MEMBERS

Shawn Garvey, The Grant Farm

Shawn Garvey is the Chief Executive Officer of The Grant Farm. Before serving in his present position, he worked as CEO of ThinkTank, a national public affairs and communication firm. Garvey also served as the Executive Director of The Sierra Fund for four years, where he successfully worked to secure more than $100 million in both public and private monies for conservation in the region.
He has also been an instrumental participant in securing conservation funds for the Truckee River, the Yuba River, the Feather River, Dry Creek, Mono Lake, Lake Tahoe, the American River, and the Tuolumne River.
Shawn has provided marketing, communications, and fund & organizational development assistance to more than 40 local and regional organizations throughout the Sierras. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Finance.

Samantha Hinrichs built her own straw bale home, ran a cultural center, and has been producing events since she was 12. She loves to teach others how to make beautiful, sustainable projects. In 2011 Sam opened Mud and Pearls, where she is able to tie together the resources she has gathered over the years. Mud and Pearls presents workshops, demonstrations and class time so that you can look good doing it.
Samantha (along with Iris Foxfoot) – both raised on “The Ridge” – also recently founded the Twin Ridges Girls Scholarship Fund to provide funds and means to better the lives of girls from 13-16 who live in rural Twin Ridges District. They want to encourage holistic growth and provide opportunities for a healthy and wealthy future.– and to inspire people to support the children in all ways in their community. Contact her at 530 362 8082 or http://www.mudandpearls.com

Roger Kent, of The Project Group, helps Project Managers understand how to work with greater confidence and gusto. He is particularly focused on Communication, realizing that effective leadership involves motivating all stakeholders as valued team members in service of the project’s goals. Roger has worked on projects at Hewlett Packard, Capital One Bank, United Airlines and Visa. He has conducted over 300 seminars for companies such as Sun Microsystems, Washington Mutual, Owens Corning, Bell South and Fair Isaac. Abroad he has worked with the Oil Ministry of Kazakhstan and Hyundai. Roger holds an MA in Communications from Norwich University and is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Follow his comments on communicating from head and heart at: pathoslogos.wordpress.com.

Ron Metz, RG Metz & Associates

Ron Metz, a freelance technical writer, produces instruction manuals, procedures, and marketing communications collateral for the electronics, IT, solar, and other industries and small businesses. Ron has a long history of creating instruction manuals that are easy to use and that help make clients’ products easy to own. Other products Ron has worked on include catalogs, brochures and advertisements. He applies the disciplines of technical communication to marketing, removing common barriers that often stand between a client’s products and potential customers. Ron is a member of the Foothill Technical Communicators Association and the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance.

Mike Mooers, Wicked Good Copy & Communications

Mike Mooers is a respected copywriter and marketing creative lead. He spent years managing communications from a corner office in the Bay Area, decided to focus on the writing, and migrated to freelancing in 2006. Mike founded Wicked Good Copy – with the help of Sierra Commons – in 2010.
National clients include Discovery Communications, KEEN! Footwear, Gaiam and Mountain Hardwear. Local clients include the BriarPatch Community Market and the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

Using different forms, shapes and materials, Tim Murray has been creating unique, one-of-a-kind works of art since 1997. Elan Light is the evolution from traditional circles and willow branches to intricate sacred geometrical forms.

Tim’s art combines with traditional Native American dream catcher legend and incorporates beauty while enhancing the energy levels of any dedicated “Healing Space”. The nature and attraction of the sacred geometry invites energy into your space 24 hours a day, always working, even when you are not.

In using dream catcher weaving and decoration, Tim’s unique pieces attract and give off energy—and they are beneficial as Artwork and tools for enlightenment.

When time allows, Tim travels and gains more creative ideas for his healing art.

Max works to support Sierra Commons because he believes that Nevada County is a wonderful place for young people to live–when they have the economic opportunity to make a go of it here. Outside of Sierra Commons, Max manages communications for political candidates in Nevada County and elsewhere as Director of Communications for JJ Campaigns. Max has previously worked with creative communications agencies like MSHC Partners, Velocity7 and Columbia University’s Digital Knowledge Ventures. He also provides digital strategy and development consulting to a select group of businesses and organizations.
Max has also worked as a professional river guide since 2004 with Whitewater
Voyages(and now directs their digital marketing, as well).

Paul Platner,

Paul Platner has been in construction, property development, and project management for over 30 years, in the US, Africa, and the Middle East. He has created jobs, started companies, managed projects, and participated in raising a growing family. Paul is the owner of the temp agency Work Is Worship, inspired to make hiring joyful and to help people find work. WIW uses the dynamic shift in attitudes towards work and business to promote better relationships, greater job satisfaction and bottom-line, and increased productivity. Paul is helping to create this work premise by living this belief and acting within a growing, changing, sustainable, unified Nevada County community. One of Paul’s favorite quotes is, “Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.” ~Wayne Dyer

Vanessa’s motto: “Dry” topics don’t have to be dull. As a freelance writer and editor, Vanessa Richardson writes about personal finance, small-business management and urban planning, and she has a side gig she especially enjoys – editing and writing for a scuba diving magazine (which gives her an excuse to go scuba diving). She also writes articles/blogs for consumer publications, companies and non-profit organizations. Recent clients include See Jane Do, Entrepreneur, Money, MSNBC.com, and Bankrate. Her past clients include Cisco Systems, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Intuit, PG&E and the University of California. At Richardson Writing, Vanessa writes and edits all types of marketing materials, from brochures and case studies to executive speeches and employee communications.

Nick Santos writes software for the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis where he develops GIS-based software and databases to help analyze and understand environmental impacts and indicators.
Nick is also the founder and Executive Director of The Environmental Consumer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops actionable information and resources for consumers looking to take the next step to reduce their impact.
Nick is currently a Roosevelt Institute: Pipeline fellow for climate change. In the past he has worked with climate campaign 1Sky (now merged with 350.org), the Sierra Nevada Alliance, and the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP).

Robert Trent, Executive Director Sierra Commons

Robert Trent has been an entrepreneur and business consultant for over 15 years. From Silicon Valley to the Sierra Foothills, he has founded and ran high-tech and marketing companies focusing on areas such as wireless networking, multimedia, product branding, and social networking. In 2009, Robert founded Sierra Commons in Nevada City, CA—created to strength our local economy through job creation and business retention. He also developed the Sierra Commons Business Ignitor course, which has helped launch nearly 40 new businesses in our community. Robert conducts additional educational business-related classes throughout Nevada County in partnership with the local Chambers of Commerce, the Economic Resource Council, the Center for Non-Profit Leadership, and the Grass Valley School District.

Nikko Wu is a powerhouse of energy, wearing multiple hats in the operation of the Stonehouse Event Center, which she purchased in 2003. The historic Stonehouse/Old Brewery has been lovingly restored and is available for special events—including intimate weddings in the Cave (built into the mountainside behind the Stonehouse). Nikko supports the local arts and music scene and is bringing food back to the Stonehouse via a chef co-op program she has recently initiated. With a degree in Nursing from Tulane University, Nikko is a fun loving ancient soul, with a child-like heart. She enjoys traveling the world and speaks multiple languages.

FACULTY

Since 2006, Suzie Daggett has produced Insight Lectures, contributing to the rich cultural/spiritual fabric by hosting well known national and international speakers and teachers. Our roster of best-selling authors and experts have presented leading-edge information and progressive thinking in the areas of health & well-being, spirituality, scientific discovery and cultural trends. Suzie has produced events for Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, John Travis, Sylvia Boorstein, Denise Linn, David Whyte, Bruce Lipton, Sonia Choquette, Byron Katie, Gary Zukav & Linda Frances, Carol Ritberger, Alberto Villoldo, Dr. Jean Huston, Dr. Amit Goswami, and Dr. Eric Pearl among others. Suzie is available for one on one business/life consultations. If you need to know a bit more about Who You Are in this world and how you can be more productive, she can help you clarify your business or life plans.

“Get real, be smart, and have fun.” Michael Freedman is a value oriented constructive contributor with a background in networking and systems businesses, and the CEO of Right-Click Business Solutions.
Mike has held numerous positions in the corporate business world, including: Business Development, Product and Project Management, Educational Training, Sales Operations, Business Plan and Budget Development, and Technology Implementation & Operations.

With six startups, three successful IPOs, and two mergers under his belt, there’s no denying Brian Gillings is a seasoned business consultant. Born in the UK, Brian earned his BSEE and MSEE from Harrow Technical College and Polytechnic of the Southbank, London. Brian has worked as a design engineer in the computing, broadcast TV, & transient analysis industries, as well as holding senior executive positions with leading hi-tech and semiconductor companies in the Silicon Valley. In 2001 Brian started BG Business Consulting. a service helping businesses create solid strategic plans and positioning start-ups for angel and series A funding, and early stage companies for series B and C funding. Brian’s proven team building, managerial and functional skills, coupled with a unique perspective and business sense, enables Brian to lead businesses towards long-term growth and profitability.If you would like to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with Brian at Sierra Commons, please sign up here.

Virginia Johnson is a senior associate with the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Her practice focuses on the representation of large and small public and private companies in a variety of business transactions, including the counseling of clients on corporate formation issues, intellectual property protection and licensing, investor financing matters and independent contractor matters. Virginia earned her law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law and her Mathematics degree from the University of California, Davis. As a service to our community, Virginia is holding office hours for small business owners, or want-to-be owners, at Sierra Commons every second and fourth Friday of the month from 1pm-4pm (excluding litigation and patent issues). Please call to reserve space.If you would like to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with Virginia at Sierra Commons, please sign
up here.

For almost a quarter century Machen MacDonald has dedicated himself to helping business owners, sales professionals, financial advisors and executives discover their purpose and help them align their focus to achieve dramatic and measurable improvements both in business and in life. As the consummate entrepreneur, Machen started five successful service companies and went on to succeed in financial services as an advisor working his way into award winning field management and then into executive level management before founding The ProBrilliance Leadership Institute. He understands and can relate first hand to the challenges small business owners, sales professionals, advisors, managers and corporate leaders all face. Machen is also a certified business coach and life coach, certified Master Coach and Certified MindScan Consultant.

Attorney Rosemary Metrailer is a small business attorney with over 25 years’ experience. She specializes in contracts, incorporation, partnership, dissolution, document drafting and negotiation.
She is also an experienced mediator and arbitrator handling business & non-marital partnership dissolution, personal injury, harassment & other employment and personnel matters, with the aim to resolve such disputes as positively and amicably as possible. As a businessperson herself for many years, Rosemary gives frank, informed advice and works with entrepreneurs and independent professionals who want to simplify their lives in order to have more business, more money and more time. As an experienced mediator, she also works with individuals and businesses going through transitions who want to resolve disputes as positively and amicably as they can.

Judy Nichols received her Master of Science degree from Arizona State University, and continues her business education by successfully completing numerous seminars and ongoing training in Accounting, Management and Motivation. She is a also a Certified Quickbooks Proadvisor. Judy has held such positions as Chief Financial Officer of National Guaranty Insurance Company, Controller at Indian Springs Vineyard, as well as a business partnership for 18 years with Nichols & Nichols, CPA’s. As a CPA, Judy provides quality accounting and bookkeeping services to entrepreneurs. She specializes in setup, training, troubleshooting and oversight of her clients accounting records. Judy is also an expert at account review, cleanup and training for small business owners in the art of understanding their financial information.

Coryon Redd has over ten years experience in Internet Marketing, which he initially developed through countless hours building traffic for his highly successful company Batteries4Less.com.
Having so profitably grown his own business, and after much learning along the way, he branched out as an internet marketing specialist with his firm Coryon.com. Coryon has expertise in many areas including: effective website design, SEM, SEO, social marketing, PPC, comparison shopping, link building, press releases, article writing, affiliate programs, website design and much more. As Coryon says about himself: “I am a Swiss Army knife of Internet Marketing tools, tactics and techniques that you can use to take your business to the next level.”

Having grown her own multi-million dollar business from infancy to maturity, Ruth Schwartz knows first-hand the flexibility and fortitude that launching and maintaining a successful business demands. Having spent 25 years in the music industry, Ruth sold her company Mordam Records, Inc. in 2005 so she could pursue building new business models that support a creative, enjoyable workplace culture. Ruth is an internationally certificated coach through International Coaching Federation, trained by the Academy of Coaching and NLP. She also hosts public workshops, teaches small business training courses, facilitates small business mastermind groups, and owns the management development and marketing company High Performance Advocates.

After graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, Doug Summers joined the Los Angeles office of the international accounting firm Peat Marwick Mitchell LLP, specializing in tax compliance and consulting engagements in the firms Middle Market and High Net Worth individual practices. In 1989 Doug transferred to the Sacramento office of what is now KPMG where he specialized in the tax issues of real estate developers, large retailers, personal financial planning and tax compliance of high net worth individuals as well as extensive experience with complex tax and planning in the estate, trust and generation skipping tax areas.
Doug became a partner at Robertson, Woodford & Summers in 2005, where he specializes in tax compliance and consulting for small to medium sized business entities, high net worth individuals, as well as complex trust and estate planning.