Advisory Council
Jon Ball
Jon Ball is a builder who retired 12/31/16, concluding a very successful 40 year career managing large, complex construction projects in most of the Western US. For the past 33 years, Jon progressed through the ranks at Hensel Phelps (HP), a highly respected and 100% employee owned commercial building contractor. For the last 20 years at HP, Jon provided leadership as a senior voice on their board of directors, while in command of all work in northern California.
Along the way, Jon’s responsibilities were expanded to include all of California, Hawaii, and Guam. Earlier in life, while still in his native state of Illinois, he achieved a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana campus, and later became a licensed professional engineer.
More recently, Jon has become a civic leader, with focus on: The Rotary Club of San Jose (past board member, and a cabinet member and in-kind general contractor sponsor of the Rotary PlayGarden, the Club’s $6 million centennial gift to the City of San Jose, and the residents of the neighboring communities). Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, Boy Scouts of America, which serves over 13,000 local youth (President, 2017 and 2018). Cancer CAREpoint (Jon and Paula are proud to be among the initial and continuing donors and supporters of this organization which provides free non-clinical support to cancer patients and their caregivers). Associated General Contractors of California (22 year member; President, 2015). Via Services, Inc. (Sponsor and in-kind project mentor). Most importantly, Jon is a founding director and chairman of the San José Light Tower Corporation, along with founding partners Steve Borkenhagen and Thomas Wohlmut.
Jon enjoys biking, sailing, climbing, sports cars, and helping others. Jon has been married to Paula for 42 years, and they are the very proud parents of their daughter, Kathleen.
Christine Davis
Raised and educated on the cattle ranches of New Mexico and Texas, Christine brings a tough and vibrant “cowgirl” energy to whatever she touches: marketing and development plans, philanthropic foundations, investment and consulting businesses, and, most recently, her participation in the Urban Confluence Silicon Valley competition. Christine has had profound professional success.
She started her career working for Key Management Association for seventeen years, rising swiftly through the ranks to become CEO of the company’s two Northern California divisions, where she oversaw the retail meat business chain’s five Bay Area branches, and deeply honed her skills at a favorite side of business – sales and marketing.
In 1992, Christine retired from the industry to start a family. But God and the world had other plans for her! Instead of staying home with her baby, Cole, Christine was invited to be in charge of the massive Air Systems Car Show & Family Fun-Fest fundraiser, which unleashed her discovery of a new talent in event planning, and a passion for giving back to her community. Christine capitalized on the car show’s philanthropic popularity, and for eleven years brought fresh new energy to a full-time position as leader in all promotional marketing and special events for Air Systems Inc., a Silicon Valley mechanical contractor founded by her husband, John.
Christine further capitalized on her dedication to giving back, and founded the Air Systems Foundation, Inc., in 1997. The non-profit organization, which she continues to serve as president today, operates on the motto “Kids Are Our Driving Force,” and provides scholarships and grants for children in need.In 1999, Air Systems Inc. sold, and Christine and John became partners in TMFC Inc., their family investment and consulting business.
Currently, they focus on Club Auto Sport, where Christine steered the marketing, once again finding herself in a constant and vibrant flow of new ideas that she turns into effective, in vogue, and finger-on-the-pulse campaigns. Christine is proud to serve on several notable boards, participates in a number of event marketing projects for local organizations, and continues to relish and channel her gifts of creativity, drive, and good business judgment based on decades of experience.
She has been recognized for her work through multiple awards, including the Leading Citizen Award from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, the Extraordinary Women Making a Mark Award, the Legacy Award, and a Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the Boy Scouts of America. She has also received recognition as a Business Journal Woman of Influence, and received the Junior Achievement Leadership Award. Through her participation and dedication to multiple avenues of support for children, she helps to educate and direct a healthy and promising future for our country’s children.
In 2018, Christine intended to ride off into the sunset and enjoy a life of travel and family – but a real cowgirl never quits or gives up on a dream, no matter how big or bold it may seem. Enthusiastically she said “YES” to being a part of this prestigious San Jose Light Tower Corporation project in the epicenter of innovation. An icon awaits – we will deliver!
Bill Ekern
Presently serves as the President of the Avenida de Espana Housing Board (under the auspices of the Santa Clara County Housing Authority) and as a member of the San Jose Arena Authority Board.
Served as the City of San Jose’s Diridon Project Manager, leading the City's efforts to assure implementation and development of a world class transportation center as the catalyst for economic and cultural growth for the City and Bay Area. Projects involved coordination of transportation agencies and the City of San Jose to create the rules and structure that will be necessary to integrate a new intermodal transportation center with private development to assure the success of both the transportation systems and the private investment in this expansion of the City's downtown. Also was a member of the City’s negotiating team working with Google on its Downtown West development project. Led the coordination with economic and development consultants as part of the negotiation, and led the team creating the Diridon Infrastructure Fee plan to assure development within the Diridon Station Area. (2016-2021)
As the Interim Planning Director for the City of Milpitas, was responsible for the implementation of the City's Transit Area Specific Plan designed to support the new BART station and linkage to the VTA light rail system. More than 3,000 housing units were permitted along with a new hotel and several hundred thousand square feet of commercial retail during this one year effort. (2015-2016)
As the Assistant City Manager for Development, following on the role as Community Development Director, was responsible for the implementation of the City's Downtown Precise Plan, bringing to the city more than 2,500 housing units and nearly one million square feet of new office to establish Redwood City as a significant player in transit oriented development and design. Also negotiated the Development Agreement with Stanford University to bring its plans for new office development and campus support with the first community benefit program for the City. (2011-2015)
From 1998 to 2011, and the demise of redevelopment in the state, served as the Director of Project Management/Special Projects for the City of San Jose's Redevelopment Agency. During this tenure led the design and implementation of significant projects such as the MLK Library (the first joint public and university library in the United States), the Tech Museum of Innovation, the Mexican Heritage Plaza, Horace Mann Elementary School, the transformation of the California-Fox Theatre into the home of San Jose Opera, and the reconstruction of the Civic Auditorium, and modernization projects at Municipal Stadium. Also served as City liaison to the Arena Authority during this period.
For the City of Albany, California, served as the city's first Community Development Director. Although the primary focus of this work was administrative and organizational development, led the design and implementation of the redesign and reconstruction of the City's main shopping street, Solano Avenue. Also negotiated agreements with Caltrans to improve the connection of the city's sole redevelopment area with Interstate 880. (1994-1998)
Served as the Senior Development Officer for the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and the Director of Public Works for the Town of Los Altos Hills. (1985-1994)
Laura Guio
Laura Guio is currently the IBM General Manager, Kyndryl Strategic Partnership, IBM Senior State Executive for California and Co-Chair of the Native American Diversity Council. Her responsibilities cover all business unit interactions between IBM - Cisco and Apple.
In her previous role, Laura was the General Manager, Cisco and Apple Partnership, where she was responsible for developing and leading joint offerings through collaboration with the Partner and IBM Clients. Clients understand and need high value integrated solutions used to evolve their enterprises IT value.
Laura has held several other positions including VP, GTS WW Center of Competency – Leading IBM technical solutions with sales WW. VP, IBM Storage Business Line Executive, driving the corporate wide Storage investment. Her role as the Growth Markets Unit VP of Storage Sales from 2009 through 2012 based in Shanghai China was one of the best learning roles in her career. In that position she led the Storage sales responsibilities of 149 countries, driving over 1 billion in sales annually. In her 31 years at IBM, a significant portion was spent developing and leading SW engineering, operational infrastructure, customer support and services which have prepared her to be a strong technology leader across IBM’s products and services. She maintains strong client relationships as an executive in IBM which she believes is key to providing value to our customers.
Ms. Guio is a recognized leader in the Silicon Valley community. She serves as the Senior State Executive for California. This position provides leadership for IBM in the community, linking our corporate citizenship activities with strategic IBM initiatives, and leveraging the resources of IBM to achieve strategic business goals. She serves on the Board of Directors for Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) which is comprised of 70 CEOs & CIOs from leading companies in Silicon Valley with the objective to drives program and campaigns that affect the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley. She is the co-chairs for the SVLG Racial Justice & Equity Task Force. She helped establish and serves on the Board of Directors for San Jose’s “Talent Task Force” lead by the Mayor of San Jose.
In 2004, Laura received the YWCA Tribute to Women in IndustryAward and in 2021 is the recipient of the Women of Influence Award from Silicon Valley Business Journal. She has served on the Board of Directors for the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Silicon Valley CIO forum, UPWARD and PBWC. Additional, Laura is on the Board of Directors for the Compassion Center which serves the homeless in south Santa Clara County.
Ms. Guio graduated from San Jose State University in 1986.
Mark Purdy
Mark Purdy was a sports columnist at the San Jose Mercury News from 1984 until his retirement in 2017. During his time there, Purdy was honored by the Wall Street Journal for writing one of America’s Top 10 sports columns and on multiple occasions was named to the Associated Press Sports Editors' annual list of America’s Top 10 Sports Columnists. In the course of his 43-year journalistic career, Purdy covered 14 Olympic Games, 32 Super Bowls, 22 World Series and numerous other high-profile sports events.
In the Bay Area, he is known as the newspaper columnist who gave the name "McCovey Cove" to the body of water behind right field at AT&T Park as a tribute to former Giants' slugger Willie McCovey. In 1989, Purdy was a member of the Mercury News staff that received a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the "World Series earthquake" that struck the region before Game 3 at Candlestick Park. Purdy has also made broadcast appearances on ABC's Nightline, Court TV and ESPN "Outside the Lines," as well as on NBC Sports Bay Area’s programming.
After his retirement from the Mercury News, he joined the Bay Area Host Committee for the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Levi's Stadium, serving as a consultant and editorial content contributor. In 2021, he became the first journalist inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame. A native of Celina, Ohio, Purdy is a 1974 graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Before moving to San Jose, he held reporting or column writing positions at the Cincinnati Enquirer, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.
Michael Willis
I founded MWA Architects Inc. in 1988 and served as President and a Principal until 2016 when I retired from MWA. I taught graduate studios in 2015, 2017, 2020, and the 2021 Fall semesters at my alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis [BA1973/M Arch 1976/MSW 1976]. I am a 2013 Distinguished Alumni of the University, the School of Architecture, the Brown School of Social Work; and a holder of a National Black Achievement award of the Black Alumni Council (1996). I gave the Commencement Address to the Brown School graduates in 2007.
My firm created master plans and designs for mixed income affordable housing projects and neighborhood revitalization projects in San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Detroit, St. Louis, Memphis, and post-Katrina New Orleans Faubourg Lafitte in New Orleans; We have created urban infrastructure projects in municipal power, transportation, and especially water, in communities from Washington state, Portland, to Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. I have advised cities including San Francisco, St. Louis, Oakland, and San Jose for public and non-profit institutions and clients. I love cities around the world, and I try to bring back the lessons they offer to all the other cities I work with.
I served as Director, and President of the San Francisco Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIASF) in 1995 and was elevated to Fellowship in 1996. I was the local president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). I have served on many committees and presented papers at national AIA conventions; the Green Building Council, American Water Works Association, the WateReuse Association; and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. I was a 2015 recipient of the AIA California Chapter Norma Sklarek Award.
Board of Directors
Sarah Adeel
Sarah is an entrepreneur, architect, and impact strategist passionate about fostering public trust through intelligent design and technology. Originally from Pakistan, she came to the U.S. as a Fulbright scholar, earning her degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her award-winning research on sustainable social structures led to LettuceBee Kids, Pakistan’s first eco-friendly social enterprise supporting refugee children and their mothers.
After running her venture for 10 years, Sarah refined her business acumen at Stanford, scaling impactful innovations. She has since driven transformative projects at Kiva, Twilio, and Amazon. Recognized as an Acumen Fellow, iCats Fellow, TEDx speaker, 40 Under 40 honoree, and Presidential Leadership Scholar, Sarah excels in uniting governments, tech, and communities for a collective good.
Outside of work, Sarah loves to hike with her dog, Prof. Dumbledore, and fosters human-connection over food and dialogue through her new venture, Mayz.
Richard Ajluni
Richard Ajluni joined JW House on January 2nd, 2020 as Executive Director. Richard has served in leadership roles with local and international nonprofit organizations, including Catholic Charities, Gardner Family Health, and World Vision.
A long time community volunteer Richard has served on the San Jose Arts Commission, the boards of MACLA, and Loaves & Fishes.
He has lived in San Jose’s Historic Naglee Park neighborhood for 22 years. Richard’s spouse Karen works at Stanford University and they have 3 children at different phases of education.
Richard loves to cook for friends and is always up for a bike ride or a good book on politics or religion, hobbies also include piano and golf however, both at a second grade level.
Richard is a graduate of Bellarmine College Prep., and San Jose State University.
Steve Borkenhagen
Steve Borkenhagen has been an entrepreneur and business owner in Silicon Valley since 1975. He opened Camera One Theater, the first repertory cinema in San Jose, along with partners in 1975. During the years since, Steve has founded and operated multiple bars and restaurants in the South Bay Area including Eulipia Restaurant from 1977 to 2012.
He studied Classics at San Jose State University after attending Santa Clara University and New College of California in San Francisco. Steve worked in the energy management field for two years as an energy auditor and is a certified LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional). He was also the project manager and part of the founding team of the San Pedro Square Market, a public market built in the tradition of Pike Place Market and other public markets. He worked with his family to found and operate Cafe Stritch, the Bay Area’s pre-eminent jazz club from 2013 until 2018.
In 2017 Thomas Wohlmut, Jon Ball, and Steve started the San Jose Light Tower Corporation, a non-profit organization working to build an iconic world-class landmark in downtown San Jose. Steve has been on numerous non-profit boards over the past 30 years including Notre Dame High School, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Santa Clara University Department of Pastoral Ministries, the San Jose Downtown Association, Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen, JW House, and Music for Minors. He has been an active member of the Rotary Club of San Jose for over 30 years, participating in numerous philanthropic domestic and international programs.
Lina Broydo
Lina Broydo is an award-winning writer, columnist, and blogger and an expert public relations professional.
She was born in Ufa in the Ural Mountains region of the Soviet Union and grew up in Vilnius, then the capital of the Lithuanian Republic of the Soviet Union. An only child, Lina immigrated at the age of 15 with her parents to Poland and moved to Israel following a year living in Warsaw.
After graduating from college with a degree in chemistry, she married Sasha Broydo and moved to Birmingham, England, where they both studied and worked at the world-renowned Birmingham University.
Invited by the prestigious Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, Dr. Sasha Broydo, Lina, and son Mark (who was born in Birmingham), moved to Westfield, New Jersey. Daughter Leora was born in New Jersey. After 14 years living in New Jersey, they found their way to Los Altos Hills in Silicon Valley, California. Lina speaks English, Russian, Polish, and Hebrew and lives in Los Altos Hills, California.
Lina's professional career included successful work doing the following:
• Producer and on-air personality at Cross Country Cable TV in New Jersey
• Co-owner and metal sculpture artist at the ArtMakers Gallery in New Jersey
• Associate producer at KRON TV, the NBC TV affiliate in San Francisco
• President of "Executive Sports" management company in Los Altos Hills
• Director of Public Relations and Promotions at the 5-star luxury Fairmont Hotel in San Jose
• Associate producer of "Fresh Dialogues", an award-winning on-line TV show
• Public Relations Executive for the Taube International Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area
Affiliations:
• Los Altos Rotary Club
• ORT International Professional School
• Bay Area Travel Writers
• Commonwealth Club of San Francisco
• Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
Jaime G. Chavez
Jaime G. Chavez has been in the Dream Fulfillment business for 30+yrs. Currently working as Sr. Business Development Manager at Altos Bank. His specialty is collaborating with growing privately held companies and high net worth individuals to plan and achieve their dreams. Lives in San Jose, primarily managing client relationships locally but does extend across the Bay Area and California. Prior to joining Altos Bank , he’s worked with First Citizens Bank and SVB through Boston Private acquisition, he held leadership positions with City National Bank, GE Capital, and Bank of America.
When Jaime is not doing his day job, he’s committed to volunteer work in San Jose community and abroad. He continues his volunteer work with Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, Momentum for Health, and Rotary Club of San Jose where he’s served on various committees, Foundation Board and Club Board. Rotary is where he was introduced to Rotaplast International, where he has traveled to South America and South Asia on various medical missions (life changing for him) to provide surgical treatments we take for granted in USA but are so desperately needed across the globe.
If it sounds like Jaime works and volunteers a lot, this is true. He does make time for things he truly enjoys. Such as, spending time with friends and family. He’s a trained chef and sommelier and enjoys everything about both. Go ahead and test your culinary and wine knowledge on him. Chances are, if he has a glass of wine in one hand and foie gras in the other he may not shut up about it.
Chappie Jones
Former San Jose Vice Mayor Charles “Chappie” Jones was elected to the San José City Council in November of 2014 with close to 60% of the popular vote. He represented City Council District 1, the region of West San José that borders the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Santa Clara and Saratoga. Chappie was born in Sacramento and moved to San José in the 1990’s. His upbringing instilled a strong sense of civic responsibility and made him into a strong advocate of civil service, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement.
Prior to his election, Chappie worked in the private sector where he held sales and marketing management positions with Apple and AT&T, was an Executive Manager with Cornerstone Consulting and Technology, and owned a technology service business.
Chappie assumed the role of Chair of the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority
Chappie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Chappie has been married for over 25 years to Kelli Jones, a high-tech sales and marketing manager. Together they have two children and live in the Murdock neighborhood of District 1.
Sean O'Kane
Winner of 3 film and video awards for acting and voice talent. President of Big Kahuna Video Productions he brings his experience as writer, director and voice-talent for corporate videos in Silicon Valley for companies such as Samsung Foundry, KLA-Tencor, Cadence Design Systems, Arm, Disney, Apple, TSMC, and many more.
In addition to Sean’s behind the camera experience, he has also worked as a standup comic, actor and voice-actor and performed with notable A-listers that include Jay Leno, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey and Howie Mandel. His credits include numerous made for TV movies for NBC and CBS along with a series of feature films with Dustin Hoffman, John Travolta, Alan Alda, Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg. Sean was directly involved as a writer and voice talent for radio and television commercials along with the video game industry for Sony, Nintendo, Atari, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and DC Comics video game and virtual reality divisions.
Sean comes with an extensive background in the world of high tech specifically (IoT) Internet of Things, Virtual & Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing.
Former board-member and Secretary of History San Jose Past President, San Jose -Dublin Ireland Sister City Program Current Board-member San Jose Police Foundation. Studied at San Jose State University and UC Berkeley, Radio-TV Broadcasting and Business Communications.
His wife Ann is a retired 6th grade language arts teacher at Buchser Middle School and son Colin is a graduate of Sonoma State University.
What is important in Sean’s life are his family, friends and creating new possibilities everyday for himself and others in his life.
“When I’m not working you can find me at the beach, hunting down Miles Davis mono vinyl or out getting gigs for my video production company and as a voice-actor.”
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