Speakers

Alessia Simmonds is the Outreach Manager for Census 2020 in Alameda County. For information about the County's census program, you can check their website at https://www.acgov.org/census2020/

Jake Medcalf was born and raised in Olympia, Washington. He earned a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies at Western Washington University where he met his future wife Joan. Shortly after graduation, they married and moved to San Diego, where Jake served as Area Director for YoungLife in Point Loma. Jake continued his education at the Fuller Theological Seminary. In 2008, he received his Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained as a Pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA. After serving several years in La Jolla, he was named Lead Pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Castro Valley.

First Presbyterian has announced ambitious plans for its property at the corner of Groove and Redwood. They were also involved in the recent purchase of the Chabot Theater and the founding of Small Town Society. Jake will describe those plans.

 

No lunch meeting today. Please join us for dinner at the Wedgewood Restaurant. For more information, please see our website: www.castrovalleyrotary.org.

Under Dao’s leadership, Alameda CTC developed the transformative 2014 Transportation Expenditure Plan that was overwhelmingly approved by Alameda County voters in November 2014 to provide over $8 billion of transportation investments in the County over the next 30 years. These transportation infrastructure investments are expected to support growth, economic development, and the environment in the entire region. Dao brings 30 years of transportation engineering and management experience to Alameda CTC. As deputy director of the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority from 2001 to 2010, his leadership resulted in early delivery of transportation solutions for the residents and businesses in Alameda County. Dao is a graduate of University of California at Davis and is a registered professional engineer.

Senator Bob Wieckowski was re-elected to a second term on Nov. 6, 2018 and represents the 10th Senate District in the California State Legislature. The district stretches from southern Alameda County into Santa Clara County and shares the member’s focus on job creation, clean technologies, protecting our environment and reducing unnecessary regulations.

Mr. Wieckowski chairs the Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation.  He is also a member of the Senate committees on Appropriation; Budget and Fiscal Review; Environmental Quality; Housing; Judiciary; and Transportation.  He is the past chair of the Energy and Environment Committee of the Council of State Governments West and was the first Californian to chair the committee.

Senator Wieckowski’s district is home to some of the state's leading clean tech companies.  Whether it’s solar panels, electric vehicles or other breakthrough industries, the 10^th Senate District is a major contributor to California’s clean economy.  The Senator is a state leader in advocating for climate adaptation programs and has participated on numerous regional, state and international panels focusing on climate change.

A strong voice in the Legislature for consumers and low-income earners, he received the “Champion of Justice” Award from the East Bay Community Law Center for fighting against abusive debt collectors and oppressive wage garnishments.  Statewide organizations have selected him Legislator of the Year and the California Judges Association gave him its “Scales of Justice Award” for his steadfast support for increased court funding. Tech America also named him “Legislator of the Year.”

Senator Wieckowski works with state departments and local officials to improve services, increase funding and to provide new opportunities to meet local challenges.  He facilitated the sale of state surplus property to Santa Clara Unified School District to construct a new school campus and provide additional park space, held discussions with state officials to help open a new local library, and he passed legislation to modify the terms of another property sale to increase access to affordable housing.  

As a passionate advocate for his community, he has served on numerous boards and commissions, and previously served as Vice Mayor of the City of Fremont.

Mr. Wieckowski is a bankruptcy attorney.  He has helped hundreds of families and seniors persevere through economic hardship, keep their homes and live with dignity.  He received his B.A. from the University of California and his J.D. from Santa Clara University Law School.

Senator Wieckowski lives in Fremont with his wife, Sue.