Who IS PVNU?
Mission
Portola Valley Neighbors United (PVNU) works to increase understanding of local public policy issues such as fire and seismic safety, affordable housing, and natural habitat, to encourage informed and active participation in governance, and to influence public policies through education and advocacy.
Portola Valley’s community goals, as listed in the town’s General Plan, are endorsed by PVNU.
PVNU is entirely run by volunteers and is not a membership group.
Stats
500+ subscribers to our regular monthly emails, representing every single neighborhood in Town. You can subscribe here.
Over 1,000 residents have signed our periodic letters to the Town Council or other entities. (See who signed the letters.)
Over 45 individual donors to our mission. (You can donate here.)
Board of Directors
Our Board members represent a combined 100 years+ of living in and enjoying our town of Portola Valley. They have dedicated thousands upon thousands of hours to the town through volunteerism. You can contact any or all of them at admin@pvnu.org.
President: Rita Comes
I have owned property in Portola Valley since 2009, and went through the process of building a new home in the town. I have always been a bit of a renaissance gal and I love the accessibility, rural character, beauty of the land and brain power in Portola Valley.
I attend as many of the Town meetings that I can, and even comment now and then. I am very proud to be part of PVNU and not afraid to ask a question out loud that others may not feel comfortable asking but would really like to know the answer.
Career: Computer Software
Resident since 2014
Board of Trustee, Hidden Villa: 2009 - Present
Portola Valley Women’s Club
Executive Director, Stanford Fencing Association (SFA)
Committee Member United States Fencing Association (USFA) 2010-present
Council Member Federation International Escrime (FIE) 2012-present
Treasurer: Nan Shostak
My husband, Rob, and I moved to Portola Valley in 1988. I had been working as a pension actuary for many years, when I decided to pursue my interest in teaching and the environment with the Environmental Volunteers, an environmental ed organization that works with school-aged children. At the same time, I was heavily involved in the local schools, finishing as Chair of Site Council at Corte Madera. The Environmental Volunteers training in earthquake hazard and safety led to taking a basic class in geology at Foothill College. It didn’t take long before I was pursuing my masters in geology! I taught the subject at San Jose State until retirement in 2017. Of course, I am still involved in research projects regarding local geology, and my specific interest right now is the timing of the uplift of the Santa Cruz Mountains. I’m currently on Portola Valley’s Geologic Safety Committee.
Career: Geology
Resident since 1988
Town Geologic Safety Committee
Editor-in-Chief: Rusty Day
Watching a red-tailed hawk patiently fly circle-eights over the hills of Jasper Ridge convinced Kristin and me to move our three children from San Mateo to Portola Valley in 1989. Our children attended Ormondale and Corte Madera schools. I joined the Westridge Committee, first in 1992 to help organize our neighborhood for earthquake safety and evacuation, and then again in 2008 as Chairman. I’ve participated in countless town meetings and many neighborhood discussions regarding the development and safety of our community.
After wildfires destroyed Fountain Grove, Coffey Park and Paradise, I grew increasingly concerned about the wildfire threats we face in our community and what factors cause them. My concern and engagement led me to write and publish Why Is California Burning? which examines how the impacts of our changing climate and unsafe development threaten to destroy our homes and neighborhoods. Since then, I have continued to express my concerns to the town and residents about the hazards we face and the difficult choices they present.
Career: Law
Resident since 1989
Westridge Committee Member: 1992-1994
Westridge Committee Chairman: 2008-2017
Iyengar Yoga Practitioner