David Hosley joined the Great Valley Center in February, 2008. Prior to his new challenge, Dr. Hosley was president and general manager of KVIE Public Television for ten years. While leading KVIE, Hosley created New Valley, a series on the future of the Central Valley, and co-founded California Connected, which promoted citizen engagement in the future of the state. Before coming to Sacramento, he managed at KCSM and KQED in public broadcasting, and was a producer, reporter and anchor at news radio stations in San Francisco, New York and Miami.

Dr. Hosley has been active in regional planning efforts in the Central Valley since 1998, serving on the boards of Valley Vision, the Sacramento Asian-Pacific Chamber of Commerce and chairing the Transportation and Air Quality Committee of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce.. He is currently a trustee of the UC Davis Foundation, on the executive committee of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Dr. Hosley also serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis, and the Institute for Transportation Studies Board of Advisors.

Dr. Hosley holds a co-terminal M.A. from Stanford University in communications and a Ph.D. from Columbia in sociology. He's written a book, As Good As Any, on the history of foreign correspondence on radio in World War II, and co-authored Hard News on the history of women in broadcast journalism. Dr. Hosley has taught at the University of Florida, Florida International and Stanford and has authored a number of journal articles and case studies as well as national and regional magazine and newspaper articles.

Manuel Alvarado
Programs Manager


A Californian native, Manuel Alvarado was born and raised in Sanger, California. He earned a M.A. from California State University, Fresno. He helped open the Good Company Players Music Hall and performed in dozens of productions there. After twenty years in the hospitality and advertising industries [including the California Dancing Raisins campaign] he returned to his roots in the Central Valley.

He most recently served as Director of Tourism for the City of Reedley where he oversaw the Historic Reedley Opera House. He works closely with the production company that performs professional theatre while on their Board of Directors. He also served as Vice President of the Central Valley Visitors Association. Prior to this he served as Executive Director of the Reedley Downtown Association working to build the business community and to make a difference in the economic stability and betterment of this community. Manuel has organized and is a Past-President of a nonprofit organization, the Kings River Arts Council with a gallery showcasing the work of local artists in Reedley.

Manuel currently serves as President of the Stanislaus PRIDE Center, sits on the California School Health Centers Board of Directors, First 5 Merced County Technical / Professional Advisory Committee (TPAC), is on the Northern California Grantmaker's Education Committee and the Asset Policy Initiative of California (APIC) Steering Committee.

Now, a Program Manager for the Great Valley Center, he oversees the leadership programs IDEAL and CATAPULT, the LEGACI and GABY re-granting programs, and the Green Canopy Project (Urban Forestry) as well as the Early Childhood Education Center programs. Manuel is a GVC success story, he was an IDEAL Fellow in the 2002 Class, then joined the IDEAL Staff for two years and now manages that program among several others.

back

Heidi Arno
Director of Administration


Heidi Arno currently serves as Director of Administration for the Great Valley Center. Her main responsibilities include general office operations, computer systems and networking, database operations, coordination of the annual conference and volunteer programs.

Ms. Arno also provides administrative support to the President and Board of Directors. Ms. Arno previously had served on the staff of three Central Valley Legislators and one Member of Congress. She is a member of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries.

A graduate of San Jose State University, Heidi is interested in travel and genealogical research. She is married to Thomas M. Arno and has two adult sons. They reside in Modesto.

back

Lindsay Buckley
North Valley Energy Program Representative


Lindsay is a native Northern Californian having grown up in the Sacramento area. Upon graduation from high school, she headed further north to attend college at California State University, Chico where she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Instructional Design and Technology.

While attending school, Lindsay was contracted to participate in a number of multimedia development projects for local non-profit organizations including the Butte Environmental Council. She produced a series of public service announcements for the “What’s In Your Gutter’s In Your Creek” campaign addressing urban runoff pollution in Chico. In the summer of 2007, she also worked with Wells Fargo in the area of supplier diversity.

Based in Chico, Lindsay is representing the GVC’s Energy Program in the North Valley covering the ten counties between Sacramento and Mount Shasta. She will be working to inform and educate the North Valley about energy efficiency, conservation, and renewables in order to reduce energy consumption on a per capita basis, reduce carbon emissions and increase the acceptance and implementation of new technologies in the region.

back

Angelina Ceja
Deputy Director of Administration


Angelina Ceja is the Deputy Director of Administration. She provides support to the Director of Administration, and works primarily on organizational event planning. She was formerly a program assistant for Leadership Programs and NVC at Great Valley Center. Her past work experience also includes working for a local nonprofit organization providing services to disadvantaged migrant/seasonal farm worker youth in Stanislaus County.

Angelina was raised in San Benito County and came to the Central Valley eleven years ago. She is a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus where she received a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Public Administration.

back

Daniel Costa
Policy Analyst


Daniel Costa works on the Great Valley Center's Energy Program and supervises the Pixley Connect Project. He is also working on the 'Energy' and 'Land Use, Housing and Agriculture' Work Groups of the Governor's California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, as well as the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Process. He will be working to develop and promote the use of environmentally friendly policies and ordinances throughout the Central Valley, along with providing policy analysis, research and support for GVC's other programs.

Daniel was born and raised in the Central Valley, having grown up in Hilmar. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds law degrees from both Syracuse University and Georgetown. Daniel is a licensed attorney in the State of California, and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Before joining GVC, he worked as a legal consultant in Geneva, Switzerland.

back

Tim Fisher
Energy Projects Coordinator


Tim Fisher is the Energy Projects Coordinator for GVC. He is responsible for PG&E ‘Clean Energy Outreach’ programs and assisting in the Governor’s California Partnership ‘Energy Work Group’.
Tim grew up in Modesto, graduating from Modesto High School and Modesto Junior College. After completing his Zoology Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara he served in the US Air Force. Upon his return to civilian life he acquired his Architectural Degree from the University of Arizona. He met & married Judy and has resided in Modesto since 1979 where they raised their four children. Tim founded his architectural firm, Architecture Plus, Inc. in 1982 and retired as President & CEO in 2006. Tim focused on affordable housing projects and energy efficiency in buildings. Tim served on the Modesto City Council from 1995-2003 after many years of service on the Planning Commission.

back

Ellen Herod
Director of Development


As Director of Development, Ellen Herod is responsible for developing relationships, raising awareness, fund development, stewardship, and enhancing understanding of the Great Valley Center’s mission and programs among supporters and potential donors. She works with individual donors, corporate and foundation relations, and GVC friends and supporters in the President’s Circle.  Ellen oversees the Annual Fund campaign and is also responsible for sponsorships, direct mail, and developing a strong base of annual and future giving.

Prior to coming to the Great Valley Center in 2001, Ellen worked for fifteen years as an Executive Recruiter for firms in San Francisco and New York City.  She is a lifetime Valley resident and a graduate from Chico State University.

back

Theresa Kiehn
Agricultural Programs Associate, Agricultural Programs


Theresa joined the Great Valley in 2000 as the Agricultural Programs Associate.  She currently works on the Agricultural Transactions Program which has provided funds and resources to strategically protect over 20,000 acres of farmland in Valley communities and create new farmland protection models for the region.  In addition, Theresa serves as project manager for the Central Valley Land Trust Council, which is a coalition of Valley Land Trusts and other conservation organizations.  The Council builds strong, effective land trusts with the resources to protect Valley landscapes.  In this capacity Theresa develops educational programs, directs communication, manages projects and works on fund development.  Theresa’s background is rooted in Central Valley agriculture.  She was raised and worked on her family’s farming and manufacturing business in Ceres.  Prior to joining Great Valley Center, Theresa was involved in selling and marketing her family’s local produce at Farmer’s Markets in the Central Valley and the Bay Area.  In addition, Theresa assisted with developing a line of value added products for her family’s business to market at retail stores and Farmer’s Markets.  Theresa earned a degree in Political Science at Stanislaus State in 1999.  She has served as a Board Member for the Modesto Certified Farmer’s Market and graduated from the IDEAL leadership program in 2002. 

back

Holly King
Director of Agricultural Programs


As Director of Agricultural Programs, Holly oversees the Sustainable Agriculture and Agricultural Transactions (ATP) Programs.  The Sustainable Agriculture Program is designed to develop links between the various issues faced by, and parties involved in, California Agriculture, creating educational venues throughout the Central Valley and developing projects related to sustainable agricultural practices and regional food systems.  In the area of agricultural land conservation, ATP is designed to create successful and strategic ag land conservation models and increase land conservation organizational capacity through the provision of resources, support and assistance.  Holly is a member of the California Roundtable of Agriculture and the Environment, a 2007 Roots of Change Fellow and a member of the California Council of Land Trust's Agricultural Working Group.

Holly joined the Great Valley Center after working in agricultural finance for 20 years, most recently with Union Bank of California, having established and managed their Agricultural Production Lending Division. She began her career in agricultural banking with Farm Credit in Salem, Oregon, moving to the Central Valley in 1982 to join the Agricultural Banking Group with Wells Fargo/Crocker Bank in Fresno, CA.

Holly King comes from a farming and ranching family in the Klamath Basin area. She continues to have farming interests (alfalfa) in Modoc County and (almonds) in Kern County.

Holly is a 2008 Common Threads recipient, a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program, a retired member of their Board of Directors and has chaired of the Screening & Recruitment Committee. Other civic involvement includes the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Lenders, Back Country Horsemen, a Founding Board Member of the California Council of Land Trusts, a 1997 Top Ten Business & Professional Women Nominee, former Ag One Foundation Board Member and Fresno Rotary Club member. She is a University of Nevada, Reno graduate with a degree in Agricultural Business and holds an MBA from UCLA.

back

Lila McIver
Research and Communications Specialist


Lila works on the Great Valley Center's outreach and research projects, including efforts for the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Regional Planning Project and the Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

Prior to joining staff at GVC, Lila concentrated on strategic nonprofit capacity building, coordinating trainings for nonprofit organizations and professionals in Orange County. Lila also served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member where she successfully developed and funded a school readiness pilot program and continued with the First 5 Service Corps program as the VISTA Leader, coordinating member/volunteer services for the statewide First 5 VISTA program. Lila is a native of the Northern Sacramento Valley city of Red Bluff and a graduate of the University of California, San Diego.

back

Michelle Mitchell
Accountant

Michelle Mitchell joined the Great Valley Center in 2008 as an Accountant.  She is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting financial data.      

back

Amy Moffat
Director of Research and Communications


Amy Moffat is the Director of Research and Communications for the Great Valley Center.  She strives to bridge academic theory with solutions to practical social, economic, and environmental problems.   

Prior to joining the Great Valley Center in 2008, Amy served as a project director for Healthy House within a MATCH Coalition, a non-profit organization focused on building respect and understanding between ethnicities, languages, and cultures, and a consultant with the Alliance for Community Research and Development. 

Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

back

Dejeune Shelton
Senior Program Manager


Dejeuné M. Shelton is the Senior Program Manager responsible for all aspects of program design and implementation including ensuring the quality of the programs, products, and communications produced meet the high standard of excellence of the organization. 

Before joining the Great Valley Center in 2008, Dejeuné served as President of the Westside Community Alliance (WCA), a grass roots organization focused on improving communities and families residing on the Westside of Stanislaus County with a focus on the City of Patterson.

Dejeuné is very active in her community, serving as a City Council Member for the City of Patterson (2006-2010), and is a member of the Westside Health Task Force, the California League of Cities Community Services Policy Committee, and a Board Member for the Stanislaus County Red Cross.

Dejeuné earned her B.A. in sociology from California State University Stanislaus.

back

Lori Smith
Executive Assistant


Lori Smith serves as Executive Assistant to Great Valley Center’s President and assists with projects involving design and layout. She has over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit and publishing environments and most recently was the administrative assistant at an environmental consulting firm.

Lori is a life-long resident of California’s Central Valley and currently resides in Modesto with her school-age son. She enjoys theater and film, music, books, writing, and exploring California’s many diverse regions.

back

Maria G. Velázquez began coordinating the Computer Technology Center through the Pixley Connect Project in 2008.  Maria helps communities to be advocates for themselves and their families by developing leadership skills and engaging in civic participation.  Her role includes offering a wide range of programs and services, from leadership development to computer literacy classes for youth and parents.

back

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jami Westervelt works to ensure that the administrative functions of the Great Valley Center operate smoothly and efficiently.    She also oversees the financial functions, such as working with UC Merced staff on accounting, grants, and contracts. Jami has held both program and administrative posts since joining the Center in 2006.

Prior to the Great Valley Center, Jami held positions at Merced County Association of Governments and California State University, Stanislaus. In addition to experience both managing a non-profit organization and administration, her background includes experience in the fields of transportation planning, journalism, and public relations.  She also worked in summer migrant education programs on the west side of the Central Valley while in college.  

Jami is a third-generation Central Valley native raised in Gustine.  She holds a degree in organizational communication from California State University Stanislaus and has returned to live in her hometown with her husband and their son.

back

back