Submit Date: Dec 05, 2025
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
City of Napa Boards & Commissions
Profile
Note: This application allows you to apply for multiple Boards, Commission and Committees; however, only one application can be submitted. Please ensure that your responses clearly address your interest, qualifications, and relevant experience for each Board, Commission or Committee you are applying to.
Mailing Address (if different than Resident Address above) Length of Residence in the City of Napa:
3 Years
Length of Residence in the County of Napa:
Registered to vote in the City of Napa?
Yes No
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
Interests & Experiences
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Planning Commission: Submitted
Darren C Graffuis
Ground Studio Landscape
Architecture
Landscape Architect, Project
Manager
Darren C Graffuis
ATTACHMENT 1
Upload a Resume
Question applies to Cultural Heritage Commission,Planning Commission Some Commissions and Boards require specific seats to be designated as "Design Professionals". Are you applying as a Design Professional, which is defined as, "a person who demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the City Council, that he or she has professional experience (in the fields of architectural design, landscape architecture, urban planning, building, sustainability, or a related field) that is sufficient to assist the member in the effective evaluation of applications for development projects." ? If you have marked "YES", please provide details under "Relevant Experience" in this section. You may attach your resume below.
Yes No
Question applies to Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission 3 of the 7 voting members shall be a person who demonstrates experience in one of the following identified fields: urban planning, park planning, park operations, park maintenance, recreation programming, horticulture, or arboriculture. Are you applying as one of these members? Yes No
Community Service Experience:
I've participated in several creek cleanups in my hometown, Walnut Creek, CA. I've participated in several planting days with the California Native Plant Society in San Francisco while living there.
Education:
Cornell University: Master's In Landscape Architecture (MLA), Graduated 2016 UC Santa Barbara: Bachelor of Arts Environmental Studies, minor in Urban Planning, Graduated 2007 Other relevant experience or expertise:
Additional Questions
Darren C Graffuis
ATTACHMENT 1
What is your understanding of the role and responsibility of this board? Parks, Recreation, and Trees: It is an advisory role to the City Council regarding matters affecting parks, public and private lands, recreation and cultural activities, and also the city's urban tree canopy, protected trees, and other city programs. I believe it's a role that should look at the city holistically and analytically at current practices. Planning Commission: This is also an advisory role to the City Council regarding amendments to the General Plan and Zoning ordinances. It also is a decision-making body for CUPs and design review permits.
Have you ever attended a meeting of this board? If so, how many? No, but I have been to other towns' Planning Commission meetings What duties of this board are most interesting to you?
Parks, Recreation, and Trees: I'm passionate about the enrichment of public space, through an improved park system, urban tree canopy, and biodiversity. I would hope that this role has the opportunity to steer the city towards decisions that enhance people's lives through ecologically minded practices, building a more beautiful city, and providing equitable opportunities to safe public spaces. I'm also interested to learn more about how these decisions are made and the challenges that face our city in order to help overcome them in the future. Planning Commission: I'm invested in Napa and would like to be a part of steering it towards a more equitable, beautiful, and ecologically rich future. I'm interested in learning more about Napa's growth, the challenges it faces, and getting more involved in Napa's future.
What activities of this board are least interesting to you? N/A
What programs or projects would you like to see improved or implemented? Parks, Recreation, and Trees: I'd like to better understand the urban tree plantings and overall maintenance practices. I'd like to understand some of the drivers that affect decisions about urban trees. I think we could use better street trees in some areas and a city-wide tree plan. If one is already established, I think it could use some updating. I'd also like to see better access to parks, more park activities and better public outreach. I'd love to see a city- wide Park Master Plan with a range of programmatic and ecologically driven design.
Planning: I value much of the work that's helped transform Napa over the recent decades. I'd like to see more opportunities to enhance the identity of the city. This can be done with more attention to aesthetic cohesion, urban beautification via street trees, public space, and ecological design, access to the river, and creating more moments for historical and cultural appreciation.
How would you approach improving these project(s) or program(s)? I would bring a collaborative approach to understand current practices, attend park / public events, and get feedback from residents. I'd bring a sharp, analytical eye to all projects from my 10 years of experience as a design professional.
Are you involved in any organizations or activities that may result in a conflict of interest if you are appointed to this board? Parks: No. Planning: I work for a landscape architecture office in Napa, but we have not done any public work in the City of Napa. I could see that there may be a small number of times where I'm reviewing plans from people I know in the industry.
Darren C Graffuis
ATTACHMENT 1
Please list two local references and their phone numbers:
How did you learn of this vacancy?
Other
Darren C Graffuis
ATTACHMENT 1
RESUME
Darren Graffuis, PLA
About
I grew up in the Bay Area and spent most of my childhood outdoors, which has had a profound impact on my interests in biodiversity and land stewardship. As a licensed Landscape Architect, Darren has worked on a range of projects from residential to institutional through all phases of design and construction.
Prior to my design experience, I worked for five years as an environmental consultant on large, former industrial manufacturing sites, working on soil and groundwater remediation systems and reporting. I draw on knowledge from a diverse background in design and environmental sciences.
Professional Experience
Landscape Architect, Project Manager, Ground Studio, Napa, CA, 2022 – Present Project Manager, Office of Cheryl Barton, San Francisco, CA, 2017-2022 Intern Staff Designer, Nelson Byrd Woltz, New York, NY, 2015 Intern, Coen + Partners, Minneapolis, MN, 2014
Intern, Burton Studio, Solano Beach, CA 2013
Environmental Scientist/Deptuy Construction Manager, Parsons, Walnut Creek, 2008-2012 Registrations
Landscape Architect, #6628, State of California, since 2020 Professional Affilliations
ASLA
Education
Cornell University, MLA, Master’s in Landscape Architecture, 2016 University of California Santa Barbara, BA, Environmental Studies, 2007 Academic Awards
Teaching Assistant of the Year Award, Cornell Univeristy, 2015 Ed Bacon Greater Philadelphia Jury Award, 2015
ATTACHMENT 1
Submit Date: Dec 08, 2025
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
City of Napa Boards & Commissions
Profile
Note: This application allows you to apply for multiple Boards, Commission and Committees; however, only one application can be submitted. Please ensure that your responses clearly address your interest, qualifications, and relevant experience for each Board, Commission or Committee you are applying to.
Mailing Address (if different than Resident Address above) Length of Residence in the City of Napa:
3.5 years
Length of Residence in the County of Napa:
3.5 years
Registered to vote in the City of Napa?
Yes No
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
Interests & Experiences
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission: Submitted Drew Lehman
Retired
Environmental Scientist and
Educator
Drew Lehman
ATTACHMENT 1
Upload a Resume
Question applies to Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission 3 of the 7 voting members shall be a person who demonstrates experience in one of the following identified fields: urban planning, park planning, park operations, park maintenance, recreation programming, horticulture, or arboriculture. Are you applying as one of these members? Yes No
Community Service Experience:
I am applying as a person with experience in urban planning, parks planning and environmental facility operations & maintenance. Relevant community based volunteer and professional experience includes the following Volunteer - Napa Public Library-ESL Tutor- Jan 2024-present Board Member (Newly appointed) Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation- November 2025-present Exec. Director, Rockland Co. (NY) Solid Waste Management Authority (Managed $25M/year recycling. composting, solid waste public authority) Volunteer - 826 Valencia Street Literacy and Learning Volunteer, MIssion District, San Francisco - 2016 to 2021 Board Member - New York/New Jersey Trails Conference - 2000-2004 (relocated to California) Board Member - Environmental Chair - Northern New Jersey Boy Scouts - 1999- 2004 (relocated to California) Founder and Board Service - Teaneck NJ - Cultural Arts Committee (a 501)(c)(3) 1997-2001 - mission: Celebrate our Diversity Through the Arts Teaneck, New Jersey, Little League Safety Director - 1999-2002 (till my son moved up to high school sports) Board Member and Volunteer Chair Site Restoration Committee, NY CIty Audubon Society 1990-1997 (Moved to New Jersey) Member - Leadership Committee - NY League of Conservation Voters (1995-1997) Moved to New Jersey Education:
• COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY. Master of Arts, Environmental Geography, 1980 • CLARK UNIVERSITY, Worcester, Mass., Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences, 1975 • LEADERSHIP SAN FRANCISCO, SF Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco, CA., Class of 2008 Other education includes: California Water Resources and Geography of California, SF State, 20015-2016
Other relevant experience or expertise:
Served on the Board of the New York City Audubon Society and worked with the City of New York's Department of Parks and Recreation on the transfer of a 35 acre wetland/upland parcel (Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary - https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/dubos-point- wildlife-sanctuary) in Jamaica Bay from NYC Department of Ports and Terminals to the permanent protection of the NYC Parks and Rec. Department. Worked in concert with the Prospect Park Alliance in Brooklyn, New York on the establishment of a native plant habitat known as "Butterfly Meadow" https://www.prospectpark.org/flutter-into-pollinator-month-in- prospect-park in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Did the environmental permitting for redevelopment of the historic 1891 Darlington schoolhouse to be the headquarters for 11,000 member NY/NY Trails Conference (https://www.nynjtc.org/darlington-school-house/).
Additional Questions
Drew Lehman
ATTACHMENT 1
What is your understanding of the role and responsibility of this board? It is my understanding that the Board works closely with City of Napa professional staff to ensure that the amenities and physical infrastructure of the City's parks are maintained - or upgraded as necessary - to provide safe and equitable access to the "54 parks and recreation facilities and 32 miles of trails and 955.5 acres of existing City parks" as outlined in the May 2023 Park Infrastructure program (PIP_ as amended. Having served on many non- profit Boards and having reported to a Board of elected officials - it is my understanding that the Board will listen, learn, and provide constructive feedback on Parks and Recreation Department programs and projects planned for and underway.
Have you ever attended a meeting of this board? If so, how many? Only one time in early 2025
What duties of this board are most interesting to you?
As a relative newcomer to Napa, and as a lifelong environmental scientist and professional, i am most interested in learning about what Napa offers in terms of access to outdoors facilities, what recreation opportunities currently exist - and what the needs are which can be addressed by the Parks and Recreation Department.
What activities of this board are least interesting to you? Having worked in the public sector for much of my career, I realize that implementing strong projects takes careful planning and deliberation. Right now, I cannot think of anything that would be "least interesting".
What programs or projects would you like to see improved or implemented? I've been favorably impressed by the capital improvements at Alston Park and the trails work done at Westwood Highlands Park. The first thing I would need to do is to learn about the projects which are underway - and then, over time, get out into the community and see first hand what priority project are, and what the Board can do to support those improvements How would you approach improving these project(s) or program(s)? Listening and learning from the City's staff professionals and other Board members would be the first step for me. Then I would hope that my background as an environmental planner and project implementer would bring value added to the Board's deliberative process.
Are you involved in any organizations or activities that may result in a conflict of interest if you are appointed to this board? As of November, 2025, I joined the Board of the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Having served as a public official for much of my career, I am keenly aware of the need to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Should such an occasion arise, i would recuse myself as appropriate. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Please list two local references and their phone numbers:
How did you learn of this vacancy?
Other
Drew Lehman
ATTACHMENT 1
1 Andrew T. Lehman
Statement of Qualifications
• Environmental leader and workforce development professional, o rganizing and run ning experiential workforce development/career pathways internships on infrastructure (coastal resilience, water, power, waste, transportation) • Introduce college age and other lifelong learners (18-35 y.o.) to real-world GeoSTEM career pathways where they develop and give presentations at professional conferences, participate in field trips to operating infrastructure facilities and form working relationships with practicing professionals through mentoring and internships • Strong working knowledge of urban infrastructure (coastal, stormwater, water wastewater, solid waste, air emissions) • Certified San Francisco Local Business Enterprise (LBE #CMD081717204) for Education/Training, Environmental Impact Reports, Solid Waste Management, Regulatory Compliance Assistance, Environmental Advisory Assistance • Raised over $2.0 million for environmental programs and community non-profits through grants and direct appeals • Public and private sector senior environmental manager for permitting compliance and environmental assessment • Strategic planning, NEPA/EIS processes, due diligence, and budgeting for environmental programs and projects
SELECTED CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Trained over 3 50 high school , college-age and adult interns, both virtually and in -person, on green and gray infrastructure career pathways (coastal resilience, stormwater/wastewater, transportation, energy, solid waste) • Recruited, trained, and managed teams of in-house environmental professionals with two leading sustainability and waste handling corporations resulting in improved working relationships with regulatory agencies • Presented and published extensively on diverse environmental and education matters throughout career
SELECTED AWARDS
• Certificate of Honor, Opportunities for All - Mayor's Community Safety Initiative, City/County of San Francisco • Recology Certificate of Appreciation "In Recognition of Years of Dedicated Service” • Distinguished Service Awards from Rockland County Legislature and the Legislature of Orangetown, NY • New York City Audubon Society Chapter Member Award for establishing 53-acre Dubos Point wetland sanctuary on Jamaica Bay, NY City and running volunteer coastal cleanup days on Jamaica Bay • Master’s Award - Covanta Energy’s highest acknowledgement – six granted out of 45,000 employees • Six Outstanding Achievement awards by USEPA for EIS prep, RCRA program and Federal Facilities Compliance • Jack Rubenstein Award for Community Service in Advancing Diversity, Bergen County (NJ) Ethical Culture Society • North Jersey BSA for getting an $800,000 grant/loan to clean up illegal dumping at outdoor recreation site PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Drew Lehman Environment and Education (EPICNetwork.org) Principal (2015-present)
• Career pathway trainings for environment al/sustainability jobs: recruiting, mentoring, providing on-the-job teaching/training and fostering working relationships between interns and local professionals/employers • Organize workforce leadership programs and workshops aimed at diversifying the infrastructure workforce • Project/program planning, report prep and technical editing, contract negotiation and contractor management Selected Environment and Education Projects and Presentations Contract reviewer for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency Climate Resilient Workforce Skills Training Grant • Reviewed twelve applications for a $60 M NOAA Workforce grant program which aims to:
o Help train and place people in climate-ready workforce jobs for coastal/lake communities o Support sectoral partnerships to develop and implement job training programs o Provide wraparound services to help make training opportunities more accessible ATTACHMENT 1
2 ANDREW T. LEHMAN - PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Cont’d):
___________________________________________________________________________________________ EPICNetwork.org Programs: Through our EPICNetwork.org experiential learning programs we've connected over 350 high school, college-age young adults and emerging professionals to the ecosystem of careers in environmental infrastructure. These stipended internships are based on a time-tested curriculum which includes:
• Guided research and development of project-based green and grey infrastructure pathways reports which include job titles, requirements and salaries for presentations at professional conferences • Personal/working meetings with leading workforce professionals, infrastructure employers, educators, engineers, and other practicing environmental professionals • Candid career pathways conversations about skills and the educational requirements needed to enter and succeed in the ecosystem of environmental infrastructure jobs and careers • Tours of operating infrastructure (water, energy, transportation, recycling) facilities (virtual or in-person) We also convene national workforce development program leaders in workshops where they share their experience with recruiting, hiring, training, and maintaining a diverse and sustainable infrastructure workforce.
Internships and Workforce Programs:
• ""Beyond the Talk: Meeting the Continuing Challenge of Diversifying the Geoscience Profession Through Experiential Learning Programs or Internships" Presentations by organizations running experiential career pathways programs.
American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meetings, Washington, DC, Dec. 2024 and San Francisco, Dec. 2023 • "Facing the Headwinds: Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Geosciences in a Hostile Political Environment Oral", co-chaired Union session with Vernon Morris, Ph.D., AGU Fall'24 meeting, Washington, DC • American Geophysical Union Annual Meetings (2019-2022) o Emerging Geoscience Scholar Internships 2019 (San Francisco); 2020 (virtual); 2021 (New Orleans) o Arizona State Univ. FLAGSHIP (Future Leaders And Geoscience High Road Internship); 2022 (Chicago) • Opportunities for All, San Francisco Human Rights Commission Summer Internships (2020-2024 – virtual) • California Water Environment Association Annual Meeting – Student and Young Professionals lunch – 2020 (virtual) • Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) annual Exhibit and Technical Conference (WEFTEC) InFLOW program (Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water)
o 2019 – Chicago (partnered with Green Corps Chicago)
o 2018 – New Orleans (partnered with Limitless Vistas, Inc.) • Cardozo TransSTEM Academy Water Week, July 2019, Washington, D.C. part of a weeklong program organized by the IYAI+ (Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure) non-profit • American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meetings April 2017 (Boston) and April 2018 (New Orleans) stipended internships, attend conference with field trips to operating environmental infrastructure facilities National Workforce Leadership Meetings:
• FLAGSHIP-An Experiential Learning Model for Diversifying the Infrastructure Workforce , Boston Office of Workforce Development, National Youth Employment Coalition; US Conference of Mayors, August 2024 • Workshop on Increasing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness of the GeoSTEM and Green Infrastructure Workforce, AGU Fall ’22 Meeting, Chicago, Dec. 2022
• Career Pathways in Water and Wastewater, CWEA Annual Meeting, Oct. 2020 (virtual) • “Strengthening and Diversifying the Water Quality Workforce: Examining Real-World Pathway Programs into Sustainable Infrastructure Careers”, Utilities Management Conference, Anaheim, CA , Feb. 2020 • Developing a National Workforce Development Model for Public Infrastructure & the Environmental Sector, WEF Green Infrastructure Symposium, Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 2019 • Louisiana Infrastructure Workforce Leaders Meeting "Defending New Orleans : Investing in Coastal Resilience Infrastructure – Tulane River and Coastal Center, WEFTEC '18 New Orleans, Oct. 2018 Other Environment and Education Projects:
• “Careers in Sustainability” – San Francisco, CA Dec . 2016. Organized Career Fair with SF Public Utilities Commission and Strategic Energy Innovations. Over 200 attendees, employers, and presenters attended. • Assoc. of American Geographers – San Francisco, March 2016. Ran two sessions with leading environmental professionals on “San Francisco Infrastructure – Planning for Change in an Evolving Environment ” and “The Environment as a Profession”. Led two full day tours to Bay area operating pollution control/ treatment facilities.
ATTACHMENT 1
3 ANDREW T. LEHMAN - PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Cont’d):
____________________________________________________________________________________________ Recology San Francisco, CA
Director, Environment and Planning (2007-2015)
• Directed Corporate and field team of 25 professionals for leading recycling, composting, waste management firm • Strategic management of permitting and compliance program for 70 West Coast operations (CA, OR, WA, NV) • Substantially reduced non-compliance/notices of violations • Improved regulatory agency working relationships
• Invited as guest speaker at four annual CalRecycle/Local Enforcement Agency conferences Rockland Co. Solid Waste Mgmt. Authority (RCSWMA) Hilburn, NY Executive Director (2004 to 2007)
• Managed public benefit corporation with $25 million annual budget and five operating facilities: materials recycling, wastewater biosolids composting, MSW transfer, household hazardous waste and yard waste compost • Obtained NYSDEC permit to construct/operate a compost facility on a capped/closed Superfund landfill • Ensured compliance with stormwater, air, solid waste, wastewater, water supply permits and regulations • Obtained $400K NYSERDA grant for solar wall installation of a co-composting facility Dvirka and Bartilucci, P.C South Plainfield, NJ
Senior Associate/Scientist (2001 – 2004)
• Did technical/financial bid/contract analyses for municipal waste/recyclables collection, hauling, disposal • Successfully obtained $400K grant from NYSDEC and NYSERDA for recycling and photovoltaic equipment • Organized and conducted ten state survey of 376 landfills to identify cost-effective, environmentally sound sites Covanta Energy (formerly Ogden Energy Group) Fairfield, NJ Asst. VP-Environmental (1987-2001)
• Led multimedia permitting/compliance program for twenty-seven (27) operating waste-to-energy facilities • Hired, trained, managed Corporate and field-based team of twenty environmental professionals • Reduced permit exceedances and notices of violations by 74% and established companywide audit program • Developed and implemented a nationwide environmental compliance tracking and resolution system • Prepared due diligence investigation “Smart Book” leading to successful acquisition of eighteen (18) biomass combustion, wastewater, geothermal, and landfill gas systems in California U.S. EPA REGION 2 New York, NY
Environmental Scientist-Program Manager (1980-1987)
• Appointed Federal Facilities Compliance Coordinator and worked directly with Army, Navy, and Air Force commands, led a program developed interagency multimedia environmental compliance agreements. • Successfully managed multiple Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and NEPA process that led to:
o preservation of Lake George (NY) water quality
o elimination of ocean dumping of sludge from Yonkers (NY) wastewater facility o supported a Regional Administrator decision not to ocean dump coal ash • Developed workload models and Branch budgets while Assistant RCRA (hazardous waste) Branch Chief • Implemented high grade office paper recycling programs at three federal building in New York City
EDUCATION
• COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY. Master of Arts, Environmental Geography • CLARK UNIVERSITY, Worcester, Mass., Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences • LEADERSHIP SAN FRANCISCO, SF Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco, CA.
ATTACHMENT 1
4 ANDREW T. LEHMAN - PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Cont’d):
____________________________________________________________________________________________ TEACHING EXPERIENCE (Evaluations upon request)
• SF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Opportunities for All Summer- Infrastructure Careers Programs • SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY - guest lecturer on “The Environment as a Profession” • 826 VALENCIA STREET - helping youth from (K-12) improve literacy and writing skills • FAIRLEIGH DICKENSON UNIVERSITY, School of Natural Science, Teaneck, NJ. o “ “Ecology and Field Biology”
o "The Environment as a Profession"
• NEW SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH – “The New York Environmentalist”, New York, NY • Columbia University, lab instructor, Environmental Science, Department of Geography • University of Georgia, lab instructor, "Weather and Climate", Department of Geography
PROFESSIONAL/VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS
▪ American Geophysical Union
▪ Water Environment Federation
▪ Napa Public Library, ESL tutor
▪ California Water Environment Association
▪ 826 Valencia Street – tutoring youth in San Francisco's Mission District (1st to 12th grade) on literacy and writing skills ▪ NY/NJ Trails Conference, Board of Directors
▪ NY City Audubon, Board of Directors
ATTACHMENT 1
Submit Date: Jan 22, 2026
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
City of Napa Boards & Commissions
Profile
Note: This application allows you to apply for multiple Boards, Commission and Committees; however, only one application can be submitted. Please ensure that your responses clearly address your interest, qualifications, and relevant experience for each Board, Commission or Committee you are applying to.
Mailing Address (if different than Resident Address above) Length of Residence in the City of Napa:
11 years
Length of Residence in the County of Napa:
11 years
Registered to vote in the City of Napa?
Yes No
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
Interests & Experiences
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission: Submitted Simone Katz-O'Neill
ONE Design
Marketing & Project
Coordinator
Simone Katz-O'Neill
ATTACHMENT 1
Upload a Resume
Question applies to Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission 3 of the 7 voting members shall be a person who demonstrates experience in one of the following identified fields: urban planning, park planning, park operations, park maintenance, recreation programming, horticulture, or arboriculture. Are you applying as one of these members? Yes No
Community Service Experience:
Commissioner, Napa County Library Commission, July 2022-January 2025 Co-Chair, Committee for Safe & Modern Napa Schools – Yes on B School Bond Campaign, June 2024- December 2024 Middle School Co-Chair, Browns Valley School Family Club, Napa, August 2023-June 2025 (previously STEAM Chair 2020-2022) Advisor to College Students, Northern California Scholarship Foundation, 2008-2018, present President, San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association (SFIPLA), 2016-2017 (held other Officer and Board roles as well prior to serving as President)
Education:
LEAD PROGRAM | 2023 | STANFORD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Completed professional certificate focused on leadership, innovation, and change management JURIS DOCTORATE | 2006 | UC LAW SAN FRANCISCO (FORMERLY UC HASTINGS) Magnum Cum Laude; Thurston Society; Extern to the Honorable Thelton E. Henderson (United States District Court for the Northern District of California) B.A. POLITICAL SCIENCE | 2001 | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Phi Beta Kappa; Minor in French Literature Other relevant experience or expertise:
I have lived in Napa for over 11 years. My kids are 14 and 8; one attends Vintage High School and one attends Browns Valley School. We are very active in the sports community, including with Napa United and Napa Little League. We love hiking at Westwood Hills and Timberhill and we regularly use the parks in Napa including Buhman, Century Oaks, and Fuller. My kids have attended summer camps through the Parks & Rec program over the years.
Additional Questions
What is your understanding of the role and responsibility of this board? My understanding is that this board helps to guide the parks/rec director on programs and improvements that can be made to the city parks and rec programs. The board members use their real-world experiences with the parks/rec programs to offer insights on what the community wants in its parks/rec programs. I volunteered previously on the Napa County Library Commission and we worked closely with the Napa County Library Director in helping to guide him as at large community members with experience using the library system.
Simone Katz-O'Neill
ATTACHMENT 1
Have you ever attended a meeting of this board? If so, how many? No
What duties of this board are most interesting to you?
I'm interested in getting more involved in our parks/rec programs in the city of Napa. Open space is critical to everyone and I am proud of the number of parks that the city of Napa maintains. I'm also very impressed with the work that has been done to the parks (e.g., Century Oaks playground). I'd love to continue to help to strengthen our parks and also to focus on recreational programs for Napa kids and adults. With my legal background, I'm also interested in finding out more about the appeal process for city trees.
What activities of this board are least interesting to you? NA
What programs or projects would you like to see improved or implemented? I'd like to continue to strengthen the recreational programs for kids and adults in Napa. I'd also love to continue to see work being done to our parks to modernize the play structures and bathrooms.
How would you approach improving these project(s) or program(s)? I'd work with the relevant city personnel to find out potential ways to continue to modernize our parks and strengthen our rec programs. I enjoy working collaboratively to build productive relationships to benefit the community.
Are you involved in any organizations or activities that may result in a conflict of interest if you are appointed to this board? No.
Please list two local references and their phone numbers:
How did you learn of this vacancy?
Other
Simone Katz-O'Neill
ATTACHMENT 1
SIMONE M. KATZ-O’NEILL
EXPERIENCE
INTERIM ASSOC. GENERAL COUNSEL | TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES | MAY 2025 – OCT 2025 Drafted and negotiated high-dollar contracts across the business units, including Supply Chain, for the fourth largest wine company in the U.S.; oversaw all litigation for the company, including IP & employment matters. Advised the business units on various opportunities, including in the Marketing space
DIRECTOR & ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL | DELICATO FAMILY WINES | 2014-2023 Drove strategy for global trademark portfolio for one of the fastest -growing and largest wine companies in the U.S.; handled and resolved trademark and IP enforcement for the company’s wine brands; drafted and negotiated high-dollar contracts for Marketing, Supply Chain and other departments; prepared contract templates for business units to use , including IP- related agreements; launched contract management system, trademark search tool, trademark docketing system, and e-signatures for contracts and conducting related trainings; managed direct reports INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATE | SIDEMAN & BANCROFT LLP | 2012-2014 Handled trademark prosecution, IP enforcement work, and copyright protection for firm’s clients; managed trademark clearance work for one of the world’s largest food companies; oversaw firm’s legal externship program for clients’ online IP enforcement programs against counterfeit products (e.g., shoes and water bottles) and copyright infringement (including for a media company) ASSOCIATE | SHARTSIS FRIESE LLP | 2006-2012
Associate responsible for trademark prosecution and soft IP enforcement for firm’s clients; litigation experience including second chair at trial in multi-million-dollar partnership dispute (San Mateo Sup. Ct., case settled with favorable outcome for client) and second chair at arbitration in multi-million-dollar landlord/tenant dispute (JAMS, San Francisco, favorable judgment for client)
EDUCATION
LEAD PROGRAM| 2023 | STANFORD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Completed professional certificate focused on leadership, innovation, and change management JURIS DOCTORATE | 2006 | UC LAW SAN FRANCISCO (FORMERLY UC HASTINGS) Magnum Cum Laude; Thurston Society; Extern to the Honorable Thelton E. Henderson (United States District Court for the Northern District of California) B.A. POLITICAL SCIENCE | 2001 | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Phi Beta Kappa; Minor in French Literature; took semester off/lived and worked in Tuscany, Italy ATTACHMENT 1
2 VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE & LEADERSHIP
President, San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association (SFIPLA), 2016-2017 (held other Officer and Board roles as well prior to serving as President) Member, International Trademark Association (INTA), 2012-2023 (previously on Unreal Campaign and Young Practitioner’s Committees for multiple terms) Co-Chair, Napa Chapter, Delicato’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (DWLI), 2019-2020 Commissioner, Napa County Library Commission, July 2022-January 2025 Co-Chair, Committee for Safe & Modern Napa Schools – Yes on B School Bond Campaign, June 2024-December 2024
Middle School Co-Chair, Browns Valley School Family Club, Napa, August 2023-June 2025 (previously STEAM Chair 2020-2022)
Advisor to College Students, Northern California Scholarship Foundation, 2008-2018, present Multiple speaking engagements including:
Panelist, Alt Legal Webinar: See Your Practice through Rose-Colored Glasses; Brand Protection for Wine Lawyers, 2021
Guest Lecturer, Sonoma State University Executive MBA Program - Class on Trademarks, 2019- 2022 (each year)
Speaker, Napa County Women Lawyers Monthly Meeting- Presentation on Trademarks, 2019 Speaker, INTA Government Officials Training Committee: Wine Industry Seminar for the USPTO, 2016
Speaker, San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Seminar, In House Lawyers Panel Discussion, 2016
Guest Speaker, Trademarks & Unfair Competition Class, UC Hastings College of the Law, 2016 Speaker, “Cheerios® and Chardonnay: Women in IP Law” event at General Mills, 2014 ATTACHMENT 1