Pamela Ott, Board Chair
Pamela is the Economic Development Director for the City of Pleasanton, where she works with local businesses to ensure a healthy economic climate in the Tri-Valley. Optimistic and always upbeat, Pam has a passion for creating positive change in our community. She is married to Jim Ott, an English teacher at Las Positas College, and she is stepmom to two wonderful teenage girls. Pamela has enjoyed the company of several dogs in her family over the years, and is now happy to share her home with a Boston Terrier named Simon, whose nicknames include “Little Man” and “Short Stuff.” Pamela joined the board of VHS in 2012 to share her organizational experience and community connections. She cares deeply about the mission and good work of our organization.
Lisa Hazlewood, Executive Committee Officer
Lisa’s passion for animals and desire to help find long-term solutions to the homeless pet problem in her community has led her to join the VHS Board of Directors in 2012. As a young girl, Lisa was introduced to the harsh reality of pet overpopulation when a box of kittens was abandoned overnight in her parent’s driveway. Although her family adopted two of the kittens and found homes for the others, the experience left a lasting impression helping to shape Lisa’s views on the importance of responsible pet guardianship and the impact that spay/neuter and animal adoption programs have on bettering the lives of companion animals.
Lisa grew up in Pleasanton and moved to Southern California after high school to study music at CSU, Northridge. She relocated to the Midwest where she continued her graduate studies receiving master’s degrees in Music Therapy and Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas. Lisa has worked as a Human Resources professional in the high-tech industry for nearly twenty years and currently manages the employee benefits and retirement programs for Equinix, Inc. in Redwood City. Lisa and her daughter are fortunate to share their lives with three amazing rescue cats: Hailey, Twyla, and Lucky.
Scott Paull, Treasurer
Scott Paull is executive vice president, global supply chain and corporate operations, at KLA-Tencor Corporation, the leading manufacturer of process control equipment for the semiconductor industry. After graduating from M.I.T. in 1982 with a degree in materials science and engineering, Scott joined IBM, where for nearly twenty years he held a variety of engineering, management, and executive positions throughout the company. Scott previously served as treasurer of an education-oriented nonprofit. He joined the VHS Board in 2010.
Diane Paull, Assistant Treasurer
Diane is a graduate of State University of NY, New Paltz with a degree in business and finance. Early in her career, Diane held finance and purchasing roles in industry. Later, she and a partner started a residential decorating business doing murals and faux paintings. Diane is an active teacher and participant in bible study, and enjoys playing and watching tennis. A parent of two college-age children, Diane appreciates the occasional serene environment by having a glass of California wine with her husband. She loves animals, and is currently servant to four cats in her household. Diane joined VHS as a volunteer in 2007 and soon progressed to handle the organization’s bookkeeping. She became assistant treasurer of the Board in 2010.
Phillip Vermont, Secretary, Legal Advisor
Phillip has been a partner at the law firm of Randick O’Dea & Tooliatos, LLP in Pleasanton since June of 1995, practicing as a litigator in the real estate, business, and construction areas. His practice includes complex landlord-tenant disputes primarily on behalf of property owners and property managers. Phillip was awarded the Bay East Association of REALTORS 2011 Affiliate of the Year.
He has lived with pets his entire life and currently lives with two Maine Coon cats, Trooper and Mr. Buddy, who were adopted in 2009 from VHS. Phillip served on the VHS Board for six years and termed out in 2010 as the new VHS building was nearly complete. After one year as an active volunteer and the VHS General Counsel, he is again serving on the Board as of January 2012.
Mary Jane Deering, Assistant Secretary
Born and raised in California, Mary Jane has lived in the Tri-Valley since 1982. She became a Realtor in 1985 and has achieved many honors during her 27-year real estate career. She served as the California State President, and then the Regional Vice President, for the Women’s Council of Realtors, the largest arm of the National Association of Realtors. Among her clients and peers she has a reputation as a skilled negotiator with high ethical standards, honesty and integrity.
Mary Jane loves to travel and has visited many countries. She has a daughter in Washington, as well as two grown step-children. Mary Jane and her husband, Chris, share their home with Clancy, a long-haired tortoiseshell cat whom Mary Jane adopted from VHS nineteen years ago, when Clancy was just eight weeks old! Mary Jane has been involved with VHS since 2010 as a volunteer and Board member.
Charli Hyden, Director
Born and raised in St. Louis County, Charli spent five years in Kansas City, Kansas teaching school and earning her master’s degree in elementary education. She came to California with a job selling advertising for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, but landed in Pleasanton (by calculation) through her love of real estate. Charli has been a broker for more than 25 years. Her first involvement with VHS was in 2005, when she approached the organization with a unique fundraising idea. Since then, she has spearheaded the annual Hidden Gardens of the Valley tour, which continues to be a much-anticipated successful event. Charli loves gardening, bridge, dancing, traveling and yoga. The latest love of her life is Sydney, a beautiful, charming, social, proud, cool cat who looks forward to meeting people. Charlie joined the VHS Board in 2009.
Dr. Sue Marshall, Director
Sue graduated from U.C. Davis Veterinary School in 1989. She has been an active volunteer for VHS since 1991, serving as the medical director for 15 years and sitting on the Board of Directors both past and present. Dr. Marshall is a co-owner and veterinarian at Feline Medical Center in Pleasanton.
Brad Poston, Director
Brad is a Silicon Valley marketing veteran, leading branding, demand generation, web design, social media, and marketing strategy for companies such as Apple, Autodesk, and Hyperion. Brad brings over 18 years of marketing and management experience to VHS and currently serves as vice president of branding and marketing at Litepoint in Sunnyvale. Brad and his wife Mary are 14-year residents of Pleasanton and have two children. They are the proud guardians of a little Maltese/Poodle named Josie Wales. Brad joined the VHS Board in 2012.
