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 925-229-1000, ext. 1204.

Representing Ward II

Tomi Van de Brooke has been serving as the Ward II Trustee since 2005. As a Past President of the Contra Costa Council and through her service on a number of other economic development organizations, she strongly believes that maintaining vibrant community colleges are critical in training the County’s future workforce.

Tomi has worked for Fortune 500 companies, started and ran her own small business (VdB Communications) and became the managing partner of a Walnut Creek communications firm (StrategiComm, LLC). She worked for the California Alliance for Jobs, and most recently served as Chief of Staff to Supervisor Mary Piepho.

Tomi has also provided leadership to a number of non-profit boards including Economic Development Alliance for Business (now East Bay EDA) and the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation. She served on the Measure J Committee to fund local roads and transportation infrastructure, and on the executive committee for the successful "Measure A" campaign that brought additional local funding to the Orinda Union School District.

Tomi was born and raised in Contra Costa County and graduated from San Jose State University with a B.A. degree in Political Science/Public Administration. She and her husband, John, reside in Orinda with their two sons.

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 V

Born in East Contra Costa County and a lifelong resident of Pittsburg, Robert Calone received an AA Degree from Diablo Valley College in 1973; a B.S Degree in Management from Golden Gate University in 1976; and completed a five-year apprenticeship program in plumbing. Mr. Calone values the importance of education, whether it is for employment, personal knowledge or self-esteem. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Kasimu Education Fund located in Malawi, Africa. Since 1978, Mr. Calone has also been a part-time instructor of apprenticeship plumbing; worked as a foreman and general superintendent in plumbing; and is currently a Certified IAPMO Plumbing Inspector.

Mr. Calone also served as Commissioner on the State of California Delta Protection Commission for 16 years; donated time to the Youth Build Project in Richmond; and to Habitat for Humanity; and is currently serving as President and Treasurer of Reclamation District 2122. Mr. Calone and his wife, Sharon have been married 46 years and are the proud parents of two daughters.

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.

Student Trustee

Francisco Hinojosa was born in Mexico City and currently resides in Antioch. He is a first generation college student attending Diablo Valley College. Francisco has served as an ASDVC Officer, holding the position of Inter Club Council (ICC) President. During his tenure as ICC President, he made significant improvements to the organization. including development and implementation of its governing documents. Francisco has served on several District and college committees and he has also been involved in numerous other activities. Some of these activities include coaching Special Olympics and participation in speech and debate, for which he was ranked fifth in the state. His interests outside of school include scuba diving, swimming, jujitsu, football, boxing, yoga, cardio kickboxing, high altitude camping, debating and poetry. Francisco believes that empowerment begets the empowered.

Francisco’s vision consists of developing a student trustee strategic plan. This will keep the student trustee focus on meeting and exceeding planned goals. He would also like to start the Sentinel internship program so that student trustees might become more effective in communicating the needs of students to the Governing Board. Lastly, Francisco believes the block schedule should be reevaluated so that it will be more conducive to learning and improve access and success for at-risk students and students at large. Francisco values honesty integrity, education, equity, diversity and stewardship.