Board of Retirement

Neil Baker

Alternate Retiree, Elected by Retired Members

Neil Baker practiced law in the public sector for over 41 years. He began his career representing the City of Los Angeles as a prosecuting attorney, and he later specialized in civil rights compliance, employment and labor relations law, and police and fire services. In 1982, he joined the Office of the Sonoma County Counsel, and during his tenure there he was involved in both advisory and litigation work covering virtually every type of substantive matter within the jurisdiction of the County. He also served as the Assistant County Counsel responsible for the overall administration of the Office. As part of his duties, he provided legal support and representation to the SCERA. Since his own retirement in 2005, Neil continued to provide contract special counsel services to SCERA as he pursued his interest in public sector retirement issues. Neil received a degree in history from the University of California Santa Barbara, and his law degree from the University of Southern California.  Form 806 Public Official Appointments

Travis Balzarini

Elected by General Members

Travis Balzarini has worked for the County of Sonoma since 2008.  In his current role with the Information Systems Department (ISD), he is a Senior Programmer Analyst. Prior to working for the County of Sonoma, he worked in private sector information technology.  Mr. Balzarini graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Mathematics.  Mr. Balzarini was elected to the Retirement Board beginning in January 2020.

Chris Coursey

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors

Sonoma County Supervisor Chris Coursey had a 30-year career in journalism before he turned to public service in 2007.  A long-time news columnist for The Press Democrat, he became spokesman for the SMART rail district in 2007, helping the commuter train project win the support of nearly 70 percent of Sonoma and Marin county voters in 2008.  He was elected to the Santa Rosa City Council in 2014. He served as vice-mayor of the city in 2015 and was chosen by his colleagues to serve as mayor at the end of 2016.  As mayor he was tested by one of the most devastating wildfires in California history. The Tubbs Fire and other blazes in October 2017 killed 22 people and burned more than 5,300 homes in Sonoma County, including more than 3,000 homes in Santa Rosa. Coursey spent the bulk of his two-year term leading the recovery, working closely with his elected colleagues at the county, state and federal levels and providing a caring, empathetic presence for fire victims and the many other residents traumatized by the disaster. His term ended in December 2018.  He was elected 3rd District Supervisor in March 2020, and took office in January 2021.  Chris has four adult children, three of whom live in Sonoma County, and three grandchildren.

Amos Eaton

Elected by General Members

Amos Eaton was elected to the Retirement Board by the General Membership and began his term March 2021.  He has worked for the County of Sonoma for more than 15 years.  In addition, he is the Treasurer of SEIU Local 1021, a 60,000-member nonprofit.  This is an elected role and he is currently serving his second term.  In this role, he leads on the organization’s budget and in decisions related to financial investments, resource management, and employee benefits.  He is a graduate of Bentley University with a degree in Finance. 

Greg Jahn

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors

Greg Jahn is the former SCERA Assistant Retirement Administrator who has a distinguished history in the local finance/banking industry. He is now the Chief Financial Officer at Exchange Bank. Mr. Jahn has served on the Retirement Board since January 2003.  Form 806 Public Official Appointments

Erick Roeser

Ex-Officio Trustee

Erick Roeser began his career in public service in 1993 and has worked in the Sonoma County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office since 2001. He was appointed by the Board of Supervisors as Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector in June 2017 and elected to that position in June 2018. He received a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Sonoma State University. Erick is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association and the California State Association of County Auditors.

Joe Tambe

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors

Joe Tambe is currently retired after a career that included Organization Management, Real Estate Development and Administration, Litigation Management, and co-ownership of a private Arbitration/Mediation service utilizing retired Judges. He has an extensive community service background including Chambers of Commerce and long-time membership in the Rotary Club; and has served on many non-profit Boards. He has served as a public member of the California State Board of Accountancy, and as a Referee of the California State Bar Court.  Form 806 Public Official Appointments

Mark Walsh

Elected by Retired Members

Mark Walsh was elected to the Retirement Board by the Retiree Membership and began his term in January 2024.  Form 806 Public Official Appointments

Brian Williams

Elected by Safety Members

Brian Williams has been employed with the County as a Correctional Deputy since 1991. Mr. Williams was elected to the Retirement Board in January, 2013.

Bob Williamson

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors

Mr. Williamson spent 33 years with Chevron in senior finance and related assignments, retiring in 1998. At Chevron he had management responsibility over Chevron's defined benefit and 401k plans, he has served on the Sonoma County grand jury, and is currently serving on the Ratepayer Advisory Committee of Sonoma Clean Power. He was appointed to the Retirement Board by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in February 2014.  Form 806 Public Official Appointments