Speakers

Jim is a Northern California native that grew up on the South and East Bay in the 70's and 80's.  He went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and completed his degree in Architecture after which he practiced Architecture for 12 years.  In 2011 Jim made a career change into Renewable Energy and has been developing and constructing utility scale solar, wind and battery projects across the US ever since.

Jim moved to Santa Rosa in 2023 after raising his two sons in Berkeley with his wife Ceara, where they both pursue passions in Construction, Architecture, Art, and Sustainability.

Jeff Kolin is a longtime public servant, community leader, and dedicated Rotarian whose career has been defined by building partnerships, strengthening communities, and creating lasting public impact.

Jeff's 38-year career in local government included service with eight California cities, one county, and a recreation and park district. He served as City Manager of Beverly Hills, Santa Rosa, and Pittsburg, where he led major infrastructure, economic development, and community enhancement projects.

Following his municipal career, Jeff provided strategic consulting services to local governments throughout California, assisting communities with public outreach, organizational development, and policy initiatives.

An active Rotarian for more than 28 years, Jeff served as President of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa and has held numerous leadership positions within Rotary. As District Governor for 2026–2027, he is focused on strengthening club vitality, expanding Rotary’s reach, fostering collaboration among clubs, and creating meaningful opportunities for service.

His governor theme, “Building Bridges, Connecting Communities,” reflects his belief that Rotary’s greatest strength lies in bringing people together to make a positive difference.

Jeff and his wife Patty live in Santa Rosa, California, where they enjoy family time with their daughters and grandchildren, as well as travel, cycling, cooking, and wine collecting.

Miles Horobin (he/him) grew up in Sonoma County and spent much of his childhood exploring and getting to know the flora and fauna who inhabit this bioregion. His appreciation for the natural world is deeply inspired by his botanist grandfather, Alan. After spending many years immersed in gardening, farming, and landscaping, Miles came to OAEC in 2020 for the Garden Internship Program. In his current role as Garden Manager, he brings together many of his passions and skills and shares them with others. He is a lifelong learner and finds plants to be some of the best teachers. When he is not working, you can find him drinking tea, trail running, or transforming plants into various forms of food and medicine.