Board of Trustees

To join the Environmental Center's Board of Trustees,
call (805) 544-1777 or email info@ecoslo.org.

From left to right
Back row: Bob Lavelle, Scott Secrest, David Kirk, Morgan Rafferty,
Cal Wilvert, Deborah Hillyard, Robert Bronte
Front row: Sandra Sarrouf, Clint Slaughter, MD, Jan Marx, Allyson Nakasone
Not pictured: Clint Edwards

Clint Slaughter, M.D. - Chair

Clint Slaughter, M.D. moved to San Luis Obispo in 2003 from the East Coast and has since developed interests in sustainability and alternative energy. In this time, he has decreased his own family's footprint significantly by continually auditing energy use, adding solar power to his home, and making biodiesel since 2006, now running both of their cars on biodiesel and vegetable oil. Outside of the home, he has also been working with French Hospital to improve recycling and decrease waste. He enjoys cycling, climbing, surfing, and other experiences that involve enjoying the wonders of our natural environment.

Deborah Hillyard - Vice-Chair

Deborah Hillyard has lived on the Central Coast for more than thirty years, and in SLO County since 1998. She works for the California Department of Fish & Game as a conservation planner, primarily focused on large-scale, long-range conservation strategies for San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties. Her background is in biology and rangeland management, with a particular interest in arid ecosystems, their restoration and management. She is also an occasional guide on expedition-style cruises to the Alaskan arctic and the Russian Far East.

Allyson Nakasone, Secretary

Allyson Nakasone, Board Secretary, started working for ECOSLO in 1995 as a staff member and has been involved ever since. She has a degree in Soil Science from Cal Poly and works as a consultant with local agencies on such issues as composting, soil erosion and sustainable ag. A full time Realtor, she enjoys helping people find new homes or sell the ones they occupy. She is also involved in the UC Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program, Earth Day Alliance, Quota Club International, SLO Association of Realtor’s Workforce Housing Committee, League of Women Voters, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance.

Sandra Sarrouf

Sandra Sarrouf began working for ECOSLO in 1999 as manager of the Central Coast Environmental Health Project for San Luis Obispo County; she has been involved ever since. Although no longer on the staff of ECOSLO she has been on the Board for the past four years and serves as its Chair. She has been involved in a variety of local environmental issues and political campaigns and is passionate about people and the environment.

Robert Bronte

Robert Bronte has lived in San Luis Obispo for the past eighteen years. He is deeply committed to providing safe, clean and affordable housing in California. In addition to building homes and remodeling existing homes and apartment buildings, Robert has been actively promoting ownership through innovative rent-to-own programs. He is active in Latino issues and programs, volunteers as an advocate and translator for several organizations in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and in San Blas Mexico, San Luis Obispo’s sister city.

Bob Lavelle

Bob Lavelle, one of ECOSLO's greatest supporters, has been on the board for close to 10 years. As owner of Lavelle Construction, he is a valuable asset in monitoring environmental concerns throughout the county.

Cal Wilvert

Cal Wilvert is a Cal Poly emeritus professor of Geography and has long been interested in environmental problems. When he started teaching there in 1973, he introduced the university's first environmental course with a global perspective: Human Impact on the Earth (Geog. 333). Since joining the ECOSLO Board in 2006, he has enjoyed being an environmental advocate, testifying before various governmental bodies.

Scott Secrest

Scott Secrest is a financial advisor and director of investment research for Natural Investment Services, a socially responsible investment management firm. He helps create plans sensitive to environmental concerns that avoid companies with histories of violating environmental laws and support companies involved in alternative energy, recycling, clean technologies and many other positive industries. He has lived in San Luis Obispo since 1998, loves the natural environment, and believes that it is a treasure worth protecting for future generations. He serves on the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability and Resources Committee and the Diversity Committee.

Clint Edwards

Clint Edwards is a 1991 graduate of California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. After several years in the Ag field in the Midwest, he was able to move back to San Luis Obispo. Clint has been in the mortgage business for the last 10 years and is the Owner/ Broker of Arbor Home Mortgage, Inc, located in San Luis Obispo. Arbor Home Mortgage, Inc. is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, an organization in which its members donate 1% of their gross receipts to environmental groups around the world.

Former Board of Trustees Members

Jan Marx

Jan Marx, Vice Chair of the Board, has a long history of involvement in local politics, open space conservation and environmental causes, including ECOSLO. Her legal practice includes wills and trusts, elder law, environmental and real property law. She also advises small businesses. She has served on the San Luis Obispo City Council, Planning Commission, and the County Parks and Recreation Commission. She is on the Sierra Club Conservation Committee, Citizens for Planning Responsibly Board and is a counselor for the Central Coast Memorial Association.