2025 AGM and Board Elections
We invite all Petaluma Downtown Association and Business Improvement District Members
to attend the PDA 2025
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, March 12 ~ 6 pm
Amy's Kitchen Corporate Office, 109 Kentucky St, Downtown Petaluma
2025 Board Candidate Bios
| |
| |
Karla Schikore (Incumbent)
Karla has been very active in the Petaluma Downtown Association for over 20 years. She has served as Board President, Past President, Treasurer, and has chaired numerous committees including Marketing, BID, Merchant Events, fiduciary reviews, and has volunteered for all downtown events.
Karla owned Haus Fortuna, a retail store in Downtown for 10 years until it closed. Karla’s retail experience in Downtown is valuable to ensure that merchant’s concerns are recognized and contributed to the shaping of the future of downtown.
Karla obtained her insurance license 10 years ago and is an agent with Demil Insurance Agency in Petaluma focusing on commercial insurance. Karla has an extensive background in all facets of commercial real estate, construction, project/property management practices, contract management, and financial controls, and has served on numerous boards throughout her career.
“I believe that Downtown Petaluma is a reflection of how a community sees itself and its future should be a vital concern for every citizen and business person in the community. A vibrant, prosperous, and attractive downtown will increase pride in the area and be a visible barometer of the well-being of the entire community.”
| |
Jim Balshaw - Preferred Sonoma Caterers (Incumbent)
Jim Balshaw owns Preferred Sonoma Caterers with his wife Amber. They founded the business in 1991, and it became full-time concern in 1995. Jim joined the business full-time in 2003, leaving a corporate IT job.
From 2004 to 2008 Jim served on the PDA Board of Directors, spent one term as PDA President, and has held the position of Treasurer for the past few years. He has helped organize the Art & Garden Festival for many years and has volunteered for many PDA events and is an executive board member supporting the Director and the organization.
| |
Ross A Jones - AIA (Incumbent)
It would be an honor to continue to serve my community on the PDA Board of Directors. My perspective as a professional architect, developer and land owner in the historic downtown district is the perspective that I bring to the Board. In addition I look forward each Spring to serve as an announcer (along with my son Eero) for the Butter & Egg Days parade. I’m often found directing traffic at the intersection of Western and Kentucky for the annual Antique Faire and Art & Garden Festival. Though not lately, in the past I have been active with Petaluma Urban Chat and a speaker for Know Before You Grow, a citizen empowerment focused endeavor that strives to make citizens articulate advocates for thoughtful development in town. No growth is not a healthy option. Slow growth is required to resist giving into short term needs and desires.
My desire and focus for the next term is to listen and advocate for programs that meet the needs of the merchant community in the near term and for the long run.
| |
Defne Crowe - Amy's Kitchen (Incumbent)
Defne leads communications at Amy's Kitchen. With experience spanning global agencies, boutique firms, and her own agency, Defne has shaped communications strategies for leading brands across CPG, food and beverage, fashion, and tech. She looks forward to bringing her marketing expertise to support the continued growth and vibrancy of downtown Petaluma.
| |
Damien Carney - Avinage (Incumbent)
Damien Carney and his wife Shree opened Avinage in the spring of 2022 with the dream of creating a neighborhood wine store as well as a community meeting place. After 5+ years in Petaluma, Damien has been grateful to be grounded in such a wonderful community.
Serving on the Petaluma Downtown Association Board for the last year has been an illuminating experience for Damien. He's gained valuable insights into the community, forging meaningful connections with local merchants and stakeholders. As a board member, Damien sees his role as an advocate for downtown merchants, working to amplify their voices and concerns.
Damien is intent on preserving Petaluma's rich downtown history while encouraging its ongoing vitality and helping ensure a vibrant and successful future.
| |
Dawna Mirante - Refill Mercantile
Dawna Mirante is the co-founder of Refill Mercantile, a thoughtfully curated low-waste shop and refillery located in the heart of downtown Petaluma, California. At Refill Mercantile, Dawna and her husband Rob embrace the philosophy that living low-waste is a journey—one that doesn’t require perfection but a commitment to progress and learning. Their mission is to create a welcoming community hub where people can discover convenient and sustainable alternatives to single-use items. By offering refillable, reusable, and compostable products, Refill Mercantile empowers individuals to make impactful choices that benefit both our health and the well-being of future generations, leaving the earth a little better than we found it.
I am excited about the opportunity to join the board of the Petaluma Downtown Association because I am deeply committed to keeping our downtown vibrant and thriving. As a business owner in downtown Petaluma for over three years, I understand the importance of fostering a strong, connected community that supports local businesses and enhances the unique charm of our city. In addition to running my business, I am actively involved in sustainability efforts as a member of an ad-hoc committee for the Climate Action Commission, where we are working to provide the Petaluma City Council with options to meet their goals on the Blueprint for Climate Action. I look forward to bringing my passion for community engagement and my experience as a downtown business owner to the board, collaborating to ensure downtown Petaluma remains a dynamic and welcoming destination for all.
