El Dorado Community Foundation
Welcomes New Board Members

The El Dorado Community Foundation is pleased to announce the new officers of their Board of Directors. Maureen Carter is now the President, John Black is Vice President, Tom Meuser is Secretary, and Don Peek is serving as Treasurer. Charlie Stephens is the Past President.

President Maureen Carter is a familiar community figure and has volunteered time and energy to the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce as a board member, treasurer of the El Dorado County Jr. Livestock Auction Committee and a member of the Women’s Fund El Dorado Cabinet. Maureen and Jim Carter are co-owners of Carter-Kelly, Inc. in Placerville and co-created the Carter-Kelly, Inc. Community Fund at the El Dorado Community Foundation. Maureen has served on the Foundation Board since 2005.

The Foundation is also honored to welcome three new board members; Lois Patrick, Charlie Downs and Paul Zappettini, all of Placerville.

Lois Patrick comes to the Foundation with a vast background in social services and non-profit volunteerism. Lois says, “My father was very involved in United Way and was the Founding Director of Lilliput Children’s Services, so I grew up surrounded by charitable giving. Both my husband and I have served on non-profit boards and this (the Foundation) just felt like the next step for me.” Lois has a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She started as an adoption worker in San Joaquin County, and then moved on to Child Welfare where she did eligibility, acted as a program manager, manager, and then deputy director of social services. Her work with the El Dorado Community Foundation began even before the Foundation was established, as a volunteer on a Planned Giving ad hoc committee that eventually moved under the umbrella of the Foundation. It was in her status as a Women’s Fund El Dorado donor member that she met the Foundation Director, Bill Roby, and was invited to join the Board of Directors.

Charlie Downs has been a resident of El Dorado County since 1978. He lives in Camino with his wife, Nancy. Charlie is the President of ANOVA Architects, Inc., which emerged out of the firm Murray & Downs AIA Architects, Inc., that was established in Placerville in 1985. Prior to Murray & Downs, Charlie was a sole proprietor in his own business as an architect. His entire professional focus has been in the public/institutional market, primarily education facilities. Beyond Charlie’s professional associations, he is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Western Slope Boys and Girls Club and is a Sr. Fellow of the American Leadership Forum.

Charlie’s association with the Foundation began in 2004 with the opening of the ANOVA Community Fund at the El Dorado Community Foundation.

Paul Zappettini and his wife, Erin came to El Dorado County in 1978. Paul and Erin’s daughter, Gianna, attended El Dorado High School and now attends U.C. Berkeley. Paul has an active law practice located in Sacramento, but represents many clients in El Dorado County and volunteers at the El Dorado Superior Court in a couple of capacities, one of which is the Teen Court program. Paul has been affiliated with the Sugarloaf Foundation for 15 years, working in concert with the El Dorado County Office of Education. He is also a proud member of the Placerville Kiwanis Club and was sponsored by Steve Healy, the first Executive Director of the El Dorado Community Foundation. Mr. Zappettini says, “The Zappettini family is proud to have a family fund with the El Dorado Community Foundation and we believe strongly in the many opportunities that the Foundation provides to the communities throughout our county.”

The El Dorado Community Foundation was established in 1993 for the purpose of strengthening our community both now and for future generations. The Foundation solicits and manages charitable gifts through endowed funds. Grants are awarded throughout El Dorado County in support of local students, nonprofit services and programs. Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about the Foundation or how the Foundation may be able to help them realize their charitable dreams are invited to contact Bill Roby, Executive Director, El Dorado Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1388, 3097 Cedar Ravine, Placerville, CA 95667, 530-622-5621, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .