New Additions to CFMC Board of Directors
Three new additions to the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) Board of Directors come from nonprofit, real estate and the wine industry. Betsey H. Pearson, Bill Mitchell and Jeff Eikenberry were recently voted on to the board of directors to serve three–year terms for the CFMC, which manages more than $209 million in assets comprised of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses.
“These individuals bring enormous commitment and experience to their role as board members.” said Dan Baldwin, President/CEO. Their perspectives and expertise will benefit the CFMC and Monterey County.”
Betsey H. Pearson has worked with nonprofit organizations ranging from social services to education and healthcare. Upon retirement from the United Way in 2010 (where she worked as VP for Operations and Development) Pearson began consulting with local nonprofits providing fund development and strategic planning. She also serves on the board of directors of Carmel Bach Festival and the CSUMB Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College and worked in human resources for AT&T, Emporium (Macy’s) and Student Placement Services at the university level. She worked for more than 20 years in the nonprofit sector.
Bill Mitchell, a licensed California Real Estate Broker since 1974, is founder of The Mitchell Group Real Estate, Inc. He sold the firm to Sotheby’s International Realty in 2005 and joined with his family as broker and Managing Director at Carmel Realty Company. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Engineering Sciences Degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a Masters of Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business Administration. He served on active duty for six years in the United States Air Force as an aircraft commander and instructor pilot, including five years of combat duty in the Vietnam conflict, and was honorably discharged as a Captain, USAF in 1969.
Jeff Eikenberry retired in 2012 from Jackson Family Wines as Senior Vice President of Production, where he oversaw all domestic production activities. He has a background in production and marketing and had his own industrial engineering consulting business for seven years. After earning a Masters of Business Administration from San Jose State University, he joined Colgate-Palmolive, progressing through management positions in production and accounting. He joined Heublein Inc., a holding entity for many food and beverage companies. After 14 years, he joined Almaden Vineyards as Vice President of Production. Jeff has served on various nonprofit boards, including Mee Memorial Hospital, Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, and the Central Coast YMCA.
2017 Board of Directors:
Steve McGowan, Chair; Ken Petersen, Vice Chair; Teri Belli, CPA, Treasurer; Kenneth Wright, Secretary; Betsy Buchalter Adler;Ida Lopez Chan; Greg Chilton; Jeff Eikenberry; Catherine Kobrinsky Evans; Patti Hiramoto; Birt Johnson, Jr.; Rick Kennifer; Tina Starkey Lopez; Bill Mitchell; Erica Padilla-Chavez; Betsey Pearson; Anna Marie Ponce and Bill Sharpe
The mission of the CFMC is to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County. Since 1981 the CFMC has granted over $150 million to nonprofits working towards healthy, safe, vibrant communities. In 2016 the CFMC awarded $15.4 million to more than 1218 nonprofit organizations in Monterey County and beyond. For more information visit www.cfmco.org, call 831.375.9712 or stay connected at www.facebook.com/cfmco or www.twitter.com/cfmco.