Marc Porter brings to Courtyard construction and facilities knowledge from his ten years plus as a residential sales manager for Carrier Corp. He has a passion for all things Sacramento having been a fourteen year resident of Midtown Sacramento within a short distance from the school. He is an ardent Kings' fan and season ticket holder, loves to cook, enjoys great wine, and being able to live in a city where he can walk to great restaurants. He spends much of his free-time coaching soccer, both at Courtyard and the East Sacramento soccer league. Marc and his wife Jenni have sons Ryan and Michael, both Courtyard students.
Franco Garcia is a long-time real estate owner/broker. His firm, Garcia Realty, was Northern California's first Hispanic brokerage. His knowledge of the city planning process has been integral to Courtyard as the school purchased and moved to its current, permanent site. He is a member of the national, California and Sacramento realtors' associations and serves as a board member of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce fundraising committee. He is a regular helping hand with Habitat for Humanity and enjoys traveling, music, and guitar playing. He and his wife, Dorothy, are thirteen year residents of Midtown where they are raising Sebastian (6th grade) and Emika (Kindergarten), and dog, Lottie.
Beth Robbins-Jonas, Vice Chair
Beth, husband Jeff, and daughters Madeline, Bonnie, and Olivia joined the Courtyard family in fall 2005. A 4th generation pear and cherry farmer in the beautiful, historic Sacramento Delta community of Walnut Grove, she is currently developing new orchard blocks and maintaining 100+ year old production trees. Beth enjoys coaching JV girls volleyball and 3rd grade girls basketball and serves on the Strategic Planning and Middle School Development committees. She likes theater, music, hiking, snow sports, boating, travel, and especially time with her three daughters.
Kelly is an Associate Vice Chancellor at UC Davis (in Davis) with responsibility for the campus budget and institutional research. She has been associated with UC Davis for over 25 years as a student, alumnus and staff member. She currently leads a team of professionals that provide analysis about a wide range of financial, enrollment and policy issues for the entire campus. Kelly has lived in East Sacramento for over 18 years with her partner Carol and their two children Samuel (3rd Grade) and Michele (1st Grade). The family loves to travel including trips almost every year to Germany to visit grandparents and great-grandparents.
Jacob Appelsmith and his wife Beth have lived in a Victorian on Capitol Avenue for nearly 20 years. Jacob is a Senior Advisor to Governor Jerry Brown, and also the Director of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. He is a Berkeley native, and he loves all things Midtown, especially Courtyard. He plays in several garage bands, including Milhous and his 4th-grade daughter Violet's band, The Black Tomato.
Chris and his partner Peter have been Courtyard parents for 8 years. Chris spends his workdays on campus at UC Davis where he is a budget policy official advising campus leaders on issues that involve graduate professional schools and student fees. Outside of work, Chris and Peter dedicate time to their vintage Sacramento home and supporting their son's play on a year-round, competitive baseball team. It's a good thing they enjoy baseball! The family also fosters newly weaned kittens for the county animal shelter until they are old enough to be altered and placed for adoption.
Pete Cervinka
Pete Cervinka is a long-time resident of the Sacramento metropolitan area. He's been engaged in the state budget and policy processes for the better part of twelve years, in areas including education, labor, health, and human services. He is presently Program Deputy Director for Benefits and Services with the California Department of Social Services. New to the Board for the 2010-11 school year, he will be helping Kelly Ratliff on the school's finance committee. Pete and Lynne's children, Ryan (2nd grade) and Zoe (transitional kindergarten), love their time at our school. They also are following in their dad and mom's footsteps as avid soccer players. Even their dog Finn is dribbling the ball these days!
Dawn Lawver and her husband Kerry have been Courtyard parents for 7 years. Their son, Brenden, was a member of the inaugural Kindergarten class at Courtyard's new campus after moving from the old site. Brenden is in 6th grade and his little sister Delaney is in 3rd grade. They have lived in the greater Sacramento area for over 20 years. Dawn has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry working for USAA. Her experience includes claims management, claims training and human resources. Her greatest success has been the growth and development of her two children. Dawn loves to travel and enjoys fine dining.
Julie Sauls has over a decade of professional political experience concentrating her time within the Capitol arena and has worked with members of the legislature to develop both their political and policy strategy. Julie currently serves as the Vice President of External Affairs for the California Trucking Association. She and her husband Jeff reside in the Natomas area with their two children Jack (5th grade) and Matthew (2nd grade) and their Beagle, Lucy. Julie enjoys travel especially to destinations near a beach, watching her children play sports and watching them learn. She coaches her youngest son in soccer and spends her free time gardening and cooking.
Paul and his wife, Sarah, have a son, Jacob, who is in first grade at Courtyard. (Jacob's younger sisters, May and Lily, aspire to become Courtyard Cougars someday, too!) Paul is an education analyst with the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), which provides fiscal and policy information and advice to the California Legislature.
