Advisory Council
The Placer Land Trust Advisory Council lends professional expertise in many fields to ensure that PLT is effective in identifying and preserving land in Placer County, as well as running an efficient and successful organization. Advisors are members of PLT who volunteer their time on an as-needed basis to assist with general operations and specific projects.
To inquire about joining the PLT Advisory Council, please contact the Board of Directors at board@placerlandtrust.org.
Here is a partial list of our Advisors.
Cheryl Belcher, Grass Valley
Cheryl is the former Executive Director of the Nevada County Land Trust and former Executive Director of the Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, and currently works for the California Council of Land Trusts. She advises PLT on a wide variety of land trust and land conservation issues.
Mara J. Bresnick, Meadow Vista
Mara is a former PLT Board member and Secretary, and Board member of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. She advises PLT on a wide variety of land trust and land conservation issues.
Loren Clark, Auburn
Loren is the Assistant Director of the Placer County Planning Department and the director of the Placer Legacy Open Space & Agricultural Conservation Program; he advises PLT on land conservation and regional partnership issues.
Janice Forbes, Auburn
Janice is the publisher of Sierra Heritage Magazine and the Placer Sentinel, serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Business Council, and the recipient of the 2007 Placer Conservator award. She advises PLT on public relations and regional partnership issues.
Steve Frisch, Truckee
Steve is the President of the Sierra Business Council, and advises PLT on land conservation, sustainable economics, project management and regional partnership issues.
Doug Houston, Auburn
Doug is a former PLT Board member with expertise in parks and trails avocacy and public policy. He is Vice President of the Houston Group, and advises PLT on issues related to public recreation, fundraising, adn government relations.
Dennis Meyer, Auburn
Dennis is the President of the environmental engineering firm Andregg Geomatics, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Sierra Business Council. He advises PLT on environmental consulting issues.
Mark Morse, Roseville
Mark is the Environmental Coordinator for the City of Roseville, and advises PLT on issues related to our West Placer Habitat Protection Program.
Joanne Neft, Newcastle
Joanne is the former Agricultural Marketing Director for Placer County, a driving force behind Placer GROWN, and the recipient of the 2006 Placer Conservator award; she advises PLT on agriculture, outreach, and fundraising issues.
Ed Pandolfino, Carmichael
Ed is a Director of the Sierra Foothills Audubon Society, and advises PLT on wildlife habitat issues, land conservation and stewardship issues, and our West Placer Habitat Protection Program.
Nancyjo Riekse, Auburn
Nancyjo is the Agricultural Marketing Director for Placer County, a promoter of Placer GROWN, and a former Volunteer of the Year for PLT; she advises PLT on agriculture, outreach, and fundraising issues.
Patty Ruud, Auburn
Patty is an attorney formerly with the El Dorado County Counsel’s Office. She advises PLT on project selection, land acquisitions and document review. Patty was our Volunteer of the Year for 2004.
Mehrey Vaghti, Auburn
Mehrey is a former PLT Board member and Secretary who works as an independent restoration ecologist. She advises PLT on land stewardship and habitat restoration issues.
Marilyn Williamson, Roseville
Marilyn is an accountant and farmer; she runs Beauty Ranch, producing PlacerGROWN fruits. She advises PLT on financial and agricultural issues.
Emeritus Directors
Placer Land Trust also benefits from the advice and experience of former members of its staff and Board of Directors, including:
- Mara J. Bresnick, Environmental Regulatory Specialist, Attorney
- Kathryn Grey, Certified Public Accountant
- Doug Houston, Parks and Trails Advocate
- Linda Raimondi, Realtor (retired)
- Leah Rosasco, Placer County Senior Planner
- Marcie Rosenzweig, Agricultural Consultant
- Christine Turner, Placer County Agricultural Commissioner
- Mehrey Vaghti, Restoration Ecologist
- Kit Veerkamp, Landscape Architect
- Leslie Warren, Placer Nature Center Director