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Board of Directors
The Board strives to ensure that the best interests of the organization are followed, and all personnel involved in the organization are held to the highest standards of accountability.
Chari Bullock
Chari Bullock is a proud Paradise native and seasoned real estate professional with over 20 years of experience serving families throughout Butte County and surrounding areas,. In 2018, she founded American Homes and Land to offer personalized, community-centered real estate services tailored to the unique needs of the region. Following the devastation of the Camp Fire, Chari played a pivotal role in helping thousands of residents navigate property valuations and fire victim claims, ensuring fair compensation and guiding them toward safe, welcoming places to rebuild. Her deep local roots and unwavering commitment to Paradise shine through in her philanthropic efforts, which focus on supporting families, revitalizing neighborhoods, and strengthening the local economy. Whether mentoring young professionals, organizing fundraisers, or volunteering at community events, Chari leads with heart—serving not only as a REALTOR®, but as a trusted neighbor, advocate, and friend.
Livia Kurtz
Livia Kurtz owns and operates Paradise Grocery Outlet with her husband, Wayne Kurtz. They moved from Kelseyville, CA to Paradise with their two daughters in 2021. Livia is a Kelseyville High School graduate. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College, where she earned her Culinary Arts Certificate. Livia lived in Paradise while attending Butte College and Chico State University, majoring in Child Development and teaching preschool at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Livia returned to Kelseyville in 2006 and joined the family's winery business. During her ten years at Rosa d'Oro Vineyards, she enjoyed partnering with local non-profits which led to her spear-heading the Kelseyville Olive Festival, which she organized for 5 years. After starting a family, Livia returned to teaching preschool until COVID hit in 2020. She and her husband then began to pursue their own family business through Grocery Outlet and were awarded the Paradise store in June 2021. She currently supports many local non-profits through the store, including A Simple Gesture through the annual Independence From Hunger fundraiser. In her spare time, Livia enjoys gardening, cooking, yoga, the arts, and the occasional karaoke night.
JEFF WROBEL
Jeff Wrobel is a teacher at Ridgeview High School and has been employed by the Paradise Unified School District since 2001. Born and raised in Paradise, Jeff graduated from Paradise High and attended both Butte College and Chico State University. Jeff is the coordinator of the Ridgeview Rangers, a school-based nonprofit whose mission is to graduate students who are connected to their community, embrace life-long fitness, and experience the job of volunteerism by assisting various clubs and organizations with their projects and activities.
MELISSA BARNARD
Missy Barnard RN, MSN, MBA was the Director of the Emergency Department at Feather River Hospital for 12 years until the Camp Fire struck. She has been studying and practicing yoga and other Eastern health modalities for nearly 30 years and is now a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. Missy is currently teaching yoga while she and her husband rebuild their home in Paradise, and she is an active participant in rebuilding the town.
DAVE MATSON
Interim Treasurer
Dave Matson is a Chico native, a Paradise resident since 2006, and has been a CPA since 1980. His CPA practice, from which he retired in 2019, provided tax, accounting and business support services to a variety of individuals and businesses in the North State. Dave has a history of helping community organizations. He and his wife Cynde and their dog Lila are currently vacationing in Chico while they rebuild their home in Paradise. Both Dave and Cynde are active members of Paradise Stronger and are grateful to be a part of building a strong Paradise community.
MICHAEL KUHNE, MD
Vice President
Dr. Kuhne is an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Enloe Medical Center. He has a passion for physical fitness and has competed in 13 marathons, 3 Ironman Triathlons, and multiple Spartan Obstacle races. His other athletic hobbies include cycling, weight lifting, mountain biking, tennis, and skiing. A Navy veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Mike’s fitness training credentials include National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-Certified Personal Trainer, US Marine Corps High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) Level 1 Trainer, HITT Level 2 Trainer, CrossFit L1 Trainer, TRX Suspension Trainer, TRX Functional Trainer, and TRX RIP Trainer.
Dr. Kuhne hails from New York, and having established roots in Chico as an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Enloe Medical Center, he is eager to bring his enthusiasm for fitness to the Paradise Community. Prior to moving to Chico, he served as a Flight Surgeon and Orthopaedic Surgeon with the US Navy where he was passionate about encouraging fitness and healthy living amongst his Sailors. Mike’s vision is that Paradise Stronger will be a means to bring healthy living, nutrition, and physical fitness to the Paradise community.
John kempton
President
John graduated from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, served in the USPH Service, and developed and managed a thriving practice in Michigan. He has emerged as a specialist in oral and systemic medicine that comes from a functional foundation. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals and authored a book.
John has a long history of community service on a variety of boards; a public school, community health, and community foundation trustee. He is currently active in a local church, a volunteer with ‘Love Gives’, and works to support Paradise Stronger’s wellness platform: Launch Your Healthy Life.
Recreational activities cross many lanes for John. He loves a good book, some competitive pickle ball or tennis, relaxing on the lake, working in the yard, and riding a motorcycle cross-country.
SANDRA JENSEN
SECRETARY
Sandra is a retired staff member of CSU, Chico where she worked for 37 years. She has served on the Boards of Directors of other local nonprofits and is a judge for the international organization SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship), whose mandate is to evaluate the viability of nonprofit business plans. She is also a free-lance editor of both nonfiction and fiction writing.
JOHN TOUCHETTE
John has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science/Wellness Management from Humboldt State University. He has had a 30+ year career in the Health and Fitness Industry working for non-profit and for-profit companies managing wellness centers, health clubs and sport centers. John is currently the Director of Administration for California Vocations, Inc., a non-profit serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. John is active in Rotary International. He is Past-President of the Rotary Club of Paradise and current Secretary of the Rotary Club of Chico Sunrise.
ROBERT IRVINE
Since 2002 Bob Irvine has been Executive Director of California Vocations, Inc., a nonprofit agency providing services to developmentally disabled adults. He received certification as an Administrator for Adult Residential Facilities, a position responsible for ensuring compliance with licensing and regional center regulations. Bob has a degree in accounting and is a CPA with over two decades of experience in accounting as well as in a variety of executive management positions. He serves on a number of nonprofit boards and committees, where he is well-known for creating a positive, team-oriented environment.