Chair - Helen Pierson, Medic Ambulance

Bio coming soon

Chair Elect - STEPHANIE GLAZE, KAISER PERMANENTE

Bio coming soon

past Chair - Andrea Garcia, Touro University California

Andrea Garcia is Associate Vice President of University Advancement at Touro University California, where she oversees alumni relations, communications and fund development. Prior to her role at Touro, she was a reporter at the Daily Republic newspaper in Fairfield, where she covered Health and Social Services, Lifestyle, and Arts & Entertainment. While at the paper, she earned a fellowship at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, as well as an array of prestigious writing awards, including from the Associated Press and California Newspaper Publishers Association. She is a Distinguished Alum of Solano College; recipient of the “Community Leader of the Year” award; Immediate Past President of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and former Honorary Commander at Travis Air Force Base. Andrea’s passion for the wellbeing of the community keeps her on various organizations in Solano County. She currently serves as a member of the Travis Credit Union’s Hispanic Advisory Committee, and is Board of Director for the Solano Community College Education Foundation and Leadership Vallejo. She is also an Executive Board of Director for the Fairfield Suisun Chamber of Commerce, and serves as Chair of its Advocacy Council.

treasurer - carol larson, Georgia House Graphics

San Francisco-born Carol Larson has chosen Vallejo to be her home. For over 30 years she’s raised her family in Vallejo, and is owner of Georgia House Graphics. She is a past president of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and over the years she’s also served as president and board member for countless other community organizations in Vallejo and beyond.  Carol has dedicated her life to making Vallejo, and Solano County, a better place. She is married to Vallejo native Brad Larson and has two children; a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Sierra.

Secretary - Rear Admiral Thomas Cropper, California Maritime Academy

Thomas A. Cropper is the 14th president of The California Maritime Academy. He began his presidency on July 1, 2012 after a 31-year career in the United States Navy.

Cropper graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in engineering operations and an NROTC commission. He served as the commanding officer of an F/A-18 strikefighter squadron and as commander of the air wing aboard USS NIMITZ.  Shore assignments included service as military assistant in the Office of Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and as the Navy Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He also led “Strike University” at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, served as chief of staff, U.S. 3rd Fleet, headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff Working Group developing national level security strategy, and led 24,000 people in combat operations as deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command. Most recently, Cropper directed education and at-sea training for Navy ships and aviation squadrons deploying to the western Pacific and the Middle East.

Cropper holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College (National Security and Strategic Studies), the University of Tennessee (Aviation Systems) and the Catholic University of America (World Politics).

Cropper lives on the Cal Maritime campus in Vallejo, California with his wife Heather. Their two daughters attended CSU campuses and their son is a Class of 2012 alumnus of Cal Maritime. 

LISA INGARGIOLA, NETFLIX

Bio coming soon

Josette Lacey, Leadership Vallejo Alumni Chair

Josette Lacey was born and raised in Vallejo and is a product of our local public schools graduating from Hogan Senior High School in 1987.  Josette’s road to community service leadership was not traditional.  There was no traditional college experience to find herself, or any traditional role model to mentor her.  However, what she may have lacked in formal education, or privileged opportunity, was made up for her by her strong personality, dogged determination, unwavering values, and insatiable desire and commitment to put the greater good and others before her.

Josette has established a vast network in our Vallejo and Solano County.  Her love of children and her desire to improve our greater community has been a motivating force throughout her career.  As Director of the St. Basil’s Elementary School before and after school program, “Extended Care”, she instilled values of respect, pride in community and personal responsibility in every experience with the young people entrusted to her care and many former students continue to thank her for those life-lessons to this day.

Josette and her husband, Jason were established in 1990 and have two adult sons, Andrew and Justin, and their youngest, Sophia, their adopted daughter who captured all their hearts.  Her love of children, combined with her desire to improve conditions for them in our community has been a motivating force throughout her journey.  Because of the passion she and Jason share, they were honored, on behalf of the state of the California and California’s fifth congressional district as 2017 “Angels in Adoption.”  They continue to work diligently to make Vallejo a healthy community for families.

Gabriel Lanusse, General Manager Greater Vallejo Recreation District

I was born and raised in the Bay Area one block away from a park and recreation center.  As a child, I would attend many recreation classes and events.  I played on old metal playgrounds, and survived.  I grew up working in the family gardening business by starting off planting flowers, watering plants, raking leaves, and pulling weeds.  So as a young child I made a connection to parks and recreation.

I took over the family business in 1989, and went to night school to get an A.S. degree in Horticulture.  I then went to Santa Clara University to obtain my B.A. degree in Communication, still working full time.

I worked for the City of San Mateo in their Parks Department, Yountville Golf Course as the Assistant Superintendent,  City of Petaluma where I rose from Park Maintenance Worker II to Lead Worker.  While there I received my Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  Here at GVRD I started off as the Park Supervisor back in 2011, then Maintenance Superintendent.   I have been the General Manager here acting then full time since March 10, 2017.

I am happy to help this community get improved programs and parks.  We do have limited resources, but make do with a very dedicated staff.  We have many items on our checklist, but I value the community and the Board of Director’s input on directions we need to go.  I have worked over 20 years in public service, and hope to make the lives of the community better through Parks and Recreation.

CHIEF KYLE LONG, City of Vallejo Fire Department

Bio coming soon

Derek Nelson, General Manager Recology Vallejo

Bio coming soon

Mike Malone, city of vallejo

Michael Malone is the Water Director for the City of Vallejo Water Department where he has served since April 2017. He is currently responsible for 104 staff members who operate and maintain Vallejo’s complex drinking water treatment and water distribution system assets.

Before joining Vallejo, Mr. Malone worked for the City of Sacramento as Water Distribution Superintendent, Field Services Manager, and Operation Ma Maintenance Manager. While at Sacramento he led efforts to implement automated meter reading technologies and part of a team implementing sustainable water and wastewater rate increases.

During nearly 20 years of service for the San Jose Water Company started as a Maintenance Worker performing distribution system repairs. Later advance to hold other positions including system operator, relief plant operator, service inspector, Operations Supervisor, Maintenance Supervisor and Sr. Maintenance Supervisor.

Mr. Malone is a US Navy veteran and a graduate of St Mary’s College with a degree in Management.

Tom Phillips - retired

Bio coming soon