2009 Carmel Valley Board of Directors
Meet your Board
Randi Andrews, Avant Garden and Home – 2009 President
My husband and I opened Avant Garden and Home in 2003. With an interior design back ground
and a love for the unusual. www.avantgardenart.com was born. The next logical step was the retail
business. So we opened the doors and just smile each and every day. I have lived with my husband
in “The Valley” for over 26 years now. We are both a part of this village as much as it is a part
of us. I joined the Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce Board in 2004 because I feel it is my chance
to give back to the business community.
Axel Binneboese, Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club – VP & Finance Director
Axel Binneboese is the Director of Operations for Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club and responsible
for the rooms, food & beverage as well as the spa operation.
He joined Quail Lodge and moved to the area with his family in 2007 from Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada. He spent 16 years in Canada and worked for international Hotel brands such as Fairmont
Hotels, Westin Hotels. Additional occupations held by him where restaurant entrepreneur, consultant
and college professor at Malaspina University in British Columbia.
He is born and raised in Berlin, Germany and is married with three children
Ann Nall, Artist – Past President
Ann has lived in the Valley for 8 years … a transplant from the East Coast. Prior to studying art
and taking up painting almost full time, Ann spent most of her career as a professional fundraiser,
from Director of Individual Giving at PBS to full time consulting for clients as diverse as children’s
hospitals, museums, human and animal rights and other advocacy groups.
She discovered her talent for painting animals at about the same time as moving to Carmel Valley…both now contributing to a life she enjoys, does not take for granted and wouldn’t trade away.
Shelley Aliotti, Carmel Valley Art Association @ Valley Girls Gallery – Marketing Director
Shelley was born and raised in Carmel, California and lives with her husband John of 33
years. Together they raised their two sons and daughters who have given them the joy of six grandchildren.
Shelley is an artist, designer, illustrator, author, executive producer and business owner. In
2003, she opened Valley Girls Gallery in Carmel Valley Village and created a place where local
artists can showcase their art. With Shelley’s passion for the artist community she and other artists
began, Carmel Valley Art Association®. Shelley is a published author and illustrator of MY PEN
PAL SCRAPBOOK, An Educational Journey Through World Cultures ©1996, Shelley is now wearing
a new hat asExecutive Producer of Pen Pal Kids, a demo/pilot for a children's video/T.V. series
based on her book. She is very excited to complete this dream.
Jeffrey Andrews, Proprietor of Driving Sounds – Membership Director
You don't need to go to a "big box store" for auto stereo, GPS mapping or cellular systems;
Driving Sounds conveniently comes to your office or home. What started as a hobby became a career
36 years ago. I started in the field when Cassette was battling 8 tracks and a CD was something
you invested in, computers took up a whole building. Now, your car unlocks and starts as you approach
it, Seats move in to adjust to the individual driver and you talk to your car and it talks back.
Paper maps are a thing of the past and Superman can't even find a phone booth to change in.
Driving sounds is a one man show. I've touted the slogan "let the professionals come to you" since 1987. I guide you through selection, flawless installation and finally a thorough education of your automotive system. GPS, Blue tooth cellular communication and auto stereo systems.
When you can't find me wearing my Driving Sounds hat, I'm either promoting or defending Carmel Valley or helping at Avant Garden and Home. Randi sometimes lets me think I'm good at merchandising. After 35 years with her I still make a good recycling Run.
Nick Elliott, Holman Ranch – Co-Event Director
Nick was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and moved to Monterey County in
2005 with his wife Hunter Lowder. He graduated from Philadelphia’s Creative and Performing Arts
School and did a summer program at the CIA in NY. Nick has worked in the hospitality industry for
many years to include Regional Management with an East Coast entertainment company called, The
Pros. After moving to Monterey County he worked for Sound in Motion DJ’s, until this year where
he has taken on the position of Event Director at Holman Ranch. Since 2005 Nick has held a seat
on MCCVB’s membership committee and represented the committee on their board in 2006. Nick also
volunteers for MCHA, MCCVB, the Junior League of Monterey County and the SPCA when he is not spending
time with his wife and son Max.
Kathleen Hendricks, McLeod & Associates –Co-Director of Government Affairs &
Kathleen Hendricks, Broker-Associate and International Luxury Society member brings a
wealth of business expertise to real estate that stems from over a decade of business management,
ownership and entrepreneurial practice. A top producing agent at DMB Realty in Carmel, Kathleen
is recognized for her keen business sense and marketing strategies. Kathleen is an active member
of the National Assn. of Realtors, California Assn. of Realtors, International Consortium of Real
Estate Associations, Transnational Referral Network and served as the 2006/2007 President of the
Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce and 2007 President Elect for Women’s Council of Realtors, Monterey
Peninsula. Kathleen is available at kathleen@kathleenhendricks.com.
Steve Henry, Associated Hosts, Inc. – Co-Event Director
Born and raised in Southern California, Steve relocated to the Monterey Peninsula in 1993
after a 19 year career in the telecommunications industry. Steve was immediately drawn to the hospitality
industry and began his career working for USA Hosts, a local Destination Management Company (DMC)
in Monterey. In 1995 he took a position with another DMC where he managed the sales team and ran
the local office. In 2001 Steve founded Steve Henry & Associates and began building a successful
business of his own. In 2005 Steve had a homecoming of sorts when he and his business partner Baird
Pittman purchased the USA Hosts Monterey office and created Associated Hosts, Inc. Largely viewed
as the premiere Destination Management Company in the area, Associated Hosts provides precise transportation
arrangements, memorable site-seeing tours, exciting recreational activities, unique theme party
design, off property dinners and events, full meeting planning services, unique entertainment needs,
and hotel selection for corporate and association groups visiting the Monterey Peninsula.
Gary Higuera, Carmel Valley Market – Ex-Officio
Gary Higuera Jr, is a long time resident of the Monterey Peninsula, graduating from Carmel
High School. He is a very passionate person about all of his interests and loves to share all his
new ideas. Gary enjoys working in his yard, where he has built aviaries for upland game birds which
he raises and hisLabrador Retriever Kennel. He and his cousin opened up the new Carmel Valley Market
in August of 2006 andit hascontinued to grow every day.
Mike Terry, Los Laureles Lodge –Co-Director of Government Affairs
General Manager and partner of Los Laureles Lodge, Mike his wife Leslie and their crazy
dog Berlin came to Carmel Valley in June of 2000 after the Terry family partnership purchased Carmel
Valley’s Historic Lodge and Restaurant. From the beginning Mike and Les recognized they needed
to become part of the community of Carmel Valley for themselves and Los Laureles Lodge. They immediately
moved to the village and began meeting people and becoming involved with community events.
Chamber History:
October 2000 Daniel Barduzzi invited Mike to become a director of the Carmel Valley
Chamber of Commerce. In January 2002 Mike became Treasure of the Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce.
With the help of the 2002 board of directors, Mike and the board successfully brought the chamber
out of financial debt. Mike served as the Chamber board president for the years of 2004 and 2005.
Before the Lodge Career History:
From 1995 – June 2000 Mike was the Financial Manager and Controller of Eagle Eaton Leonard a public
manufacturing company located in Carlsbad California. Eagle Eaton Leonard manufactured CNC tube
bending machines for Ford, Volvo, GM, Airbus and Boeing. Everybody has some kind of product in
their everyday life these machines produced. For example, Eaton Leonard machines produce almost
all exhaust systems for Ford, General Motors and Toyota. And for you golfers look at the frames
holding the roof on the golf carts, all those tubes were once straight.
Managing Director
Elizabeth Vitarisi Suro
Email: elizabeth@carmelvalleychamber.com
