Board of Directors

Elections for the Board of Directors are held every July at the FoVG annual meeting. Directors serve two year terms and meetings are held via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas are posted in advance on the fence next to the Post Office and are available online.

Kyla Brooke

Co-President

(until July 2027)

I Love Pilates and Pup Walks,
My home in Villa Grande and Travel.

Founding member of FoVG

Retired Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), current realtor & real estate agent
(They’re really the same thing!)

Committed to Community Fun and Community Betterment

Member of Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) for wastewater.

Rich Holmer

Co-President

(until July 2027)

Love the river and our Preserve.

Founding Board member of FoVG.

I have lived in Villa Grande for 45 years with my beautiful wife Wanda.

Currently on the Board of Directors of Sweetwater Springs Water District, member of the Citizens Advisory Group for wastewater issues in Monte Rio & Villa Grande, Commissioner on Sonoma LAFCO.

Formerly worked for County of Sonoma, retired 20 years ago.

Patty Thayer

treasurer

(until July 2028)

Dog mom to three wonderful pups

Human mom to two wonderful adults and grandmother to one child

A Libra by birth

Retired trial lawyer by profession

Representative for Monte Rio and Villa Grande on the Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) for Supervisor Hopkins

Loves musical theater all year ‘round

Susan Corley

SECRETARY

(until July 2027)

Native Californian, Dog Mom to Alice & Zolly, Human Mom to Maddie & Colton, and sidekick to Bob. Pie is her love language.

Loves community, connecting others and helping make this world a better place to live. Currently a realtor in Atlanta, GA planning a dream home remodel, soon to be full time resident in VG.

Seasoned Board member from other community groups and looks forward to being a part of this amazing community.

Brian Perloff

Member

(until July 2027)

Brian is a seasoned general contractor, entrepreneur and artisan with over 40 year of experience in construction and project management.

He is the founder of Sonoma Timberworks, managing large scale construction projects and winery renovations. He blends craftsmanship with creative vision, builds trusted relationships with customers and vendors, and thrives on bringing complex visions to life.

He and his partner, Kellee Kessler, are owners of the new Wonderland Pizzeria that opened in Monte Rio in 2026.

Beyond his work, Brian is committed to being present, loving life and deeply grateful for our community in Villa Grande.

Drew Farley

Member

(until July 2028)

20+ years: Music & Theatre production
Technical Director - Stanford Live and San Francisco Opera
IATSE Local 16 Stagehand
Founder of Against the Current Productions - Contract Draftsmen - Stage Design, Landscape, and Construction Drafting
Zipline Guide for fun and exercise.
Avid kayaker and hiker.
Prefers outdoors to people.
Terrace-ista since 2020

Kelsey Sheofsky

Member

(until July 2028)

Founder of Shelter Co. Family of Brands including River Electric, a camp hotel & swim club in Guerneville.

Villa Grande part-timer since 2012 and full time resident of West County since 2020.
Mother of two girls plus a menagerie of animals.

Served on the Russian River Confluence Board to help engage stakeholders and the community in support for our watershed.
Believes there is nothing quite like a sunny summer day on the river.

Shelley Russell

Member

(until July 2028)

Member of the Villa Grande community and an active volunteer with FoVG since 2018. Shelley served as a previous FoVG Board member from 2021-2023. Shelley practiced law for 15 years before turning to a second career in education, teaching for 20 years. Her husband, Lance, serves on the FoVG restoration committee of Patterson Point Preserve. They have two adult children, a daughter who resides in New York and a son in Washington state.

Shelley feels extraordinarily blessed to have landed in such a welcoming and closeknit community and appreciates the beauty of Patterson Point Preserve by foot and by kayak. She values ethical and responsible stewardship so that Patterson Point Preserve may continue to support native plant and animal species as well as provide education & enjoyment for future generations.

Leah Roderman

Member

(until July 2028)

Leah has been volunteering with FoVG since 2022, bringing her expertise as a website developer and digital communications strategist. She has supported FoVG in improving membership management, email communications, and website content. This has deepened her appreciation for FoVG’s work to restore and steward Patterson Point and to strengthen connections within the community.

Leah lives in Petaluma with her partner, son, 2 cats, and 7 geese. She has a strong connection to the Russian River area thanks to friends and family around Guerneville and Monte Rio. She is a nonprofit communications director with ChangeLab Solutions and has previously served on the boards of two community organizations.

P.O. Box 28, Villa Grande CA 95486

Friends of Villa Grande is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization (tax ID 64-0964108)