Board Members & Area Maps

Annette Yee Steck represents Trustee Area One which covers Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Cachagua, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and a portion of the City of Monterey. This area encompasses all of the following school districts: Big Sur Unified, Carmel Unified and Pacific Grove Unified and a portion of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. She was first elected to the Monterey County Board of Education in July 2022. Prior to that she served as a Board Member of the Carmel Unified School District. Ms. Yee Steck was first elected to that Board in 1993 and retired in November 2020. She served as Board President numerous times during her service to the Carmel District.

Ms. Yee Steck is a financial advisor who consults on general obligation bonds, certificates of participation, lease revenue bonds, Community Facilities District bonds and Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANs) for California school districts. Her entire career, which began in 1983, has been in public finance, and she has worked exclusively for school districts since 1996. She completed the California School Board Association’s Masters in Governance program in 2004. Because of her board experience and her knowledge of school finance and facilities, Ms. Yee Steck became part of the Masters in Governance faculty in 2005 and is an instructor for MIG 3 - School Finance and Facilities, MIG 4 - Collective Bargaining and MIG County Offices of Education.

Ms. Yee Steck has served on the Board of Community Human Services since 1993, and is the chair of that board’s Finance Committee.

Ms. Yee Steck has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics and Economics Systems Science from the University of California, Los Angeles where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

A long-time Monterey County resident, John McPherson has served on the Monterey County Board of Education since 2012. He has been a leading advocate in the fight against human trafficking in Monterey County, and for the statewide increase in the funding for court and community schools. Mr. McPherson is President of the California County Boards of Education, and serves on the CSBA Board of Directors. Professionally, Mr. McPherson is Executive Director for the Alliance on Aging in Monterey County, and has held executive roles in both the financial services and produce industry. Mr. McPherson is a graduate of the University of Southern California, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. 

Heather Owen represents the North Monterey County area of Trustee Area Three. Mrs. Owen has 23 years experience as an education professional. She graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Human Developmental and a Spanish minor. She received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD Certificate from Chapman University. She worked as a kindergarten and first grade teacher and as the Director of Education for Sylvan Learning Center.

Ms. Owen moved to Monterey County in 2001 and started working for National Geographic School Publishing. She was part of a team that created English Language Development textbooks and materials.

Ms. Owen has served as a member of numerous community groups including the Site Council Committee for Prunedale School, the LCAP Committee for North Monterey County Unified School District, the Prunedale Park Planning Committee, Lagunita Parent Teacher Club, Monterey County Mounted Search and Rescue Team and as a Chualar 4-H Project Leader.

Ms. Owen is a mother of three school-age boys that all attend local public schools.

Virginia H Mendoza serves as the Trustee for Area 4 of the Monterey County Board of Education, representing the southeastern and southwestern parts of Salinas. Elected in November 2024, she brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting education and community well-being.

Born in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, and a resident of Salinas for over 35 years, Mrs. Mendoza has dedicated her life to community service and advocacy. With decades of experience in organizing and outreach, she has helped countless families connect to resources and services to support their growth and success.

Mrs. Mendoza's extensive public service includes roles with the Cultural Council for Monterey County, the Center for Community Advocacy, Valley Housing Alliance, Casa Guanajuato, Salinas LULAC Council 2055, and Monterey County Housing Advisory Committee to name a few. She has also been a dedicated volunteer for many organizations, including the Food Bank of Monterey County and the Volunteer Center of California. As the founder of the Salinas International Cervantino Festival and the Monte Bella Community Association, Mrs. Mendoza has fostered cultural and community engagement throughout Monterey County.

Mrs. Mendoza is self-employed as a Marketing Executive for Melaleuca, promoting health and wellness. She holds an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Computer Business Administration, is a certified health promoter in Monterey County, and has earned a Certificate of Achievement from the Salinas Police Department Community Policing Academy. She is also certified in neurolinguistics, further enhancing her ability to connect with and serve the community.

Mrs. Mendoza firmly believes that building a strong community starts with listening, learning, and working together to meet the needs of students and families.

Jaime Fernandez began his term of office on the County Board in December, 2022 representing Trustee Area 5, which encompassing South Monterey County from Soledad to Bradley. Previously, Mr. Fernandez served as a Board Member for the Soledad Unified School District. Mr. Fernandez is a graduate of Hartnell College with two Associate of Arts degrees in Criminology and Corrections. He also received a Bachelor’s Degree from Chapman University in Organizational Leadership and is a graduate of the National FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. Mr. Fernandez has served on many other boards in South
Monterey County.

Mary Claypool is a prominent Seaside business leader and is the Trustee for Area 6, encompassing the cities of Marina, Seaside and Sand City. She was first appointed to the Monterey County Board of Education on November 7, 2012.

Ms. Claypool has been a resident of Monterey County since 1967 and has served on various parent-teacher associations, worked directly in classrooms, and served as a member of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee. She has 42 years of experience working in finance, community development, economic development redevelopment and budget/management for local government, including the City of Seaside and County of Monterey. She is well versed in developing and monitoring public agency budgets, and working directly with small businesses. Ms. Claypool holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Business Management.

Ms. Claypoool has served on numerous non-profit boards and associations, including Monterey County Branch NAACP, Monterey County Civil Rights Commission, Community Human Services, Central Coast Visiting Nurses' Association, Seaside Planning Commission, City of Seaside C-Jobs Task Force, California Association for Local Economic Development Officials (CALED), and the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley Chambers of Commerce.

Graduating from Leadership Monterey Peninsula in 1989, Ms. Claypool received in 1994 a Senate Rules Committee Resolution and Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community as well as Woman of Achievement Award from the Seaside Business and Professional Women’s Club. In 2014 she received the Monterey County Woman of the Year Award and Visiting Nurses' Association & Hospice Woman of the Year Award.

Ms. Claypool's goal is to ensure that all students have access to a quality education and to keep the community informed and engaged in the education system in Monterey County.

Sandra Ocampo represents Trustee Area Seven which covers Central and East Salinas areas.  The area encompasses the Alisal Union School District and portions of the Salinas City Elementary School District.  Before her election to the Monterey County Board of Education, Sandra served as a trustee for the Salinas Union High School District for 20 years.

Sandra came to Salinas from Brownsville, TX in her twenties, where her family had owned a successful business in the Rio Grand Valley.  Sandra was the owner of a beauty salon and a real estate office in Salinas for many years. She was the co-founder of the AMA (Alisal Business Association) in 1995.  Sandra believes in community and has assisted countless people with their educational concerns.  She is an advocate for foster students and believes that education is the road to success.  Sandra strives to always be transparent in her relationships with people and organizations.