Sonoma Land Trust names Alexander Valley venture capital advisor as new board chair
SANTA ROSA, CALIF., March 17, 2011
W. Denman (Denny) Van Ness of Geyserville and San Francisco has been named chair of the Sonoma Land Trust board of directors. Van Ness, a former Navy lieutenant who holds an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, is principal of Hidden Hill Advisors, which provides advice and support to venture capital investors and emerging growth companies. He is also a current director and past chair of the North Bay Angels. Van Ness owns a home and small vineyard above the Alexander Valley and has been a member of the Sonoma Land Trust board for the past four years.
“Protecting our natural and agricultural landscapes may be the single most important action we can take to ensure our grandchildren enjoy a quality of life similar to what we have today,” said Van Ness. “Sonoma County, one of the state’s least protected counties, harbors a wealth of biodiversity that the Sonoma Land Trust is committed to saving for future generations.”
Van Ness’ priorities include allowing more people to get out on and enjoy the lands that have been entrusted to the Sonoma Land Trust, and ensuring that sufficient resources are on hand so the organization can move quickly to protect key properties as they become available. “Sonoma Land Trust is in the midst of a significant growth curve, as shown by our increasing funding and the major acquisitions we’ve accomplished recently,” said Van Ness. “Striking the right balance of people, financial resources and projects will be a major focus of mine.”
“Denny is a real builder of enterprises and I am looking forward to working with him as our chair to make Sonoma Land Trust a strong and enduring institution,” said Ralph Benson, executive director of the Sonoma Land Trust.
Van Ness has served as the chair of Sonoma Land Trust’s Finance and Investment Committees. He lives in both San Francisco and Geyserville with his wife, Kate.
About the Sonoma Land Trust
Currently celebrating its 35th year, the Sonoma Land Trust preserves scenic, natural, agricultural and open land for future generations. Since 1976, the Sonoma Land Trust has protected more than 26,000 acres of beautiful, productive and environmentally significant land. For more information about the Sonoma Land Trust, please visit www.sonomalandtrust.org.
CONTACT:
Sheri Cardo
Director of Communications
(707) 526-6930, ext. 111
