REDWOOD PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
Email us at dibiboard@redwoodprep.org
We would love to hear from you with any questions, comments, or concerns.
MEET THE DREAM IT. BE IT.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
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Sarah Poust - President, spoust@redwoodprep.org
Sarah moved to Fortuna with her family in 1979 from San Jose, after her parents fell in love with the area while visiting friends. She attended Ambrosini, Toddy Thomas and Fortuna High School, graduating in 1997. She got her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Cal State Long Beach and went to work in the photography industry for nine years in Los Angeles before returning to Fortuna in 2009 with her son Rezo and her little dog too (Tina). Not long after the return to Humboldt County, she made a career pivot into school finance and is currently the Chief Business Official at Fortuna Union High School District. Sarah is proud to be a Redwood Prep parent and is excited for another year to serve as board treasurer.
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Jason "Woody" Woodward- Vice President, jwoodward@redwoodprep.org
Jason has lived in Fortuna since moving here in 1999. He is married to his wife Amber and they have three children, Marshall, Wylie, and LolaMae. The family is as busy as most and enjoy participating in youth sports, community activities, camping, and horses. Jason is a graduate of the University of Washington and and makes his living as a Professional Geologist for Green Diamond Resource Co. He is active in the community, volunteering with charitable organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, Hops In Humboldt, CASA of Humboldt, Fortuna’s Apple Harvest Festival and just about every youth sport organization in Fortuna. Jason has served on several boards over the years holding executive positions as the Vice President and Secretary of Hops In Humboldt Inc. from 2008 to 2013 and Treasurer, Vice President and Secretary of CASA of Humboldt from 2014 to 2020. His professional and charitable experiences have helped Jason develop key leadership skills that he will bring to the Redwood Prep Board of Directors. Jason is excited to be a part of the Redwood Prep team and help guide the school in the coming years.
Patrica Sorci - Treasurer, psorci@redwoodprep.org
Patrica was born and raised in Humboldt County. She and her husband, Jeremy, are high school sweethearts. Together, they have two sons, Sam and Ben, who attend Redwood Prep. Patrica attended local schools including Stanwood A. Murphy Elementary, Fortuna High School, and Humboldt State University. After graduating from HSU with her master's degree in school psychology, Patrica relocated to the central valley where she gained nine years of experience. In the Fally of 2012, Jeremy and Patrica jumped at the opportunity to move back home to Humboldt. Patrica is currently employed in her dream job as a district psychologist for the Fortuna Elementary School District. The Sorci family resides in Fortuna and enjoys days at local rivers and beaches, going to the movies, and visiting friends and family.
Diane Garrison- Secretary, dgarrison@redwoodprep.org
Steve and I moved to Fortuna from Southern California 6 years ago. We are blessed to be living in this beautiful area near our daughter Kim and her husband Eric and 3 wonderful grandchildren.We enjoy this community and our involvement with Rotary, Soroptimist, PEO and the United Methodist church. I retired from a career in Early Childhood Education. I have been a preschool teacher, a preschool director and a liaison between a for-profit preschool and a church. After getting settled in Fortuna I was offered an aide position at Redwood Prep in our daughter Kim's class. I worked at Redwood Prep for 2 1/2 years and loved every minute. I fully support the vision of Redwood Prep and have witnessed first hand the positive impact this school provides to children on a daily basis. I am pleased to be able to serve Redwood Prep now as boardmember.
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Gnesa Kirchman- Member, gkirchman@redwoodprep.org
I moved to Humboldt county in 1997 to attend HSU and then to Fortuna in 2004 after graduating
with a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology. I have worked at Costco since 2002 mostly in their
shipping and receiving department. I live here with my husband Bill and three children Lilli, Liam
and Izzy. I have been a parent at Redwood Prep. since 2013 when my oldest daughter Lilli
started kindergarten. She graduated from there in 2022 and is attending Academy of the
Redwoods. Our other children, Liam and Izzy, still go to Redwood Prep. Outside of school we
enjoy doing a variety of activities from horseback riding, and Girlscouts to Backpacking and
multiple sports. I look forward to serving on the board and continuing to make it a great school
choice for families.
Christine Barbee - Member, cbarbee@redwoodprep.org
Christine was born and raised in Humboldt County and has lived in the Eel River Valley for the last nine years. She is the proud mom of Brady and Brynn who are both students at Redwood Prep. Christine attended school and college locally and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Leadership Management. She is in her eight year working in healthcare and currently serving as the Human Resource Business Partner for Providence Health System providing a broad range of strategic HR services to leaders within St. Joseph and Redwood Memorial Hospitals. Working in partnership with executives to address operational, talent, and talent life cycle–related issues, including change management, organizational development, culture, workforce planning, talent growth, development, and coaching. In her free time, she loves attending her kids numerous sporting events, traveling, practicing yoga and enjoying her home, family and dogs.
Emily Hobelmann - Member, ehobelmann@redwoodprep.org
Emily Hobelmann is a self-employed writer and consultant providing various support and administrative services to businesses in California and beyond. With years of experience helping entrepreneurs find success in highly regulated industries, Emily has developed a broad technical expertise and relatable writing styles. Emily grew up in Southern California, and she moved to Humboldt County in 2005 to attend Cal Poly Humboldt for a master's degree in applied mathematics. She met her partner Eric while living in Southern Humboldt in 2015, and they moved to Fortuna in 2017 to start a family. Their son Henry is in the TK class at Redwood Prep this year, and they are looking forward to their two younger kiddos — Joanne and Matthew — following in their big brother’s footsteps in the very near future!