Mission Peak Board of Trustees, 2025-2026 (starting July, 1 2025)

President: Jay W. Steele

Jay has been a member of MPUUC roughly since he moved back to the SF Bay Area with his family (wife Ilze; daughters Julia and Jessica) in 2008. Jay is originally from Palo Alto and now resides in Milpitas. In addition to board duties, Jay also provides piano music for some Sunday services (sometimes with the help of Jessica on vocals). Jay is a big believer in continuous improvement and still occasionally takes music lessons. Jay’s formal education is completely technical, and during working hours Jay is a software engineer designing and implementing embedded control software for proton therapy machines for cancer treatment. Jay is looking forward to expanding his contributions to MPUUC by taking a new role as President.

Treasurer: Drew Wilson

Trustee at Large: Mark Rahman

Trustee at Large: Don Ramie

Hello, everyone! I’m very happy to be representing this congregation on our Board. I come from a close family in a town south of Fresno. Since junior high, I always wanted to be a commercial artist. There really wasn’t a “plan B.” Before that, I thought a locomotive engineer would be the coolest job in the world. I still like trains and am part of a wonderful Lionel model R.R. club. My wife and I had three beautiful, affectionate daughters—Laura, Sheila and Lisa. They are now in their 30s. Some murmurings about having children have been floating through the air since last year. But I’m still waiting for the “guess what?” phone call. I’ve been attending Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist since June 29, 2014. I just love this “home” for my spirit. It’s been where I’ve been given so much and learned so much. And a place where I can give and join with you all in giving something loving and beautiful to our world. There. I wrote a bio. But if I hazard a bio, is it a biohazard? Ha, ha!

Trustee at Large: Michelle Wallace

Michelle Wallace was born and raised in a small farming town in Indiana. She attended a nondenominational Christian church throughout childhood and into adulthood. She served actively as a volunteer then as the assistant secretary. Her responsibilities included writing, organizing, and formatting the newsletters and bulletins, performing PR duties, scheduling meetings, sending email reminders, and tracking attendance. She eventually left her faith tradition due to life’s circumstances.
After a few years, Michelle felt disconnected spiritually without a church, but discovered the UU. She found happiness and many rewards there. After moving to the Fremont area she sought out another UU, and found MPUUC, where she’s been a member since 2008. Michelle has volunteered in the Sandwich Squad, sung in the choir, served on the ARO team, and recently become a Board Member. She now seeks the role of Secretary and believes she is ready to serve in this position.

Secretary: Valerie Stewart

I am a founding member of Mission Peak, which still surprises me. Creating a spiritual community was never on my bucket list.  Like many, I wanted my child to have a spiritual upbringing and I was willing to ‘do the work’ when I found Mission Peak after moving to Fremont.  I was on the Religious Education (RE) Committee (now CAYRE) for about 10 years and taught in the Children’s and Youth programs.  Many newcomers didn’t know I was a member, because I was always at Sunday School, not Services.  For four years MPUUC had a community program called The Children’s Advocacy Forum which I co-chaired with Lynda Schwabe, another founding member.  We organized legislative advocacy efforts and community projects to improve education and social services for children.  We obtained separate funding through the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and community partners to fund our efforts. We had an active Garden at Cole Hall for a few years that I helped manage.  I was part of the Search Team for our last Interim Minister, who became Rev. Jo Green.  I served on the Transition Team for Rev. Green, which morphed into what was essentially her COM Team. I have served on the Justice Council, Leadership Committee, Sunday Service Team and most recently, served as the Chair-Coordinator for Canvass for the last 2 years.