Board | Center for Art, Culture and History, Exeter

Dwight Miller, president

Dwight was born and raised in Exeter. He attended Lincoln and Wilson schools and graduated from Exeter Union High School. His father, James Miller, O.D. started his optometry practice in 1948, and continues today with Dwight’s brother, Terry. His sister Rosemary Hellwig and husband Mark have also been active community members over decades. Dwight served numerous EUHS staff roles from 1976 to 1986. He retired from public education in 2011, the last 14 years as a small school district superintendent in the valley. His interest in Exeter history was piqued through the 2021 mural project on the wall at EUHS depicting the Invincibles—the two-time state champs of American Legion football in 1920 and 1921 (www.exeterinvincibles.com). Though he lives in Fresno, he will be a regular back in his hometown serving CACHE. He has been married to wife Barbara, a fourth-generation Visalian, for 48 years with two children and four grandchildren who fill their lives with joy.

Robyn Stearns, Vice President

Former Exeter City Councilor and Mayor Robyn (2008-2016) is a lifelong consummate Exeterite who loves her community. She attended K-12 Exeter schools and COS. Her three children, two grandchildren, and some extended family also live in Exeter. She served on the Exeter Art Gallery and Museum Association board from 2009–2017, serving three years as president. She has worked for 20 years in the local Real Estate business with Avedian-Heaton properties, and has owned two other Exeter businesses: Robyn’s Coffee Corner Cafe from 1991-1998 and E Street Market from 2017-2019.

Laurie Hamilton, Treasurer

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 Spott, Secretary

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.”

Jim Tyler, board member

JIM TYLER is a Valley native and local contractor returning from prior service on the CACHE Board. Jim and his “very patient” wife, Sarah, are proud of their two adult children who both graduated from EUHS. Their daughter made a big life change with a move to Sweden a couple years ago, and their son is on the fast track as a manager with FedEx.

Jim has a long record of community involvement with Sarah, who formerly served on staff at the Exeter Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, Jim and Sarah began an art studio at his shop as a way to encourage community members to engage in working with their hands to produce art instead of spending time on computer and phone screens.

Jim’s interest in art began when he saw a Van Gogh for the first time. “I was struck by the passion in those brush strokes and that fueled my continuing passion for art,” Jim said.

He says that as a contractor, he is proud of all the remodels, additions, and new builds in the Exeter area that will outlive him. His hobbies always revolve around creating: painting, woodworking, landscaping and building. And that includes the community and institution building he is engaged in as a key member of the CACHE Board of Directors.