based activities of the corporation.  Evaluate and provide management support for personnel, financial planning, public relations and business activities.

Professional Experience: Director of Shining Examples in Santa Rosa, Marin Community Workshop was the first Job Developer in Marin Co. assisting individuals with disabilities to find jobs in the community, started two non-profits in Marin.

Accomplishments/Community Service: Adult Teaching Credential, MS Rehabilitation Counseling, SFSU Completion of Graduate Program in Supported Employment, SR Chamber Graduate of Leadership Institute

Other Volunteer Activities: Workforce Investment Board, Marin Head Injury Network, Youth Council, Human Rights Committee for De Anza House, Special Olympics

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Board of Director and Chair of the Ambassador Committee

Personal Information: My core gift is helping others through my humor. I do this putting people at ease so they can be themselves. This opens up the forum for communication and trust so we can explore challenges and overcome them together.

Sandra Lew
Hospice By the Bay
17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Larkspur CA 94939
(415)925-9302

Title: CEO

Professional Duties: Chief Executive Officer of Hospice By The Bay.  Responsible for leadership, administrative oversight, fundraising, and overall management of $30M budget, 275 staff, and fulfillment of the organization’s mission.

Professional Experience: HOSPICE BY THE BAY, CEO (2008-present); HOSPICE BY THE BAY, VP-Clinical Operations (2005-2008); HOSPICE OF MARIN, Chief Operating Officer (2002-2005); CATHOLIC CHARITIES (1999-2002), Operations Director, Aging and Clinical Services (2000-2002), Program Director/ Site Manager (1999-2000); ON LOK SENIOR HEALTH SERVICES, Center Manager (1996-1999); KAISER PERMANENTE, Hospice Director  (1992-1995)

Accomplishments/Community Service: San Rafael Chamber of Commerce (Board Member 2012-Present); National Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Public Policy Committee Member (2009-Present); Center for Volunteer and Non-Profit Leadership (Board Member 2008-Present); Vistage International (Member 2008-Present); California Hospice and Palliative Care Association (Board Member 2008-2011); National Association of Social Workers; Member of National Task Force on AIDS (1991-1995); Member of HIV Education Project Advisory Committee (1995-1997); Member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers

Kelly Mullane
Ghilotti Bros., Inc.
525 Jacoby Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 454-7011
Term: 2012 (1)

Title: Office Manager

Professional Duties: Responsibilities include organization and coordination of office operations, facilities improvements, and corporate event planning. Additionally, responsible for design and production of marking materials, advertising, and website management.

Professional Experience: With over 14 years of construction administration experience Kelly joined Ghilotti Bros. in 2008. Prior to joining GBI she had worked for Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group and Tutor-Saliba Corporation.

Accomplishments/Community Service: Received her Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2006.

Other Volunteer Activities: Boys & Girls Clubs of Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties Marketing and Communications Committee.

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Board of Directors, and Member of the Business Showcase Committee.

Personal Information: Kelly enjoys yoga, reading, cooking and spending time with her many nieces and nephews.

Jaime Ortiz
Bank of Marin
1101 Fourth Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 485-2265

Stephanie Plante
Cal-Pox, Inc.
103 Shoreline Pkwy, Ste 100
San Rafael 94901
(415) 457-8850

Title:  President

Business Name:   Cal-Pox, Inc.

Professional Duties: Stephanie is President and Managing Partner of Cal-Pox, GSG Partners and Sonoma Bell Associates, all based in San Rafael, California.  Major tenants include Target, Home Depot, Pier 1 Imports, Sonnen BMW and Marin Honda. Stephanie has been principal in the development of these businesses from the ground up.  Most recently, she secured all entitlements in a contentious, seven-year battle to build a Target at the Shoreline Center, owned by Cal-Pox, in San Rafael.  The Center is a 39-acre former landfill.  Stephanie manages not only the real estate development at the Center but also the environmental and regulatory requirements at both the County and State level.

Professional Experience: Stephanie has a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and a Master’s degree from San Francisco State University, both in Communications. Prior to her real estate career, Stephanie was a television producer and reporter for the NBC affiliate in San Francisco. Stephanie has been in the real estate industry since 1999.

Accomplishments/Community Service: In addition to the Chamber Board and the Marin Forum, Stephanie actively supports San Rafael Pacifics, the Tam Valley and Bahia Vista PTA, and she was formerly on the Board of Artworks Downtown. She helps direct a donor advised fund with the Marin Communtiy Foundation on behalf of her grandfather, Martin Bramante.

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Stephanie is a member of the Economic Vitality Committee.

Personal Information: Stephanie and her husband Chris live in Mill Valley with their two children, Anna and Amos.

Leslie Ruhland
Accuchex
365 Bel Marin Keys Blvd
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 883-7733

Title: President

Business Name: Accuchex Corporation

Professional Duties: Leslie leads Accuchex’s business development efforts, expanding the sales team and forging strategic alliances. As a Managing Member, Leslie is currently building Accuchex Insurance Services LLC, which was founded as a complimentary service offering to her payroll and HR clients. Leslie’s specialties include coordinating sales and new business initiatives, developing her team of consultants and driving her company's growth into the future.

Professional Experience: Leslie began her business career energized by the outdoor life in Aspen, Colorado where she co-founded and operated High Altitude Cuisine, Inc. a highly regarded restaurant and catering business. She later returned to her native San Francisco Bay Area to manage numerous new restaurant openings for several hospitality chains. She co-founded Accuchex in 1990 with her husband, James.

Accomplishments/Community Service: Leslie served as a Director of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce for a number of years and on several key committees including Governmental Affairs, Workforce Housing and Leadership Institute. Leslie was appointed by the County Board of Supervisors to serve on the County Workforce Investment Board from 2007- 2010.

Other Volunteer Activities: Leslie is active in her personal life with the SFYC, having served terms on several committees and as Treasurer to the Auxiliary Board. Leslie Currently chairs the SFYC Speakers Series.

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Leslie joined the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors in 2013.

Personal Information: Leslie is a Marin native and parent to three children and two big dogs. She enjoys sailing her Beneteau with family.

Mark Schmidt
Unicorn Printing Specialists
83 hamilton Drive Suite 100
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 492-2222
Term: 2012 (1)

Pat Sorber, General Manager
Embassy Suites Hotel
101 McInnis Pkwy
San Rafael, CA 94903-2773
(415) 499-9222
Term: 2013 (3)

Title: General Manager

Professional Duties: Oversee and manage a 235 suite/13k square feet of meeting and banquet space for Joint venture ownership (Hilton and Felcor Lodging Trust).

Professional Experience: 32+ years of experience in the hospitality industry. I have worked for Marriott, Westin, Crowne Plaza, Hilton as well as Independent hotels over the years starting out in Upstate New York as a Front Desk Clerk.

Accomplishments/Community Service: I participate in the annual California Coastal Clean-Up Effort; have worked with Habitat for Humanity building a new home for a local family. I work with Buckelew Programs, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Spina Bifida Association.

Other Volunteer Activities:  I am a Board Member for the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Workforce Investment Board of Marin County in addition to being a Board member for the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): I am a member of the Business Showcase Committee and the Economic Vitality Committee.

Personal Information: I have been married for almost 38 years to a great guy (Rob), we have 2 grown daughters, 7 grandchildren, I love the outdoors, walking, reading, going on cruises and cooking.

Jerry Tallman, Owner
Minuteman Press
1133 East Francisco Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94901-5426
(415) 453-4548
Term: 2013 (3)

Title: Owner

Professional Experience: 18 years providing quality printing, copying and design

Other Volunteer Activities: Rotary Club San Rafael

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Director, Business Showcase Committee

Personal Information: Married to Ann-2 children

Gail Theller
Community Action Marin
29 Mary Street
San Rafael, CA 94901-3507
(415) 526-7511
Term: 2013 (3)

Joshua Townsend, Government Relations
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
1220 Anderson Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901-3124
(800) 743-5000
Term: 2012 (2)

Rick Wells, President and CEO
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
817 Mission Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 454-4163
Term: Ex-Officio

Title: President and CEO

Professional Experience: Since coming to San Rafael in January 2010, Rick has helped the Chamber engage in a broad scope of work including: Business Advocacy, Membership Investment Value, Financial Performance and Metrics, Team Dynamics, Technology, Sustainable Business, Social Networking, Political Action, Business Retention/Expansion, Emergency Preparedness, Board Governance, Communication/Marketing and Leadership

Served as CEO of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce from 2003 thru 2009. Before his appointment as CEO in Vallejo, Rick worked at the Napa Chamber of Commerce as Director of Membership for five years.

Other Volunteer Activities: Rick is a graduate of Leadership Napa Valley and a past Board Member and past President of the Napa Active 20-30 Service Club. He also served as a Board Member and Secretary for the Leadership Vallejo program in 2007. Rick is a current member of Marin County School to Career Partnership, Workforce Investment Board of Marin County, San Rafael Pacifics Advisory Board, Western Association of Chamber Executives Board of Directors, Northern California Golf Association and BABBS Golf Club.

Chamber of Commerce Role (Director, Committee work, etc.): Responsible to Board for implemetnation of Mission and business Plan.

Education: Rick has degrees from Orange Coast College and the University of California, Davis with a focus in Communications Studies. He earned a Masters of Business Administration in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. He holds both the IOM (Institute of Organizational Management) and CAE (Certified Association Executive) professional certifications.


Personal Information: In 2012 Rick was named one of the "Top 40 under 40" in the North Bay Business Journal. For nearly ten years Rick was an active mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program; he was recognized as Napa County Big Brother of the Year in 2002.

Rick has been married to the lovely and talented Ellie Bishop Wells since 2006. They like to spend time with their young daughter Cadence, cooking, playing golf and walking with Lucy May and Arnold Palmer, their two adopted dogs.