Our Board of Directors

Gary Bell is currently a licensed real estate broker who owns and operates First Bankers Mortgage & Realty in Richmond. Gary has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry including over 20 years with Bank of the West and Imperial Savings, producing mortgage loans. He also served as the CEO of Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union for 2 years. Since arriving in California in 1989, Gary wasted no time in getting involved in the community to make a difference. Serving on the City Council from 1999 to 2004, Gary was known for looking out for the Business community's interests. He enjoys golf in his spare time and is a movie buff.

Michelle Blackwell* is a Community Affairs Representative at East Bay Municipal Utility District representing West Contra Costa County. She joined EDMUD in 2002. Prior to working at the water district, Michelle worked in public relations and marketing communications in the telecommunication, reprographics, and software development industries. She holds a B.A. in English and an Applied Science Degree in Electronic Engineering. Michelle has many years of volunteer experience with the American Lung Association, Contra Costa Earth Day, Cystic Fibrosis Research Fundraising and Community Concerts. Her hobbies include music, writing, reading and graphic design.

Eleanor Bosewell Raines
Picture and bio will appear here soon.

Jim Brumfield is the Community Engagement Representative for the Chevron Richmond Refinery. He joined the Chamber Board in 2005 and is the 2007 Chair.

Robert Connely
Picture and bio will appear here soon.

Micheal Davenport is the President of D.P. Security LLC. His business was incorporated in 1996, but Mike has a long history in the security business. He also rents Limousines and has motorcycles to escort funerals and V.I.P.’s. Mike has a background as an auto mechanic, auto body works, Hazardous Waste Specialist, and has driven 18 wheelers all over the U.S.A. He is active in many organizations and is currently on the boards of the Richmond Police Activities League, and the Government Board of Richmond. He is also Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of Richmond. He and his wife Sharon love to travel.

Jane Del Simone* has integrated 18 years of teaching and 14 years in the business world into her current job as Community Development Specialist with West Contra Costa Adult Education. She is an active member of the El Cerrito Rotary Club, holding many offices, including being the first female president. She graduated in Radio/ TV Drama from San Jose State University and holds an Adult School Vocational and Parenting Credential. She has been an active member of the Richmond Chamber since 2001 and serves as the liaison for the Chamber Ambassadors along with being MC for the Chamber Breakfast for Business! Jane loves to dance, go to concerts and plays, and most of all to travel!

Virginia Finlay has been a member of the Richmond Chamber since 1995 and has been on the Board of Directors since that time, is the past Chair of the Government Relations Committee and was the Chair of the Chamber in 2001. Virginia also serves on the Board of Directors for RichPAC (Richmond Chamber Political Action Committee). In addition, Virginia is the current Chair of the City of Richmond Planning Commission and has served on the commission for eleven years. She is a founding member of the Marina Bay Neighborhood Council and is the Chair of that organization. Virginia loves reading, the theatre and museums, good food, good conversation and robust humor.

Joshua Genser has been practicing business and real estate law in Richmond since 1983, and has been CEO of the Richmond Development Company since 1998. He has been a member of the chamber since 1996. He is a Past Chair of the Chamber Board and Economic Development Committee, a member of the Government Relations Committee, and is past Chair of the Education Committee. He is a member of Richmond Rotary. Josh has a JD from UC Berkeley and an MS in Economics from Stanford. He enjoys bad golf and fine scotch.

Alex Gomez has served as Executive Director of the West Contra Costa Business Development Center (BDC) for the past four years. The BDC is an innovative nonprofit corporation whose goal is to help build strong, growth-oriented businesses that create job opportunities and stimulate economic activity in the communities of West Contra Costa. Alex is a graduate of UC Berkeley and is a West County resident. He is an active member of various economic development associations and participates on local community and school district advisory boards.

Julie Hadnot* is the Community and Government Relations Manager for the East Bay Area of Kaiser Permanente. She has been a member of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce since 2005. Julie holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles. She is an active member of the East Bay community serving on a number of boards and councils including the Marcus Foster Educational Institute, California Black Women’s Health Project Northern California Advisory Committee, and the Alameda County School Based Health Center Advisory Board. Her favorite hobbies include singing, traveling and making jewelry.

Peter A. Hass has been a partner at Watson, Hoffe & Hass for 18 years. The company has been a Chamber member since 1967. Peter has served on the Chamber board for 12 years, was the chair of the board in 1995 and is on the Government Relations Committee. He is a past President of the Richmond Art Center, advisor to membership for Early Childhood Mental Health and Counsel for the National Institute of Art & Disabilities. Peter enjoys coaching children's sports, fly-fishing and hiking.

Jerrold L. Hatchett* has worked for SimsMetal, formerly LMC Metals, since 1970. He started as a laborer and was promoted in turn to positions as burner, forklift operator, railroad engineer, baler operator and inspector. Jerrold was also Union Counselor and Shop Steward. In 1999, he was promoted to his current position of Division Manager, overseeing all of the Richmond operations. He has been a member of King Solomon Lodge since 1986, is active in the Santa Fe Neighborhood Council, Coronado Neighborhood Council, and Bay Area Rescue Mission. He is currently a member of the Council of Industries for Richmond and Co-Chair of the Richmond Main Street Initiative. In addition, Jerrold is involved with the Ed. Fund and Nystrom Elementary School.

In July of 2006, Bruce Harter became the superintendent of schools of the West Contra Costa School District. Before coming to WCCUSD, he’d been a superintendent in three other districts over the past 15 years. The district most similar to WCCUSD was Fort Myers, Florida, with 60,000 students and five municipalities. Bruce earned his Bachelor degree at the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. at the University of Colorado. Since beginning his career in Detroit 35 years ago, Bruce has also been a math and science teacher, a wrestling coach, an assistant principal, principal and associate superintendent. What he cares most deeply about is improving student learning for all.

Gisela Hernandez
Picture and bio will appear here soon.

Cheryl Maier is the Executive Director of Opportunity West, a non-profit capacity-building agency located in Richmond, serving West Contra Costa County.  Her work includes project development and grants management, as well as demonstration programs applying best practices to high risk families, homeless, gang youth and those involved in the juvenile justice system.  She is on the Boards of Directors of the YMCA, Youth Service Bureau, Brookside Community Health Center and Doctor’s Medical Center Foundation.  She works 60 hours a week but takes a week of vacation each quarter for R & R.