Chair Director Kurt Grundel

Kurt was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years in the communities he lived in and in some others for training and education purposes. This included time served on the Penn Valley Fire Protection District where he completed the rank of EMT and Engineer.

After becoming a permanent resident, he received an appointment to the Board of PVFPD by the County Supervisors. Within the first two years of serving the Board, the District because a Special District with open elections. Continuing with the PVFPD for three elections, Kurt has been the Chairman for the last three years. Kurt has represented the District on the Nevada County Fire Agency for 12 years and recently was elected to LAFCO by the Special Districts represented on LAFCO.

Achievements of the District during Kurt Grundel’s’ seat on the PVFPD include becoming a Special District, achieving local control and management contracting and the opening and staffing of the station located on Spenceville Road. Kurt participated with the Fireman’s Association whenever possible. The Fire District has many community based fund raisers and Kurt encourages the community to respond by attending the breakfasts and patronize the Thrift Store. These functions help purchase equipment and train our firefighters.

Vice Chair Director Randy Casto

Randy has been associated with the fire service in Nevada County since 1979. He started as a Volunteer Fire Fighter with Gold Flat Fire Department and subsequently earned the rank of Captain. He was elected to the Gold Flat Fire Board of Directors in 1985. Randy was appointed as Chairman of the board for Gold Flat Fire and subsequently served in the capacity of negotiating with Bullion Fire Protection District to create a merger to be known as Nevada County Consolidated Fire District. Randy then served on the NCCFD board as Chairman of the board from it’s inception through 1994.

During his tenure with NCCFD he was responsible for labor negotiations and strategic planning committees while maintaining his position as Chairman of the board. Additionally under his tenure as Chairman of the board for NCCFD, consolidations occurred with Alta Oaks Fire and Watt Park Fire.

Randy then moved to Penn Valley in 1994 and retired his position with Nevada County Consolidated Fire. He remained retired from the fire service until contacted by firefighters and board members of the Penn Valley Fire Protection District to consider an appointment to the PVFD board. Randy was appointed by the County Supervisors from a slate of applicants to PVFD board in January 2004, re-elected in December 2004, and is currently serving as Vice Chairman to the Fire Board. Randy has served the Nevada County Business Community in several capacities as a local business owner since 1978. He currently owns a retail store in Grass Valley and is partner in a Real Estate company in Nevada County. He is married with 5 children and 5 grandchildren. Randy prides himself on his open door policy of always making himself available to the public for all issues.

Director Bill Neville

Bill Neville was elected to the Board of Directors in November of 2006. Although new to the Penn Valley FPD governing Board, Bill and his wife Barbara Brown-Neville have lived in Penn Valley since 1991.

Bill has been in the fire service his entire adult life. His fire service career started with the Los Angeles City Fire Department where he advanced through the ranks from Firefighter to Assistant Chief. Bill retired from LAFD to serve as the Fire Chief for the City of Hayward, California.

Bill has been involved in various fire-related organizations at the local, state and national level. Bill has also consulted for fire agencies throughout the country.

Director Larry Bailey

Larry joined the board December 2006. He and spouse Diana have lived in Penn Valley since 1999. A UNR graduate, he spent his career in the telecommunications/computer industry, retiring from the Bay Area general business marketing division for AT&T/Lucent Technologies.

Bailey helped in development and planning for the past two fire district bond measures and worked for their passage. He was on the District 4 Supervisor's PV Planning Committee 2003-2006. He is a past president of Penn Valley Rotary and currently in Rotary as well as the Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to moving to Penn Valley he served as a city commissioner in three different areas -- planning, parks and recreation and human rights. He has been a scouting district chair as well as an evening division instructor at Golden Gate University.

Director Bob Webster

Bob Webster was elected to the Board of Directors in November of 2004. Bob and his wife Carole made Penn Valley their permanent home in 1999.

 Bob retired from the City of Santa Clara Fire Department after 20 years of service. Since moving to Penn Valley, Bob have been active in various community groups and organizations.

 Bob's goals include a desire to help continue to improve the emergency fire and medical response to the citizen of Penn Valley. It is also very important to Bob to help create an environment conducive to keeping our firefighters here in Penn Valley.