Board

Laurie’s strong interest in Exeter goes way back to her parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Her ancestors, the Griggs, Wallace, Cunningham and Hamilton families all have deep Exeter roots. She has lived and traveled to numerous places and countries —but Exeter always seemed to be a home base, the home of her grandparents Al and Margaret Griggs. Laurie has extensive experience in accounts receivable and payroll with numerous businesses over the years: Caroline Fisheries, Exeter Irrigation & Supply, AB/C Bookkeeping, Ken’s Stakes & Supplies and J Heaton Coldwell Banker Sales. She served as treasurer for the Exeter- by-Design nonprofit, a past president of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, past president of Kiwanis and current secretary of the Exeter Lion’s Club. She was a previous member of the Exeter Art Gallery and Museum Board. She was honored as Exeter Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of the Year in 2008. Laurie
has distinguished herself as a leader and will continue to do so as treasurer with this new team.

Patty is another Exeter native who is passionate about promoting her hometown. She began her insurance career fifty years ago as a part time employee at Exeter’s NSE Insurance Companies, Inc. while attending college and has held virtually every position in the agency. She is currently the President of NSE. She was the president of both the Tulare/Kings Insurance Women’s Association and the Kings/ Tulare Counties Insurance Broker’s Association. Spott holds the professional designations of Certified Insurance Professional (CIP), Certified Insurance Professional Women (CIPW) and Certified Worker’s Comp Advisor (CWCA). Patty has a strong history of community involvement. She previously served on the Exeter Art Gallery and Museum Association board and is a past president of the Exeter Kiwanis and past president of the Exeter Lions Club. She was named Exeter Chamber’s Woman of the Year in 2006. She is most proud of starting the first Relay for Life in Exeter 10 years ago which now boasts over $1,000,000 in donations to cancer research. Outside the office she takes care of her six acres including the 13 goats, eight chickens, three dogs, and six cats, along with spending time with her “six Grand-Loves and one Great-Grand Love.”

Lana was born in Exeter Memorial Hospital and attended Sequoia Union Elementary School from kindergarten to 8th grade. She graduated from Exeter High School, and College of Sequoias, and a travel industry school in Los Angeles. She was a certified travel agent and co-owner of United Travel Service in Selma for the first half of her adult career (about 20 years). In 2000, Lana went to work for the California Department of Corrections as an office technician and retired in 2020. During her travel agent career, she traveled around the country and out of the country and worked for a couple years in Beverly Hills, where she personally planned all of the travel for Ken Curtis, who played ‘Festus’ on Gunsmoke. Also, during her southern California career years, she worked for Northrup Aircraft Corp. in the data processing department, building the F-18 fighter plane and Stealth Bomber. She now resides in Visalia, working part time for Blue Buffalo Pet Food Company, presenting the high-quality dog and cat food that they make.

Linda has lived most of her life in Exeter, born to a pioneer Exeter family which can trace its roots to the Revolutionary War. She has an intense interest in the history of local Native Americans and a passion to tell their stories in the most appropriate ways. Linda grew up riding with the Riata Ranch team. After EUHS, she graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she was a member of their national-caliber rodeo team. In addition to her lifelong bond to the family cattle ranch, Linda had a career in education, teaching English at EUHS, Kaweah HS and then moving into administration as the Principal at Citrus Continuation School in Porterville. She spends much of her time with the families of her two sons and her three active grandchildren. Linda’s enthusiasm for history, “get it done” attitude, and strong work ethic will be a big boost to the CACHE team.

Charlie’s citrus farming family moved to Exeter from Anaheim in 1964. He attended Wilson Middle School and graduated from EUHS in 1971. He was drafted into the US Army and served for two years at the close of the Vietnam War. Charlie attended COS and University of the Pacific, Stockton, where he earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1980. In years past, he worked in numerous retail pharmacy settings, including Visalia and Porterville SaveMart and twenty years at Visalia Costco. Charlie has had various additional jobs, including LoBue Bros. citrus field and packing house manager assistant (1980s-90s); worked seasonally for Kings Canyon National Park as a trail laborer and supervisor (1974-1980); and spent three seasons as a backcountry ranger on the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon (2011-2013). He was an Exeter City Council member from 1986-1994. Charlie has been married to his wife, Patty, for 43 years, and they have a daughter, Sierra. Charlie still works a day or two per week at Rancho Pharmacy in Exeter. As a lifelong ski enthusiast, he enjoys being a ski instructor at China Peak. He also loves to birdwatch and identify birds by ear.