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 student government, 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 925-229-1000, ext. 1204.

Representing Ward I (El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Richmond and San Pablo).

Dr. Gordon earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Industries from Tuskegee Institute, a M.S. degree in Counseling from San Francisco State University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Anthony T. Gordon has been a resident of Richmond for more than 40 years. He is a retired Contra Costa College professor who served in numerous capacities for 36 years full-time and also served as an emeritus faculty member for an additional six years. While at Contra Costa College, Dr. Gordon taught Auto Mechanics and Remedial Math, operated the Contra Costa College Mobile Counseling Center, served in the college counseling department, was division chair and department chair in two departments, served as Interim Director of Special Programs and Services and further served as a Professor of Psychology. In addition to his employment obligations, Dr. Gordon chaired the Academic Senate Curriculum Committee and presided over the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Library. He was a Boy Scout Leader for nearly 20 years, is a life member of the NAACP and is an active member of the Easter Hill United Methodist Church. Dr. Gordon is married, has two grown children and one granddaughter.

Representing Ward IV (Alamo, Blackhawk/Tassajara, Byron, Clayton, Danville, Discovery Bay, San Ramon, Walnut Creek).

John T. Nejedly is the president of Nejedly Corporation, a general engineering contracting and construction management firm he founded in 1995. After attending Modesto Junior College, John received his J.D. from John F. Kennedy School of Law and his B.A. in construction management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In addition to raising three children, Mr. Nejedly is currently a member of the Juvenile Systems Planning Advisory Committee for Contra Costa County and a director of the Mt. Diablo/Silverado Boy Scout Council.

Representing Ward V (Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Knightsen, Oakley, Pittsburg).

Mr. Reyes received his A.A. degree from Stockton College. After serving in the U.S. Army, he obtained his B.S. degree, general secondary teaching credential and master’s degree from the University of the Pacific. Mr. Reyes taught chemistry in several high schools in San Joaquin County as well as at Cerritos College, Contra Costa College and Los Medanos College. He also worked as a licensed laboratory scientist evening supervisor at the Contra Costa County Clinical Laboratory.

This is Mr. Reyes’ second election to the Contra Community College District Governing Board. He first served from 2000 to 2004. Mr. Reyes also serves on the Los Medanos Healthcare District Board. Additionally, Mr. Reyes has served on the Pittsburg School District Board; the Los Medanos Community Hospital District Building Corporation Board; the Pittsburg City Planning Commission; and the Los Medanos Community Hospital District Building Corporation. Mr. Reyes was also president and member of the Fil- American Association in Pittsburg, California. He is a Korean War veteran. Mr. Reyes was born in the Philippines and came to the United States after graduating from high school. He and his wife currently live in Pittsburg.

Representing Ward II (Canyon, Crockett, Hercules, Kensington, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pinole, Port Costa, Rodeo, and western Pleasant Hill).

As a past president of the Contra Costa Council and through her service on a number of other economic development organizations, Ms. Van de Brooke has developed a strong belief that community colleges play an important role in training the county's workforce. She is very concerned about addressing the changing demographics of the student base and how the District can increase the number and success of students served.

Ms. Van de Brooke is employed by the California Alliance for Jobs as their Director of Land-Use and Water Policy. She has worked in the communications and public policy arena for more than 20 years. She owned her own business, VdB Communications, and was the managing partner for StrategiComm, an East Bay communications firm she started with two partners. Ms. Van de Brooke received a B.A. degree in Political Science/Public Administration from San Jose State University in 1985. She was born and raised in Contra Costa County and lives in Orinda with her husband, John, and their two sons.

Representing Ward III (Concord, Martinez, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, western Bay Point).

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.

Student Trustee

Christina Cannon was born and raised in San Pablo, California, and graduated from El Cerrito High School in 2004. She is currently attending Los Medanos College, and has also been enrolled in classes at Contra Costa and Diablo Valley Colleges, bringing a comprehensive student perspective to the Governing Board. She has held multiple student leadership positions at Los Medanos College, and hopes to increase the visibility and contribution of the Student Trustee role to all students within the District. Christina believes that through education there is empowerment, with choice leadership is created, and through diversity, civic and cultural understanding are maximized. As Student Trustee, Christina is committed to serving on the Governing Board in the best interest of its students and the community.