Mentoring Alliance board adds three

The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance has expanded its board of directors with the addition of newly-elected members Bret Sackett, James Geagan, and Lew Perlson.

“While the number of kids in the Sonoma Valley with mentors continues to expand, thanks to the community’s generous support, the number of students desiring a mentor also continues to grow,” said Board Chair John Gibbons. “The board welcomes the experience and support of our newest members to help us continue to serve our community.”

Bret Sackett is Police Chief for the City of Sonoma, a position he has held since 2007. He is responsible for all aspects of law enforcement services both in Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley. Sackett has been involved in local community programs for more than a decade.

James Geagan is an attorney who has had a law practice in Sonoma for 14 years, where he resides with his wife. He is principally a civil trial lawyer and was elected a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is currently a mentor with the program.

Lew Perlson was a licensed attorney who practiced law in Wisconsin. His expertise was in the area of trusts and estates, and he has co-authored several publications in this field. A part-time resident of Sonoma since 2010, he and his wife moved here permanently this year from Milwaukee, where he was involved with a number of community organizations.

The organization, now in its 18th year, oversees 450 mentoring relationships in the Sonoma Valley, and is seeking mentors for the 150 youth on its waiting list. It operates professionally-staffed Mentor Centers at eight public schools in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, at no cost to the schools.

For more information about the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, or to learn about becoming a mentor, visit Sonomamentoring.org.