NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL EVENT

2008 CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE

Building the North Bay: What's on the horizon?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 8-11:30 a.m., Hyatt Vineyard Creek, Santa Rosa

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40 under 40

Marcus Benedetti, 32, President, Clover Stornetta Farms, Petaluma

Marcus Benedetti is the second-generation president of Clover Stornetta Farms. He was raised in Petaluma, and, among other chores, was delivering Clover milk to schools soon after he graduated from the University of Alaska. Mr. Benedetti knows the family business well. As a sales rep, he was active in getting Clover established in Sacramento and the Los Angeles basin.

Hobbies: Loves to ski and looks forward to introducing sons Jack and Henry to the sport.



Melissa Bradley, 35, CEO, Bradley Real Estate, San Anselmo

At 25, Melissa Bradley decided she was ready to become her own boss. Then an agent at a large residential brokerage, she left to start an office of her own, setting up shop in her San Anselmo garage. Ten years later, Ms. Bradley and her husband, Robert, oversee 150 agents at five Marin County offices. A sixth is planned for this summer. The company had $361 million in sales last year, up about 14 percent from 2005 sales.

First job:  Delivering newspapers and selling news subscriptions at age 9.



Naomi Brilliant, 34, Owner and president, Roshambo Winery, Healdsburg

Since starting the winery in 1999, Naomi Brilliant has been fueled by the desire to "make wine culture fun and bring it to every lifestyle." Every element of the winery is infused with Ms. Brilliant's personality and the irreverent attitude that has become the brand's trademark. But the winery isn't all image, garnering awards and distribution in more than 25 states.

As president, creative and marketing director, Ms. Brilliant said she has a hard time describing what she does at Roshambo "because it covers pretty much everything including taking out the garbage."

Most-admired businesspeople: "Ruth Reichl, editor in chief of Gourmet magazine and author, because she makes it all personal and fun. Robert Mondavi, when I'm told I can't do it, I think of him and how he did it."



Efren Carrillo, 26, Community education manager, Redwood Credit Union, Santa Rosa

Efren Carrillo is responsible for developing education initiatives and seminars for Redwood Credit Union members and the greater community, with a focus on Latino and youth programs. The credit union created the position specifically for Mr. Carrillo when he was hired.

Greatest professional accomplishment: Redwood Credit Union's receipt of first place in the statewide Desjardins Youth Financial Education Awards.



Lisa Codding, 29, Chief operating officer and vice president, Codding Enterprises, Rohnert Park

After earning an undergraduate industrial engineering degree from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, Lisa Codding joined the company her grandfather Hugh Codding started 70 years ago so she could help guide the company's return to real estate development.

In addition to planned redevelopment of the Coddingtown regional mall in Santa Rosa with joint partner Simon Property Group, Codding's major endeavor now is a mixed-use village at the former Agilent Technologies campus in Rohnert Park, a development now called Sonoma Mountain Village.

Hobbies: Snowboarding, electronics, information technology, photography and raising goats.



Walter Collins, 35, President and CEO, United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake, Santa Rosa

It's been just about a year since Walter Collins threw himself into running the 12-employee branch of United Way. His professional goal is to endow the regional United Way in perpetuity, a challenge that will take all his resources, which include a degree in political science from UC Berkeley, a fondness for writing, art and music of all kinds and the belief that "If you truly listen, and stay humble, you will succeed."

Most-admired businessperson: Walt Disney



Rhonda Deringer, 37, President, Odyssey Development, Sonoma; Commercial real estate agent, Keegan & Coppin, Santa Rosa

Rhonda Deringer has been involved with 16 significant North Bay multifamily, mixed-use, live-work and commercial projects since starting Odyssey Development in 1997. That includes Carneros Village Lofts completed in Sonoma last year, the proposed DeTurk Village redevelopment in Santa Rosa set to start construction this year and the two-phase proposed Sonoma Valley Business Park near Sonoma.

Her "day job" is brokering commercial real estate investment, development and lease deals with Keegan & Coppin.

Hobbies: Mountain biking and rollerblading



Dan Drohan, 34, President and CEO, Sunset Aviation, Novato

In 15 years with Sunset Aviation, Dan Drohan considers his greatest professional challenge to be to grow a company in a competitive environment with slim margins. As president and CEO, he is responsible for operations, growth, finances, relationships, strategy and direction.  

First job: Working at an airport washing airplanes.



Jeremy Epperson, 32, General manager, Apex Aviation Corporation, Santa Rosa

Since joining Apex Aviation about two years ago, Jeremy Epperson has turned on the afterburners at the aircraft sales and services company.  He has added new business lines such as aircraft detailing and has expanded existing lines, including adding a mobile maintenance team to service planes at other locations. Mr. Epperson has led several key negotiations, most notably winning a $500,000 contract with Horizon Air to provide ticket agents, counter personnel, baggage handlers and fuelers for the airline's new commercial flights out of Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport.

First job: U.S. Marine Corps



Holly Finkelstein, 33, Owner, CEO and general manager, Judd's Hill Winery, St. Helena

Though Judd's Hill Winery has been around since 1989, Holly Finkelstein has helped transform the company since joining it three years ago. She spearheaded a custom crush operation to complement the boutique winery's 3,000-case annual production.

Hobbies: Hula-hooping



Barry Friedman, 28, Sales Manager, Friedman's Home Improvement, Santa Rosa

Poised to become the fourth generation of Friedman to lead the long-time North Bay hardware chain, Barry Friedman officially joined the company four years ago. But at age 8, he was already acting as courtesy clerk in the family enterprise. Now he oversees daily operations which include hiring and scheduling employees, mentoring and coaching them, warehousing, stocking and placing products, and above all, ensuring quality customer service and community involvement. The latter two activities are crucial to Friedman's survival in the age of big-box realtors, he said.

Hobbies: Pit crewmember for Biagi Bros. Racing, which finished fourth in the 2003 Daytona Busch Series race with his assistance; whitewater rafting; and spending quality time with his wife, Heidi Hansel Friedman.



Erik Fowler, 36, Vice president and owner, V. Dolan Trucking, Penngrove

Erik Fowler has been a driving force in the conversion of the company's 42-truck fleet to using biodiesel as of this year. The company has grown to become one of the largest sand, aggregate and asphalt haulers in the North Bay with 48 employees. Mr. Fowler joined the company 14 years ago and manages it with co-owner and father-in-law Tom Brandal.

Best advice received: "Whether you are flipping burgers or are the CEO of a large corporation, always do the best job you can."



Angie Grainger, 39, CPA and tax manager, Moss Adams, LLP, Santa Rosa

As a certified personal financial specialist, Angie Grainger assists individuals and companies in the construction and real estate industries. She is known for her "uncanny ability to bring people together," according to a colleague. Outside of her job, Ms. Grainger provides financial literacy education, and helps to organize the annual Youth Business Week. She has served on several boards, including a term as chairwoman of the CalCPA Committee for Financial Literacy.

Childhood career ambition: Truck driver, until seventh grade when she was told, "'since you're good at math you should be a CPA."



Ryan Gregory, 32, Principal, Riechers Spence & Associates, Napa

Since joining the engineering firm in 1998, Ryan Gregory worked on the site designs for many different types of projects, including commercial developments, wineries, bridges and more than 40 residential developments. Mr. Gregory was named a principal in 2005 and now oversees a team of nine employees.

First job: Go-fer for RSA, his current employer, in high school



Tallia Hart, 33, President and CEO, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, San Rafael

As leader of the eighth-largest chamber of commerce in the Bay Area, Tallia Hart keeps busy with political advocacy for her 900 members as well as staff and volunteer management.

This year, she was awarded the Western Association Chamber Executives Hammond Award.

Childhood career ambition: A professional gymnast, going so far as to train with Bela Karolyi for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Team.



Mark Inman, 38, President, Taylor Maid Farms, Sebastopol

As president of 14-employee specialty tea and coffee seller Taylor Maid Farms, Mark Inman purchases all the raw coffee beans, maintaining relationships with coffee growers in 10 countries. But he does a lot more. The Specialty Coffee Association of America, on which thousands of small coffee growers in developing countries rely for subsistence, was in receivership due to embezzlement.  Elected president, Mr. Inman helped turn the association around and resume operating in the black, an accomplishment he counts among his best.

Most-admired businessperson: Paul Katzeff, CEO of Thanksgiving Coffee Co.



Dane Jasper, 34, President and CEO, Sonic.net, Santa Rosa

Dane Jasper founded the ISP Sonic.net in his mother's back room. The company, one of the largest independent providers of dialup and DSL access in California, now occupies 36,000 square feet on Corporate Center Parkway.

Mr. Jasper is owner, founder and CEO of Sonic.net. He served as president of the California ISP Association in 2006, and is an outspoken activist serving the ISP industry.



John Jordan, 34, CEO, Jordan Vineyard and Winery, Healdsburg

John Jordan oversees all aspects of Jordan Vineyard and Winery, which had $26 million in sales last year.

"Building a team that took Jordan from the No. 5 position in the Wine & Spirits most-requested brands poll to No. 1 in one year" has been his biggest accomplishment, he said, noting that staying competitive with the resources of larger conglomerates is a continuing challenge for the small, family-owned winery.

Most-admired businessperson: "My dad, and not just for his accomplishments in business but for who he is as a man."



Chris Krankemann, 32, Partner, Lanahan & Reilley, Santa Rosa

Chris Krankemann's responsibilities at the law firm of Lanahan & Reilly include managing budget and human resources planning as well as marketing. He also manages his litigation and consulting practice.

First job: Cook at McDonald's



Vikram Lal, 27, President and chief executive officer, Metropolis Label, Napa

Vikram Lal comes from an ambitious family that built a commercial printing powerhouse in Canada with hard work and wise deals. Mr. Lal continued that tradition when he came to the company's new Napa-based Metropolis Label venture and last year pulled together a deal with one of the great names in wine-label printing Gordon Graphics in Novato.

Childhood career ambition: Entrepreneurship



Michael Matsumoto, 39, Technology chief and assistant chief of pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente North Bay, Novato

Michael Matsumoto is responsible for evaluating, developing and implementing new technology for Kaiser Permanente in the North Bay. He also handles new physician training and medical information science for the organization.

He implemented an electronic medical record system for nearly 1,000 users, including 240 physicians. Balancing the demands of health care administration with the responsibilities of caring for patients, he said, is the greatest challenge of his position.

Childhood career ambition: A children's summer camp director



Kimberly Meredith, 37, Regional director of patient financial services and health financial management, Adventist Health System, St. Helena

Kimberly Meredith is responsible for orchestrating the billing of 20,000 patients each month for St. Helena Hospital, Redbud Community Hospital, and the St. Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health. She oversees a staff of 80, and is heading the conversion of all patients' medical and financial records from paper to a digital system.

A five-time Ironman triathlete, Ms. Meredith also teaches spin and "boot camp" classes for hospital employees.

First job: Funeral home worker: "Picking up dead bodies at age 16. Awesome wages for a teenager and great stories to be told at school on Monday."



Jeff Mezzetta, 38, President, GL Mezzetta, American Canyon

Fourth-generation GL Mezzetta leader Jeff Mezzetta oversees 200 employees and more than 70 years of Mezzetta history. His great-grandfather started the specialty food store in North Beach in the 1930s.

The line has grown from pickled peppers to a wide range of bottled condiments and sauces. Mr. Mezzetta is particularly proud that a line of Napa Valley Bistro pasta sauces, launched on his own watch, is the fastest-growing specialty pasta sauce in the country.

Hobbies: Crewing on bay race boats and sailing his Sausalito-docked sloop Eye Level, named for the most sought-after slot on retail shelves.



Steven Morales, 38, Human resources director, Sutter Medical Center Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa

When Steven Morales began working for Sutter Health as a respiratory therapist 14 years ago, he expressed a desire to work in human resources. He took an assistant HR role at Sutter Lakeside where he quickly became HR director. Steve "excelled in the position," according to Sutter Medical Center Santa Rosa CEO Mike Cohill, which led to the HR director spot in Santa Rosa and eventually the entire Sutter North Coast Region, where he oversees 1,500 employees.

He is also in charge of labor relations for Sutter Lakeside, Sutter Medical Center Santa Rosa and Sutter Medical Foundation North Bay.

Greatest professional accomplishment: Settling three labor contracts within six weeks, avoiding strikes from two major unions.



Ron Moresco, 39, CEO, Moresco Distributing Co., Petaluma

Ron Moresco started 29-employee Moresco Distributing in July 1994, which has become one of the largest independent foodservice packaging and paper goods distributors in the Bay Area. Mr. Moresco has been working with packaging manufacturers overseas to create environmentally-friendly packaging such as the Baggasse made from sugarcane and SpudWare plastic utensils created from potato or cornstarch and vegetable.

Next professional goal: Merge with or acquire a business.



Craig Nordby, 36, President of Nordby Wine Caves and Nordby Signature Homes; vice president of Nordby Construction, Santa Rosa

Craig Nordby is in charge of bringing in new business, maintaining client relationships and managing sales, marketing and public relations. The company is the third-largest commercial general contractor in the North Bay, with more than $50 million in annual revenue and 80 employees.

Craig Nordby rose through the company starting with his first job as a general laborer and ditch digger for Nordby Construction during summer vacation.

Greatest professional challenge: Managing three businesses simultaneously.



Christopher Paris, 30, Partner, Andersen & Company, Santa Rosa

As co-head of the tax department, Christopher Paris provides and supervises tax, accounting and consulting services for mid sized business and high-net-worth individuals. He also heads the company's in-house recruiting and training programs.

Most-admired businessperson: Jim Andersen



Christina Pratt, 37, President, Trope Group, Santa Rosa

One of the highlights in Christina Pratt's career was being part of the team that rebuilt top North Bay office furniture dealership BB&T as Trope Group in October 2002. She had been putting her interior design training and childhood love of architecture to work at BB&T for six years when the parent company abruptly shuttered the Santa Rosa location. BB&T founder Betty Trope, who came back to help restart the business, retired last October, leaving the company to Ms. Pratt, Candace Patocka and Charlie Nicholls.

Favorite after-work drink: Brandy Separator



Vanessa Robledo, 29, President, Robledo Family Winery, Sonoma

Vanessa Robledo has worked with her family over the last 10 years to expand Robledo Family Winery from its modest start at 100 cases to the 20,000-case winery it is today. Before her father started the winery, Ms. Robledo was working to help build the family vineyard management businesses.

"Because of my parents' limited English I became the spokesperson for the family at an early age," she said. "Along with my sibling, I began working in the fields completing general labor in the vineyards at age 8."

After seven years working in the family business, Ms. Robledo became president of the winery in 2002. Along the way, Ms. Robledo took wine marketing and business courses at night to augment her hands-on experience.

"My family trusted me with the business," she said. "And I did not want to fail them in any way."

Next professional goal: "To begin my own business."



Lisa Wittke Schaffner, 37, Executive director, Sonoma County Alliance, Healdsburg

A career civic leader, Lisa Wittke Schaffner was elected to the Healdsburg City Council in 1999, and has since served terms as vice-mayor and mayor. She reassumes the position as mayor in December.

Ms. Schaffner heads the Sonoma County Alliance, a 300-plus member business organization that provides education and advocacy to a wide range of industries.

Favorite after-work drink: "With kids: Frappuccino; without kids: lemon drop."



August Sebastiani, 26, Managing director, The Other Guys division of Don Sebastiani & Sons, Sonoma

August Sebastiani runs Don & Sons' new California wholesale division, The Other Guys, which is targeting sales of 10,000 cases this year of five labels such as Plungerhead Zinfandel. Putting his undergraduate political science degree from Santa Clara University into action, he won a seat on the Sonoma City Council in November.

Most-admired businessperson: Media mogul Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z



Don Sebastiani Jr., 29, Director of marketing, Don Sebastiani & Sons, Sonoma

Just a couple of years after Donny Sebastiani earned his degree in business economics from Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, his father, Don Sr., transformed Cecchetti-Sebastiani Cellar into a nimble, hip wine-branding juggernaut with upscale yet premium-priced selections, such as Smoking Loon and Used Automobile Parts. In the past couple of years, the 100-employee company has garnered accolades such as Winery of the Year from Gomberg Fredrikson & Associates under Donny Sebastiani's marketing leadership.

First job: Mailroom at Sebastiani Vineyards, a rite of passage for Sebastiani kids.



J. David Siembieda, 35, President and CEO, CrossCheck, Inc., Rohnert Park

Since David Siembieda took over as head of CrossCheck at age 29, the company has grown to become the third-largest check provider in the United States and a major Sonoma County employer. Today, Mr. Siembieda's duties include managing more than 1,400 independent sales offices and 128 partners.

Best advice received: Lead and they will follow



Suzanne Smith, 37, Executive Director, Sonoma County Transportation Authority, Santa Rosa

While the Sonoma County Transportation Authority has an operating budget of just $1 million, it oversees $100 million a year in transportation funds. It's Suzanne Smith's job to direct funds to specific projects and monitor the delivery of those projects. Ms. Smith helped secure $156 million in Proposition 1B funds for Sonoma County.

Childhood career ambition: "A lawyer ... until I actually worked for a law firm. "



Jon Stout, 39, Airport manager, Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa

While he helped to extend the main commercial runway to 6,000 feet, Jon Stout considers bringing commercial air service back to Santa Rosa to be his greatest professional achievement.

Now, his goal is extend that runway even farther and achieve the status of accredited airport executive.

Favorite book: "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams



Scott Stranzl, 39, Vice president, Basin Street Properties, Petaluma

Scott Stranzl directs the leasing and marketing activities of Basin Street Properties. President Matt White repositioned the company from office and industrial leasing to mixed-use and retail redevelopment in downtown Petaluma. Instead of courting corporations and telecom startups, Mr. Stranzl was looking to bring in key upscale retail tenants.

Basin Street has been acquiring major office and mixed-use properties in downtown Reno, where the company sees its future, and Mr. Stranzl is now managing leasing in two states. Mr. White has already relocated to Reno.



Sam Tamayo, 31, Plant Manager, La Tortilla Factory, Santa Rosa

Sam Tamayo is in the third generation of a company that's evolved from a three-employee delicatessen to a 175-employee maker of healthy tortillas with more than $20 million in revenues. Mr. Tamayo has worked at La Tortilla since he was 15, learning all aspects of the business while preparing himself for an executive position.

Most-admired businesspeople: His father Carlos Tamayo, who with his two brothers built upon their parents' original enterprise.



Kevin Teague, 37, Partner, management committee member and hospitality industry group leader, Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, Napa

Kevin Teague represents clients on land use issues and has successfully pushed through high profile developments such as the Westin Verasa hotel, the Sheveland Ranch housing community and the reconstruction of Silver Oak Cellars. Mr. Teague also played an integral role in his firm's recent merger with the firm Rybicki & Blevans of Santa Rosa, which greatly expanded its footprint in the North Bay.



Che Voigt, 36, President, L3 Communications Sonoma EO, Santa Rosa

Che Voigt heads up a division of government contractor L3 Communications, with 225 employees reporting to him. He co-founded aerospace engineering firm Sonoma Design with his parents and another partner, and following its acquisition moved up to lead a group that also includes the former Wescam of Healdsburg.

Mr. Voigt's division makes long-range, stabilized electro-optical systems and sensors for use on surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and in atmospheric research.

Childhood career ambition: A robotics engineer or a Jedi knight



Ronald Wargo, 34, Partner, Friedemann Goldberg LLP, Santa Rosa

For Ronald Wargo, making partner at his 20-employee law firm crowned the early part of his career. He has already earned a reputation for his work in estate planning and intellectual property law. He plans to become a certified specialist in those fields and trust and probate law.

Most-admired businesspeople: Telecommunications veterans Don Green and John Webley are admired businesspeople.

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