Board of Directors


Stuart W. Martin

Chair

STUART W. MARTIN is a land acquisition specialist for the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 2001 and has held board positions as Chair and Treasurer. Stuart is experienced in negotiation for the purchase of properties for parks and to preserve farms and areas for wildlife habitat. He works with all aspects of real estate acquisition, including appraisals, title, and escrow matters. He holds a BS in Natural Resource Management and a MA in Public Administration. On his dedication to affordable housing, Stuart says, "I believe the preservation of farms and the creation of parks is very compatible and complementary to the creation of affordable housing. The goal for both is to create a livable community for everyone, which provides for the enjoyment of Sonoma County’s natural environment with the benefits of safe and affordable shelter. Sonoma County is a leader and innovator in both of these areas."


Alexander Mallonee

Vice Chair

ALEXANDER MALLONEE is Secretary Treasurer of the Northbay Labor Council. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 2003 and has held the board position of Vice Chair. His community service includes President of the Northcoast Branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers since 1982, member of the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board, and member of the City of Santa Rosa Personnel Board. He holds BA and MA degrees in English Literature. On his dedication to affordable housing, Alexander says, "Sonoma County is a beautiful place to live. People who work here ought to be able to afford to live here in decent, safe housing. Retirees ought to be able to continue to live in their community. Our children ought to be able to stay in the community they grew up in if they choose. Each year it gets tougher for all of them to live here. Creating more affordable housing will give us an economically and generationally diverse thriving community."


Jon M. Stark

Secretary

JON STARK is a small-business consultant. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 2003 and has held the board position of Secretary. Prior to moving to Santa Rosa in 1999, Jon's community service included the boards of the Leslie Foundation, Rotary Haciendas, and Catholic Charities; all affordable housing boards in San Mateo. He was also a member of the San Mateo County Homeless Blue Ribbon Task Force. Jon holds a BA in economics and a MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. On his commitment to affordable housing, Jon says, "I believe that decent housing is critical in a person having self-worth and being able to pursue economic opportunities. I chose Burbank as my primary community service activity because of its admirable reputation and it fit my past community experience."


David W. Spilman

Treasurer

DAVID SPILMAN has worked in local government for over 30 years in finance and administrative capacities. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 2003 and has held the board position of Treasurer. He has directed and structured over $50 million in loans, grants and tax credits for the financing of affordable housing from homeless shelters, rentals, self-help and ownership projects. David holds BA and MA degrees in political science and public administration. On his dedication to affordable housing, David says that he is, "Committed to public and private affordable housing, which is the cornerstone of quality of life issues and can make an immediate, direct and lasting impact on thousands individuals and families for generations."


Silas Boden

Director

SILAS BODEN has worked in the construction industry since 1960. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 1990 and has held board positions as Chair and Vice Chair. He entered the building trades upon graduation from Santa Rosa High School in 1959, became a licensed contractor in 1972, and earned a Green Building Professional Certificate in 2005. He is experienced in all phases of residential and commercial construction and remodeling. His community service includes North Coast Builders Exchange, Redwood Empire Remodelers Association, and Santa Rosa Suburban Kiwanis and in-kind donations to YWCA "A Special Place", Habitat for Humanity, Athena House Project, Carrillo Adobe Project, Head Start, Rinwood Homeless Shelter, Children’s Day Treatment Center, and the Homeless Shelter at the old Santa Rosa General Hospital. On his dedication to affordable housing, Silas says, "In the late 1970's, early 1980's, I saw the disparity between wages and housing begin to rise dramatically and wondered how the children born in Sonoma County would be able to afford to live here. I recognized the principal of strength in numbers and believed that a group of people that share the same vision can make a difference in the community." Upon the suggestion of the late Dan Peltz, I applied to and was accepted as a member of the Burbank Housing board.


William W. Bowman

Director

WILLIAM W. BOWMAN is an independent commercial real estate appraiser and consultant. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 1995 and has held board positions as Chair and Treasurer. He is an experienced developer and appraiser and understands conventional lending requirements, complicated financing, budgeting, and fund accounting. Bill is currently a candidate for the Appraisal Institute and his community service includes board membership on the Dry Creek Valley Association and the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce. He holds a BA in Criminology and a MA and PhD in Sociology. On his dedication to affordable housing, Bill says, "There is nothing better than attending the grand opening celebration of a self-help or other type of ownership project to understand why service as a Board member for Burbank Housing is worthwhile. To see families moving into the first home they have ever owned, when they might have thought that would never happen, and knowing in many cases that it was by their own labor that their home and the homes of their new neighbors in their community were built, sets the stage for the impossible. If they can do what they’ve just done, anything seems possible."


Martin Buchner

Director

MARTIN BUCHNER is a retired professor of design. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 1986 and has held board positions as Vice Chair and Secretary. His experience includes research involvement in three-dimensional design, design potential of materials, physical aspects of the city, and design in the urban environment. His designs have been commissioned or exhibited by individuals, museums, institutions and businesses. He is a founder of New Jersey Designer-Craftsmen, served on the Governor's Art Commission and is a recipient, with his wife Myra, of a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Grant. He holds a MA degree. On his dedication to affordable housing, Martin says, "I joined Burbank after I heard members of the then very small staff make a compelling presentation in favor of an affordable and singularly appropriate housing project in Sebastopol. In spite of the convincing presentation, the proposal was summarily rejected; this caused me to immediately join Burbank!"


Frank Denney

Director

FRANK DENNEY is Vice President of Operations for Cobblestone Homes. He joined the Burbank Housing Board of Directors in 2006. With over 30 years experience in real estate development, Frank has processed and constructed over 2,500 housing units. He is a Past Chairman of the Home Builders Association of Northern California, Past President of the Home Builders Association-Northern Division, Past Chairman of the City of Santa Rosa’s Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority, and served on the board of the North Coast Builder’s Exchange. Frank is a licensed California general building contractor and holds a BA in English Literature. On his commitment to affordable housing, Frank says, "I am interested in all segments of shelter. Housing is a very basic need for individuals and families, and a balanced housing stock makes a community balanced and strong. Burbank Housing has shown significant leadership in addressing affordable housing. I believe I can make a contribution to Burbank Housing’s work, and I am looking forward to the opportunity."


Elizabeth Lehrer

Director

ELIZABETH LEHRER is a private practice attorney specializing in business, environmental, and real estate law. She has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 2000. Her community service includes board membership with California Parenting Institute, and co-producer and host for the local PBS affiliate television series, The Legal Show. Elizabeth holds a BA in Comparative Politics and JD in Law.


Rebeca Trevino

Director

REBECA TREVINO has worked in human resources management with emphasis towards employee relations, recruiting, training and development. She joined the Burbank Housing Board of Directors in March 2008, and currently serves on the Santa Rosa Cultural Heritage Board, Art in Public Places Committee, and Friends Advisory Council for the Community Foundation. Her previous nonprofit and community board service includes, the YWCA of Sonoma County, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, and ArtStart. Rebeca holds a BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Dominican College of New York. On her commitment to affordable housing, Rebeca says, “There is so much need in our communities, particularly now, given the economic downturn. Burbank Housing’s continuing effort to increase the supply of affordable housing for people in need steadily strengthens the communities it serves. I am thrilled to be a part of this organization.”


Thom Wright

Director

THOM WRIGHT has worked in the forest products industry since 1980. He has served on the Burbank Housing Board of Directors since 2005. His community service includes Past President, Portland Wholesale Lumber Association, member of All-Coast Education Committee, member of Black Bart Hoo-Hoo. On his dedication to affordable housing, Thom says, "I was interviewed by a number of boards in areas that I wanted to be involved in. After meeting with some of the board members at Burbank Housing, I immediately knew that this was where I wanted to contribute most. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization!"



Additional Corporate Officers


John Lowry

President

JOHN LOWRY has served as Burbank Housing’s Executive Director since 1998. He joined Burbank as its first project manager in 1984, after working as a carpenter and teacher. John’s community service includes California Coalition for Rural Housing and the Home Builders Association of Northern California. He has also served on the board of Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California. He holds a general contractors license, and BA and MA degrees with majors in economics, politics, and history.


Craig Saxon

Second Vice-Chair

CRAIG SAXON joined Burbank Housing in 2000 and currently serves as Asset Manager. He is responsible for oversight, analysis and strategic direction for Burbank Housing Development Corporation's long-range management of its real estate portfolio and the risks and opportunities the portfolio represents. Craig is President of the California Apartment Association's local chapter, North Coast Rental Housing Association, and serves as President of the Apple Valley-Papago Court Improvement Association. He holds a BA from San Diego State University and is a licensed Real Estate Broker.