Commissioner Biographies

GARY WILLARD, Chair
Woodside, California

Commissioner Willard has been an investment real estate broker for over 25 years. He is currently a Managing Director-Partner of NAI BT Commercial’s Investment Services Group in San Francisco. He is the co-founder and past president of the Bear Valley Snowmobile Association and was named 2006 Snowmobiler of the Year by the California-Nevada Snowmobile Association. Since 2000 he has served on the Bear Valley Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors and Architectural Review Committee. He also serves as vice president and board member for the St. Francis Center, a small non-profit organization in Redwood City, California.

JOHN BRISSENDEN
Hope Valley, California

Commissioner Brissenden is the owner of Sorensen's Resort in Hope Valley, an historic, all-season destination resort and conference center that dates back to 1926 and located near Lake Tahoe. He was elected to the Alpine Board of Supervisors and served from 1989 to 1993. Commissioner Brissenden is a member of the Conservation Alliance, the California Chamber of Commerce, and the Sierra Club. He was named by Governor Davis to the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board In November 2000 Commissioner Brissenden has spent the last 25 years working to secure new public lands for preservation and recreation. He has helped start several non-profit organizations, including the Santa Cruz County Land Trust and Community Foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

BRAD FRANKLIN
Chino Hills, California

Commissioner Franklin has been involved with the motorcycle industry for over 23 years, most currently with Yamaha Motor Corporation USA in numerous and diversified positions within Yamaha’s service group. For the last five years he has served as Government Relations Manager, directly involved with vehicle compliance and regulatory issues as well as Land and Water access issues. Prior to his involvement with Yamaha, Commissioner Franklin worked for American Suzuki Motors.

Commissioner Franklin’s first experience with OHV recreation started early and took him to Southern California where he and his family make their home. He is an avid motorcyclist and rides as often as possible, including an everyday commute, rain or shine, and at least a few holiday rides. Commissioner Franklin is an avid outdoorsman. From ATV riding in the desert, and snowmobiling in the mountains, to offshore fishing with his sons and close friends or backpacking the high Sierra, Commissioner Franklin is very much at home in the outdoors.

Commissioner Franklin serves as Chairman of the American Watercraft Association. He is an active member on many committees of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and is a member of Tread Lightly.

Commissioner Franklin’s extensive experience with the power sports industry, his wide ranging outdoor interests, along with his proven ability to work with diverse individuals and groups, gives him the tools to be an effective OHMVR Commissioner.

ERIC LUEDER
San Rafael, California

Commissioner Lueder has been a Real Property Agent with the Marin County Department of Public Works since 1991. During his career he has been directly involved with public land acquisitions for the Marin County Open Space District, Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Marin County Free Library System, as well as for a variety of other public agency projects. Commissioner Lueder is a Senior Member (SR/WA) of the International Right of Way Association. He is a member of the Marin County Motorcycle Association and has served as a Government Relations Officer since 1994 working with various government agencies on land use and trail management issues. Commissioner Lueder is a member of the American Motorcyclist Association and AMA District 36.

MARK McMILLIN
El Cajon, California

Commissioner McMillin has served as co-chairman and chief executive officer of The Corky McMillin Companies, a home building and real estate development business, since 1979. He is past president of the Building Industry Association of San Diego County and has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association on Homebuilders.

KANE SILVERBERG
Santa Cruz, California

Commissioner Silverberg is a Principal at Residential Pacific Mortgage, an established mortgage banking company, where he oversees sales, account development, community relations, marketing, HR, and operations.

A native of California, Commissioner Silverberg began enjoying the outdoors on motorcycles as a child. OHV recreation is a family affair. His 11 year old daughter is following in his footsteps and is a young OHV enthusiast. His sister, Chris, also shares in his dedication to OHV recreation. Kane’s passion and commitment to the recreation was the genesis of Chris Kane Racing, a seven-member OHV racing team that travels and competes throughout California.

For over 30 years Commissioner Silverberg has been spearheading exploration rides with his family and other responsible riders. Commissioner Silverberg experiences first-hand the importance of providing quality OHV recreational opportunities and takes a leadership role in influencing and supporting OHV riders to enjoy the recreation responsibly. He passionately believes that everyone should enjoy the resources that California has to offer, and that with this privilege comes the responsibility to protect our land and natural resources. For Commissioner Silverberg, the notion of leaving this earth better than he found it rings true.

Commissioner Silverberg's ability to blend his skills in finance, negotiation, networking, sales and setting policy, along with his passion for OHV recreation makes him uniquely positioned to address the challenges presented to California’s OHMVR Commission.

PAUL SLAVIK
Huntington Beach, California

Commissioner Slavik is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, born and raised in Southern California, he is a Charter Life Member of the AMA, rode AMA competition events in Southern California and the midwest from the early 60’s to the late 80’s. Commissioner Slavik worked in the M/C industry from 1972 until his retirement from American Honda in 2005. While at Honda he served in many capacities including: National OHV Coordinator and National OHV Press Coordinator. He served on the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Land Use Committee and was an ATV and dirt bike instructor. Commissioner Slavik also helped create Honda’s Environmental Learning Center and was instrumental in the development of the San Bernardino N. F. OHV Volunteer Program.

Commissioner Slavik helped create the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, was involved the Off Road PALs Program and a member of the California OHV Stakeholders. He served on the California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism and was co-chairman of that group for several years. Commissioner Slavik coordinated Honda’s involvement in a project called “American Frontiers, a Public Lands Journey”, one of his proudest achievements.

After retirement Commissioner Slavik helped coordinate the Route Designation Workshops for NOHVCC and did some on-the-ground route inventory work for Advanced Resource Solutions in the Desert.

Commissioner Slavik lives in Huntington Beach with his wife Mary, enjoys surfing and nine grandchildren.


Commissioner Biographies GARY WILLARD, Chair Woodside, California Commissioner Willard has been an investment real estate broker for over 25 years. He is currently a Managing Director-Partner of NAI BT Commercial’s Investment Services Group in San Francisco. He is the co-founder and past president of the Bear Valley Snowmobile Association and was named 2006 Snowmobiler of the Year by the California-Nevada Snowmobile Association. Since 2000 he has served on the Bear Valley Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors and Architectural Review Committee. He also serves as vice president and board member for the St. Francis Center, a small non-profit organization in Redwood City, California. JOHN BRISSENDEN Hope Valley, California Commissioner Brissenden is the owner of Sorensen's Resort in Hope Valley, an historic, all-season destination resort and conference center that dates back to 1926 and located near Lake Tahoe. He was elected to the Alpine Board of Supervisors and served from 1989 to 1993. Commissioner Brissenden is a member of the Conservation Alliance, the California Chamber of Commerce, and the Sierra Club. He was named by Governor Davis to the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board In November 2000 Commissioner Brissenden has spent the last 25 years working to secure new public lands for preservation and recreation. He has helped start several non-profit organizations, including the Santa Cruz County Land Trust and Community Foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. BRAD FRANKLIN Chino Hills, California Commissioner Franklin has been involved with the motorcycle industry for over 23 years, most currently with Yamaha Motor Corporation USA in numerous and diversified positions within Yamaha’s service group. For the last five years he has served as Government Relations Manager, directly involved with vehicle compliance and regulatory issues as well as Land and Water access issues. Prior to his involvement with Yamaha, Commissioner Franklin worked for American Suzuki Motors. Commissioner Franklin’s first experience with OHV recreation started early and took him to Southern California where he and his family make their home. He is an avid motorcyclist and rides as often as possible, including an everyday commute, rain or shine, and at least a few holiday rides. Commissioner Franklin is an avid outdoorsman. From ATV riding in the desert, and snowmobiling in the mountains, to offshore fishing with his sons and close friends or backpacking the high Sierra, Commissioner Franklin is very much at home in the outdoors. Commissioner Franklin serves as Chairman of the American Watercraft Association. He is an active member on many committees of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and is a member of Tread Lightly. Commissioner Franklin’s extensive experience with the power sports industry, his wide ranging outdoor interests, along with his proven ability to work with diverse individuals and groups, gives him the tools to be an effective OHMVR Commissioner. ERIC LUEDER San Rafael, California Commissioner Lueder has been a Real Property Agent with the Marin County Department of Public Works since 1991. During his career he has been directly involved with public land acquisitions for the Marin County Open Space District, Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Marin County Free Library System, as well as for a variety of other public agency projects. Commissioner Lueder is a Senior Member (SR/WA) of the International Right of Way Association. He is a member of the Marin County Motorcycle Association and has served as a Government Relations Officer since 1994 working with various government agencies on land use and trail management issues. Commissioner Lueder is a member of the American Motorcyclist Association and AMA District 36. MARK McMILLIN El Cajon, California Commissioner McMillin has served as co-chairman and chief executive officer of The Corky McMillin Companies, a home building and real estate development business, since 1979. He is past president of the Building Industry Association of San Diego County and has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association on Homebuilders. KANE SILVERBERG Santa Cruz, California Commissioner Silverberg is a Principal at Residential Pacific Mortgage, an established mortgage banking company, where he oversees sales, account development, community relations, marketing, HR, and operations. A native of California, Commissioner Silverberg began enjoying the outdoors on motorcycles as a child. OHV recreation is a family affair. His 11 year old daughter is following in his footsteps and is a young OHV enthusiast. His sister, Chris, also shares in his dedication to OHV recreation. Kane’s passion and commitment to the recreation was the genesis of Chris Kane Racing, a seven-member OHV racing team that travels and competes throughout California. For over 30 years Commissioner Silverberg has been spearheading exploration rides with his family and other responsible riders. Commissioner Silverberg experiences first-hand the importance of providing quality OHV recreational opportunities and takes a leadership role in influencing and supporting OHV riders to enjoy the recreation responsibly. He passionately believes that everyone should enjoy the resources that California has to offer, and that with this privilege comes the responsibility to protect our land and natural resources. For Commissioner Silverberg, the notion of leaving this earth better than he found it rings true. Commissioner Silverberg's ability to blend his skills in finance, negotiation, networking, sales and setting policy, along with his passion for OHV recreation makes him uniquely positioned to address the challenges presented to California’s OHMVR Commission. PAUL SLAVIK Huntington Beach, California Commissioner Slavik is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, born and raised in Southern California, he is a Charter Life Member of the AMA, rode AMA competition events in Southern California and the midwest from the early 60’s to the late 80’s. Commissioner Slavik worked in the M/C industry from 1972 until his retirement from American Honda in 2005. While at Honda he served in many capacities including: National OHV Coordinator and National OHV Press Coordinator. He served on the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Land Use Committee and was an ATV and dirt bike instructor. Commissioner Slavik also helped create Honda’s Environmental Learning Center and was instrumental in the development of the San Bernardino N. F. OHV Volunteer Program. Commissioner Slavik helped create the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, was involved the Off Road PALs Program and a member of the California OHV Stakeholders. He served on the California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism and was co-chairman of that group for several years. Commissioner Slavik coordinated Honda’s involvement in a project called “American Frontiers, a Public Lands Journey”, one of his proudest achievements. After retirement Commissioner Slavik helped coordinate the Route Designation Workshops for NOHVCC and did some on-the-ground route inventory work for Advanced Resource Solutions in the Desert. Commissioner Slavik lives in Huntington Beach with his wife Mary, enjoys surfing and nine grandchildren.