Greenway Facts
The Southeast Greenway Campaign Team is comprised of Campaign Committee members, who determine the Campaign’s overall goals and plans, a Circle of Advisors who bring special skills, active volunteers who help with community outreach, fundraising, and events, and over 2000 supporters. Please join our team!
GREENWAY TEAM
Meet the Campaign Committee / Circle of Advisors / Volunteers / In Remembrance
Campaign Committee
Bob Gaiser, Co-Chair
Bob likes working with others to create community assets and changes and being able to use his experience with planning, maps and words to help the Greenway Campaign. He can’t wait to ride his bike on the Southeast Greenway trails. (Read full profile.)
Thea Hensel, Co-Chair
Thea comments, “It brings me great joy to work with dedicated people in this shared vision of a Greenway for Santa Rosa.”
Linda Proulx, Co-Chair Emeritus
The vision of a climate-smart urban Greenway with trails for walking and biking, community gathering places and gardens, and restoration of native habitat has captured Linda’s imagination. She likes hiking on local trails and looks forward to walking with her husband Alan and German Shepard Charlie on the Greenway!
Jim McAdler, Treasurer
Katharine Anderson, Recording Secretary
Katharine received her Masters of Architecture, Masters of Landscape Architecture and Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Katharine currently serves on the Santa Rosa Design Review Board having been a member since 2007, and on the Art in Public Places Committee.
Katharine brings a professional eye and knowledge of the design needs of Santa Rosa to the Greenway Campaign, serves on a number of committees and adds business acumen to the fundraising team. The Campaign Committee also appreciates her contribution as recording secretary, taking notes at meetings and keeping the group on track.
She lives in Santa Rosa with her husband Randy. They enjoy hiking in Santa Rosa and the regional parks and traveling when their schedules permit.
Grace Cheung-Schulman, Campaign Secretary
Born and raised in Hong Kong, she holds degrees in geography, music, education, and business management in four different universities in Hong Kong, Canada, and the US.
After retiring from her music and arts management careers, Grace pursued her childhood interest in photography and in free-lancing and volunteering for charity organizations such as Catholic Charities, Peace and Justice Center, Community Child Care Council, and North Coast Mac Users Group.
Grace is an animal lover and is into organic gardening, water and energy conservation. She sees the Southeast Greenway as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for citizen involvement in planning a Greenway for the benefit of the entire community.
Peter Dellavalle
Peter assists the Greenway Campaign with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping and analysis. He is passionately interested in bike transportation and is delighted that the Greenway will strengthen our local and regional network of trails. He and his family raise puppies for Canine Companions for Independence. They are currently raising their third puppy, Henderson.
Jenny Downing
At Oregon State University, Jenny’s undergraduate studies focused on fashion retailing, with a minor in business. She went on to earn an MBA at Golden Gate University.
After retiring, Jenny was ready to give back to her community. She worked with the Sonoma County Vintners Association, and ultimately found her niche with the Greenway Campaign. Jenny loves to hike and looks forward to hiking trails that access Spring Lake Park from the Greenway. She says, “After living in Santa Rosa for over 10 years, I’ve learned to appreciate our wonderful outdoor resources. Working on the Southeast Greenway gives me the opportunity to build on these resources so that others can enjoy our beautiful landscape.”
Alexa Forrester
Philip Frankl
Philip says, “This corridor provides a unique opportunity to bring about transformative change to Bennett Valley and the greater Santa Rosa area. It’s exciting to think about the potential this project will have on strengthening social, economic, ecological, and other layers throughout this community.”
Trains, planes, cars, bikes, sailboats, horse, on foot – Philip loves to travel and experience different cultures.
Vincent Hoagland
Vincent’s community involvement inclues being the 3rd Supervisorial District member of the Sonoma County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; a long time member of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition and the Santa Rosa Cycling Club; founding president of the Diabetes Society of Sonoma County; Chairman of the Clo’s Classic Bike Rides for the Diabetes Society; and tutoring chemistry at Petaluma High School.
Vin’s main vision for the Southeast Greenway is to have a bicycle/pedestrian path which will eventually link Spring Lake Park with downtown Santa Rosa and the west county.
Tanya Narath
Tanya holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, an MBA, and is currently working on her master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
Tanya loves running the trails in Spring Lake and Annadel. She looks forward to the day when she can run from her house in west Santa Rosa to Spring Lake via the Santa Rosa Creek and future Southeast Greenway trails.
Janice Nicholson
“WOW!! What a great place to enjoy with our dogs! And a bike path right up to Spring Lake Park? And it can actually happen!!”
That’s what Janice Nicholson felt when she first became aware of the Southeast Greenway. Janice, her husband and two canine kids live within walking distance of the future Greenway. They have been really impressed with how effective the Campaign Committee has been in promoting the Greenway vision, and with the progress being made.
Janice finally joined the Greenway team in 2016 after retiring. Her background includes 25 years at HP/Agilent as a finance analyst and database administrator, and another 12 years at the Sonoma Humane Society managing its donor database and assisting the Development Director. Janice has been pleased and proud to help the Greenway Campaign with their administrative, database and fundraising work.
Janet commented, “Someday, you will see two very happy dogs walking me along a beautiful Greenway path!”
Jim Pedgrift
David Petritz
David’s is excited about the Greenway’s potential to provide the key missing link for an emerging pedestrian/bike/wildlife/biological corridor connecting the Sonoma Valley and the historic town of Sonoma with the confluence of the Russian River and Pacific Ocean.
Alan Proulx
Renee Riggs
Renee is excited about the Southeast Greenway because, “This project connects with people on many different levels—everyone and anyone can find something to like. The Greenway Campaign has smart leadership that has taken the time to build a solid foundation with community stakeholders.”
Marina Starkey
Originally from Southern California, Marina has lived in Sonoma County for the last 28 years with her husband and two children. She holds a degree in Advertising Graphics from Cal State Northridge and is involved with continuing education in Social Media.
Marina loves the outdoors, gardening, hiking and travel. When this Greenway is completed, she said she will be the first person signed up to organize a community garden!
Linda Weathers
Linda moved to Santa Rosa from Anaheim, CA with her husband Jim in 2004, as new retirees. Initially, she volunteered with Bird Rescue and took Wine Studies classes at SRJC. Later, she worked for LandPaths as a volunteer in 2006, and then again as a part time employee from 2007 until 2013.
Linda says, “I believe the Southeast Greenway will enrich the lives of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County residents by reducing traffic, providing more safe routes to schools, and making alternative transportation more feasible. The plans proposed for the Greenway make sense and will provide improved living conditions for its neighbors and all of us in Sonoma County.”
Circle of Advisors
Steve Barnhart
After receiving his BA in biology at UC Riverside and his MS in Plant Ecology at San Diego State University, Steve spent 41 years as a college professor, 37 at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), where he taught biology, botany and ecology. He has also consulted with local state and regional parks on vegetation management and restoration issues.
Steve recently retired as Academic Director for the Pepperwood Foundation and Preserve, where he administered the college/adult environmental education program in cooperation with SRJC and provided direction to research and stewardship programs. Steve encourages us to look at the land as an opportunity to preserve Santa Rosa’s natural habitat and cultural heritage. (Read full profile.)
Mitch Conner
Currently, Mitch acts as an advisor-at-large, architect/community planner attending SEG meetings and consulting with its leaders. What excites Mitch about the Greenway is its key role as part of an east/west hike and bike connection system.
Mitch was born in Detroit and moved with his family to Anaheim, California in 1960. He attended Montana State University, earning his Bachelor of Architecture degree, and was involved in several graduate programs. He has been a licensed architect in California since 1979 and a Sonoma county resident for about 35 years.
Mitch and his wife Michelle Gervais are the parents of seven year old twins, Clara and Benjamin. He says his young brood keeps him on full alert!
Stephen Fuller-Rowell
Stephen co-founded the Sonoma County Water Coalition and was named the Environmentalist of the Year for 2014 by the Sonoma County Conservation Council and the Sierra Club Sonoma County Group. As an avid cyclist, he enjoys riding his bike to most meetings he attends.
Born in England, Stephen is a graduate of Cambridge University where he majored in 8th century Chinese poetry.
He is excited by the Southeast Greenway because he considers it to be one of the most effective ways he can contribute to our community response to climate change.
Wendy Krupnick
Wendy is interested in the Southeast Greenway’s potential for (1) community gardens, (2) farming opportunities at the historic walnut orchard, (3) habitat restoration, and (4) creation of non-motorized community linkage.
Wendy loves gardening, hiking, native plants, being involved with community, and music.
Steve Rabinowitsh
Steve currently serves on the SMART Citizens Oversight Committee, Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Advisory Committee, the Sonoma County Community Foundation Board and is Chairman of the Santa Rosa Waterways Advisory Committee.
Steve served on the Santa Rosa City Council and the Executive Board of the Association of Bay Area Governments from 1998-2006. He helped organize community support for the Prince Memorial Greenway, and was also involved in promoting creek restoration, bikeways, affordable housing, open space protection and public art.
Steve sees the Greenway as an amazing opportunity to create open space, parks, community gardens and pathways in Santa Rosa. (Read full profile.)
Kristin Thigpen
Kristen has over 25 years of experience in marketing and program management, and is the owner of Thigpen Marketing & Project Management, a consulting firm in Santa Rosa, CA.
Her community involvement includes: First District appointee to Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space Citizens Advisory Committee; Chair, Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation Board; and the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority Climate Action 2020 Stakeholders Advisory Group.
Kristen says, “I am so proud of the work we’re doing, bringing an entire community together to listen and collaborate. It’s such a win-win for all of us – from kids and schools to neighbors, businesses and commuters. It’s been an honor to work on this legacy project for the Santa Rosa community for the past 5 years. We all will benefit from this wonderful green space.”
Volunteers
Mac Freeman
Mac holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, and an AS degree in electronics technology. He is retired after working 26 years at HP/Agilent Technologies.
Mac has lived in Sonoma County for over 35 years, and loves hiking the trails in Spring Lake and Annadel. He spends much of his free time playing guitar and gardening at his home in Santa Rosa. Mac is excited to imagine walking the Southeast Greenway trails with his wife and dog, and watching the renewal of the old walnut orchard!
Linda Hemenway
For the past year, her primary focus has been the redesign of the site. Implementing the stunning design developed by Marina Starkey has been a wonderful way to keep current with Web technologies and contribute to a worthwhile cause.
Linda has worked at Santa Rosa Junior College since 1988. She is an instructor in the Computer Studies department where she coordinates the the Web Development program. It has been a privilege to work at this “community treasure”, but she is looking forward to retiring in Jan of 2016.
She is a neighbor of the Greenway and hopes to walk her dog Maverick from their home near Montgomery Village, all the way to Spring Lake. After taking a lap around the lake she is pretty sure she and Maverick will both need a nap.
Marie Piazza
Marie has lived adjacent to a section of the Greenway since 2005 at Yulupa Cohousing, where she uses her interpersonal skills in a variety of community building activities. An avid advocate for all living things, Marie feels honored to be part of the exciting and vibrant Southeast Greenway Campaign. She just can’t wait to harvest fresh strawberries from the Greenway’s community gardens and take her grandkids on Greenway bike trips to Spring Lake!
Rick Reisman
Rick comments that “This has been a new arena for my efforts after a career as an emergency room physician, but the incentive of creating a nice piece of livable city that includes connected hiking and biking paths, urban wildlife corridors, and community gardens and gathering spots gives me hope, and spurs me to continue this effort.”
Rick’s interests include bicycle riding, photography, and cooking. He has enjoyed a burst of travel since retiring, but always enjoys the trip home to our wonderful area.
Dorothy Claire Weicker
In 2005, after 27 years in California, she moved to Vermont, where she enjoyed being one of the “original settlers” of Burlington Cohousing, until the challenging winter of 2013-14 inspired her to relocate back to California. Dorothy is excited about the Southeast Greenway because it is “a truly inspiring project and opportunity for the city.”
Tony White
Since retiring, Tony has taught courses in the Lifelong Learning programs at SSU and Dominican University and organized five group trips to Cuba. He is also active in the North Bay Organizing Project, the North Bay Jobs for Justice and volunteers at the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
After discovering the Southeast Greenway Campaign, Tony volunteered to promote “this great opportunity to create a green corridor for safe walking and biking, recreation and community gardens.”
In Remembrance
Remembering Jack Macy
In addition to the Greenway, Jack was deeply involved in the community, volunteering with the Santa Rosa Chamber, Catholic Charities, the Santa Rosa Design Review Board, the Prince Memorial Greenway and Joe Rodota Trail.
Jack loved to tell this story about his involvement with the SE Greenway. “Several years ago while planning our dream home adjacent to Spring Lake Park, my wife, Jacky, mentioned plans for a freeway behind our lot. I told her it would never happen. So when asked to get involved with the Campaign, I thought that I had better, at least to protect my marriage!”
We will miss Jack’s “can do” attitude and dry sense of humor.
Remembering Jonathan Glass
With a backpack slung over his shoulder and a floppy brimmed hat perched on his head, Jonathan Glass was the pied piper of trail walks for the Southeast Greenway. Jonathan’s love of the great outdoors and search for natural play environments for his daughter Eden in his neighborhood prompted him to join the Southeast Greenway Campaign as a founding member. For 5 years Jonathan was a tireless advocate for sensible stewardship of the Greenway land. His expertise as the Field Programs Director at LandPaths and environmental science scholarship brought information, advocacy, and voice to our vision.
His colleagues, friends and acquaintances can attest to the many contributions Jonathan has made at all of the organizations he was affiliated with, including Santa Rosa High School, UC Davis, LandPaths, Young Democrats, the Southeast Greenway Campaign, the City of Santa Rosa, the County of Sonoma, the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy, and many non-profits. All will miss him. The Campaign will continue to do his work and honor his vision of a Greenway to Spring Lake – a place where children can play and where all can enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces.