(Back row: L to R:) Rob Wolf, Mark Schumacher, Casey Cloud, Melanie Bergevin, Diane Hawes, Claire Luke, Puja Markus-Brooks, Jerry Hill
(Front row: L to R) Cathi Ruff, Shannon Boisvert, Brenda Thomas, Kim Davy, Donna Harrison, Carol Smith, Becky Bell
Ambassador of the Year:
Cathi Ruff Ambassador of the Year 2011
Rob Wolf Ambassador of the Year 2010
Puja Markus-Brooks Ambassador of the Year 2009
Kimberly Davy Ambassador of the Year 2008
Ambassador Bios
Kimberly Davy – Kimberly Davy Insurance
Kimberly Davy, owner of Kimberly Davy Insurance, moved to Lincoln in 2007. They moved from Truckee, where she was a Farmers Insurance agent for three years selling personal lines and then decided to open a commercial insurance brokerage. Kimberly Davy Insurance supplies insurance for every type of business entity and offers an opportunity to make an impact for commercial clients in an economy that can be very challenging for the small business owner or the “new in business.” Kimberly joined the Chamber and became an Ambassador to help others see the benefit the Chamber offers for their business growth. In addition to serving as an Ambassador – she and her husband work with the Firefighters Burn Institute to raise money for their Burn Camp in South Lake Tahoe. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fieldhaven Feline Rescue – a non-profit organization in Lincoln. Whether it is riding thru the foothills on their motorcycle or working with others to improve business climate in the community, Kim is glad she has settled here. She believes that anyone can be a member and go to the Mixers, but taking on more responsibility allows room for contribution and insight.
Becky Bell – River City Bank
River City Bank is a full service bank. We are a bank dedicated in providing excellent customer service. River City Bank has been serving the local communities since 1973. The Lincoln branch opened in May, 2001. We received the Business of the Year award in 2001 and 2005. We were pleased to win in 4 categories in the inaugural Best of the Best Awards in 2006 and has continued to win awards ever since. In addition to products and services we provide, we are also actively involved in community events/services.
I have been employed with River City Bank since July, 2001. I enjoy being a Client Relationship Associate and also an Ambassador with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Our family moved here from Arizona over 10 years ago. Lincoln is a wonderful community. I am proud to represent the Chamber of Commerce and enjoy telling business owners about the chamber and the many benefits they will enjoy from joining and getting involved in their community.
Harriet Garland – AFLAC
Harriet was born and raised in Salinas, CA. where she met her future husband, Chuck, in high school and they have been married for over 48 years. They spent two years in Germany when Chuck enlisted in the Army and they traveled throughout Europe. When finished with the Army they settled in San Jose, CA to start a new life and raise their family. Chuck was self employed for about 25 years and then went to work for State Farm. He retired from State Farm and then helped Harriet with her AFLAC business on a part time basis. Harriet is self employed in the insurance industry and has represented AFLAC for the last 16 years.
They have two children, Lisa, residing in Roseville, and Leland, residing in Rocklin and they have two grandchildren, Heather, 18, and Brad, 17. Both Lisa and Leland are also independent agents representing AFLAC.
They wanted to retire in a small community and bought property in the “outskirts” of Lincoln by Camp Far West Lake about 6 years ago and built a home which they moved into 2-1/2 years ago. They went from the “concrete jungle” of the bay area to 10 acres in the country and absolutely love it. Even though Lincoln is growing it was still their best decision ever and they couldn’t find a better place to head into retirement.
Their hobbies are primarily gardening (Chuck more than Harriet!!) and cooking. Their favorite past time is having home cooked get-togethers with family and friends. They love entertaining and try to have different types of gatherings throughout the year.
Chuck is active in the Lincoln Rotary and they try to be involved in various projects throughout the city.
Mark Schumacher – Edward Jones
Mark Schumacher serves the Lincoln community as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. Whether it is planning for retirement, saving for higher education, or protecting your assets; he works with individuals and businesses with their long term financial plan. His enthusiasm for personal finance combined with his love for people fuel his passion everyday!
Mark graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations Management. He married his high school sweetheart Jennifer in 2007 before moving to Lincoln to start a family. His Faith and his Family are the most important things in his life. He recently became a new father and his daughter Madison Grace is his pride and joy!
Mark joined the Lincoln Chamber in 2008 and became an Ambassador earlier this year. He enjoys being a part of his community both through Lincoln Kiwanis and the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce!
Rob Wolf – Keller Williams Real Estate
Rob has been a Chamber Ambassador since 2005. He was named Ambassador of the Year in 2006. He is a current Chamber board member. Rob is a long time resident of Lincoln with his wife Irena of 10years and 2 children. Rob has been a successful Real Estate professional since 2004 helping hundreds of families despite the current real estate market. Prior to real estate Rob spent a decade in franchising helping small business owners improve their business operations.
Puja Markus-Brooks – Umpqua Bank
Puja Markus-Brooks is the Manager at the Twelve Bridges store of Umpqua Bank. Puja has been a manager with Umpqua since 2005 and brings over 17 years of banking experience with her. Puja greatly enjoys working for the World’s Greatest Bank. The community involvement that Umpqua Bank expects of its associates and managers allows Puja to follow her internal values of being an active member of her local community.
Puja moved to Lincoln in 2004 after graduating from the University of California Davis with a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science. Puja has been an Ambassador with the Lincoln Chamber of commerce since 2007. She takes great pride in the community where she lives and works.
Puja was born and raised in India and often finds that her unique background offers her a different perspective on life and humanity. Puja spends her spare time biking, hiking, playing board games with her children and volunteering at her children’s schools.
Melanie Bergevin – Edward Jones
Melanie is fortunate to serve the Lincoln community as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones, Rotarian and Lincoln Chamber Ambassador for almost six years. Rather than her choosing this direction right out of college, life experiences brought her to this career and wonderful community.
Growing up on a farm in North Dakota, Melanie started learning about investing while finishing her business degree. Watching the farming downturn of the 80’s, she started investing thinking “Who’s going to take care of Mom & Dad if they lose the farm?” After a new business career opportunity brought her to Sacramento, she met Keith, her wonderful husband of the last 20 years.
About ten years ago, a new life experience surprised Melanie when she was struck by an uninsured driver while jogging on the side of a road. Six months of recovery gave her time to realize how she could make a difference in other’s lives by helping them build and protect their long term financial dreams. And here she is, healthy and fortunate to have a great husband, career and the opportunity to help others every day. She is honored to have been voted Best of the Best Financial Advisors in the Lincoln News Messenger for 3 of the past 4 years.
Cathi Ruff – First Bank
Cathi has lived in Lincoln her entire life and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1981 and is the youngest of 3 girls.
Cathi married her husband in 1982, and has a daughter and a son.
She is a Financial Service Representative II at First Bank in Lincoln, recently returning to work after a 16 year stay at home to raise her children. Her previous banking career of 14 years started in Lincoln at Bank of Alex Brown, later becoming First Interstate Bank, then Wells Fargo Bank. She was working as a Loan Assistant at Sanwa Bank before deciding to fulfill her duties as a full-time Mom. Now with her youngest at Lincoln High School it was the perfect time to re-launch her career.
While at home, Cathi started two at-home businesses. The first, a decorative painting business where she was the sole artist, and the second business was as a Sales Consultant for The Longaberger® Company. She continues to operate those businesses now, but on a part-time basis.
She has been a Chamber Ambassador for just over 2 months, and is enjoying participating in the activities taking place in her hometown. Cathi also enjoys letting potential businesses know about the Lincoln Chamber, how to join, and encourage their existing members to become more active, and get involved. She is looking forward to doing her part in Lincoln’s future as a growing city.
Shannon Boisvert – Lincoln Hills Construction
Shannon is co-owner of Lincoln Hills Construction, with her husband, Marc. She is a graduate of Sac State and has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Marketing. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she wanted to find a place to raise their twin boys in a city that retained that home-town feel. They moved to Lincoln in 2007, and were followed by the rest of her family.
Volunteering for the Chamber was one of the ways she got involved with her community. She ended up chairing Lincoln Showcase and the Christmas Parade and hasn’t stopped since. Shannon is a board member for Lincoln Youth Soccer Club, Lincoln Police Activities League and is a Soroptimist. She feels that being active in the community is vital to its well being, especially in business. She loves being an ambassador and meeting new people.
When she actually finds free time, she enjoys hanging with her family, traveling and watching the boys play sports.
