North Bay Business Journal

Ethan Lee, 32

Manager, Burr Pilger Mayer, Santa Rosa

Working effectively within a litigious environment to provide forensic accounting litigation consulting, business valuation and business succession planning — while assisting business owners develop their own succession plans — is what Ethan Lee does best.

Community/non-profit activities: He volunteers as an assistant Scoutmaster and serves on the board of the business valuation section of the CalCPA Forensic Services group. He is also president of the young men’s organization at his church and is a T-ball assistant coach.

Greatest professional achievement: Being named 2010 Young & Emerging Professional of the Year in the CalCPA San Francisco Chapter.

Best advice received: Plan, simplify and be bold.

Steps taken by the company to sustain itself: “We implemented a wellness program, and give all employees an opportunity for ownership.”

Mentor/admired Businesspersons: Cindy Craig and Jim Andersen.

Hobbies: Playing with my three sons and fishing, hunting, running and surfing.

Favorite after-work drink: A&W Root Beer.

Eric Lucan, 30

Councilmember, City of Novato; Director of Customer Relationship Management Strategy, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

For Eric Lucan, the single most important event in his professional life was becoming the youngest person elected to the Novato City Council in the city’s 50-year history.

His greatest challenge is coping with the city’s ongoing structural budget deficit of $2.5 million.

With Kimpton, he leverages customer information and analysis to develop marketing strategies and enhance the guest experience. 

He launched an electronic, reloadable, closed-loop gift card for the enterprise that can be used at any hotel location — resulting in a 400 percent increase in sales over paper gift certificates in one year.

Mentor/admired businessperson: Judy Arnold, Marin County Supervisor.

Favorite after-work drink: Jamba Juice (Strawberry Surf Rider).

Heather Mackin, 39

Marketing Director, Trope Group, Santa Rosa

Using her education and 16 years of interior design experience to market Trope Group’s strategic partnership with the North Bay business community, Heather Mackin has contributed to the creation of highly functional workspaces at Medtronic, the Buck Institute, Dominican University and for the County of Sonoma, among other clients.

Next professional goal: “As a member of the International Interior Design Association, I want to create a City Center for the IIDA’s Northern California Chapter in the North Bay to promote the profession and keep client/service/vendor relationships sourced from local companies.”

Best advice received: Work hard, play hard.

Mentor/admired businessperson: Trope Group President Christina Pratt.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A math teacher.

Favorite movie: The Royal Tennenbaums, sheer comedic brilliance!

Conor Massey, 35

Partner, Gaw Van Male, Napa

As a partner in the firm’s Business and Real Estate Department, Conor Massey assists clients in the purchase or sale of properties, commercial leases, land use, business formation and general counsel with regard to wine and vineyard law, financing, etc.

Greatest professional achievement: Working with a client on a time sensitive lot line adjustment and conservation easement project that resulted in a significant tax break.

“My goal is to establish long-term relationships with clients and local business leaders while also being active in the community and with my family.”

Best advice received: Effective communication involves responding to clients in a timely manner and returning calls the same day, whenever possible.

Mentor/admired businesspersons: Wyman Smith and Dave Gaw.

First job: Basketball referee.

Favorite after-work drink: Homemade beer.

Jana McClelland, 32

Partner, McClelland’s Dairy, Petaluma

Managing a dairy with 950 organic milking cows, including the milking process, feeding, caring for cows with special needs and calves in the nursery, is part of Jana McClelland’s daily routine. 

She also manages employee relations for all 28 workers, the safety program, marketing and sales for their European Style Organic Artisan Butter, farm tours and ongoing customer relations using social networking.

Greatest professional challenge: Continue to develop her business and to stay focused and achieve success.

Mentor/admired businessperson: My father, George McClelland.

Greatest professional achievement: Receiving the A.J. Quist Memorial Award for achievements in the dairy industry with Holstein dairy cattle by individuals under 40.

Best advice received: Never give up if you believe in what you’re doing.

Favorite book: Cheesemonger — Life on the Wedge. 

Laura Norton, M.D., 36

Breast Surgeon, Redwood Regional Medical Group, Santa Rosa

Dr. Laura Norton donates her time and skills to provide women without insurance necessary consultations and outpatient surgery for breast disease through Operation Access.

Single most important recent event: Medi-Cal state insurance now covers genetic testing for BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations, which cause breast and ovarian cancer.

Greatest professional achievement: Completing my breast surgery fellowship with Dr. Armando Giuliano.

Next professional goal: To bring breast surgery clinical trials to Santa Rosa.

Steps your company is taking to sustain your organization and improve morale: Creation of a Work Wellness Program and starting the North Bay’s only Cancer Survivorship Program.

Best advice received: Quality work always wins.

First job: “De-tasseling corn in Indiana and finding I was allergic to corn husks!”