Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, District 4
Subject: Reappointments to the North Fair Oaks Community Council
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Recommendation for reappointments to the North Fair Oaks Community Council (NFOCC), each for a term ending December 31, 2028:
A) Juan Carlos Prado, representing as a Resident, for a third term; and
B) Blair Whitney, representing as a Resident, for a second full term; and
C) Beatriz Orozco, representing Business community member, for a first full term; and
D) George Saman, representing Business community member, for a second term; and
E) Brooks Esser, representing as a Resident, for a second full term; and
F) Kathleen Daly, representing as a Resident, for a second term.
body
body
BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to resolution of the Board of Supervisors, the bylaws of the North Fair Oaks Community Council (NFOCC) have historically provided for nine voting adult members, representing as a resident (homeowner or renter) or a representative of a business located in the North Fair Oaks area. In addition, the Council may include one youth member and one youth member alternate.
DISCUSSION:
Each of the above-recommended members’ terms reflect a term of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028 upon approval of this memorandum.
Juan Carlos Prado has served on the NFOCC since 2019 and is being recommended for his third full term. Blair Whitney has served on the NFOCC since his partial term began in 2018, and was reappointed in 2022, with approval of this reappointment reflecting as a second full 3-year term. Beatriz Orozco has served since a partial term began in November 2024 and is being recommended for her first full term. George Saman has served since 2023 and is being recommended for a second term. Brooks Esser was initially appointed to a partial term in 2020, and is being recommended for a second full term. Kathleen Daily is recommended to serve a second full term.
Juan Carlos Prado was born and raised in Redwood City, North Fair Oaks. After college, he returned home to work in several nonprofit community organizations and worked as a legislative aide for San Mateo County southern district 4. Juan has been a public high school teacher for over 20 years in the Sequoia Union High School District and continues to live in North Fair Oaks, where he is raising two teenage sons.
Blair Whitney has been a resident of North Fair Oaks since 2012. Born and raised in the SF Bay Area, he served with the California Army National Guard and U.S. Army after 9/11. A graduate of San Jose State University and Golden Gate University. He currently works in Security in the tech sector. In addition to serving on the NFOCC, he has been a volunteer with the Palo Alto VA Hospital since 2008. He recently got CERT certified with the Fire Protection District.
Beatriz Orozco, a first-generation college graduate raised in North Fair Oaks, discovered the importance of "your voice" in high school, which fueled her dedication to advocating for underrepresented communities through organizations like the North Fair Oaks Youth Initiative and the Dream Club. Now, as a program coordinator at the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, she empowers women, immigrants, and underserved entrepreneurs in North Fair Oaks.
George Saman is a property owner on Middlefield Road in North Fair Oaks. He has a background in technology, working for the Department of State for 13 years in a variety of roles in the Middle East. He moved to Redwood City in 2016 to plant roots here and support his three young nephews. He has a keen interest in our community and, as a business owner, a great deal of experience working with County agencies.
Brooks Esser is a 42-year resident of North Fair Oaks and has completed three terms as Chair of the North Fair Oaks Community Council. He also serves on the Board of the San Mateo County Transit District, where he chairs the Finance Committee. He represents District 4 on the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Commission and is the Treasurer of the Holbrook-Palmer Park Foundation in Atherton. Brooks is a member of the Board of the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific, and the California Senior Games Association. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from Pacific, and an MBA from Santa Clara University.
Kathleen is a former small business owner of a coffee cafe in Menlo Park, known as Cafe Zoë, who learned firsthand the challenges of managing a business and the desire that residents must feel they are an integral part of their community. Engaging in thoughtful conversation, offering opportunities to get involved and/or give back, and to know one’s neighbors became the cafe’s mission. She is very proud of the community café she built. After 15 years, Kathleen sold the cafe. She is currently working as a substitute teacher/instructional aide at a school in North Fair Oaks. Kathleen is involved in as many activities as possible to build up the North Fair Oaks community and to make sure their voices are heard as an unincorporated community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.