THE SOUTH TAHOE CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS
Amanda Adams
President
In 2002 I started work at the South Tahoe Association of REALTORS® as a bookkeeper and administrative assistant. During my time working at the office, I got to know many of the local real estate agents. I developed an interest in expanding my career opportunities and decided to pursue getting my real estate license. After my first child was born, I took the opportunity to study for the real estate exam, and received my CA and NV real estate licenses in 2004.
One of my beliefs is that it is necessary to be involved in local associations and organizations. I have been involved in the South Tahoe Associations of REALTORS® as a member of Committees starting the year I first got my license in 2004, and on the Board of Directors from 2006 through 2015. I was Vice President in 2009, President Elect in 2010, and President of the Association in 2011. In the years that followed my presidency I have stayed involved and served as the Long-Term Planning Committee Chairperson since 2013, during which time I oversaw the construction of a new large meeting room for the Association of REALTORS® and upgrades to the current building.
I also served on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee which oversaw the Measure G funds that went toward the Lake Tahoe Unified School District for the millions of dollars in upgrades that have taken place over a 10 year period and have modernized and advanced the local schools to a level most hadn’t dreamed of.
I have been honored by my fellow REALTORS® by receiving the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, the Distinguished Service award in 2007 & 2009, a special “Unsung Hero” award in 2008, REALTOR® of the Year in 2011, and the unique “Super Star Award” in 2017.
Currently I work at Paradise Real Estate with my business partner Dan Spano, and together we serve our clients as a team to make sure all their needs are met. You can read our clients reviews here: Amanda & Team Reviews
My background with budgets, committees, and other volunteer activities gives me a solid understanding of Boards and how they function. I know how to step outside of myself and do what is right for the general public/members even if it contradicts my personal feelings. I look forward to helping the community I love and care for.
Contact Amanda M. Adams
Phone: (530) 721-0243
Dr. David Borges
Past President
David Borges is a chiropractic doctor serving South Lake Tahoe
and the surrounding communities since 1985. Dr. David is dedicated to chiropractic solutions to target your unique needs, whether you are suffering from from back pain, neck pain, headaches, or even just plain old muscular tightness and tension. You may need pain relief after suffering a worker’s compensation injury or an auto accident, experiencing pain upon motion, or if you have a specific condition such as chronic back pain or spinal condition; even if you just want to improve your overall health, Dr. David Borges has dedicated his professional life in helping his patients achieve their lifestyle goals!
Professional Background:
- Provisional privileges Sierra Hills Surgery Center for MUA: to perform Manipulation Under Anesthesia, Sacramento, California 2002-2004
- Provisional privileges Santa Teresita Hospital privileges for Manipulation Under Anesthesia: to perform Manipulation Under Anesthesia: Duarte, California 2002-2003
- Chairperson / Department of Technique Life Chiropractic College – West: Responsible for the course syllabus meeting CCE accreditation standards taught in the Technique Department responding to instructors and students questions on course content: San Leandro, California 1982-1984
- Educational Presenter, International Chiropractic Association of California continuing education units in Exam, History and Treatment.
- Educational Presenter, Applied Spinal Biomechanical Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education Joint Partnership with the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences 2013- present.
- Clinical Instructor, Academy Post Doctoral Division Faculty teaching Spinal Biomechanical Engineering. These are Online Continuing Education courses created in a Webinar format from professional interrelated courses centered on spine and brain trauma with a focus on understanding causality and sequelae in the form of impairment. New York Chiropractic Council, New York State Department of Education, Board fro Chiropractic, Long Island, New York. 2012-present.
Contact Dr. David Borges
Phone: (530) 264-5199
Duane Wallace
Past President
Executive Director
Duane Wallace Moved to Tahoe in 1974 at the age of 21 to pen a steak house, he opened another in Carson City four years later. He operated the steak houses for 16 years. He currently manages the Dog House restaurant. Prior to that he was the Executive Director of the 4 Boys & Girls Clubs of Eldorado County Western Slope from 2007-2009. He worked for Sierra Recovery Center as a drug & alcohol counselor and prior to that was the CEO of the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce for 12 years. He is a graduate of CJC and a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management at UCLA. HE is an Accredited Chamber Exec (ACE). He has taught at LTCC as adjunct faculty. He has a BA in Business Administration from Ashford University.
Duane & his wife Tami have 5 children including Riley Wallace their 7 year old addition to the clan. Duane is a founding member and past President of the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation. In February 2009 he was named “Outstanding Community Member” by the El Dorado County School Board Association. His family was named Kiwanis family of the year in 1999. He served on the LTUSD Board of Education and on the Board of Tahoe Youth and Family Services. Wallace was a co-founder of Leadership Lake Tahoe and was appointed by Secretary Glickman to the Federal Advisory Commission (FACA) reporting to the White House on Tahoe issues. In 2000 Duane and his wife traveled to Russia, Moscow, Irkutsk and Lake Baikal Siberia for an international televised conference on building an economy in a sensitive environment.
Contact Duane Wallace
Phone: (530) 264-5199
Mary Ann Van Buskirk
Secretary
I was born in Roswell, New Mexico, (Before the Aliens Landed) and was raised all over the place. As an Example: I went to 16 different schools before I started high school. My parents and I moved to Southern California in 1956 and I graduated from West Covina High School.
Dick and I met while working for the same bank and married in 1963. We have three children, two girls and a boy, and four grandchildren, ages 26, 12, 9, and almost 3. That’s three girls and one boy. We moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1977 after purchasing a small business. We “grew” the business until 2013 when Dick decided to retire. I have almost always worked a second job and I have worked for El Dorado County since 1990. Since 1995 I have been in the Recorder Clerk’s Office.
Wanting to be a part of this community, I was a member of the Tahoe Sierra Soroptimist Club for nearly 30 years and then a member of Kiwanis of Lake Tahoe for the last four years. I am currently the secretary.
Working 70 hours a week, 7 days a week leaves not much time for other interests but my hobby is working scale miniatures. My two daughter and my oldest granddaughter join me in teaching a workshop each summer – we call it “Summer at Tahoe”. We are planning right now for the 21st Annual Workshop. It is a Late 19th century Sheriff’s Office.
Contact Mary Ann Van Buskirk
Phone: (530) 264-5199
Julie Garrett Wright
Treasurer
Cindy Rawlings
Board Member
Scott Blumenthal
Board Member
Scott Blumenthal moved with his family from Long Beach up to South Lake Tahoe in November 2010. The year of the last big winter. As the U-Haul pulled in the snowflakes started and the next morning there was four feet of snow. A wonderful “Welcome to Lake Tahoe.” He wanted a better, more peaceful, back to nature and safer environment and way of life for his family. And he got it.
He has been married to his wife Christi for nearly 24 years. He, along with his family – wife, daughter Laura, son-in-law Abner and even the oldest two of the four grand kids – have an art and mural business, Dreams & Visions Art Company. They have done the fine art utility boxes on Heavenly Way and numerous walls and windows in various businesses and homes in the Tahoe region. Scott loves the idea of brightening up our city with artwork. He hopes to create a Mural Zone in the industrial section by the “Y” as well as a Mural Program at the college.
He loves being immersed in nature and especially enjoys hiking around the area. Scott is an avid gardener and loves growing his own health food. He is an animal lover and has several cats and a dog. He has taken an interest in the city and wishes to help keep it up and make it nicer for all. Especially with quality public art.
He serves the community in several organizations; Board member of the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus board member, Moose International board member and Kiwanis member. Scott and his family attend St. Theresa’s Church where he is a lector, Eucharistic minister and sings in the Choir. Scott’s grandchildren attend St. Theresa’s School and take part in various youth activities in South Lake Tahoe. Scott is also pursuing screenwriting at Lake Tahoe Community College.
Contact Scott Blumenthal
Phone: (530) 264-5199
Bruce Grego
Legislative Director
Tamara Wallace
City of South Lake Tahoe Liaison
Eric Eymann
Board Member
Dick Van Buskirk
Board Member
Dick and Mary Ann have lived in South Lake Tahoe since 1997 and have been in the retail furniture business most of that time. They started in business by buying a used furniture store called Sutton and Son and grew it into Bijou Furniture Outlet, out living several local competitors. Bijou closed in 2010 when the Van Buskirk’s decided to retire. In an attempt to launch his eldest daughter in business as Tahoe Discount Mattresses and More, he found his work day hadn’t diminished much, and the decision was made to close that venture in Feb 2013.
Dick got involved with the SLT sign ordinance committee in the 80’s and more recently on the short lived TBID. He is a founding director and first secretary of California’s South Shore Chamber of Commerce and currently sits as Communications Chair, Board Member.
Dick joined the Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe in 1978 and has been an active member ever since. During that time he has held all positions including President twice and Lt. Governor twice, and the Dunlap Award. In his first term as Lt. Governor he founded the Dayton Township club.
He helped launch and was a founding director of the Tahoe Boys and Girls Club, is a Past President of Babe Ruth and was active in Toastmasters at the lake for many years.
As an actor, Dick has appeared in dozens of plays including 14 seasons in Harrah’s production of Scrooge and lead roles in Fiddler on the Roof, Man Who Came To Dinner, Matchmaker and many more. He also wrote, produced and directed several audience participation murder mysteries at Tahoe Season Resorts, on the Tahoe Queen and other venues including a couple of casinos.
Contact Dick Van Buskirk
Phone: (530) 264-5199
Robert J. Schimmel
Arts Liaison