BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

February 2010

Michael Coan
Favaro, Lavezzo, Gill, Caretti & Heppell Law Offices

Description of Business: Favaro, Lavezzo, Gill, Caretti & Heppell is a full service law firm founded in 1973. As one of the oldest law firms in Solano County, Favaro Lavezzo is able to offer clients high-quality representation in a broad range of legal areas. The firm offers representation in areas such as Business and Commercial Transactions; Real Estate Law; Landlord Tenant Matters; Wills, Living Trust; Probate and Trust Administration; Trust Contests; Taxation and Tax Planning and Disputes; American with Disabilities Act Defense; Divorce and Family Law matters; Personal Injury; Criminal Defense; Civil Litigation; Land Use matters and Municipal Law and Public Agencies.

Description of Job/Duties: Responsible for managing one of the top-rated law firms in Solano County, as well as facilitating the daily activities and operations of the offices in Vallejo and Fairfield.

Community Involvement: Trustee for the Sutter Solano Charitable Foundation for the past two years. Chairman of the Political Advocacy Committee for the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce for the past two years.

Personal Information: Married for 10 years to Mary Jo Coan. Two children, Christopher and Josephine (4 year-old twins). Born and raised in Vallejo. Graduated from St. Patrick St. Vincent’s High School in 1992. Graduated Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Graduated Empire Law School with a Juris Doctor Degree in 2000.

May/June 2009

Eric Gilbert
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Description of Organization:
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is a 135-acre wildlife and theme park in Vallejo. It is a combination of wildlife, oceanarium and theme park, which provides families with the best in Land, Sea and Sky. In addition to amazing wildlife shows and presentations that star such renowned animals as Shouka the killer whale, talented Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions, the park in 2009 will open Odin’s Temple of the Tiger, a showcase for Odin, the underwater diving white Bengal tiger.

Description of Job/Duties:
Eric’s duties run the gamut, from managing a full-time staff of over 200 (1,500 with seasonal employees) to overseeing all park operations (i.e., rides, foods, retail, animals) to instituting capital improvements and expansion efforts.

Background:
Married for seven years and has 2 kids ages 6 and 4. Has a 17 year career with the company, which he began as a Ride Operator at Six Flags Over Texas in 1990. He then moved to Six Flags Fiesta Texas to become a Park Operations Supervisor in 1992 and then to Astroworld in 1996 as a Rides Supervisor. In 1998, Eric moved to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (named Marine World Africa USA at the time) and stayed there for two years as a Rides Supervisor. Then he headed east to Six Flags Great Escape in 2000 where he was the Operations Manager and eventually the Operations Director overseeing the park and the lodge. After leaving last fall for a very brief stint with Great Wolfe Lodge, he has now returned to his Six Flags family.

December 2009

Peter Wilson
Benicia Vallejo Humane Society

Board Member Since: 2008

Description of Business/Organization: The mission of the Benicia Vallejo Humane Society is to offer refuge, medical care, nourishment and an opportunity for a second chance for life to unwanted animals; to protect animals from cruelty, neglect, carelessness and ignorance; to foster a public sentiment of humanity and gentleness toward all animals through education and encouragement; and to promote the lifelong commitment of responsible pet ownership.

Description of Job/Duties: As Director of Humane Services, Peter oversees the operation of the intake and adoption of animals, community outreach, development, humane education, and responsible pet guardian education. He manages a staff of two animal/customer care techs, a volunteer coordinator and an office manager.

Community Involvement: Vallejo Chamber Ambassador since 2003, served as Chief Ambassador in 2004 and 2008; Member of the Human Rights Campaign; Member of the Humane Society of the United States, Board member of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum Since 2003.

Personal Information: Vallejo Resident since 2000; Married to Michael Wilson for 11 years, legally in the State of California since July 3, 2008. Proud Pet Guardian to three boxers dogs, Rudy (11), Aspen (7) and King (2).

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