Here you can read biographies of the seven candidates for the Board of Directors. Ballots must be cast by Sunday, June 11th. Your ballot is located at the bottom of this page, please scroll down.
Benjamin Peterson is a 3rd generation native of San Luis Obispo and a graduate of SLO High and Westmont College, where he obtained a BA in History and served as Student Government President. He is currently a District Representative for State Senator Monique Limón.
Jim Andre taught finance and accounting at USC, Cal Poly, and Loyola Marymount University. He spends considerable time in Southern California, but he has been a member of our Center his entire life – in fact, his father Peter R. Andre is the man who incorporated the Historical Society of San Luis Obispo County in 1953! Jim’s grandfather J.J. Andre was an early downtown business owner, and the Andre family story is recorded in publications on file in our Research Room. Jim will be working with us to improve the financial stability of the Dallidet property and the History Center as a whole.
Debbie Collins is a local institution, building a business while volunteering extensively in the community. She ran La Fiesta for many years, and also is involved with the Monday Club and the Central Coast Aquarium. She is the owner of the Del Monte Cafe and we are privileged to benefit from her unparalleled catering skills at numerous Dallidet events.
Sharon Gottesfeld has extensive volunteer experience as a Museum volunteer docent and on the Exhibits and Dallidet Committees. She is an attorney, having practiced in Los Angeles.
Kaylee Scoggins Herring was born and raised here in San Luis Obispo County, and has a bachelor's in history and a masters in archives and records management. After many years as an archivist, she transitioned into the educational tourism field, but is still committed to the preservation of local history. When she's not working you can find Kaylee cutting a rug in the Lindy Hop swing dancing scene, hand making leather shoes, or hunting down the best vintage fashion at estate sales.
Roberta Soules graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Social Sciences. She spent the year after graduating in Denmark and missed San Luis Obispo so much that she moved back to San Luis Obispo. Roberta then studied tax and accounting and apprenticed with a local CPA before starting a tax practice with financial planning from UCSB in addition. She has been on the exhibits committee at the History Center since 2006 and retired from preparing taxes in 2022.
John Villa has family roots that go way back: His family name, originally Villavicencia, includes a substantial contribution of Salinan ancestry, enough to qualify John as a member of the local Salinan Tribal Council. John is the owner of Villa Automotive, and is also well known for his support of local youth sports.
Benjamin Peterson is a 3rd generation native of San Luis Obispo and a graduate of SLO High and Westmont College, where he obtained a BA in History and served as Student Government President. He is currently a District Representative for State Senator Monique Limón.
Jim Andre taught finance and accounting at USC, Cal Poly, and Loyola Marymount University. He spends considerable time in Southern California, but he has been a member of our Center his entire life – in fact, his father Peter R. Andre is the man who incorporated the Historical Society of San Luis Obispo County in 1953! Jim’s grandfather J.J. Andre was an early downtown business owner, and the Andre family story is recorded in publications on file in our Research Room. Jim will be working with us to improve the financial stability of the Dallidet property and the History Center as a whole.
Debbie Collins is a local institution, building a business while volunteering extensively in the community. She ran La Fiesta for many years, and also is involved with the Monday Club and the Central Coast Aquarium. She is the owner of the Del Monte Cafe and we are privileged to benefit from her unparalleled catering skills at numerous Dallidet events.
Sharon Gottesfeld has extensive volunteer experience as a Museum volunteer docent and on the Exhibits and Dallidet Committees. She is an attorney, having practiced in Los Angeles.
Kaylee Scoggins Herring was born and raised here in San Luis Obispo County, and has a bachelor's in history and a masters in archives and records management. After many years as an archivist, she transitioned into the educational tourism field, but is still committed to the preservation of local history. When she's not working you can find Kaylee cutting a rug in the Lindy Hop swing dancing scene, hand making leather shoes, or hunting down the best vintage fashion at estate sales.
Roberta Soules graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Social Sciences. She spent the year after graduating in Denmark and missed San Luis Obispo so much that she moved back to San Luis Obispo. Roberta then studied tax and accounting and apprenticed with a local CPA before starting a tax practice with financial planning from UCSB in addition. She has been on the exhibits committee at the History Center since 2006 and retired from preparing taxes in 2022.
John Villa has family roots that go way back: His family name, originally Villavicencia, includes a substantial contribution of Salinan ancestry, enough to qualify John as a member of the local Salinan Tribal Council. John is the owner of Villa Automotive, and is also well known for his support of local youth sports.