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Juli Vieira, CEOJuli Vieira, President/CEO has been with the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce since June 2018 moving to the Bay Area from Hollister, California where her ancestors settled in the 1840’s. She previously worked in banking for 22 years before leading the San Benito County Chamber. Juli has been a small business owner since the 1980’s and volunteered for over 18 years at Hazel Hawkins Hospital in the Emergency and Labor & Delivery Departments.Juli currently serves on the Economic Development Advisory Committee, Marin Recovers (COVID Relief) Committee, Marin Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Marin Council of Chambers and is a member of the Western Association of Chamber Executives. She also served on the Business Advisory & Hospitality Advisory committees 2018 – 2020 and in 2019 she served as a guest presenter for the WACE Convention where she taught a class on Non-Dues Revenue.Juli is a graduate of the WACE Chamber Academy, a 3-Year program, run by the Western Association of Chambers in Sacramento and has been a guest speaker on Chamber of Commerce Professionals a worldwide chamber Facebook page that includes members from around the world sharing ideas on how to grow and enhance their communities. She served the 33rd Agricultural District (San Benito County Fair) as department head for over 17 years and was a member of Hollister Rotary and United Way Board of SBC. In 2018 she was presented the Citizen of the Year Award by Senator Anthony Cannella for the 12 Senate District. -
James Gabbert, ChairpersonJim has lived in Sausalito since the early 1960′s, lived on a boat until the early 1990′s. He has been the Grand Marshall of the Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade for 20 of the 22 years first with his 85 ft Stephens Marine “Defiance” and also the 164 foot yacht Invader. Jim is known for his 50′s Dance Party on KOFY-TV20, which he owned up until 1998. He has been on San Francisco radio and TV for over 53 years.Among his many accomplishments, Jim is past president of the Sausalito Art Festival, was president and chief lobbyist for the National Radio Broadcasters Association from 1970 to 1980, was President and Chief lobbyist for the California Broadcasters Association, was inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame, received an award from President John Kennedy for having been the first successful stereo FM radio station in the country. He is the Chairman of the California State Emergency Communications Committee handling all of the State Amber Alerts and is a fill in talk show host on San Francisco’s KGO am 810 Radio. Jim is a founding member and Vice President of the Sausalito On The Waterfront Foundation.Jim joined the Sausalito Board of Directors in 2019.
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Teresa Ancona, Incoming Chair
Teresa Ancona was born in San Francisco and raised in Marin County. She attended the Academy of Art in San Francisco where she earned a degree in Graphic Design. Having worked at Angelino Restaurant since she was sixteen years old, she excels at managing the daily operations of a successful restaurant as well as introducing a new generation of customers to the delicious flavors and hospitable atmosphere of her family’s restaurant.Teresa joined the Sausalito Chamber Board of Directors in 2020. -
Christanne Gallagher, Immediate Past ChairChris has been at the Bay Model since 1986 and has served in the capacity of Manager since 2001. In that time, she has overseen a $16.5 million renovation to the facility and increased partnership involvement in the community. In 2020 Chris oversaw the completion of the Master Plan which will serve as a blueprint for the facility going forward. She is proud to be working with fellow Chamber members: Sea Trek and Call of the Sea who operate the vessels Seaward & Matthew Turner.Chris served on the Chamber Board from 2009-14 serving as President in 2010 and Secretary and member-at-large in subsequent years. After an obligatory one-year hiatus she returned to the Board to serve as Secretary and Chair again in 2020. Chris has served on the executive & nominating committees as well as in charge of mixers for nine year. At the completion of 2021 Chris will have served a total of 12 years on the Chamber Board. In addition to her Chamber involvement, she served on the General Plan Committee and is involved with Sausalito Sister City Program, Rotary Club of Sausalito and a member of the VIPS (Volunteers in Public Safety). -
Jeff Scharosch, TreasurerJeff Scharosch is General Manager of the Spinnaker Restaurant in Sausalito, and is an extremely active community member. He is a member of the Sausalito Hospitality Committee, on the Marin Economic Forum Board of Directors, served on the Sausalito Business Advisory Committee, and chaired the Sausalito Stage of the Amgen Tour of California bike race for four years, orchestrating the first professional bike race to ever cross the Golden Gate Bridge. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Sausalito-On-The-Waterfront Foundation.In additional to Jeff’s work in Sausalito, he is an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco’s Hospitality Industry Management Program, currently on the program’s executive board and is dedicated to mentoring youth and individuals within the hospitality industry, including an ongoing internship program at the Spinnaker Restaurant in Sausalito.He has twice served as chairman of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce and is pleased to be able to serve as Chairman in 2018-19. -
Pat Sorber, SecretaryInspired by the opportunity to work with people from all facets of life, Pat Sorber has spent over 40 years in the hospitality industry, leading hotels throughout the Northern California region, including Four Points by Sheraton in San Rafael, Embassy Suites in San Rafael, Hilton Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, and San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf. She currently is the General Manager at the beautiful and historic Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa. Always looking to be an engaged advocate in her industry, Sorber was the first recipient of the San Francisco Hotel Council’s annual Hotel Heroes Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2004 and served as Board Chair for both the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Sorber happily resides in San Rafael with her husband, Rob, and enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, cruising, and spending time with her two daughters, son-in-law and six grandchildren. Pat joined the Sausalito Board of Directors in 2020. -
Kim Huff, DirectorKim Huff is the President and CEO of Kimber Communications and Co-Owner of The Kimber Companies, a Sausalito headquartered firm specializing in graphic design for the print media and web sites. Kim is also co-owner of Kimber Management, LLC and Kimber Commercial Brokerage Services, Inc., both Sausalito based real estate firms.Ms. Huff is recognized as a talented graphic designer and a moving force in Sausalito. Kim is a lifelong Marin County resident and has been actively involved in Sausalito’s business and cultural life. Kim is a past President of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Sausalito Woman’s Club, past President of the Sausalito Schools Foundation, a founding Director of Willow Creek Academy and has served on numerous committees in the community.Under Kim’s direction, Kimber Communications has produced recognized promotional designs for the Tour de California, City of Sausalito, Kaiser Permanente, the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, Zero Breast Cancer and many more organizations.Kim rejoined the Sausalito Chamber Board of Directors in 2020.
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Skye Schuchman, DirectorSkye Schuchman is a creative consultant, designer, and artist based in the San Francisco bay area. Skye is passionate about telling stories and creating authentic experiences through design and physical products. He is inspired by global travel, outdoor adventure, cycling, and art.Skye’s career features over 10+ years in the fashion industry designing collections for men and women, 10+ years building and creating brands for technology companies, agencies, the fashion industry, boutique brands, and fortune 500 companies. Recent projects include the creation of brand identity for a new Arizona hospitality experience - The Sky Rock Inn of Sedona. Brand identity for the coming relaunch of the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa, California, shipping a healthcare app, art openings in Oakland & Los Angeles, launch of an art collection with Anthropologie, art, signage, and color consulting for a luxury apartment complex in San Francisco, and design of global gallery experiences for Autodesk Corporation.Skye joined the Sausalito Board of Directors in 2021. -
Amy Svendberg, DirectorGrowing up in culture rich Chicago, IL, surrounded by culinary enthusiasts, it is no surprise that Amy Svendberg ended up leading a life in restaurants. Amy not only has a zest for food and wine, but also has experience in top-rated eateries around the world.After earning a bachelor’s degree in French Business and Translation from Northern Illinois University, Amy headed straight for Paris, where her true passion for food and hospitality came to life. After five years in the lively restaurant world of Paris, Amy returned home to Chicago, continuing her career in food and hospitality, including four years as the general manager at Kimpton Group’s Atwood Café.In 2007, Amy made her move to San Francisco, where she started at the famed Grand Café and soon crossed paths with Larry Mindel. “I was originally drawn to work for Larry because of his great reputation in the restaurant industry, and the outstanding talent in their kitchens,” says Amy. She became managing partner of Poggio in January of 2008. In 2012, Amy added another role to her successful career, that of managing partner overseeing the opening and operations of Copita Tequileria y Comida. In 2016, Amy led the opening of Convivo Restaurant and Bar in the Santa Barbara Inn. The acclaimed restaurant was featured in the New York Times' 52 Places to Visit in 2019. Amy finds time to climb some of North America's highest peaks and spend quality time with family and friends.Amy joined the Sausalito Board of Directors in 2021. -
Katya Wittenstein, DirectorRaised along the stunning Pacific coastal environs of Santa Barbara and has lived and traveled widely abroad, studying many forms of artistic expression and design including painting, sculpture, and glass before ultimately concentrating on glass jewelry. The daughter of physicians and artists, her heritage and interest in poetry, history, ancient and modern style evolution is visible in her work today, from the shape of the sculpted metallic settings to the curve, arc, and glisten of the glass that is always the center of her work. Each piece she creates is one part Katya, and one part the natural spontaneity that take place as the glass, the metal, and the inspiration of the idea meld together in kiln and studio. Her elegant cutter-rigged sailboat, which is docked within walking distance of her studio, is where she spends the rest of her time, and on which she has traveled far and wide.Katya joined the Sausalito Chamber Board of Directors in 2015.
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Patty Zevallos, DirectorPatty Zevallos was born in Peru, grew up in San Francisco and is now a resident of Sausalito. She is the owner of Ms. Patty Productions & Events. A small one-woman production company focusing on all Event logistics from small intimate dinners to large multi-day events for thousands. She has years of experience coordinating and managing projects including show productions and fundraisers for various organizations. Due to the pandemic, Patty returned to her first love: early childhood education.As a former owner of Ms. Patty's Home Preschool (2005-2015), she has helped educate dozens of preschoolers in San Francisco and is currently enjoying working with a new generation of children and parents during these confusing times. Patty is a single mother of an adult son who has recently graduated from college and is a professional golfer and golf instructor in the Chicago area. Ms. Patty truly enjoys volunteering and supporting her Community.She is a new member of the Sausalito Woman's Club, a volunteer with the Sausalito Sister Cities-Vina del Mar and a long time Board Member at Project Commotion-a children's organization in San Francisco. Patty joined the Sausalito Chamber Board of Directors in 2021.