Community Foundation for Monterey County Names Dr. Rolando Cabrera, Mary Claypool and Robert Cullen to its Board of Directors

Monterey County, California — The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Rolando Cabrera, Mary Claypool and Robert Cullen to its Board of Directors. 

“We are excited to add Rolando, Mary and Robert to the board. Their talent and perspective will expand the impact of the CFMC to help strengthen our communities.” – Kirk Gafill, CFMC Board Chair

Dr. Rolando Cabrera is a physician with three decades of experience and broad support for his community. He is affiliated with Salinas Valley Health Hospital where he serves on the Board of Directors and is the owner/medical director of La Gloria Medical Clinic located in Salinas.

In addition to his strong focus on healthcare for the underserved, Dr. Cabrera supports his community in a range of other ways: as founder and president of the Salinas Police Foundation and as a board member of the Key for a Cure Foundation that raises funding for pediatric cancer research. He is past-president and active member of the Alisal Rotary Club, advisory director of Pinnacle Bank, and consultant/member of the Salinas Mariachi Festival.

Mary Claypool worked for the City of Seaside for 20 years in finance, redevelopment, community development and economic development and worked for the County of Monterey in economic development for 16 years. In 2006, she became the Director of Economic Development for the Monterey County Business Council and was appointed Executive Director the following year.
She currently serves as Trustee on the Monterey County Board of Education, Monterey County Civil Rights Commission, Monterey County Branch NAACP and has been a member of numerous Boards.

Mary received a Senate Rules Committee Resolution and Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration for Outstanding Service, 2014 Monterey County Woman of the Year Award and in 2014 the Visiting Nurses’ Association & Hospice Woman of the Year Award.

Robert Cullen owns & operates Robert Cullen Insurance & Financial Services Agency and holds a Real Estate Brokers license. He has served on the City Council for King City since 2008 and served as Mayor from 2010 to 2016. In 2013, he helped form the Southern Monterey County Foundation (SMCF), an affiliate of CFMC. The SMCF has since granted more than $200,000 to South County nonprofits improving the quality of life for local residents. The SMCF has now set out to create an endowment of $2 million to ensure a continuing source of funds for groups providing care and support to the people of South County. Robert enjoys serving his community by sitting on several boards, as well as volunteering his time to help with various fundraising activities.

Says Robert, “I have a passion surrounding helping those who are less fortunate and to bring resources to the rural areas of Southern Monterey County. As such, I’m truly looking forward to the transition of moving from serving on the Southern Monterey County affiliate fund Advisory Council to the Community Foundation for Monterey County Board of Directors.”

2024 Community Foundation for Monterey County Board of Directors:

• Kirk Gafill (Chair)
  President/Chief Financial Officer
  Nepenthe/Phoenix Corporation
• Elsa Mendoza Jimenez (Vice Chair)
  Director of Health Services, Monterey County Health Department
• Jesse Lopez (Treasurer)
  Managing Partner of Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope, LLP
• Kathleen Lee (Secretary)
  Executive Director, Point Lobos Foundation
• Dr. Rolando Cabrera
  Medical Director, La Gloria Medical Clinic
• Mary Claypool
  Owner, Claypool Consulting
• Robert Cullen
  Owner, Robert Cullen Insurance & Financial Services Agency
  Council Member City of King
• Deneen Guss
  Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
• Romero Jalomo
  Vice President of Student Affairs, Hartnell Community College
• Nolan Kennedy
  Attorney at Law, Kennedy, Archer & Giffen
• Giff Lehman
  Founder, Integris Wealth Management (Retired)
• Adriana Melgoza
  Familias Con Mas Director, Ventures
• René Mendez
  City Manager, City of Watsonville
• Larry Oda
  Community Volunteer, JACL National President
• Colby Pereira
  Chief Operating Officer, Braga Fresh Family Farms
• Joe Pezzini
  Senior Director of Agricultural Operations, Taylor Farms
• Francine Rodd
  Executive Director, First Five Monterey County
• Julie Roth
  Wealth Manager, Monterey Private Wealth
• Jennifer L. Walker
  Attorney/Principal, Leach & Walker
• Tyller Williamson
  Mayor of Monterey

About the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC)
The mission of the CFMC is “to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County.” Thanks to generous individuals, families and businesses who have created charitable funds, the CFMC has granted nearly $340 million through 2023 to nonprofits working towards healthy, safe, vibrant communities. The CFMC also supports local nonprofit organizations by providing capacity building services and leadership development through the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE). For more information call 831.375.9712 or follow us at facebook.com/cfmco, instagram.com/cfmco/ or linkedin.com/company/community-foundation-for-monterey-county.