GROUP - Key Persons

Dr. Colleen Denny-Garamendi has spent her career working to improve public health programs and raise awareness about a wide variety of public-health issues. She is recognized as an expert in qualitative research methods and for developing culturally and educationally appropriate health education brochures for clinics in California. Dr. Denny-Garamendi's professional experience includes conducting program evaluations, community-needs assessments, health services research, teaching, planning public health programs, grant writing and designing health education materials. Prior to founding Professional Evaluation Group, she was a faculty member in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of California, Davis', School of Medicine. Her work has been published in several peer-review journals, including Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health Journal and Drug Safety. During her academic career, she was funded by The California Endowment, The Compton Foundation, UC Davis-University Outreach and International Programs and the UC Berkeley Center for Latino Policy Research. Dr. Denny-Garamendi continues to serve as a guest lecturer at UC Davis in the Master's of Public Health program and has made numerous presentations of her work at national conferences. Dr. Denny-Garamendi received her BA in politics from Mount Holyoke College and her Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. After serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, she received her doctorate in Public Health from UC Berkeley. She is a member of the American Evaluation Association, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Northern California and the UC Berkeley Public Health Alumni Association and is a Member of the Calaveras County Board of Education.

Job Titles:

• President & CEO of Professional Evaluation

John "Jack" Garamendi, is President & CEO of Professional Evaluation Group (PEG). He is a recognized expert in education, philanthropy, government and business. Mr. Garamendi's professional background includes a highly successful track record in strategic planning, fundraising, community and government relations and private enterprise. Mr. Garamendi, a fifth generation Californian from the Central Valley, received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and his MBA from California State University, Hayward. He was also a Fulbright Scholar in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he studied and taught philanthropy. Mr. Garamendi spent nearly two decades working for the University of California - at the Office of the President and UC campuses in Berkeley, Davis and Merced. His success at UC allowed him to return to California's Central Valley as the Founding Vice Chancellor of University Relations at UC Merced. He was part of the leadership team that opened the first new University of California campus in 40 years. As Vice Chancellor, Mr. Garamendi was the chief advancement officer for the UC Merced campus with responsibility for the areas of development, university relations, advancement services, governmental relations, communications, the UC Merced Foundation and its Board of Trustees, alumni affairs, special events and protocol. Mr. Garamendi also was part of the team that facilitated and led efforts to develop the strategic academic vision for UC Merced and was responsible for coordinating and developing external resources to support the vision. Mr. Garamendi currently works as President & CEO of the Professional Evaluation Group Inc., a company he established in 2010 with the goal of guiding clients through various political, regulatory and media environments, with a focus on California's Central Valley. He has had successful outcomes working with Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, venture capitalists, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and local governments. Due to his ability to work with a variety of stakeholders and his in-depth understanding of how global, national and statewide issues impact California, he has helped many clients achieve their strategic objectives. An Eagle Scout, former U.S. Army Reserve Officer and Peace Corps Volunteer, Mr. Garamendi also serves on numerous boards and community organizations including the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors. He has also served as Chair of the American Leadership Forum - Great Valley Chapter, Past Vice Chair of the Great Valley Center, member of the California State Fair Agriculture Advisory Committee, Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce, the Board of the North Delta Conservancy, Yolo Basin Foundation, Calaveras County Fish and Game Commission and Boys and Girls Club of Merced.