Board of Directors
The Novato Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors. Our board are dedicated individuals who enjoy living/working in the community that they serve. They come from unique backgrounds and bring with them years of industry wisdom as well as dedicated to see this community thrive. Board members are eager to participate and help shape a better tomorrow for region.
Novato Chamber Board members serve 3-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms before they must take a mandatory year-off from service. This term limit helps ensure that new leadership and ideas come to the Board and the Chamber. Chamber Presidents may serve one or two year terms.,
President & Officers
2024
Board President -Seth Shorett
Umpqua Bank
Immediate Past President - Coree Cameron
Cameron Coffey & Kaye Professionals
Vice Presidents
Valley Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home
School Fuel, the Novato Foundation for Public Education
Treasurer
Jannisse & Hull CPA
CEO
CEO - Coy Smith
Novato Chamber
Directors (In Alphabetical Order)
Athas & Associates Real Estate
Athas & Associates Real Estate
First Federal Savings & Loans
Jannisse & Hull CPA
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
Mutual of Omaha
Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals
Miann Builder
Brilliancy
Pini Ace Hardware
Seth Shorett is a commercial banker with Umpqua Bank in their Bay Area Corporate Banking division. He specializes in financing stable and growing middle-market companies. In addition to his work with the Novato Chamber, Seth also volunteers with North Marin Community Services and the Marin Builder’s Association. He lives in Novato with his wife, a Special Education Teacher, and his two children. When Seth gets a free moment, you’ll find him camping, hiking, off-roading, or working on his trucks.
Coree is an Enrolled Agent with more than thirty years of experience in the fields of accounting and taxation.
Over the course of her professional career, Coree has advised countless individuals and small businesses as well as prominent concerns such as Columbia Hospitals, Kendall Jackson Wine Estates, and In Bed Productions, Inc., producers of Dancing with the Stars.
Prior to becoming one of the founders of Cameron Coffey & Kaye in 2003, Coree managed her own successful bookkeeping and write-up practice serving clients throughout San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma Counties.
In addition to her work at Cameron Coffey & Kaye, Coree is also Treasurer of Novato Community Television, Rotary Club of Ignacio, and Novato Community Action Network, Inc. (formerly Novato Women’s Network, Inc.), a not-for-profit organization that she formed in 2009, which focuses on helping the Novato community through charitable donations, fundraisers, and partnerships with other local not-for-profit organizations. Her organization has raised over $75,000 for local causes.
Coree feels duty-bound to support the Chamber and the community that it represents (and that she loves). Her ideals and viewpoints are aligned with the Chamber, which enables her to offer powerful insights into business and community goals and support the mission and values of the Chamber.
Sherri Jacobs, has a dual role at Valley Memorial Park as Director of Finance as well as Director of Marketing. Valley Memorial Park provides full service, Cemetery, funeral home on-site crematory and reception center--the most unique business of its type in all of Marin.
In addition to successfully raising two children, Sherri has over twenty-five years in the business community that included managing her own company for over 15 years and then successfully migrating to a corporate position with the Napa Wine Train while continuing to closely volunteer her services with a variety of non-profit organizations. Although only being a member of the Novato Community for a few years, Sherri has continued to pursue her life-long passion of supporting programs vital for the success and vitality of our community of family, friends, and businesses. Her take action personality and ability to see what needs to be done and create the time and energy to find ways to get things done for so many organizations, businesses and individuals is one of her many assets. Sherri’s genuine passion for supporting our community is one of her greatest strengths. Changing the way, the community looks at our type of business. Bringing our company forward to be a viable part of the community.
Sherri brings 8 years of working with non-profits on boards. Enthusiasm and a vision for helping our chamber to move forward in Shaping tomorrow.
Denise Athas served on the Novato City Council for 13years from 2009 to 2022 and was Mayor for 3 times. She retired from politics in December of 2022. Denise has been very active in the Novato community in various leadership capacities. In the past she has served as President of the Novato Chamber of Commerce in 2002, President of Downtown Novato Business and served on the state board of directors for the League of CA Cities for 4 years and served as President of the Northbay Division of League of CA Cities and President of the MCMCC (Marin County Mayors & Council Members.
Denise is a native Californian, raised in the East Bay, and has two grown sons, Matthew and Joe. Denise has been a Residential Real Estate Agent for 35 years, is a Broker, and for the last 14 years has run her own boutique real estate company with her husband George Athas which is Athas & Associates Real Estate Inc. located at 1202 Grant Avenue in the heart of Downtown Novato. Please visit www.DeniseAthas.com for more info.
Denise served on the Board of Directors of the Chamber in the early 2000’s and is excited and honored to be serving on the Board of Directors currently.
Denise can be reached at 415-245-2959 or DAthas@aol.com
A graduate of San Francisco State University in Interdisciplinary Creative Arts-majoring in Educational Administration and minoring in music performance. Continued my education in their masters program and at the same time studied at College of Marin in their music performance and teaching programs. My music endeavors led me to electronics and then electronics sales.
Since 2011 I have enjoyed being a real estate agent and part owner of Athas & Associate Real Estate, a residential real estate brokerage on Grant Ave. in downtown Novato. Prior to joining the company, I (as well as many,) spearheaded the start of Canon USA’s Video Division, and spent more than 20 years with this fantastic company. My territory stretched over eight states and achievements included yearly sales awards with one being the top National Sales Award winner.
I was born in Marin and have spent over 40 years living in Novato. Since 1995 I have been married to my wife Denise and we have two sons, both professionals living in Sacramento.
Over the years I have served as Chair of the Chamber Golf Committee , volunteered on the Sutter Hospital Golf Committee and the Novato City Birthday Party Committee, where for the last five years, I headed up the “Taste of Novato” part of the event.
Some of my passions are photography, music, gardening, food, and travel!
I am honored to now serve on the Board of Directors of the Novato Chamber of Commerce.
Ann Carroll Roggenbuck opened Miann Builder, General Contractor and Landscape Design company with her husband, Michael, more than 20 years ago. Specializing in residential home remodels, additions and landscapes, they continue to work all over the San Francisco Bay Area.
Born and raised in Marin County, Ann graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Mathematics. She earned her teaching credential from San Francisco State University and taught High School Mathematics for over 10 years. While raising their three children Ann and Michael purchased their first home in Novato and started Miann Builder.
Before working full time for Miann Builder, Ann gained experience in the construction field while working for Valentine Engineering & Prandi Property Management in San Rafael. She furthered her education in digital marketing and corporate scheduling by working for worldwide non-profit B612, assisting Astrophysicists defend the world from asteroid impacts. As the Parish Coordinator for a local church she used her skills in computers, finance, and building maintenance to implement new computer database programs, write a weekly bulletin, spearhead their online giving portal and help restore the 100 year old church.
With the encouragement of Coy Smith, CEO of the Novato Chamber, Ann decided to devote her work entirely to Miann Builder and create the landscape side of the company. Because of that membership Miann Builder has been named Small Business of the Year, and has won numerous Reader’s Choice awards from Marin Independent Journal and Pacific Sun. Ann is a graduate of the Novato Chamber leadership program.
Ann continues to volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Society as an Auxiliary Board Member and Marin Charitable as Membership Chair Board Member.
With 20+ years brandbuilding experience, Kristin successfully leads Brilliancy (formerly Kreativz) in its mission to build brands and brand-level initiatives. Her ability to bridge creative and technical with design, messaging, and marketing technology has earned her a loyal client following. Her company specializes in brand development and storytelling through graphic design, web design, and video - from small social media story reels and advertising to documentary-style storytelling.
A prior Novato Chamber Ambassador for several years, Mr. De Ramon currently promotes the Novato Chamber and its purpose by serving on the Chamber Board. Expectations include shared fiduciary oversight of the Novato Chamber, enlisting new members, maintaining relationships with current members, and serving as a goodwill representative at local nonprofits, business and community activities. Richard will also develop new business contacts in Novato while increasing community-wide recognition for both the Chamber and First Federal Savings.
Richard was recognized as the Novato Chamber’s Ambassador of the year in 2016. “Serving and improving the community whenever possible is greatly valued at First Federal Savings. Moving our loan and administrative offices to Novato allowed me the opportunity to once again to serve in Novato.”
A graduate of San Francisco State University, Richard has more than 30 years of financial services experience with positions in both California and Florida. Prior to joining First Federal, Mr. De Ramon was employed in retail management positions with Bank of Marin and Redwood Credit Union. Community Service: Past committees and board involvement include: San Rafael Education Committee, Novato Human Needs Center, Marin Y Board, San Rafael Chamber Ambassador Committee, Novato Chamber Ambassador Committee, Novato Sunrise Rotary. Richard is a San Francisco native, now residing in Marin with his life partner, Lisa, a physician for Marin Health. Interests include traveling, art, and music (especially Jazz).
I’m a CPA and co-owner of Jannisse & Hull CPAs in Novato. I became a CPA because I love helping people understand their taxes and accounting. I became a CPA later in life, after spending many years doing accounting and payroll for various companies, and eventually getting my B.S. from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. But once I learned how to do tax planning and prepare tax returns, I never looked back. I love a good challenge – like messy books or tax returns not filed for multiple years. I also love helping small nonprofits too. I grew up in Novato (go Hornets!) and live in Larkspur.
Having played Minor league baseball in my prime youth years, and a current active yoga enthusiast, it helps me to be a strong, conscious, present, and compassionate negotiator. I utilize the latest technology, social media, and television while marketing your home through competitive insight. With a typical response time of 24 hours or less, you will feel comfortable knowing your questions and concerns are being answered or worked on. Having my Brokers license and some lending background, I can help you every step of the way to see the big picture with your real estate portfolio. A portion of my sales goes to a local nonprofit called launch five for five that helps to struggle Millenials, usually, 18-30 years of age get on their feet to have a great resume and kick start their careers. Specialties: My area of expertise are with First Time Home Buyers, Investors, and Seniors SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) Designation as of 1/21/2018
Board Member with the Novato Chamber and 2018-2019 Leadership Novato Graduate
Marin Builders Association Member 2019
Michael is a networker and connector in the Novato Community while supporting the Chamber with multiple Membership signups through telling my experience with the Novato Chamber.
Dale Kline | School Fuel
Leadership Novato Class of
Bio Coming Soon!
Homa Rassouli | Mutual of Omaha
Homa Rassouli is a licensed Reverse Mortgage Specialist at Mutual of Omaha Mortgage with over 38 years of experience in the reverse mortgage field, including 22 years in the financial services and mortgage industries at Wells Fargo Bank and Mutual of Omaha. Homa has been the recipient of the prestigious "President's Club" honor for the past 16 consecutive years and is a trusted name in the industry, know as a reliable resource for retirees.
She has been honored with providing numerous trainings, seminars and panel discussions to deliver matter of fact information and learning knowledge to groups ranging from Novato and San Rafael Chambers of Commerce, Financial Planning Association, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Marin Bar Association to name a few. Homa is also active engaged with The Marin Realtors, North Bay Realtors, Women Council of Realtors, CAL CPA, and Section on Aging.
She additional serves on the Novato Chamber Board of Directors, Marin Council Estate Planning Council, San Francisco Financial Planning Association, Marin Realtors Government Affairs Committee, San Rafael Women on Industry Committee and Women's Club of Marin.
Homa enjoys educating and working with mature homeowners, their families and their trusted advisors to secure long-term sustainable solutions.
Homa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Finance from Gannon University, PA. She spends much of her free time with her family, especially her three grandchildren: Sofia (14), Ellie (10), and Sebastian (8)
Betsy Ricketts is the Vice President of Policy, Government Affairs and Public Policy for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical based in Novato. Betsy manages all federal, state and local government affairs efforts on behalf of the company committed to bringing to patients novel products for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare diseases, with a focus on serious, debilitating genetic diseases.
Over the last 20 years, Betsy has advocated for both small business owners and Fortune 50 corporations in developing and managing policies, programs and political activities in Northern California, in over 25 states and in Washington D.C.
Betsy Ricketts graduated with double majors in Business Marketing and Journalism Public Relations at Colorado State University.
Tom young- co owner of Pini Hardware – serving Novato since 1918- Novato’s oldest retail business. Tom young is third generation owner of Pini Hardware along with his brothers Russ and David. The young family has owned the store since 1968. Pini is celebrating its 105th year in 2023.
Tom lives in Sonoma with his 2 sons Scott and Travis. But actually, feels like he lives in Novato. When not dealing with the day-to-day operations of running a family run store he enjoys other activities. Trying to attend as many events as he can. He is currently a board member on the Novato Chamber of Commerce and when has time a member of the Novato Rotary Club. Tom also is head coach and area director for the Sonoma Valley Special Olympics- and when he can tries to coach soccer with friends and former players he has coached for almost 40 years.
Pini Hardware won the Large Business of the Year in 2018 and received the Spirit of Marin Award in 2019.
Tom is one of the leaders of the fabulous 4th of July parade Pini Plunger Patrol and is a supporter of many events such as schools- scouts both boys and girls- sports groups and teams- holiday tree lighting- 4th of July parade- just to name a few.
Tom is all about the community- loves to give back- as he and his brothers know that without the community there would be no Pini Hardware. We consider Pini as the community store.
Mission & Values of the Novato Chamber
The Novato Chamber believes in shaping tomorrow. As an organization, we are guided by our mission and five all-encompassing values.
Thank you to our President's Circle
Learn how President's Circle and the Novato Chamber's Signature Events can grow your organization
Do You Have Questions? Contact the Novato Chamber Team!
If you have any questions about this page, the Novato Chamber's political position/community project endorsements, or if you are interested in learning more about the Board of Directors and the Novato Chamber's community participation and representation, contact Coy Smith. Click here to Email Coy!
