Board of Directors

Rick Nelson:

Rick came to the Divide in 1977 where he purchased some acreage in Garden Park and built his home. He and his wife Connie owned and operated Georgetown Glass for 10 years in Georgetown.

During this time he was a volunteer with Georgetown Fire Department where he became a Firefighter/Engineer with EMT certification. He was awarded the Firefighter of the Year in 1995 from his peers at the Dept. He was with the GTFD for six years.

He has always enjoyed volunteering his time with organizations and groups, something his parents still do. His father Jack is 81 and helping with the restoration of the Snelling, CA courthouse and him and his wife Marie cook breakfast for the hungry crowds who come to the Odd Fellows Hall in Snelling once a month.

He is an avid sailor and inventor and enjoys racing his sailboat on the Bay and Delta for distraction, competition and enjoyment.

He currently works for a German firm that manufactures and sells globally, glass-cutting equipment and supplies while his wife works at ERA Reality in Cameron Park.

Connie also manages their company, Nelson Marketing, which manufactures a soon-to-be-patented device for removing auto glass automatically. This will be his second patent.

He ran unopposed for the position of Director and was appointed as Chair by the current board of directors. He is serving a two-year term.

Dave Souza:

Dave Souza, as a former Fireman of the Year while volunteering for the GVFD, can tell you he has seen many changes since 1974. Retirement from law enforcement in 2006 gave him the opportunity to delve into his love of ranching and operate a draft horse pulling business, which keeps him very busy. He'll tell you that even though he is retired, serving as a GVFPD Board of Director, gives him a chance to stay connected with his community.

He knows that, although the Garden Valley Fire Protection District has felt growing pains, the service level has never diminished. GVFPD continues to get support from this community, and there is a consent endeavor for superior professionalism, from Chief Dekker to all the firefighters serving this district.

His goal while serving on the BOD would be to oversee the continuation of quality service to protect life and property. A possible plan to ease the inevitable cutbacks and budget restraints may be to consolidate with another fire agency and/or district. But before this takes place he would like to survey our taxpayers, local government agencies involved with this opinion, and make sure this is a good fit for all those affected by such a decision. Will the level of service this district has come to enjoy and expect, still be there? He knows this fire board and the directors will always need community input and support.

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Karen Smith

Born in Long Beach and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Educated in the public school system she attended Pierce College focusing on Human Resources.

Met and married Richard in 1963. One child, Robert.

Career centered in Aerospace starting in Technical Writing and ending as an Executive Administrator. Main focus was on budgets, scheduling and customer relations with liaison work with other facilities that required extensive travel.

Purchased acreage in Garden Valley in 1980 and began working toward retirement. Retired in 1991 and moved here permanently. Spent five (5) years building their home and during that time became involved in the county issues and serving as Chairman of the county OES Board for four (4) years, President of the Georgetown Divide Republican Women Federated for ten (10) years and serving on the State Board for six (6) years and was involved in giving speeches throughout California.

Currently involved with county and state politics, serving as 1st Vice-President of GDRWF, elected member of the El Dorado County Republican Central Committee, and hosting a television talk show on local cable called "Point Blank" (Foothill 7 TV)

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Richard Smith

Born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised in Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley. Educated in the public school system.

Met and married Karen in 1963. One child, Robert.

Career centered in the Automobile Manufacturing ending his career as manager in Operations Scheduling and Reporting retiring in 1990. From 1976 to 1986 owned and operated an aircraft rental business out of Van Nuys Airport.

Purchased acreage in Garden Valley in 1980 and began working toward retirement. Moved her permanently in 1991. Spent five (5) years building their home and during that time became involved in county issues serving as Supervisor Appointee to the Solid Waste Task Force, serving for five (5) years.

Currently involved with county and state politics, elected member of El Dorado County Republican Central Committee for District 4.

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