Name:  John Lewis

2. Job Title / Company: Owner: Lewis Builders, National Property Inspections, Glass Guru of Monterey

3. Professional Biography: John Lewis is a native of Salinas and is the owner/CEO of Lewis Builders Inc., Glass Guru of Monterey County, and National Property Inspections. He attended Salinas High School, Hartnell College, and later Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Ag Business. John is a graduate of Leadership Salinas Valley, and Leadership Monterey Peninsula. His experience with the leadership programs has led him to getting engaged and serving in the community.

4. Activities: When John has time he prepares for triathalons, scuba dives, and mountain biking.

5. Community Service: Not only is John a member of the Monterey County Young Professionals, the Salinas Jaycees, and Rotary, but he also serves on a variety of local boards, including:

• Board of Directors for the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Co-founder and President of Monterey County Stewardship Council
• Course Co-chair for The Salinas Valley Half Marathon
• Currently on the Planning Commission for the City of Salinas
• Board of Trustees for Monterey County Association of Realtors Charitable Trust Committee
• Co-Chair of the Business Development Task Force

1. Name: Brian Higgins

2. Job Title / Company: Partner / Red Ladder Consulting & Public Relations

3. Professional Biography: Brian believes that “an individual, to make a real impact, must engulf his/her career, rather than vice versa.” After having tried out several different fields, Brian found a career which he loves. As a political consultant, he works on a daily basis to make our community better. He feels blessed to be able to promote individuals and ideas that he supports fully. Because of the diversity of these campaigns, he has worked with people from all segments of our community, and has built an amazing network of friends.

4. Activities: In his leisure time, Brian enjoys finding the hidden gems in our community, and surrounding areas. Most (free) weekends are spent exploring the Central Coast with his girlfriend and their dogs.

5. Community Service: Brian is currently the 62nd President of the Salinas Jaycees. During his presidency, the Salinas chapter has grown to become the largest chapter in the State. He is the Chair of the Salinas Recreation / Parks Commission, a commission he has sat on for three years. He is a graduate of the First Salinas Neighborhood Leadership Academy, an innovative leadership training program sponsored by the City of Salinas to unite neighborhood leaders in our community. In 2009, he founded 'Take a Walk, Salinas' in response to rising crime in Salinas.

6. Personal Quote: "I may not be the one who will change the world, but I may influence the person who does."
~ Tupac Shakur

Name:  Colby Rubbo

2. Job Title / Company: Food Safety Manager at Costa Farms

3. Professional Biography: Colby Rubbo received her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Crop Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2005. Colby is involved as a 3rd generation member of her family’s farming operation, holding the position of Food Safety Manager for Costa Farms.

4. Activities: In her spare time she enjoys coaching an 8th grade girl’s volleyball team, staying active with sports and spending time with friends and family.

5. Community Service: Colby currently serves as President to the Salinas Valley Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, representing Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. She also serves as Food Safety Director at the State CWA level and sits as the Fruits, Vegetables & Specialty Crops Chair for CWA’s national affiliate, American AgriWomen. Colby currently serves as Director of Membership for the Monterey County Stewardship Council Political Action Committee, Vice President of Membership for Monterey County Farm Bureau and is involved with Central Coast Young Farmers & Ranchers. She also participates on the Food Safety & Water Use Committees with both Monterey County Farm Bureau and the Grower Shipper Association of Central CA, sits on the Board for Central Coast Ag Task Force, is involved with the Salinas Jaycees and Monterey County Young Professionals, is a Board member at Ag Against Hunger and is a Soledad Mission Restoration Board member.

Name:  Ryan Zen Lama

2. Job Title / Company:  Publisher & Editor-In-Chief / 831 Magazine

3. Professional Biography: Recognizing a need in our county to bring young professionals together, creating a sense of community, and bridging the gap between the different sides of the “831”, Ryan Zen Lama founded the local quarterly publication, 831 Magazine, which he uses to harness “the power of fashion/lifestyle editorial to create awareness, have fun, and huddle”. The publication acts as a portal and platform that motivates regional artists, designers, businesses, musicians, and professionals, by publishing their work and backgrounds. 831 Magazine supports and collaborates with other groups and voices that were not connected before.

4. Activities: Ryan enjoys getting involved in the community on a grass root level, and acting as an ambassador for the “831”, a place he calls home. Wherever a fun or memorable event is happening in our area, you can probably find Ryan there, mingling and networking with the event coordinators and attendees, and introducing people to eachother.

5. Community Service: Ryan supports the efforts of numerous non-profit organizations by way of sponsorship, marketing, and promotional efforts. He enjoys getting the word out to our area’s younger generations about local worthwhile organizations, charities, and causes.

Name:  Paul J. Farmer 

2. Job Title / Company: General Manager & Owner / OfficeStar Computer Training Centers

3. Professional Biography: After working in high-tech and Corporate America, it was Paul’s desire to build a business that also benefited the world socially.  Seven years ago, he founded OfficeStar Computer Training Centers.  The company grew into a small corporation that owns and operates several local computer training centers.  He feels he is fortunate to have a profession that serves his larger purpose, which is to “help others realize their own potential, improving their lives through education”.

4. Activities: Paul loves the conglomeration that is Monterey County, to include the Mexican ambience of East Salinas and Castroville (where he lives).  He enjoys the outdoors – kayaking in Elkhorn Slough, running in Toro Park, hiking in Big Sur.  Most of all, he loves the sense of community, and feels “connected” to this area and its people.

5. Community Service:

Rotary Group Study Exchange to Brazil, 2010

Member, Clear Channel Community Advisory Board 2009-present

Founder, “Thrill The World – Salinas”,
2009-present Board Member, Salinas Chamber of Commerce

Host of “Your Town” radio & television program, 2009-present

Salinas Jaycees

State President, 2010
State VP of Membership, 2009
Local Chair of the Board, 2009
61st President of Salinas Chapter, 2008
VP, Individual Development for Salinas, 2007

Event Coordinator, “Saving Marriage” fundraiser for No on 8 Campaign, 2008

Leadership Monterey, graduate / class speaker, 2006-2007

Leadership Santa Cruz, graduate / class speaker, 2003-2004

6. Personal Quote: “They only are loyal to this college, who departing bear their added riches in trust for mankind.”

This is written in stone on the gates of Paul’s alma mater, Pomona College, encouraging the students and alumni to remember that our lives should be spent improving the world and helping others. Paul keeps those words, and the sentiment behind them, present in his daily professional and personal life.

1. Name: Brian Higgins

2. Job Title / Company: Partner / Red Ladder Consulting & Public Relations

3. Professional Biography: Brian believes that “an individual, to make a real impact, must engulf his/her career, rather than vice versa.” After having tried out several different fields, Brian found a career which he loves. As a political consultant, he works on a daily basis to make our community better. He feels blessed to be able to promote individuals and ideas that he supports fully. Because of the diversity of these campaigns, he has worked with people from all segments of our community, and has built an amazing network of friends.

4. Activities: In his leisure time, Brian enjoys finding the hidden gems in our community, and surrounding areas. Most (free) weekends are spent exploring the Central Coast with his girlfriend and their dogs.

5. Community Service: Brian is currently the 62nd President of the Salinas Jaycees. During his presidency, the Salinas chapter has grown to become the largest chapter in the State. He is the Chair of the Salinas Recreation / Parks Commission, a commission he has sat on for three years. He is a graduate of the First Salinas Neighborhood Leadership Academy, an innovative leadership training program sponsored by the City of Salinas to unite neighborhood leaders in our community. In 2009, he founded 'Take a Walk, Salinas' in response to rising crime in Salinas.

6. Personal Quote: "I may not be the one who will change the world, but I may influence the person who does."
~ Tupac Shakur

1. Name: Francine Sullivan

2. Job Title / Company: Event Marketing Manager / Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

3. Professional Biography: Francine’s professional contribution as the event marketing manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has involved using her creative vision to increase the brand positioning of the raceway, multi-tasking skills to meet overlapping deadlines, personable demeanor to develop long lasting relationships among series representatives, sponsors, teams, drivers and fans from all over the world, and leadership skills encouraging teamwork. Francine says that working in the motor sports event business “takes a unique and passionate individual to commit to this type of lifestyle.”

4. Activities: In her leisure time, Francine enjoys hiking down Big Sur, mountain biking Fort Ord, and running the bike trail along Cannery Row. Aside from attending the outstanding events hosted in Monterey County, Francine’s favorite local event is the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring the MotoGP World Championship (International motorcycle racing)

5. Community Involvement: In January 2009, Francine joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program, the largest endurance sports training program in the world that raises money towards cures for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Within four months of training and fundraising, Francine reached her $2,900 commitment level and “had the experience of a lifetime!” In May 2009, Francine completed the Wildflower Triathlon Olympic Distance (in under 3½ hours), and raised over $3,000 to benefit cancer research.

6. Personal Quote: Francine believes, “it isn’t about what I get out of life, but rather what I can do to help improve and have a positive effect on the life of others”.

1. Name: Tony Vincent

2. Job Title / Company: President / Executive Security Agency (ESA International)

3. Professional Biography: In his role as the President of ESA International, proclaimed to be a “viable alternative to traditional security companies”, Tony has conducted or assisted with Private Person’s Arrest for assault & battery, public intoxication, vandalism, and other crimes. He has also responded to calls of hazmat incidents, fraud, and medial emergencies.

4. Activities: Tony’s array of past experiences has led to the development of ESA International. He has been a Firefighter with the City of Gonzales, Police Academy Recruit, Private Investigator, Assistant Branch Manager for Securitas, and the Director of Security & Safety for HSBC.

5. Community Involvement: Being a true supporter of the community, Tony strives to “make a difference… no matter how big or small”. His active group and affiliation involvement consists of serving as a Diplomat of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, Salinas Jaycees Board Member, Old Town Salinas Association, The Polly Klaas Foundation, and The Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as a number of other worthwhile organizations.

6. Personal Quote: Tony believes in “raising the standard and level of human ideals… to improve the quality of life within the community.”

1. Name: Dexter J. Farm

2. Hometown: Anaheim, CA

3. Job Title / Company: Document Specialist / Old Republic Title Company

4. Professional Biography:
Twelve years in the Title Insurance business, starting as a typist and moving his way through various positions, to include title searches, customer service and tech support, ultimately leading to his current position as recording clerk for Old Republic Title Company. Farm believes that his “networking connections in this small, but diverse community have kept (his) employment afloat during these tough economic times”.

5. Activities:
His favorite hobbies are wine and photography. On the weekends, he can be found wine tasting in Salinas, Monterey, or Carmel Valley, usually with camera in hand. His love of wine comes from his experience as a volunteer for the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association and the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, as well as a former employee of Blackstone Winery. He enjoys photographing community events such as the Relay for Life fundraiser at Chapin Pines, Pacific Grove Rotary, Leadership Salinas Valley, Salute to Ag, Salinas Chamber, Oldtown Salinas Association, and Salinas Jaycees, to name a few. His photos can be viewed at: www.dexfarm.com.

6. Community Involvement:
Leadership Salinas Valley Alumni Association – President (2004-2006)
Leadership Salinas Valley (2003)
Leadership Santa Cruz County (1997)
Central Coast Young Farmers & Ranchers – Historian (2004-2006)
Note: Photographic services and website (donation)
Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association – Volunteer (1995-2004)
Note: Photographic services (donation) - 2007
Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association – Volunteer (2002-2004)
Monterey County Young Professionals Group – Photographic services (donation)
Santa Cruz Lupus Support Group – Co-Chair

7. Favorite Quote:
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.
Keep on seeking, and you will find.
Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

~ Matthew 7:7 NLT