Gary Walton (President) has been a licensed general contractor involved in constructing new homes, mixed used developments, and restoring historic commercial and residential property since 1982. A San Jose State University graduate, he held positions at Bank of the West and Bank of America. Before entering the real estate development field and leaving the banking industry, he was vice president in charge of the real estate loan department at San Jose National Bank. Gary has served as the Chairman of the Gilroy Downtown Business Association and the Morgan Hill Downtown Association. He has also been a member of the Gilroy Dispatch Editorial Board and the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation and was chair of the Downtown Gilroy Specific Plan Committee. Gary’s dedication to community development has been recognized with several accolades, including the 2016 Good Egg Award and Small Business of the Year from the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of Gavilan College’s Community Spirit Award. His firm’s preservation work has earned several awards from the Gilroy Historical Society. In 2003, he was honored with the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for his efforts in relocating and restoring the Morgan Hill Grammar School.
Mike Monroe (Vice President) has resided in Gilroy with his family since 1986. He is a local history enthusiast with a special interest in learning about landscape changes in southern Santa Clara County. Mike became a member of the Miller Red Barn Board of Directors in the Fall of 2023 and accepted the role of vice-president in January 2024.
John Taft (Treasurer) moved to Gilroy with his family 20 years ago seeking a close-knit community similar to their own upbringing. He and his wife Donna have been deeply involved in community activities, with Donna participating in various programs and John serving on several non-profit boards to address local business issues.
Professionally, John started as a partner in PWC in Silicon Valley, with extensive experience in engineering, manufacturing, and service industries, involving venture capital and private equity financing. He then moved to Los Angeles to manage the financial advisory services for Southern California and Arizona, returning to Silicon Valley later as CFO for a major client and subsequently CFO/COO for various startups, gaining comprehensive management and operations experience.
Currently, John focuses on consulting and real estate. He co-founded Maxima Realty Group after acquiring assets from R.J. Dyer Real Property Investments, managing significant real estate transactions including the sale of Hecker Pass Plaza Shopping Center.
His notable community roles include Treasurer and Secretary of the Gilroy Downtown Business Association, actively participating in downtown economic development, and serving on the Miller Red Barn Association’s Board as Treasurer, handling grants and city relations for historical site development.
Nancy Maciel (Secretary)
Mary Lou Mazzone (Board of Director) brings extensive expertise and dedication to the Miller Red Barn Association (MRBA). Her diverse career spans roles in property and facilities management at South County Housing, administrative positions in the Morgan Hill School District, and entrepreneurial endeavors with her own salsa company and other small food businesses. Mary Lou also imparts practical gardening skills through her teaching at Valley Verde San Jose.
Her tenure at MRBA is highlighted by her proactive involvement in various community initiatives and nonprofit boards, making her an invaluable asset in fostering community growth. Beyond her professional achievements, Mary Lou has a profound history of community service, including 20 years volunteering at the Gilroy Garlic Festival and active participation in both the Gilroy and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
Further demonstrating her commitment to community, Mary Lou has contributed significantly to local education and recreation through her involvement in her children’s and granddaughters’ schools, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and as a board director of the Gilroy Gardening Group.
Mary Lou’s comprehensive blend of professional experience, leadership within MRBA, and deep community engagement underscores her invaluable contribution to the organization and the broader Gilroy community.
Bill Headley (Board of Director)
Carlos Ceballos (Board of Director) moved to Gilroy in 2021 with his family, taking up residence in the historic “White House of Gilroy,” originally known as Sig Sanchez’s house. Alongside his wife Karolina, he has been passionately restoring and preserving this landmark.
Currently serving as the CEO of U’Mūke Sustainable Development and Head of Business Development at Alafia AI for Precision Medicine in Gilroy, CA, Carlos brings a wealth of experience from his roles at InterVenn and Genentech, focusing on strategic planning and data analytics. Committed to educational equity, he champions programs for indigenous youth and is enhancing his analytical skills through a Data Science and Data Analytics certificate at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension.
At the Miller Red Barn Association, Carlos manages the MRB website and social media platforms, using his digital expertise to increase the organization’s online presence and engagement. He also supports grant applications, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to the MRB’s mission. Carlos holds an MBA from San Francisco State University and L’Universite de Nice, Sophia Antipolis, France, and a BS in Decision Sciences from San Francisco State University, underscoring his comprehensive educational and professional background.