Chief of Staff

James Sofranko

James Sofranko is a sixth generation Californian and longtime resident of the Central Coast. He has served as Supervisor Paulding's Legislative Assistant since January 2023 when he was sworn into office. Previously, James was a communications and strategy consultant working primarily with Central Coast nonprofits and community groups seeking to address some of the Central Coast’s toughest challenges.

James graduated summa cum laude from Cal Poly (class of ’15) with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Women and Gender Studies and earned a Master of Science in Law with a focus in Government Law and Policy from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Upon graduating from Cal Poly, he served as an AmeriCorps VIP Fellow where he recruited and trained crisis support counselors for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence in SLO County. He has also worked as a career coach helping SLO County teens and young adults with barriers to employment gain career skills and find jobs.

James is passionate about public service and ensuring the public receives the best from their government.

You can reach James by emailing [email protected] or calling 805-781-4337.

Planning Commissioner

Mariam Shah

Mariam Shah was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended the University of Michigan, double majoring in Spanish and American Culture. She has a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and spent seven years as a corporate litigator in New York City, Cleveland, Ohio and Akron, Ohio, representing businesses of all sizes. In 2008, she and her husband drove up Highway 1 and immediately decided the Central Coast was a great place to escape midwestern winters and raise a family.

Mariam ran for Grover Beach City Council in 2014. During her time on the council, she served on the executive committees of the Homeless Services Oversight Committee (2 years as chair), the Air Pollution Control District (2 years as chair), and the CA League of Cities. She spent several years on the Grover Heights Elementary PTA executive committee and currently serves as the Treasurer for the Oceano Elementary PTA.  She recently completed a term on the Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel and serves on the executive board of the Five Cities Homeless Coalition.  Mariam also works part-time as a Community Organizer for a local healthcare nonprofit. In her spare time, she is usually at one of her daughter’s games or talking about cars with her son. She enjoys life on the Arroyo Grande Mesa in a multigenerational living situation with her extended family. 

Parks & Recreation Commissioner

Dwayne Brummett

Bio coming soon.

Civil Service Commissioner

David Warren

For forty-two years Dave Warren has been an attorney whose practice has emphasized employment counseling and litigation. He has represented employees and employers in private industry and public employment in disputes and litigation including discrimination, sexual harassment, violation of public policy and wrongful termination in state and federal courts. He has also represented clients before the Civil Service Commission, the State Personnel Board and other public employment forums.

Since 2016, Dave has served as an arbitrator, mediator, and workplace investigator. He obtained advanced mediation training through Pepperdine University and arbitration training through the Advanced Arbitration Academy at USC. Dave also conducts workplace investigations and provides counseling on investigations to employers, managers, and employees. Dave serves as Temporary Judge for the courts of San Luis Obispo and has done so for Los Angeles County. He also serves as a Special Master and Discovery Referee. He is an attorney-client fee arbitrator for the County of San Luis Obispo and California State Bar Associations.

In his spare time, Dave loves to write mystery/thriller books, so the creation of realistic characters and compelling plots is also a passion. Dave considers his appointment to the Civil Service Commission as an opportunity to use his legal experience to serve the County and looks forward to tackling the challenges ahead.

Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

Carol Chenot

Carol Chenot is a multifaceted professional from Arroyo Grande, California, known for her diverse roles as an entrepreneur, health coach, book designer, and community leader. Carol retired from a 35-year corporate career in Human Resources where she held senior roles in Executive Development. She holds a B.S. from Taylor University and M.S. in Health Care Administration.  In her corporate career she attained a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential as well as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation.  

Currently, Carol is a Book Designer on Amazon, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and creative talents. Her attention to detail and design expertise makes her books aesthetically pleasing and well-organized, enhancing her impact on the creative and literary communities.

Carol is deeply committed to her community. She volunteers with Womenade, supporting women and families in need, and serves as President of the 5 Cities Women's Network, fostering local women entrepreneurs and professionals. Under her leadership, the network has provided valuable networking, mentorship, and support.

Active in the South County community, Carol participates in local events and contributes to economic vitality. Her dedication to health advocacy, business innovation, book design, and community service makes her a valued community member and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and health enthusiasts alike.

Deb Geaslen 

Deb Geaslen has lived in the SLO community for 27 years. She and her loving husband Thomas have raised 4 beautiful children who are now raising their 10 gorgeous grandchildren. She has a varied educational background where she explored her many interests including office management and culinary arts.

Deb’s professional background includes: administrative assistant, office management, bookkeeping, payroll, financial and government reporting, as well as nonprofit compliance. In addition, she is co-owner with her husband in their tax and bookkeeping business, but her real passion is contributing to the growth and success of her community and its residents.

Deb co-created the Paul Teixeira Community Thanksgiving which serves holiday meals to over 1100 individuals each year and has over 75 volunteers, of which she organizes. In addition, she has served as the treasurer for many local nonprofits: Latino Outreach Council, Olde Towne Nipomo Association, South County Visitor Services, and the South County Family Educational & Cultural Center. The kids in the community are always a priority, as she has volunteered her time with the San Luis Obispo County 4-H Management Board, and both the Nipomo and the Adobe Nipomo 4-H Clubs.

In March 2019, Deb was honored to receive the San Luis Obispo County Commission on the Status of Women Wall of Fame Award for Volunteerism in SLO County for all her efforts in the community. Deb has been a member of the Commission since 2020.

Commission on Aging

Paul Worsham

Paul is Chairman Emeritus of the Board and Co-Founder (2016) of the SLO Veterans Services Collaborative (SVSC). More than 150 government and non-government organizations participate in monthly SVSC meetings to coordinate housing, employment, health and family support services needed by local Veterans. Paul has been Chairman of the VA connected Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB) since 2016.

Paul is on the Advisory Board of the Central Coast Vets Center that serves combat veterans and their families for mental health. Other veteran advocacy roles have included Mentor for Veterans Treatment Court, veteran representative to SLO Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC), SLO Suicide Prevention Council (SSPC) and SLO Commission on Aging (COA).  

Paul’s military experience as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, included two deployments to Vietnam in 1965-66, first providing radio communications for 1st Air Rescue and Recovery Group and later tactical air support for the First Infantry Division.  

Paul had 40 years as a marketing executive in the Consumer Electronics industry, working with companies like Motorola, Sony, Panasonic, Canon and many other C.E. manufacturers.  After many years of living and working in Southern California, he retired and with his wife Paula in 2013 and moved to San Luis Obispo. Paul, now a widower, resides in Arroyo Grande.