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FEB/MAR 2016 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | 6666 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | FEB/MAR 2016

LEADERSHIPBY PADEN HUGHES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RENODA CAMPBELL

COMMUNITY

| SPECIAL FEATURE

Each year, in January, thirty-six San Luis Obispo County residents

nervously eye each other from across a banquet room at the

Wonder Valley Resort in the icy Sierra Nevada foothills above

Fresno. Chosen through a lengthy application process to ensure

maximum diversity, in terms of both personal backgrounds and

industries represented, the group has no way of knowing that

many of the strangers sitting across the room will eventually

become lifelong friends.


follows a tried-and-true formula, which consists of a year-long learning and collaborating experience. Following a three-day retreat, which is intended to gel the group as they begin to grapple with questions, such as “What is a leader?” the format then settles into a once per month day session. Those day-long field trips to different areas of the county focus on different parts of life on the Central Coast, including Education/The Arts, Manufacturing & Agriculture, Media & Communication, Business/Economic Development, Sustainability, Criminal & Civil Justice, Health & Human Services, and Government & Political Process. During each day session, the Leadership class interviews panels of representatives (for example, Criminal & Civil Justice day may include the sheriff, a police chief or two, both a prosecuting and defense attorney, etc.). The group then attempts to collaboratively answer both actual and theoretical questions facing the community (in the case of Criminal & Civil Justice day again, it may be, “Should we expand the jail? And why?”). At the end of the year, the class collaborates on a “legacy project,” something of enduring value that is left to the community.

The program, known simply as “Leadership,” now in its 25th year, boasts a wide alumni network. Over the course of this year SLO LIFE Magazine will be profiling one individual from each class who will be sharing their experience with the program. For this first installment of the multi-part feature, our own Paden Hughes sits down with Michael Cannon (Class I), Kris Kington-Barker (Class II), Pat Veesart (Class III), Jim Grant (Class IV), and Peggy Carlaw (Class V), in an attempt to understand how Leadership has become one of the most beloved institutions on the Central Coast today. >>

eadership SLO L


For MICHAEL CANNON the timing of the program was perfect, he had just become president of his company and wanted to get more involved in the community.

Cannon moved to San Luis Obispo in 1980 in order to attend Cal Poly and study engineering. While waiting for his future wife to graduate, Cannon took a job with a local civil engineering firm. He would always talk futuristically about going back to the Bay Area to get a “real job,” but he never left the Central Coast and never did get a “real job.”

Instead Cannon worked at a local company for four years before learning the owners wanted to close the firm. Believing it held promise, Cannon acquired the business. Starting with only a few people in the company, today CannonCorp Engineering Consultants employs over 150 people in four offices in California. It is one of those entrepreneurial success stories that we love hearing about on the Central Coast, where many have paved their own careers to stay and call San Luis Obispo home.

So when offered the opportunity to try something new, Cannon joined Leadership SLO Class I. It was intriguing for him to be exposed to new things to satisfy his insatiable love of learning.

“Leadership SLO was an elegant way to get involved, meet new people and expose yourself to community needs,” reflects Cannon. For a self-proclaimed introvert, the experience of bonding with 36 strangers in a weekend and then learning together about polarizing community issues was definitely out of Cannon’s comfort zone. The icebreaker exercises, designed to bring the group together and create meaningful connections, still stands out to Cannon today, as he credits them with developing lifelong friendships.

Perhaps the most valuable takeaway Cannon recalls was during the day his class discussed the county’s growth issues. At the time there was a tremendous discord about how—and if—San Luis Obispo should grow. Going into a topic he was not only familiar with, but passionate about, and still connect meaningfully with someone on the opposite side of the issue was powerful.

Always quotable, Cannon shares, “You don’t live in a community; you live community. We are all creatures of habit and we don’t naturally push ourselves out of our comfort zones. If you want to be a leader you have to be able to embrace all stakeholders in making decisions. If you don’t, you will make suboptimal decisions. Leadership SLO provides the kind of exposure leaders need to cultivate to be truly influential.”

Today Cannon continues to lead his organization and give back to the community. He is a cycling enthusiast who started a riding group at CannonCorp that goes on extreme group rides and adventures, including hiking to the top of Half Dome. And to top things off, he has a passion for wine, so much so that he now owns a winery. >>

1992CLASS I>

NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

DAVE GARTH, the former CEO of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is credited for starting Leadership SLO in 1991. He called it the “most important work” of his 39-year career.

The first retreat was held at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria.

JUDITH BEAN, who is the President & CEO of the Arroyo Grande/Grover Beach Chamber of Commerce was the Assistant Director of Leadership SLO (PG&E executive BOB BURKE was the inaugural director). Bean led the program through its infancy.

PATRICIA KOHLEN is an artist and philanthropist whose donation made the giant spheres in front of the PAC (commissioned by artist Ivan McLean) possible.

CLIF SMITH passed away a couple of years ago after a career of service to the community, notably as SLO County Supervisor Harry Ovitt’s legislative aide.

EVA VIGIL was the force that created the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.

CAROLYN MOFFATT was an elected commissioner for the Port San Luis Harbor District up until last year when she stepped down.

CLASS MEMBERSRebecca Berner, David & Christine Blaine, Sylvia Bolander Muscia, Julie Bolger, Bob Burke, Michael Cannon, Lionel Chadwick, Robert Christensen, Dawna Davies, Karen Frees, David Garth, Frank Gonzales, Ann Grant, J.T. Haas, Wayne Hall, Deb Hossli, Patti Kohlen, Russell L. Lambert, Pat Lawson-North, Leah Licea, Mary Loomis-Genthner, Jerry Michael, Carolyn Moffat, Linda Osty, Mary K. Pagel, Richard Palmer, Chris Pillsbury, Jeanne Potter, Anne Quinn, Nancy Rosen, Patti Rowe, Sandi Sigurdson, Ann Slate, Cliff Smith, Drew Squyres, Marguerite Stafford, Raul Vasquez, Eva Vigil, Marcy Villa, Gary Wiseman

Michael Cannon


KRIS KINGTON-BARKER was living in Arroyo Grande and had worked almost exclusively in the health care sector when she was solicited to apply for Leadership SLO. At the time, little was known other than it was a new and exciting program, which promised to provide unique insight into local government and find fresh avenues to volunteer. She joined Class II truly not knowing what to expect. The program was still evolving and growing organically. Kington-Barker was drawn to it, in part, because it seemed quite collaborative and the leaders were so enthusiastic about it.

It was an El Niño year and Kington-Barker distinctly recalls during that winter almost every day trip was fraught with unpredictable weather and operational challenges. Looking back, she believes it actually brought the group closer together, because each day was an adventure and you had to remain flexible and positive.

“The most eye-opening experience with Leadership SLO was the retreat itself. It kicked off the program with team-building exercises that were surprisingly physical. Everyone, myself included, combined our strength and succeeded together. As someone who was once afraid of heights, this pushed me outside my comfort zone on day one,” she said. “It’s ironic, because I am such a high ropes junkie now. I have a motto that I’ll trying anything once and love anything that safely pushes me out of the envelope. I think Leadership SLO helped me embrace that side of myself.”

When she looks back almost 24 years ago to Leadership SLO, the most important takeaway is the value the program placed on diversity and learning from the unique perspectives and backgrounds of the classmates. At the time Kington-Barker remembers considering controversial issues of the day and developed an understanding that local politics are often not merely about what is right or wrong; more times than not, it means picking between two good options and weighing which is best, or picking the least of two bad options.

Today Kington-Barker is the Executive Director for the San Luis Obispo County Hospice. She lives on Lake Nacimento with her husband and continues to enjoy adventure seeking in her spare time. >>

1993CLASS II>


Back at Camp Ocean Pines, classmates were greeted with an unrelenting downpour, complete with floods and power outages. YVETTE YONG was a high school student when she was accepted to Leadership SLO and went on to Cal Poly.

TOM FULKS is a journalist and energy expert, who continues to speak at Leadership SLO day sessions, including Communications Day, Government Day and Sustainability Day over the years.

JEFF BUCKINGHAM, co-owner of Norcast Communications went on to serve as Chair of the Board for the SLO Chamber and Rotary de Tolosa, as well as becoming a board member at the Farm Bureau, Softec and the Cuesta College Foundation.

CLASS MEMBERSCindy Marie Absey, Linda Asprion, Barbara Bailey, M.D., Barbara Barker, Cynthia Becker, Adrian Bray, Jeff Buckingham, Cyndi Butterfield, Eric Caggiano, Albert Calizo, Kathleen Friend, Andy Frokjer, Tom Fulks, Brooke Fuller, Carol Ann Garsten, Steve Goschke, Mike Harkness, Candace Havens, Rick Hernandez, Kris Kington, Kathy Laster, Debbi Lopez, Debora Moore, Kathi Niffenegger, Kathleen O’Neill, Susan Polk, Grace Hayes Romero, Paul Severtson, Warren Stephenson, Sally Stoner, Peggy Thomas, Bruce Trueman, Barry Williams, Burma Workman, Yvette Yong

Kris Kington-Barker


With a love of nature, rural beauty, and a penchant for hunting and falconry PAT VEESART has loved the Central Coast for decades. Moving here from LA in the 70’s, Veesart attended Cuesta College and started a career in construction. However, in the late 80’s Veesart started to become more involved with community issues, and by the 90’s was a passionate advocate for conservation.

It is interesting to note that prior to attending Leadership SLO as a participant, Veesart was one of the original experts solicited to present during the day sessions on the topic of conservation. When selected to participate in Class III, Veesart was flattered but did not expect it to be as good a program as he later found it to be. He already loved SLO dearly and loved to learn, and this program gave him an opportunity to expand his breadth of knowledge.

The day he found the most valuable was Media Day, where Veesart learned interview skills that served him well in the years to come. For example, he recalls learning how to appear credible when being interviewed, how important image is, and how to make the most of every opportunity to make your point.

“The best part about Leadership SLO was that it reinforced the value of being a part of the community and exploring how to give back. This program is a great way to introduce that and give locals the confidence to join in,” says Veesart.

At the time he participated, Veesart was still making his living as a general contractor, but the experience affirmed for him that he could make his passion for conversation his career, which he went on to do, eventually working as a San Luis Obispo County planning commissioner, becoming the state chapter liaison for the Sierra Club, the chair of the club’s Santa Lucia chapter in San Luis Obispo County, as well as the executive director of the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo (ECOSLO).

Today Veesart is still involved in community issues and enjoys bird hunting and hiking in Eastern San Luis Obispo County where he lives. >>

1994CLASS III>


The annual retreat moved to Wonder Valley near Sanger in the Sierra Foothills. There was some controversy about going out of SLO County, but it turned out that a three-hour carpool spurred lots of conversation and fellowship. CHARLOTTE ALEXANDER has spent her career in public service and nonprofit management. Today she leads the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society. DEBORAH HOLLEY CASH went on to lead the SLO Downtown Association with distinction from 1995 to 2013 before turning over the reins to Dominic Tartaglia, Class XXII.

JANICE FONG WOLF after a 20-year career in health services, is currently the director for grants and programs at the Community Foundation.

CLASS MEMBERSCharlotte Alexander, Lori Atwater, Deborah Cash, Sheree Davis, Mike Driscoll, Fran Dukehart, Linda Easton, John Ewan, Suzanne Fritz, Lt. Col. Cary Gray, Dave Greewald, Cheryl Hertan, Deborah Holley, Jan Jensen, Kathy Johnson, Bill Keyworth, Margie Mortimer, Michele Murfin-Fanning, Cindy O’Hare, Dan O’Hare, Susan Price, Micki Ready, Dr. Philip L. Searby, DPM, Charlotte Smith, Patty Smith, Penny Sullivan, Jill Sylvain, Pat Veesart, Phil Wagner, Gail Wilcox, Janice Fong Wolf, Tom Zeulner

Pat Veesart


As the former County Administrator, JIM GRANT is widely credited with leading San Luis Obispo County with a steady hand through the recession as he was continually challenged to strike balance and fair compromises. Moving to San Luis Obispo with his wife 38 years ago, Grant found employment in social services and began working his way up the chain of command.

By the time Leadership SLO was looking for local leaders for their fourth year of the program, Grant was being groomed for more responsibility at the County. Having observed several of his colleagues before him go through Leadership SLO, Grant saw it as a way to gain a better perspective, as well as to expose himself to different viewpoints from the business community.

From the beginning of the retreat and the team-building exercises, Grant recalls how fascinating it was to see the strategies utilized to bring 36 strangers together and create friendships. One of the most powerful things Leadership SLO does is to start with coalescing a group together, and then, once an initial bond is established, it facilitates education about sometimes polarizing local issues that naturally create passionate discussion within the group.

“The most valuable part of the Leadership SLO experience is that if you take the time to get to know who you are talking to—their issues, their perspectives—and you simply listen, you will undoubtedly make better decisions. My class was philosophically diverse and it could get heated. But we saw time and again when dissenters were able to digest an alternative perspective and at least see where they were coming from, our collective conclusions on local issues were stronger. It always involves compromise, but when you can reach a compromise, you’re not stuck and can move forward,” shares Grant.

Looking back, Leadership SLO was an affirmation for Grant that public service was the direction to pursue. Many of those in his class were influential in their respective industries and the relationships he made there served him well as he became County Administrator and needed alternative perspectives.

Today Grant can be found mountain biking, pursuing his aviation passion, and teaching karate. Now retired, Grant is passionate about giving back and he actively serves on the board of the Homeless Foundation of San Luis Obispo and is involved in Rotary. To Grant, a common trait of all those involved in Leadership SLO is the desire to give back and the sense of volunteerism. >>

1995CLASS IV>


Class Chair KEN HAMPIAN, former SLO City Manager, observed that, “The days of one great ‘man’ are over, and thus the idea that a single wise person can lead us to the mountain top is pure myth. Today it’s got to be us.”

The Class IV members jokingly refer to themselves as “The Dysfunctional Class.” Great friendships were formed by CARL DUDLEY (banking executive and nonprofit volunteer), DAVE JUHNKE (attorney, who became San Luis Obispo’s Citizen of the Year in 2011), MARY GAMLIN VERDIN (founded and operates an advertising agency), and DEBBY NICKLAS (now leads French Hospital’s philanthropy efforts).

Political careers were borne. CARLYN CHRISTIANSON, currently a SLO City Councilmember, and JERRY LENTHALL was a former SLO County Supervisor.

Classmates GORDON JACKSON, of the Pismo Beach Conference and Visitor Bureau, and SHERYL FLORES, now the Vice President of Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, have flourished as executives in the nonprofit sector.

CLASS MEMBERSMeredith Bates, Ben Beesley, Cynthia Boche, Fred Bond, Christine Burkett, Linda Caldwell, Carlyn Christianson, Russ Cracknell, Steve DiGrazia, Carl Dudley, Alan Fillmore, Gladys Fiske, Sheryl Flores, Jim Grant, Gary Henderson, Gordon Jackson, Catherine Jaeger, Susan Bailey Kadin, David Juhnke, Heathyr Knowles, Jerry Lenthall, Emmy McCormack, Debby Nicklas, Paulette Perlman, Mark Porczak, Angelo Procopio, Tim Quiggle, Karen Robert, Wilda Rosene, Eric Schwefler, Stephen Secrest, Karen Shanley, Mary Verdin, Ron Whisenand, Ann York

Jim Grant


Twenty years ago, the beauty and tranquility of the Central Coast called PEGGY CARLAW and her husband Malcolm to move from Laguna Beach and relocate to Cambria. As owners of a successful consulting practice that for years required them to split time between Chicago and Laguna Beach, the Carlaws wanted life to slow down a bit. They bought a house in Cambria and, after catching their breath, decided to launch a reusable shopping bag company. After several years of enjoying Cambria, the Carlaws decided to move to the “big city” and relocated again, this time to the historic district of downtown San Luis Obispo.

Desiring to engage with the business community in her new town, Carlaw decided to get involved in the SLO Chamber of Commerce where she was introduced to Leadership SLO. The program promised to teach participants about the city, as well as the county, and allow them to meaningfully connect with other professionals. Carlaw was intrigued and signed up for Class V.

Looking back on the experience, Carlaw says that the program far exceeded her expectations. It was in-depth and cultivated a greater appreciation for the county and opened her eyes to the inner workings of the city.

“Going back twenty years, I remember being impressed with Media Day and the hostile interview experience. I distinctly remember learning to not repeat key, possibly inflammatory, words the interviewer chose when responding to a question,” shared Carlaw. “With my background in sales and marketing, I thought this was such a fascinating educational experience.”

Another personally useful takeaway was gaining the understanding, with more clarity, exactly how local government functioned and the role community members play in determining outcomes. “At the time the Mills Act Program had been put forward, which proposed tax incentives to my neighbors and I to preserve our historical homes. We hadn’t thought to go and voice our support of this program to the city council,” Carlaw recalls. “After the Government Day Session with Leadership SLO, I followed up on the program and learned no one had showed up for public comment, so it did not go through. I was disappointed, but had just learned the steps to take to get something like that passed. So my husband and I gathered the documentation and went door-to-door to get signatures and made sure that the program passed. This was a great value to us personally, but also the community; and I’m thankful, because of Leadership SLO, I paid attention to it.”

Leadership SLO impressed Carlaw because it reinforced for her how much she loves her hometown with its many opportunities for locals to volunteer and continue to invest in its future. Carlaw continues to invest back into San Luis Obispo today, and is involved in Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the HotHouse where she works with young entrepreneurs to help them build their dreams. In her spare time she enjoys learning how to cook vegan food, hiking, yoga and working out.

1996CLASS V>


This class built “The Wall,” treasured in Leadership SLO lore for inspiring both terror and triumph. The Wall, which measured 14-feet was an obstacle that the class was challenged to climb, and remained an integral part of the Wonder Valley retreat experience for two decades. SANDEE MCLAUGHLIN, now vice president of student services at Cuesta College, was instrumental in the development and expansion of the Cuesta North County Campus.

JEFF LEE is mayor pro tem of Grover Beach and now serves on the Leadership SLO Board of Directors.

GEOF LAND was running ECOSLO when he was in Class V. In the years since, he has taught hundreds of young people at Paso Robles High School. After hours, he plays brass for local band The Rag Bone Saints.

SLO LIFE

CLASS MEMBERSLarry Allen, Eileen Amaral, Jodee Bennett, Sam Blakeslee, Leslie Brown, Bob Bunch, Peggy Carlaw, Terri Cook, Dan Culhane, Carolyn Dominguez, Bob Grayson, Scott Gregory, Rona Griffin, Tom Harrington, M. Kim Heath, Susan Hughes, Jon Jaeger, Brandon Jones, David Juhnke, Leslie Jones, Deborah Kelly, Tanya Kiani, Geof Land, Jeff Lee, Mark McDougal, Sandee McLaughlin, Deborah McNeil-Amorteguy, Frank Mecham, Rod Neubert, Terri Palacios, Alison Peterson, Carol Pimentel, Dave Redel, Alice Reyes, Carrie Sims, Todd Sims, Pablo Torres, Brandon Weg

Peggy Carlaw

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