MIKE BRATTON - President
Mike and his wife Robin have been married and lived in Nevada County for the past 44 years. The Bratton's love Nevada County and are an integral part of our community. While raising 4 children they were continually involved with the local schools and community service clubs with the goal of making our community a better place and a thriving environment for youth. Even now, after their children were grown with their own families, they are still involved with the local high schools and community service clubs.
Mike has owned the local State Farm Insurance Agency for the last 37 years and has earned many of the top achiever awards given by the State Farm Company. He is also an active Rotary and Twin Cities Church.
The family survived a tragic loss when their son, Michael Jr., took his life in 2006. The family had no warning signs of Michael’s intent to end his life, and they are left with questions that perhaps will never be answered (See Mike's story here -Link to Home page video). The MB2 Foundation was started as a way to bring suicide awareness to other people who are suffering from depression and thoughts of suicide. Each year they host the “Turkey Trot”, a 5 and 10K run to raise money to support other non-profits in the area with the same goal.
Mike became involved with Anew Day because he felt God lead him here to help others.
DR. CHRIS CLAYDON - Vice President
Dr. ChrIstopher Claydon - Dr. Claydon, MD is a practicing Family Practitioner in Grass Valley, CA. He completed his residency at St Michaels Medical Center. He graduated from medical school in 1976, having over 43 years of diverse experience, especially in Family Practice. Chris also specializes in Geriatric Medicine. He is affiliated with many hospitals including Oroville Hospital and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital.
LORRIE FREDRICKSON - Secretary
Married for 33 years, Lorrie and her husband Eric have been Nevada county residents for more than 20 years. Together, they’ve raised two children, Michael and Kacie and are now enjoying their three grandsons and newborn granddaughter.
Lorrie serves as a School Psychologist for the Grass Valley School District. Her work experience includes working as a school counselor an
Adolescent Family Life Program Manager.
SUZANNE CHAPEL - Treasurer
Suzanne has lived in Nevada County since 1986 after growing up in the Bay Area. She has been married to her husband, Mike, for 32 years and has two grown sons, Chris and Darren.
Suzanne has been with Robertson, Woodford and Summers for 11 years. She specializes in individual and corporate tax returns, and assists clients with accounting issues and special projects. She is also a certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor. Suzanne graduated with her BA from California State University, Fresno and finished her accounting classes at California State University, Sacramento when she received her CPA license.
In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys fishing with her husband Mike, yard sale shopping with her girlfriends, following the San Francisco Giants, and spending time with her sons Chris and Darren and dogs Spencer and Shadow. She volunteers at her church and local schools as a way of giving back and being involved with the youth of Nevada County.
SUSIE RICHARDS - Director
A native of England, Susie graduated from London University and moved to the United States in 1981. Susie enjoyed a 22-year career in the hospitality industry working for such companies as the Four Seasons Hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts and Campton Place in San Francisco. Her hospitality experience culminated in the position of director of destination services at the Resort at Squaw Creek, where in less than three years she grew her division into a multi-million dollar revenue center.
While living in San Francisco, Susie met her husband, Lock and with the addition of their daughter, Ella, they decided to move to Nevada City where they have lived since 1995. After retiring from the hospitality industry, Susie joined Lock in his commercial real estate firm, Highland Commercial, where she serves as a leasing agent, specializing in office, industrial and retail properties in Nevada County.
In 2009, Susie joined Anew Day as a lay counselor, a role for which she has a deep passion. More recently, Susie joined the board of Anew Day, further cementing her commitment to the ministry she loves.
STEVE JOHNSON - Director
Steve Johnson is Deputy Chief of the Grass Valley Police Department. In this role, he is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and supervising the administrative activities of the Police Department including marketing, training, community relations, crime prevention, and risk management. He is also responsible for coordinating Police Department activities with other divisions and departments and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Chief of Police. He has direct operational control of the Strategic Response Unit that is tasked with investigation of major crimes, narcotics enforcement, and problem oriented-policing activities.
Steve began his law enforcement career with the Sacramento Police Department before joining the Grass Valley Police Department in 1995. He has served the department as a patrol officer, training officer, SWAT operator, detective, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and now Deputy Chief. He is also a certified Weaponless Defense Instructor, Taser Instructor, and Physical Fitness Coordinator.
Prior to joining the Grass Valley Police Department, Steve grew up in Nevada County and attended Nevada Union High School where he played football as a Miner. He attended the University of California San Diego and Sacramento State University majoring in Criminal Justice. After college, Steve attended the Police Academy at Butte College and graduated first in his class. In 2008, he enhanced his education with a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice Management from the Union Institute and University.
Steve lives in Nevada County with his wife Tricia. They have three sons - Calvin, Trevor, and Samuel. Steve has a deep love for Nevada County and values playing a strategic role in reducing crime and improving the quality of life in our community. He is a part-time faculty member at Sierra College and enjoys visiting various community groups and meetings to speak and address issues and challenges that we face in the 21st century.