Original 2016 RVMAC members. From left: Katrina Frey, Chris Boyd, Debra Ramirez, Alex de Grassi, Cassie Taaning, Estelle Clifton, Marybeth Kelly, Melinda Hunter, and Sheilah Rogers, being sworn in by Carre Brown in 2016.
The Redwood Valley Municipal Advisory Council RVMAC is a group of 7 members and 2 alternate members, who serve by appointment of the Board of Supervisors. The function of the RVMAC is to act as an advisory group and the voice of Redwood Valley residents to the County of Mendocino Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and other agencies that take actions affecting the community. Membership on the RVMAC is voluntary (application form for membership may be accessed in the "About RV Mac" section of this website); no members receive any compensation. The RVMAC can't pass laws or regulations. They are under requirements of the Brown Act (see Resources section of this website), which requires OPEN MEETINGS whenever a quorum (4 or more) of members meet or talk. Meeting agendas are posted for public viewing (this website, the RV Post Office, the site of the meeting--usually the Grange-- and the RV Market) at least 72 hours in advance. For the RVMAC to gain success in influencing Board and other agency decisions, we encourage wide participation by our Redwood Valley neighbors.
RVMAC Members, as of December 2024
Dolly Riley (Chair), Chris (Wick) Boyd, Patricia (Pien) Ris-Yarbrough (Treasurer), Marybeth Kelly (Alternate Member), Deb Hughes, Erin Moynahan, Sonia Pio (Alternate).
If you are interested in becoming a member of the RV MAC, fill out an application at https://mendocino.granicus.com/boards/forms/69/apply/1320305?code=0fc7ffd1-cf8c-4901-b731-0035696caae3&reapply=true
MAC members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The RV MAC shall have 7 members and 2 alternates. All members shall serve 4 year terms.
Also, we are in great need of a Website professional and Secretary who possess a business license (a paid position at $22/hour) to update this website on the Squarespace application. Inquire by contacting the MAC or any member via this website or at our PO Box (243, Redwood Valley, Ca. 95470). Come join the team and earn some cash!!!!!
Dolly Riley (Chair)
Dolly received a BA in Social Sciences from Sonoma State University, a degree in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies from Mendocino College, and a Teaching Credential from Dominican University. She worked 10 years as an Employment Counselor for Employment Development Department, 7 years as a Substance Abuse Therapist for Mendocino County, a couple years as a Teacher for Ukiah Unified, and 10 years more for Mendocino County as Social Worker (5 yrs) and Social Worker Supervisor (5 yrs). Dolly Riley helped to start Family Dependency Drug Court in Mendocino County in 2007, and was recognized as Supervisor of the Year by UC Davis in 2015. She was a member of the Mendocino County Library Advisory Board 4 years. Dolly is Treasurer for California State Retirees Chapter 19, in local counties. She joined the MAC in 2019.
Patricia Ris-Yarbrough
Patricia Ris-Yarbrough, aka Pien (a Dutch nickname pronounced Pean), is a new resident of Redwood Valley who fell in love with its natural beauty. She and her husband decided to move away from San Francisco’s foggy Ingleside to this sunny and fertile valley in 2018 to become stewards and gardeners of an old farmstead. She has a natural inclination to enhance, beautify and facilitate change for the good. In this vein she created a San Francisco nonprofit to support home bound dementia care partners, at a time when very little community socialization was available. She also became an active volunteer for the creation of a mini-park and walkway that has garnered local and national attention as an example of collaboration between neighbors, city agencies, local government and innovative landscape design. She has two grown children, in Portland, OR and Brooklyn, NY, and became an American citizen in 1998. She loves to garden, support local farmers, walking in nature and to get to know people. Pien joined the MAC in July, 2020.
Deb Hughes has lived in Mendocino County since Aug 2008. And has always been interested in contributing to the community. Fire and water have been her main interests in college and in her business, Mendo Water Express, Inc. She has been a science teacher since 1999 at South Valley High School. She is the current Mendocino County Republican Party Chair for 3 years. Community service is something she encourages her students to partake in. Deb stated ‘I believe in leading by example.”
Erin Moynahan is a compassionate leader, advocate, and facilitator who is deeply committed to fostering understanding, equality, and peaceful resolutions in her community and beyond. With a strong educational foundation, including two master’s degrees from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Erin is highly skilled in mediation and conflict resolution. Her work spans supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, guiding families through complex processes like Individualized Education Plans, and designing systems for constructive dialogue in schools and organizations. Erin is a local business owner. As the founder and Executive Director of Courageous Engagement LLC, Erin works to create safe spaces for people to navigate differences, resolve conflicts, and build meaningful connections. Erin’s professional expertise, sense of empathy, and personal experiences shine through in her advocacy and outreach, whether she’s helping families, empowering communities, or encouraging others to embrace a more inclusive, compassionate approach to life.
Sonya Pio was a school Bus Driver for Ukiah Unified for 20 years. She stated she absolutely loved her time caring for the kids on the bus. She worked as an Oral Hygiene Trainer for people with developmental disabilities for Redwood Coast Regional Center, for a number of years. Now retired, she is finding other ways to become socially engaged. She joined the MAC and the Redwood Valley Grange, and is active in the group trying to repurpose the old Redwood Valley School into a recreational center. As an Alternate Member of the MAC, she is trying to incorporate other entities such as Coyote Valley, and citizens in the local trailer parks, and local store owners, because it would be helpful to know what direction they would like to see for Redwood Valley. She encourages young people to participate in the MAC, because they will then have a say in their future, and she remembers many of them from her years of bus driving.
Supervisor Carre Brown administers service oath to retired member, Sandra Berman
Ex-officio members are those who have termed out or retired from the MAC but still actively participate in specific projects.
Alex de Grassi [ex-officio member*] graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Economic Geography, but has since pursued a career as a recording artist and internationally touring concert guitarist. He and his wife, Alison, moved to Redwood Valley from San Francisco in 1994. Alex was appointed to the Ukiah Planning Commission. For more information, please visit www.degrassi.com.
Sheilah Rogers [ex-officio member*] moved to Redwood Valley in 1972 and is still grateful to have found the place that she and her husband Steve call home. Sheilah is a recognized pioneer and champion of micro-business development in the U.S. As the founding CEO of Mendocino County’s West Company.
Katrina Frey was the long-term Treasurer for the MAC and committed untold hours to our work. She is a principle with Frey Vineyards in Redwood Valley.
Adam Gaska was a valued member until 2024, is involoved in all local water projects, and is now Executive Director of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau.
Jini Reynolds, former Vice Chair for many years, continues to participate in RV MAC projects. She is a long time resident of Redwood Valley, a prolific volunteer, Chair of the Pomona Grange, and currently involved in United Disaster Relief of Northern California.
Marybeth Kelly (Alternate Member)
A founder of the fight against Dollar General in RV, is the senior Alternate member of the MAC. She is also busy as an Executive member and rental manager for the Redwood Valley Grange and a volunteer for Plowshares. Marybeth holds a BS in Field Biology from San Luis Obispo and a teaching credential, and served as an officer in the Army Signal Corps from 1978-89. Marybeth worked for 14 years as a field engineer for Pac Bell and taught science and math for 12 years at Eagle Peak Middle School. She has lived in Redwood Valley for many years with her son, Joshua, and loves reading, animal rescue, raising chickens, and photography.
Not pictured: Member Adam Gaska
Christine Boyd (aka "Wick") graduated from UC Irvine and worked for 32 years in local government, including 3 years as Manager of the Orange County Emergency Management Division. Upon retirement, she was a Deputy Fire Marshal/Battalion Chief for a large Southern California fire department. In 2020, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire District. She holds a certificate in Haz Mat Management and has been a part-time instructor in ballet at Mendocino College, Chris and her husband, Tom, have lived in Redwood Valley for over 15 years. They are dedicated to helping maintain our community's rural character.