About CHF

Community Health Foundation of Greater Petaluma is the local foundation in Petaluma with the broad lens view of the community’s needs pertaining to quality of life. CHF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity founded in 1975 and initially funded by a $1 million bequest from the estate of Ray S.E. Button the following year. Our original purpose was to support the local hospital and Petaluma Health Care District programs and services. This mission has changed over time to our current purpose: To encourage informed and meaningful philanthropic giving that builds a legacy of community health.

As a community foundation, we are governed by a volunteer board of trustees who together with executive staff stay abreast of local issues that impact the health of our community members in the most basic ways. We work closely with local leaders and non-profit professionals to be informed about challenges and opportunities pertaining to living a healthy and productive life. We are not only concerned about each and every community member, from newborn to seniors, but future generations as well. CHF is dedicated to raising money to fund local programs and community services that insure a chance to live a healthful life.

Community Foundation of Greater Petaluma is proud to have distributed $4 million to enhance our community’s capacity to support lives characterized by healthful lifestyle choices and opportunities. We embrace the challenge of increasing our own resources through expanded charitable giving programs in continued service of promoting community health.

Our Board of Trustees is comprised of a diverse group of volunteer leaders from the greater Petaluma community:

Ramona Faith, RN, MS - President Ramona is a registered nurse with over 25 years experience in healthcare leadership. She began her career at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek caring for oncology patients and later managed patient care units. In 1991, she moved back to Tomales where she was born and raised and joined Petaluma Valley Hospital as a nurse educator and administrator. At Petaluma Valley Hospital she served in various leadership positions including Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. Ramona has served as faculty member at SRJC, Dominican University and Sonoma State University teaching nursing clinical rotations and nursing leadership and management courses to BSN nursing students. Currently, Ramona is a healthcare consultant and Executive Director of Patient Care Services at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. Ramona holds a BS in Nursing from Chico State and an MS in Nursing Leadership from Sonoma State University.

Fred Groverman, D.V.M. - Vice President Fred was born and raised in Petaluma and still lives and raises sheep on the ranch where he was born. Following his graduation from the University of California Davis as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, in 1958 he joined the Cotati Small Animal Hospital where he still works today. He is married with four grown children and a proud grandfather of five. As an active member of his community, Fred has served on numerous boards for more than forty years including Santa Rosa Memorial Alliance, Association of California Hospital Districts, Waugh Elementary School and the Sonoma County Fair boards. His veterinary experience has allowed him to be a valuable leader of the Sonoma County 4-H program for thirty six years. With his extensive knowledge of business and health care, he has been an advocate at the state level for health care related legislation. Fred was a co-founder of the Petaluma Community Health Foundation in 1975 and became an active member in 1999 after serving over twenty-seven years on the Petaluma Health Care District Board of Directors.

Bill Sullivan - Treasurer Bill has worked in the investment business in Marin and Sonoma counties for almost 25 years. Bill and his wife and their two children have lived in Petaluma for the past 21 years. Bill has a BS in Business with an emphasis in Finance from California State University, Hayward. Bill spent 21 years with Charles Schwab and Co., Inc. as a broker with 17 years spent as a Branch manager. Bill opened the Schwab office in Santa Rosa, which he managed for 17 years, as well as its Napa and Petaluma offices. Bill moved to the Bank of Marin’s Wealth Management Services group in 2005 and is the Bank’s Sonoma County Relationship Officer. Bill has served on the Girl Scouts of Konocti Board of Directors since 2001, Petaluma American Little League Board and the Petaluma Kiwanis Board. Bill and his family enjoy traveling and sports of all types especially skiing and fly fishing.

Barbara Singer - Secretary Barbara is currently Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager for Exchange Bank at the Washington Square Office. She has been at Exchange Bank since September, 2007 and has been in the banking business for 32 years. She enjoys working with people and providing assistance with their financial needs. She is active in the community. She just became a mentor in the Mentor Me Petaluma program and is also a volunteer with Speedway Children’s Charities at Infineon Raceway. She frequently attends local fundraisers and is enrolled in the Leadership Petaluma sponsored by the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce. She has lived in Petaluma since 1980 and recently married. She has one daughter, Jessica, 22-years old and a 14-year old dog, Pongo. She is passionate about kids, animals and racing.

Pennylee Christensen Pennylee was born and raised in Petaluma and is the proud mother of Heather, a Masters student at Sacramento State University. She has been the office manager of State Farm Insurance for the last 21 years and is a caterer, professional and personal organizer, and avid community leader and volunteer. Pennylee was Petaluma's 1995 "Good Egg" recipient. She currently holds board or chair positions with the Petaluma Kiwanis Club, Rebuilding Together Petaluma, Petaluma Community Clean Up Day and many other local organizations. Pennylee has been a long-time volunteer with Carousel Fund, PHS Project Graduation, CGHS Senior Projects, and the PACC as an ambassador, leadership graduate and founding member of the PACC Leadership Alumni Association. She is a graduate of the Petaluma Police Citizen's Academy and a member of Petaluma Valley Baptist Church. When that rarity called "down time" appears on the calendar, Pennylee enjoys baking thousands of cookies or treats for some event, reading, water skiing, or taking in a movie. Passionate about giving back to her community, Pennylee believes "It is important to care for and take care of the community that takes care of us. Petaluma is special in so many ways and it is important to protect and promote our uniqueness."

Tina A. Dodds Tina Dodds is the Director of Admissions and Marketing for Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation. For the past year, Tina has served on the Chamber Ambassador Committee. She believes strongly that good family values and working with others are essential to a healthy community. Tina enjoys a lot of family activities as well as the various Chamber activities. Tina is married and has three children and one grandchild. Her two oldest children have grown up and moved out on their own. Her youngest daughter, Tayler, plays soccer for her school, Rancho Cotati, as well as for Petaluma United. Being involved in Tayler’s soccer allows her to get to know other parents and make lasting friendships in the Community. As Director of Admissions and Marketing for Evergreen, Tina spends a lot of her time creating and maintaining relationships with various doctors, hospital staff and hospital administration. As an added benefit, Tina has created many relationships with the patients in her facility along with their families.

Daymon Doss (Ex-Officio) Daymon has lived and worked in Sonoma County for over forty-five years. He is married and the father of three grown children and proud grandfather of four. For the past twenty-five years he has served in a variety of management positions at the Petaluma Health Care District and currently holds the title of Executive Director. Daymon has received all of his education in Sonoma County attending Middle School, High School, Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. As a Registered Nurse he has a wealth of clinical experience that has guided his career path and decision making. An active member of the community, he has served on multiple boards including COTS, Healthy Community Consortium and Rotary and has been an asset at the County level on health related alliances and legislation.

Andy Eber Andy and his wife Carol have lived in Petaluma since 1986. Carol was assistant principal at Petaluma High for 5 years and their son, Alex (now 31 and living in LA) is a PHS grad. Andy has had a 40 year career in non-profit organizations, primarily in Development. He started as an executive with the Boy Scouts in Los Angeles and worked in various capacities with United Way of the Bay Area over a ten year period. More recently Andy served as the Executive Director of the Marin Community Health Foundation for 15 years, providing development support for Novato Community and Marin General hospitals. Since 2004, he has been Director of Development for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael. Among his philanthropic and community involvements, Andy served for 19 years as a Trustee of the Haigh-Scatena Foundation (a private, grantmaking foundation). He was a founder of the Sonoma County Community Foundation. For the past 10 years he has served on the Board of the RotaCare Free Clinic in San Rafael, and he is currently secretary of the Petaluma Aquatics Advisory Board. He and Carol are members of the Petaluma Gap Wine Alliance, promoting the wine industry in southern Sonoma county. A native of New Jersey, Andy Eber received an MSW degree from UC Berkeley. He is a certified fitness instructor and enjoys gardening, cycling, swimming and photography.

David Glass Dave is a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio and Television broadcasting. He was a sportscaster from 1970 until 1994. Broadcast assignments spanned twenty years of professional baseball, including 5 years of teaming with Hank Greenwald on KNBR radio covering the San Francisco Giants. He also covered NCAA Football and Basketball as well as Canadian League Football. Dave worked as a television sportscaster in Albuquerque, New Mexico for six winters, in-between baseball seasons. He has worked in the municipal securities field for the past twenty years with a NASD series 7, 53 and 63 licenses. He has a California license in Life Insurance and Long Term Care and has worked at Raymond James Financial Services in Petaluma for the past 12 years. Dave has been active in the community. He served on the City Planning Commission for four years, including two as the Chair of the Commission. Dave served a four-year term as Mayor and is currently in the first year of a four-year term as a member of the Petaluma City Council.

Maureen Highland Maureen is a 15-year Petaluma resident and is the current marketing director of Basin Street’s Northern California portfolio. In her capacity as marketing director, Maureen primarily focuses on creating and implementing opportunities for merchants in Theatre Square and the Golden Eagle Shopping Center in Petaluma. She is the coordinator of the Fight Against Cancer events and activities with the merchants of the theatre district, including promoting the Petaluma Relay for Life program. She has 18 years’ experience in the field and was most recently a property marketing specialist and then marketing director for CB Richard Ellis’ Vintage Oaks project in Novato, California for 10 years. In that position, she helped create and implement marketing plans, produce marketing materials, serve as a liaison with the media, coordinate tenant programs and assist with event sponsorships and promotional events. Prior to that position, Maureen was the director of promotion and special events for PIER 39, Ltd. and also served in such capacities as assistant director of travel industry sales and marketing assistant for the well-known San Francisco destination. Maureen and her husband are Friends of Petaluma Educational Foundation.

Mike Hollingsworth Mike and his wife Tammy have lived in Petaluma for the past twenty years where they have raised their two children, Sydney (21) and Barrett (19). Mike was raised in Kansas and moved to Seattle in 1980. He began his career at a wholesale jewelry company in the Seiko watch department and quickly moved into a sales representative position. He worked with national accounts and local department stores with varied product lines. In 1989, after nine years in Seattle, he was transferred to the Bay Area and represented Seiko, covering a territory from Redwood City to Eureka. In 1993, he became an independent sales representative and carried multiple jewelry lines covering primarily Washington, Oregon, and California. In 2004, he and his wife purchased what has become Hollingsworth Jewelers Gallery. Mike and Tammy have enjoyed becoming part of the great community of Petaluma. They have been active in promoting local non-profit organizations through two annual store events--The Spring Lucky Day sale and the Jewels for Schools event in which the customer chooses the local non-profit of his/her choice to benefit from a percentage of the sale. They have also donated to the Carousel Fund with a live auction item for the past four years and the Hospital Foundation for the past two years. They have participated in approximately thirty non-profit fundraisers per year with the donation of a piece of jewelry or a gift certificate to be raffled or auctioned. Mike and Tammy have enjoyed serving both their customers and the needs of the community.

Valerie King Val has a diverse work background, including working as a real estate agent for over 10 years, as part of the team with a local television production company, co-owner with her husband of King Electric (specializing in high-end residential remodels) and was a founding partner of Beyond The Glory Sports Bar and Grill. She has lived in Petaluma since 1986 and has three daughters who have attended local public schools. She has been the President of the Casa Grande High School Booster Club for the past three years and served as the Treasurer for the four years’ prior. She has been actively involved in school events, traveling and high school sports teams. She has also served on many fund raising committees and planned a number of successful events. She is very connected in the local community and feels passionate about programs that serve youth.

Father Gary Lombardi Father Gary Lombardi has been pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Petaluma since 1994. Father Gary came to Sonoma County from his native Southern California in 1968. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. John’s Catholic Church in Healdsburg in 1969 and subsequently served as associate pastor at St. Vincent’s from 1973 – 1977. He then served in parishes in Santa Rosa, Eureka, and Ukiah before returning to St. Vincent’s as pastor. Father Gary leads a community of approximately 2400 families, half of whom are Spanish speaking. The parish also administers St.Vincent’s Elementary School and St. Vincent’s High School. Since his arrival in 1994, St. Vincent’s has constructed a gymnasium at the high school, a plaza at the parish church, and a restoration of St. Vincent’s Academy on its elementary school campus. In 2007 St. Vincent’s celebrated its 150th anniversary as a parish as well as the 80th anniversary of the construction of its church, considered by many at Petaluma landmark.

Harvey Lubar Harvey is a long-time Petaluma resident who is currently a Senior Learning Consultant with Kaiser Permanente. As he works out-of-county, he is eager to find a meaningful way to stay connected in Petaluma. His background is an interesting mix of technology, academia, and executive management. He is a people's person and an avid networker. He has managed a non-profit religious institution with an annual budget of over $2 million during a multi-year capital campaign while also undergoing a major organizational restructure. He was also the Associate Provost at a technical college, overseeing two campuses and an annual budget of $5 million where he increased the student population by almost 20% in one year. He was Dean of Technology Programs at Heald College in San Francisco and is a certified Microsoft Instructor. He and his wife Danella have one son who is a gifted musician. He would like to use his networking, marketing and fund raising skills to promote CHF throughout Petaluma so that we can provide increased support to local community resources.

J.D. Murray J.D. Murray is the president and CEO of Bay Mills Construction Co., Inc. He and his wife, Sue, moved to Petaluma about 13 years ago. He is a transplant from Calvert County, Maryland where he was involved in a variety of professional and civic activities. He served on the Board of Directors of Calvert Memorial Hospital in numerous capacities. Denny was the past chairman of the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee. He has served on the Calvert County Affordable Housing Committee, the Calvert County Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Calvert County Solid Waste Task Force. Denny also served on the Maryland Health Care Access and Cost Commission and was a Governor appointee to the Maryland Health Care Commission. He has been involved in raising funds for breast cancer research for a number of years and would like to help CHF raise money to expand its capacity to support local community resources devoted to health-related issues.

Lori Pearce Local gal, born/raised in Santa Rosa....Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University. Wife, mother, friend, Advertising Executive for the New York Times Regional Media Group which includes the Press Democrat, Argus Courier, Petaluma and Santa Rosa Magazines, pressdemocrat.com, petaluma360.com, nyt.com, yahoo, and many additional venues like the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce Directory and Petaluma Almanac. Petaluma Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, Petaluma Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class Graduate, and one of the founders of Petaluma Chamber of Commerce Leadership Alumni Group. Husband, Dr. George Wagner, Jr., D.C., F.I.C.P.A., born/raised in Petaluma, is owner of Wagner Health Center, a family Chiropractic Care clinic in Petaluma. Son, Gage Wagner, 18, is beginning Santa Rosa Junior College. Daughter, Grace Wagner, 4, is in pre-school at Children's Corner, and can often be seen at Chamber events with Mom and Dad. Works closely with Rotary Clubs in Petaluma, especially the Sunrise Club, as Dr. Wagner is a Past President. Very passionate about the Petaluma community -----"we must all work together in business and in fun to promote our community for the success of us all."

Kyle Restad Kyle was born and raised in North Dakota, and currently resides in Petaluma with Julie, his wife of nine years. He is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones where he provides quality, long-term investment opportunities that include a broad mix of municipal, government and corporate bonds; mutual funds; common stocks; and tax-advantaged securities. His focus is helping identify clients' lifetime goals, invest wisely, and assist them in achieving those dreams. Kyle believes financial literacy is essential in today’s complex investment environment, which is why he facilitates financial education seminars to local non-profits, businesses and other organizations. He attended the University of North Dakota majoring in Financial Management, and has been securities and insurance licensed since 2000.Kyle is actively involved in the Petaluma community as a member of the Petaluma Downtown Association, Chamber of Commerce, "Toast of Petaluma" Toastmasters Club, Petaluma Active 20-30 Club and Petaluma Valley Hospital Foundation. In his free time he enjoys running, biking and camping as well as volunteering with the American Cancer Society, Women’s Cancer Awareness Group, COTS and Special Olympics Northern California.

Colin Turek Colin is a Partner at Sonoma Homecare, an in-home care company that serves primarily seniors. Before partnering at Sonoma Homecare, Colin was the owner of Body Dynamics, a company located in both Petaluma and Mill Valley committed to promoting health and wellness. Today, Colin enjoys bringing his passion for healthy living to the senior population with whom he now works. He has dedicated much of his time to health advocacy through speaking engagements and directing programs committed to promoting well being. Colin is a Certified Senior Advisor, a certified member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine and holds a California State Real Estate License. He is a Petaluma local, and is extremely involved in the Community. Colin still teaches fitness classes in both Sonoma and Marin Counties, as well as enjoys leading an extremely active lifestyle.

Affiliate Members:

William R. Fishman, Attorney at Law Bill has a general civil practice located in Petaluma, California. His practice emphasizes estate planning, trust and estate administration, probate, business transactions, contested estates and trusts, and alternative dispute resolution. Admitted to the practice of law in 1984, Bill concentrates on personal representation of a diverse client base that spans the Northern San Francisco Bay Area, Telecom Valley, and the Wine Country. He handles selected cases before the State Courts and various administrative boards throughout California, but primarily Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and San Francisco counties. Bill is committed to providing intelligent legal representation in which clients are treated with integrity and respect. Listening to his clients and helping them to understand a problem and to identify their goals and objectives is the cornerstone of his success in maintaining long-term productive relationships. Bill has been very active in the Petaluma community, most recently as past President of Petaluma Ecumenical Housing. He is a past President of the Petaluma Host Lions Club, served on the Board of the Petaluma Education Foundation, and has participated in fundraising for Hospice of Petaluma. He has been married for 35 years to Margaret Howes Fishman and has two sons, Brian and Scott.

Steve Henris Steve Henris is the son of Horace and Dorothy Henris, born and raised in Petaluma. Horace and Dorothy Henris started Henris Supply Building Materials and Contract Roofing in 1940 in Petaluma. Steve started working for the family business when he was thirteen after school. In the early 1990’s when Henris Supply sold out the building materials division and kept the contract roofing division, Steve began running the company. The Henris family has been very charitable to the community with some of their large gifts to the Petaluma Education Foundation, the Petaluma Boys and Girls Club and the Petaluma Valley Hospital. Steve is married to his wife Tami and has two children Kaitlyn and Ashlyn who both attend Petaluma Schools. Tami is a board member of Petaluma Education Foundation. Steve is a Vice President of the Bay Areas Roofers Association, member of the Petaluma Rotary Club a member of the Petaluma Elks club and the Nicasio Native Sons.