MEET OUR BOARD

JACQUELYN WHEELER (President)

Jacque lives in San Luis Obispo, and has played a prominent roll in many local civic and political organizations for the last three decades.

Starting in the late 1970s she has held positions in training, counseling and personnel at Cuesta College, as well as working as a vocational expert.  Following her experiences at Cuesta College, she was the owner of  Career Resources in San Luis Obispo, offering counseling and job placement services to injured workers.

As a non-profit advocate, she served as development officer for the San Luis Obispo Community Foundation in 2004, and as a Member of the Board of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Luis Obispo (President of the Board, 2005-2010).

She holds a BA from U.C. Berkeley and an MA from Stanford University.

DEIDRA O’MERDE 

Deidra O’Merde opened a small floral and wine shop in 1980 which has grown into one of the most recognized and award winning floral businesses in San Francisco. Her floral, wine and gourmet business expanded by adding a wine-tasting bar in 2002. Involvement in small business politics over the years has provided the vehicle for which she can promote her progressive values, often somewhat at odds with business owners.

Deidra has gained national attention; Working Women’s Magazine declared Rosebowl Florist one of the top 15 florists in America in 1998; both of Rosebowl’s designers win virtually every contest they enter; and last year, the San Francisco Bay Guardian Reader’s Poll voted Rosebowl Florist and Wine Shop the best flower shop in the Bay Area.  She is currently involved with the Lower Polk Neighborhood Association – a small business and building manager group addressing all neighborhood issues actively with city officials. Prior to this, she served as a board member for The Utility Reform Network (TURN), a consumer advocacy organization.

JUDY JONES 

Judy lives near San Clemente, and in previous years has run for California State Assembly in the 73rd Assembly District, from Oceanside to Laguna Hills.

Her MBA from the University of Chicago and her Peace Corps experience teaching in Belize give her a background that combines problem solving with understanding of a wide range of people and issues.  She’s been a consultant, helping businesses find the right software tools for more than 25 years in both the southern California and Chicago area.

Judy has volunteered in her community for youth, literacy and the environment and participated in multiple political campaigns. 

TAMA BECKER-VARANO  (Treasurer)