Governing Board

The Governing Board is the official elected body of the College District. Its primary role is to set the overall operating policies of the College District. The Chancellor, who is appointed by the Governing Board, carries out these policies. The five Board members are elected for four year terms by registered voters in geographical divisions. There is also one student member selected by the student body, who serves for one year. The student member has an advisory vote.

Governing Board Meetings and Agendas

The Governing Board typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the District Office Board Room at the George R. Gordon Education Center, located at 500 Court Street, Martinez. Most meetings begin with a closed session at 5:00 p.m., followed by open session at 6:00 p.m. For a full schedule of meetings click here.

The Governing Board agenda is prepared by the Chancellor's office in consultation with the Governing Board. The agenda is available for public viewing three business days before the meeting. You may find a copy of the agenda posted outside the District Office at 500 Court Street, Martinez. You may also view the agenda online. Requests to appear on the agenda shall be in accordance with Board Policy 1002.

Board meetings begin with a call to order by the Board President. A period for public comments on items not on the agenda will be called by the Board President. You can participate by contacting the Board Secretary when you enter the Board Room and by filling out a yellow speaker's card. Once recognized by the Board President, approach the podium and state your name and address. If you wish to speak on an agendized item, wait until that item is presented and the Board President calls for public comments. Public comment is followed by consent, nonconsent action items and general agenda items.

Board meetings are recorded for minute purposes. Please use the microphone for all questions and comments. Citizens wishing to contact a Governing Board member are invited to call the Board Secretary at 925.229.6821.

Representing Ward III

After earning her A.A. at Diablo Valley College, Sheila A. Grilli attended U.C. Berkeley, where she graduated with a B.A. in English and Journalism. She then went on to San Francisco State University, where she earned her general secondary teaching credential and taught at Clayton Valley High School. She also studied for her M.A. in English at California State University, Hayward and taught writing there for four years. A bookstore owner in Martinez, Ms. Grilli is active in community work and serves as treasurer of the Muir Heritage Land Trust, secretary of Woodbridge Children's Centers, and secretary of St. Catherine's Pastoral Council. She is also active in the Cal Alumni Association and in the revitalization of downtown Martinez.

Representing Ward I

Mr. Márquez attended Contra Costa College and San Francisco State University where he obtained his Associate of Arts Degree and his Bachelor of Arts Degree, respectively. He attended the University of Hastings College of Law for two years and attended graduate courses at Cal State Hayward and San Jose State University, earning a California Community College Teaching credential qualifying him to teach Spanish, Psychology, and Ethnic Studies. As a Contra Costa College student in 1970, he cofounded the La Raza Studies Department. Mr. Márquez has worked as a Human Relations Specialist for the City of Richmond and as Deputy Labor Commissioner and Labor Standards Investigator with the Office of State Labor Commissioner, Department of Industrial Relations. He is also a Certified Spanish/English Interpreter and has his own business: Márquez & Associates.

Mr. Márquez was first appointed to the Richmond City Council in 1985, and has served numerous terms on the Council. He has been a member of the Contra Costa Democratic Central Committee and was a State Delegate to the California Democratic Central Committee. Mr. Márquez and his wife Marie have two sons, three daughters, and twelve grandchildren.

Representing Ward IV

John T. Nejedly is the owner of Nejedly Corporation, a general engineering contracting company he founded in 1995 and is a practicing attorney.

After graduating from Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Construction Management, John completed his education at John F. Kennedy University School of law where he received his law degree.

Now serving his fifth term as Trustee, John strives to represent all constituents in the decision making process, He also believes the community college system must meet the needs of the entire community including new high school graduates, transfer students and lifelong learners. He has worked hard to secure available state funds to build and improve college facilities as well as raise local matching funds to modernize existing facilities and construct new classrooms to meet today’s modern technology.

John is a licensed general engineering contractor, a member of the California State Bar, and a California licensed Real Estate Broker.

A resident of Danville, John and his wife Katie have three teenage children and enjoy spending time in the mountains.

Representing Ward V

Greg Enholm has been a homeowner in East Contra Costa County since 1996, and was elected in November 2012 to represent Ward V. Greg's community involvement includes representing non-Concord residents on the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse planning committee, and serving on the Ambrose Recreation and Park District Board. He continues his appointment as District 5 County Library Commissioner, and is a member of the Contra Costa County Democratic Central Committee.

Greg has worked as a financial economist for the Wisconsin utility regulatory commission, a securities analyst at Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital, Inc., and was a vice president at Salomon Brothers in the stock research department where he advised institutional investors worldwide on electric utility stocks.

He established his own financial advisory firm and published two books on utility financial and regulatory issues. Greg has been a high school math teacher in both public and private schools, and received a California Clear Single Subject (Mathematics) Credential from California State University, East Bay. He also taught math at Heald College and is now a professor at DeVry University.

Greg earned a bachelo's degree in business administration and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Florida in 1974 and 1975.

Representing Ward II

Vicki Gordon was born and raised in the East Bay and is a Diablo Valley College alumnus. She graduated from California State University East Bay (CSUEB) with a B.S. in Business Administration, and later returned to CSUEB for her teaching credential and has taught in both the Pittsburg Unified School District and Martinez Unified School District (MUSD). She was elected to the MUSD Governing Board in 1997 and served for over 15 years.

Vicki has worked as a community volunteer, raising money for libraries, music, sports and classroom technology. She has also partnered with Martinez community leaders to help keep classroom sizes small, and bring green technology and innovative programs to school sites. She is looking forward to the new challenge of working in higher education, forging closer ties between K-12 districts and community colleges, and making efficient use of the taxpayers' money.

Vicki's family has a long tradition of supporting education in the county. Her father-in-law, the late George R. Gordon, was one of the founding fathers of the Contra Costa Community College District. Vicki's mother, Brenda Byers, was a MUSD teacher and administrator for 30 years. Vicki and her husband, Scott, have two children; Laura and Steven.

Debora van Eckhardt was born in Castro Valley, California, and is a fourth‐generation Portuguese farming immigrant family member. She is the first person within her immediate family to attend college, and is working on an AA degree in Liberal Studies and Behavioral Studies at Los Medanos College.

Debora is an active student leader and has been recognized by the LMC student government as their 2012 LMCAS Leader of the Year, and the 2012 LMC Outstanding Student Leader of the Year. She is a dedicated Student Life Ambassador, participates in numerous clubs including Alfa Gamma Sigma Honors Club and Circle K International Club, and continues her appointment as the LMCAS Outreach and Publicity Commissioner and LMC student representative on the District’s Measure A Bond Oversight Committee. In the community, she is a volunteer docent at Ron Nunn Elementary School in Brentwood, teaching art to K‐5 students.

Debora wants to increase the communication and connections between student organizations at the colleges while becoming a positive role model for all students Districtwide. She believes that volunteering strengthens people, and as Student Trustee she will look for ways students can give back to their community. Another goal is to increase student involvement on district issues and committees, and to inspire students to exercise their important voice so they can make a difference.

Debora resides in Brentwood with her supportive and loving husband of 20 years and her two amazing children.