Our Team
Committed to
a Vibrant Future
President/CEO
Gary Byrne
Gary has over 25 years of nonprofit development and management experience. A native of Dublin, Ireland, he lives in Santa Cruz with his wife and two children.
gbyrne@givesanbenito.org
Director of Operations & Grants
Tracy Taggart
Tracy is a long-time Hollister resident, and is proud to raise her daughter in San Benito County. With a strong background in Accounting, Tracy is excited to have the opportunity to better serve the community.
ttaggart@givesanbenito.org
Director of Donor and Community Services
Brenda Weatherly
With over ten years of nonprofit experience, Brenda welcomes the opportunity to collaborate for the greater good of all. She and her husband, Ken, have raised two sons and a daughter in San Benito County.
bweatherly@givesanbenito.org
Office Manager
Rebecca Blaettler
A resident for 11 years, Rebecca and her husband, Pete, are the proud parents of two daughters. Prior to being the CEO of the Household she worked 12 years as an Administrative Assistant at South Valley National Bank. Rebecca considers it a great honor to serve the community of San Benito County.
rblaettler@givesanbenito.org
Marketing Communications Coordinator
Sharlene Van Rooy
As a transplant from the east coast, Sharlene likes to pretend she has lived in Hollister all of her life. She’s involved with several nonprofit organizations, including the San Benito County Historical Society.
svanrooy@givesanbenito.org
Communications Coordinator
Kat Nobile
Kat was born and raised in Hollister and is part of a family that has been here for generations. She attended San Francisco State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Kat and her husband, AJ, moved back to Hollister to raise their family, and they enjoy living and working in the community.
knobile@givesanbenito.org
Our Board of Directors
Dedicated to Serving
San Benito County
Business Banking
Phil Fortino, Chair
A lifelong resident, Business Banking Manager, and involved civic leader, Phil is active in Rotary, the Charlie Presser Memorial Fund, and many other service clubs.
pfortino@givesanbenito.org
Community Leader
Rebecca Medeiros Wolf, Vice Chair
Born and raised in SBC, Rebecca returned to Hollister full time after an absence of 30 years. Following a career in Silicon Valley she brings a wealth of new and innovative ideas to help with the Foundation's role in the community.
rwolf@givesanbenito.org
Principal, Grace & Associates, CPA
Mike Grace, CFO, Treasurer
Mike has over 30 years of experience in public accounting and is available to help with audit, business planning, taxation, accounting, valuation and a variety of other consulting services. He founded his own local CPA practice in 1986, and in 1998 formed the partnership of Grace & Associates, CPAs.
mgrace@givesanbenito.org
Retired Business Owner
Alan Clark, Secretary
A retired CEO of a local manufacturing company he founded, Alan uses his 40 plus years of managerial capabilities to supplement the board's already considerable experience.
aclark@givesanbenito.org
Business Owner, True Value Hardware
Fernando Gonzalez, Past Chair
A lifelong resident having served on the city council and many other boards, Fernando is a business owner and respected community leader.
fgonzalez@givesanbenito.org
Attorney, Breen Law Firm
Christine Breen
Christine obtained her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University and practiced general business law before joining a local law firm in 2008. She continued to represent clients in employment, business, and trusts and estate matters before opening Breen Law Firm in 2013.
cbreen@givesanbenito.org
President, True Leaf Farms
Vince Brigantino
Vince resides in SBC with his wife and two sons. He’s a partner in True Leaf Farms, a local grower, shipper, and processor of fresh vegetables.
vbrigantino@givesanbenito.org
Broker, Intero Real Estate
Marilyn Ferreira
Marilyn has been involved in community activities for many years, from the SBC Realtors Association, to President of the Hollister Downtown Association.
mferreira@givesanbenito.org
Business Owner, Filice Farms
Kay Filice
Kay owns and operates Filice Farms and has served on a number of agricultural Boards including Ag Against Hunger. She’s also active in a number of other community organizations.
kfilice@givesanbenito.org
Community Leader
Beverley Meamber
Beverley worked for the Salinas Chamber of Commerce for 22 years, serving as the President/CEO for eight years until her retirement. The mother of three, Bev has lived in San Juan Bautista since 1982 and is very involved with community services throughout San Benito County. Her professional background has benefited our Women’s Fund Committee and National Philanthropy Day Committee for many years.
bmeamber@givesanbenito.org
Community Leader
Susan Schwabacher
Active in many SBC youth organizations, Susan brings a background in business administration and is pleased to be included in this talented and dedicated group of individuals.
smodic@givesanbenito.org
Community Leader
Mickie Solorio Luna
Mickie was born and raised in San Benito County, and she spent 30 years working in Hollister’s finance department. She has always been an active volunteer, but most notably with the League of United Latin American Citizens. In December, the Universidad Iberoamericana presented Mickie with the Honoris Causa Doctorate for her distinguished leadership and positive example to society.
mluna@givesanbenito.org
Business Owner, Tiffany Motor Company
Bob Tiffany
Bob grew up in Hollister, and worked in various marketing positions for General Mills until he returned in 1987 becoming the fourth generation to run the family's business, Tiffany Motor Company.
btiffany@givesanbenito.org
Business Owner, Casa de Fruta
Gene Zanger
Gene is one of six grandchildren who share the responsibility of managing Casa de Fruta, a privately-owned operation established in 1908 with the first planting of orchards in Pacheco Valley.
gzanger@givesanbenito.org
Past Board Members
Founding Board Members – 1992
Antonio Aguirre
Richard Anderson
Leonard Caetano
Nenette L. Corotto
Arnold R. Fontes
Fernando Gonzalez
Raymond E. Mariottini
Mary S. McCullough
Madeline A. Nelson
Irma Rodriguez
Haven E. Van Huesen, Jr.
Edward Stephenson
Sonny Paullus
Ron Domingues
Gene Bourdet - 1993
Susan Paura - 1999
Bill Ladd - 2000
Paul Levy - 2000
Bernie Furman - 2000
Steve Perricone - 2002
Dori Hoyle - 2002
Anne Morris - 2002
Jim Paxton - 2003
Steve Merrel - 2004
Sandy Rose - 2005
Millard Strohn - 2005
Scott Fuller - 2006
Bob Bianchi - 2006
Kathy Johnson - 2007
Diane Ortiz - 2010
Mike Sanchez - 2010
Kathy Flores - 2011
Enrique Arreola - 2013
Steve Hudner - 2018
Alfonso Castaneda - 2018
Victor Gomez - 2019