Candidate Statements

Redwood Chapter ExCom

Jeanne Chinn

I‘m currently serving and also a candidate for our Chapter’s ExCom. As a 44-year SClub member, I bring decades of environmental activism and professional knowledge. 

For years I supported SClub through writing campaigns. I’m chair of our Chapter’s Forest Committee (6+yrs), working with landowners & agencies to create resilient forests, oak woodlands, and landscapes from past/current abuses, climate change, and wildfires. We’re also pressing PG&E to stop destructive tree removals and comprehensively update antiquated infrastructure. 

I’m a scientist, USF M.S. in Environmental Management. Retired from CDFW, I was a facilitator and working groups member: Statewide Phytophthora, Wood for Salmon, Marbled Murrelet Zone 6, and Strategic Planning. Program positions: Habitat Conservation-CESA, Natural Community Conservation Planning, liaison to the SFPUC, and Timber Conservation. 

I created a wolf education program, lecturing at universities, land trusts, and Yosemite ranger campfires. At the Bay Area Wildlife Society Chapter (11 counties), I was Conservation Committee Chair and a Board member. I was a seasonal nesting bird docent on Alcatraz, and Marine Mammal Center Friday crew member. 

I enjoy backpacking/hiking/camping, and whitewater rafting, including guiding for SClub SF Inner-City Outings for deaf, blind, and inner-city teens. 

I’m founder/co-chair of Ukiah’s Western Hills Firewise Community, and served as a Commissioner of Paths, Open Space, & Creeks. 

At the Resource Renewal Institute under CA Secretary of Resources, Huey Johnson, I monitored global sustainability efforts, worked w/New Zealand’s Resource Management Act creator, met with Environmental Ministers of Strategy in The Netherlands, and facilitated NYC UN Commission for Sustainability round table discussions. 

Larry Glass

Hi, I’m Larry Glass and a long-time environmental advocate. My environmental activism started after the first earth day, expanding civil rights and anti-war involvement. I have a wide knowledge of local environmental issues and experience as a community leader. 

I’m currently the Executive Director of Safe Alternatives for our Forest Environment (SAFE). I’ve been involved with that organization since 1980 in a leadership capacity. I am currently Board Secretary, Forest Policy Advisor, and Public Lands Director for the North Coast Environmental Center. I’ve served in various capacities in leadership with that organization since the late ‘70s. I also serve on our Redwood Chapters’ North Group Board of Directors. I was elected to the Eureka City Council and served four years (2006-2010). 

I am a resident of both Trinity and Humboldt Counties. My Trinity County property is surrounded by The Shasta-Trinity National Forest. I’m a founding member of the Trinity County Collaborative which has been meeting since 2013. I am deeply involved in forest issues and have a very good working knowledge of our northern forests and ecosystems. I’m an expert in forest practices on federally owned lands and well-informed on private lands. 

My first jobs were working for radio stations, as a programmer and disk jockey. In 1971 I moved to Northern California for a job at a Eureka radio station. That same year I parlayed music knowledge and my previous experience in working for record stores to start my own successful business of 40 years, while defending the environment.

Lake Group ExCom

Eliot Hurwitz

I am seeking re-election to the Executive Committee of the Lake Group Sierra Club, having had the honor of serving our local environmental community in this role for the past three years. 

My lifelong commitment to environmental policy, climate resilience, and sustainable development spans over three decades. Earlier in my career, I served in Washington, D.C., with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), working on coastal zone policy and contributing to national initiatives like the Clinton/Gore President’s Council for Sustainable Development. Later, in the Bay Area and Napa County, I led strategic long-range planning focused on climate protection initiatives, regional sustainability coalitions, and comprehensive bicycle infrastructure. 

Since moving to Lake County in 2015, my focus has been on local disaster resilience and community redevelopment. Following the devastating Valley Fire, my wife and I co-founded the Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association (SSCRA) to help rebuild our neighborhood with an emphasis on sustainability, land stewardship, tribal partnerships and long-term fire safety. 

During my time on the Executive Committee, I have worked to bring this deep background in intergovernmental collaboration, strategic planning, and grassroots organizing to protect Lake County’s unique natural resources. I look forward to continuing advocating for robust climate action, regional conservation, and resilient local infrastructure. 

I hold a B.A. in Anthropology from Harvard University with studies in biology and botany. I respectfully ask for your vote to continue serving our community.

Mendocino Group ExCom

Rixanne Wehren

My main interest in working with the Mendocino group is to ensure that coastal public access, scenic resources, and environmental habitats are adequately protected. This involves following the MC Planning Local Coastal Plan and the CA Coastal Commission issues, commenting in writing and in person and following up with the developments as built. I’ve been involved in this effort for 30 years. I appreciate your vote for my candidacy. 

Deb Sally

I am excited to help the Mendocino Group take on the challenges that have been going on for decades in this county and beyond. I currently serve as the vice-chair of the Redwood Chapter and sit on both the water and forest committees in the chapter. I have also served as the Chair of the Lake Group of the Sierra Club since 2022. I moved to Albion last year and have become active in the efforts to change the mandate of the Jackson and other Demonstration State Forests. I have been involved in various aspects of restoring the Eel River and removing the dams that are hindering the native fish populations from reaching important spawning grounds. I am interested in becoming more active along the Mendocino Coast, especially pertaining to river and watershed health.

Napa Group ExCom

Emily Bit

Skylar Waite 

Paulina Viera Zambrano 

(No candidate statements submitted.)

North Group ExCom

Elaine Gorman

Elaine Gorman has returned to Humboldt County after a 40-year hiatus. She has been active with the Motherlode Chapter, Yokuts Group, as an outings leader and member of the Yokuts ExCom. She looks forward to hiking in Humboldt County. 

Dana Utman

I would like to thank everyone who had the faith to elect me last time as chair of the North Group. It has been an honor to serve alongside other Sierra Club members on our mission to create a healthier planet. I am requesting your vote again to continue this task because we have much more work to do- building our volunteer base, establishing outdoor hikes on a permanent basis, being more politically active, and telling our story so that we can let others know the good work we have accomplished over the years. 

For those who don’t know me, I have a bachelor’s degree in resource planning and interpretation from Cal Poly Humboldt. I was employed with California State Parks which included work as a park interpreter, and I am a member of the National Association of Interpreters and a certified interpretive guide. My careers also included being a United States letter carrier and serving as branch president, and district officer for the California Association of Letter Carriers. My passions are writing, landscape photography, and enjoying the great outdoors. Why do I love the outdoors? John Muir said it better than I can: “Our spirit needs wilderness to breathe.”

Solano Group ExCom

Jim DeKloe

I have served as the Chair of the Solano Group for the last year. Solano County faces multiple environmental challenges, but I have focused mainly on the greatest challenge: the Silicon Valley billionaire-backed California Forever sprawling proposal to build a city of 400,000 people on the best protected farmland in California. 

This illogical land speculation scheme, that we have nicknamed Oligarch City, generates many environmental threats. A component proposes the conversion of a currently unspoiled part of the Delta into the largest industrial shipyard in the Country. The land in path of this development contains half of the vernal pool and California native grassland in the County; this represents a significant portion of these sensitive habitats remaining in California. And one of the main issues is “who gets to make the decision?” Under Solano County law, approval of this project must go to the voters of the County. After polling showed an overwhelming opposition, the billionaires shifted strategies to unethically pursue annexation through Suisun City. This undermines the direct democracy requirement of approval. 

The 20,000-to-25,000-page Environmental Impact Report is about to be released. I would like to lead the Sierra Club’s analysis of the potential impacts of this monster project and the formal written response. 

Professionally my training is as a biologist, and recently retired after teaching biology and biotechnology at Solano Community College. As part of that program, we have been working on reinventing industrial processes to promote a circular bioeconomy. 

Bonnie Hamilton

I would be honored to continue to serve on the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club Solano Group which I’ve served for the past 6 years. I’ve been a Sierra Club member for as long as I can remember, and I’m deeply engaged in climate action and environmental policy. 

During my tenure on the Executive Committee, I’ve worked to help pass climate friendly state legislation and to preserve laws that protect our air, water, soil and sensitive habitats. I have worked on policy that limits new fossil fuel extraction and offshore drilling, that remediates low producing wells and establishes health safety setbacks from oil and gas activity for sensitive locations such as homes, schools, daycares and hospitals, as well as taken other actions. 

I’m a pediatrician and practice in Solano County. I’m involved in organized medicine at the local, state and federal level and work with other healthcare professionals to bring the issue of the climate crisis to the forefront of the medical community. 

I serve on the Board of SF Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility as well as on the Steering Committee of the Medical Society Consortium for Climate and Health. I’m a Climate Reality Leader, serving on the Leadership Team of the Bay Area Chapter and on the California Coalition. I also serve on the Board of Sustainable Solano. 

I’m committed to serving the community, reversing the climate crisis, and helping create a socially just human presence on our beautiful planet Earth. I respectfully ask for your vote. 

Paul Theiss

I would be honored to continue to serve on the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club Solano Group which I’ve served for the past 6 years. I’ve been a Sierra Club member for as long as I can remember, and I’m deeply engaged in climate action and environmental policy. 

Paul Theiss has served on the Solano Group's Executive Committee for four years. He strengthened the Group's campaign against California Forever by gaining increased support from the Redwood Chapter and the State organization of the Sierra Club. He augments local efforts to prepare for sea level rise and Representative Garamendi's plan to increase the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. To prevent urban sprawl and increase the supply of affordable housing, he works to implement Vallejo's Housing Element and develop Mare Island as an affordable, walkable community with jobs close to housing. He also has worked to expand the Sierra Club's local membership and engage new volunteers in work that's meaningful to them. This election year he's served on the Solano Group's Interview Committee, selecting candidates for public office who will oppose California Forever. During the next two years the struggle may come to a head. He hopes to continue the campaign toward victory. 

Joan Marquand-Willse

I am new to the Sierra Club, drawn to the Solano Group in 2025 in its work to prevent California Forever/Flannery Group’s planned megacity on agricultural land. I am interested in serving on the Sierra Club Solano Group Executive Committee. 

In 2021 I retired from a career in administrative support, having worked in private businesses and city government. With time now my own, I follow several of my passions by joining organizations: for nature and enjoying the outdoors through the Sierra Club, the Winged Migration Expo, and the Solano SPCA; for service, through the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties and church projects; for neighborhood positivity, through the Vacaville Neighborhood Associations. Also, since I expect government to be just and responsive in its care of people and places, I attend city meetings to be informed and then to speak up on issues. 

I also have a passion for traveling. My husband and I take at least one road trip through part of the U.S. each year and include visiting National Parks and Historic Sites. Last June we covered 6300 miles between Vacaville, CA and Ohio/Kentucky/Tennessee. We have also enjoyed international travels in Europe, Japan and Australia. So much beauty and cultural elements to see, learn about and enjoy—and protect and preserve for everyone! There’s lots we can do, and I would be happy to join the Sierra Club Solano Group’s Executive Committee to use my skills and experience in our work.

Sonoma Group ExCom

Neil Hancock

I became a lifetime Sierra Club member in 1993, and I have been active on the Redwood Chapter Ex-Comm. This year, I was appointed to fill a seat on the Sonoma Group Ex-Comm, and I ask for your vote to continue serving on the Sonoma Group Ex-Comm. 

I’ve been active with local environmental issues since moving to Sonoma County in 1995. This has meant advocating for active transportation, such as more walkable and bikeable streets. Pedestrian, rolling, and cycling safety are often forgotten in the complexity of road building, yet incorporating safety features during the planning stage requires relatively little effort. Making it enjoyable to move around locally and access public transit helps reduce the pollution generated by gas-guzzling vehicles. 

Professionally, as a software engineer, I have worked in telecommunications and, more recently, in remote stream monitoring—supporting efforts to track the health of our streams and rivers. This work has led me to advocate for the ecological integrity of our waterways, which serve as crucial indicators of environmental health. On a personal note, it was a joy to donate land behind our house along the upper Laguna de Santa Rosa to complete a walking and biking trail that is now widely used by the local community. 

I have also volunteered as a member of the Cotati Planning Commission for over 14 years, striving to promote environmentally sensitive choices. While achieving this balance is often challenging and much work remains, I am committed to pushing for sustainable progress. 

Shirley Johnson

Sierra Club Member Since 2003 

I wish to continue serving the Sonoma Group and Sierra Club as a whole. My journey began with an internship for Friends of SMART in 2003 for college credit. I was starting my second career at college as an environmental undergrad. 

While the workload over the last twenty years has been extensive, it is a privilege to stand alongside such tireless advocates. I am eager to continue our collective work to enjoy, protect, and advocate for our planet.