TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop, Chief Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Neha Hoskins, Clerk of the Board
SUBJECT: Appointments to the Napa County Advisory Commission
RECOMMENDATION
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Appoint the following members to the Airport Advisory Commission with terms to commence immediately (No Fiscal Impact):
Seat 1 Representing the General Public: Debby Hight (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)
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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 nine (9) applications.
Because this was an unusual situation in which all seven seats on the AAC expired at the same time, the County Executive Officer empaneled an independent team (i.e. separate from Airport staff and existing members of the Airport Advisory Committee (AAC)) to interview candidates and to make recommendations to the Board to fill vacancies on the AAC rather than have the AAC Commissioners make the recommendation to the Board.
The panel consisted of:
• Todd Walker, former AAC member and current member of the Airport Land Use Commission
• Kara Brunzell, Chair of the Planning Commission and non-voting AAC Commissioner
• Maiko Klieman, Deputy CEO
• Steve Lederer, Public Works Director
Under the new AAC bylaws adopted by the Board last fall, each voting seat is designated to fill a specific community role, and each seat has either a one or two-year initial term, which will avoid all seats from expiring at the same time in the future. The initial term of Seats 1, 3, 5, and 7 is two years from this appointment, followed by two years for each appointment thereafter. The initial term of Seats 2, 4, and 6 is one year from this appointment, followed by 2 years for each appointment thereafter.
Over the week of July 6th the panel interviewed each of the candidates, with a set list of questions. The results of the interviews are as follows:
2 seats representing the general public:
There were four applicants for these two seats. Each of the candidates was interviewed and found to be qualified. The panel recommends:
• Geoffrey Gorsuch, existing AAC member, to continue to serve on the AAC in Seat 2, which is the 1-year term seat. Geoff has been a reliable and able member of the AAC during his tenure.
• Debby Hight is recommended for Seat 1, which is the 2-year term seat. Although not a pilot, Debby has a background in aviation and is a civil engineer and her skills will add a valuable perspective to the AAC. She also lives in the Alta Heights area, which has voiced a strong interest in airport operations.
1 seat representing the Wine/Hospitality Industry:
There was one applicant for this seat, existing AAC member Christian Palmaz. Mr. Palmaz was interviewed, found to be qualified, and is recommended for Seat 7, which has a two-year term.
2 seats representing the local Chamber of Commerce:
There were two applicants for these seats, Jason Johnson and Bob Deyoung. Both were recommended by the Napa Chamber of Commerce. Both were interviewed and found to be qualified. The panel recommends Mr. Deyoung for Seat 3, the 2-year seat, and Mr. Johnson for Seat 4, the one-year seat.
1 seat representing a Napa County Airport Pilot’s group:
There was one applicant for this seat, existing AAC chair Kristen Gregory. Ms. Gregory was interviewed, found to be qualified, and is recommended for Seat 5, which has a two-year term.
1 seat representing local Education:
There was one applicant for this seat, existing AAC member Choolwe Kalulu. Mr. Kalulu was interviewed, found to be qualified, and is recommended for Seat 6, which has a one-year term.
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 revising the AAC Bylaws; in summary, changes included:
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.
REQUESTED ACTION:
Accept the recommendation of the independent team and appoint the listed applicants to the AAC.
FISCAL 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.