TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Neha Hoskins, Clerk of the Board
REPORT BY: Paulette Cooper, Deputy Clerk of the Board II
SUBJECT: Appointments to the Napa County Airport Advisory Commission
RECOMMENDATION
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Appoint seven (7) of the following applicants to serve on the Napa County Airport Advisory Commission whose terms of office to commence immediately. (No Fiscal Impact)
Robert DeYoung
Geoffrey Gorsuch
Kristen Gregory
Debby Hight
Jason Johnson
Choolwe Kalulu
Lee Nordlund
Christian Palmaz
Richard Rybicki
Peggy Squires
Stephen Waller
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BACKGROUND
There are currently seven (7) vacancies on the Napa County Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) due to term expirations. The County Executive Office advertised the vacancies and received eleven (11) applications from the following applicants in the following groups and/or industries:
Local Chamber of Commerce Member:
• Robert DeYoung
• Jason Johnson
• Stephen Waller
General Public Member:
• Geoffrey Gorsuch
• Debby Hight
• Lee Nordlund
• Richard Rybicki
• Peggy Squires
Wine/ Hospitality Member:
• Christian Palmaz
Local Education Industry Member:
• Choolwe Kalulu
Napa County Airport Pilots Group or Club:
• Kristen Gregory
The Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) was originally formed in 1969 with the mission of advising the Board of Supervisors on all matters pertaining to County Airport operations and making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding Airport safety, annual budgets, use of Airport facilities, and a variety of other issues related to the Airport.
On May 7, 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2019-54 revising the function, composition, and frequency of Airport Advisory Commission meetings to assist Airport Management. The number of meetings was reduced from ten (10) to six (6) annually, and the membership was reduced to seven (7) voting members and one non-voting liaison Commissioner.
On November 18, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No 2025-123, in summary, changes include:
1. Updating the language on Commissioner qualifications to be consistent with County policy and to ensure that Commissioners have knowledge and appreciation of General Aviation;
2) Updating the names of each seat on the Airport Advisory Commission with their group and industry representation;
3) Establishing a two year limit on the number of annual terms for serving as Commission Chair;
4) Establishing the Airport Manager as the Commission Secretary;
5) Staggering the terms of the Commissioners so that continuity improves while preserving the opportunity to serve;
6) Updating the language on Commissioner termination;
7) Shifting the notifications of absences to the Commission Secretary;
8) Updating the language on parliamentary procedure, public comment, and the conduct of the Commission meetings; and
9) Other minor language edits to improve consistency.
On February 4, 2026, the Napa County Airport Advisory Commission met at a regular meeting and voted unanimously to recommend the following people:
Seat 1 Representing The General Public: Richard Rybicki 2 Year Term
Seat 2 Representing The General Public: Geoffrey Gorsuch 1 Year Term
Seat 3 Representing The Chamber Of Commerce: Robert DeYoung 2 Year Term
Seat 4 Representing The Chamber Of Commerce: Jason Johnson 1 Year Term
Seat 5 Representing The Napa County Airport Pilots Group Or Club: Kristen Gregory 2 Year Term
Seat 6 Representing The Local Education Industry: Choolwe Kalulu 1 Year Term
Seat 7 Representing The Wine/Hospitality Industry: Christian Palmaz 2 Year Term
(Recommendation letter attached)
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Staff report.
2. Public comments.
3. Motion, second, discussion, and vote on the item.
REQUESTED ACTION:
Accept the recommendation of the Napa County Airport Advisory Commission and appoint the following applicants to the following groups and/or industries as recommended by the AAC:
Richard Rybicki as General Public member;
Robert DeYoung as Chamber of Commerce member;
Kristen Gregory as the Napa County Airport Pilots Group Or Club member,
Christian Palmaz as the Wine/Hospitality Industry member, for terms ending March 10, 2028; And
Geoffrey Gorsuch as General Public member:
Jason Johnson as Chamber of Commerce member; and
Choolwe Kalulu as the Local Education Industry member, for terms ending March 10, 2027.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.