Jennifer Kinnear
Legislative Assistant

Jennifer was raised on a small farm outside Nashville, Tennessee. Growing up with 4-H, cattle, and agriculture, the Central Coast has easily become home. Jennifer attended Belmont University in Nashville studying fine art and marketing. After graduation, she worked in university chaplaincy in Canada for four years, working with university art students and facilitating collaborative projects on a variety of campuses. She even learned to snowmobile and ice fish, enjoying the stunning beauty of Canadian winters. 

In 1999, she moved to Los Angeles and completed her Masters in Theology and Art at Fuller Theological Seminary and continued working in university chaplaincy at both USC and the Claremont Colleges. She met her husband–a native of Santa Margarita–in Los Angeles, and they moved to the Central Coast in 2012 and bought a small ranch in Paso Robles. Since then, Jennifer worked for Atascadero Unified School District and co-founded the SLO Doula Connection. She is passionate about education and public service and excited to serve San Luis Obispo County with Supervisor Heather Moreno, engaging with District 5 community members and supporting Supervisor Moreno’s priorities of enhancing public safety, improving government efficiencies, and fostering economic development. 

When Jennifer is not working, she enjoys supporting Atascadero High School sports and theater with her teenage children as well as gardening and painting with her husband at their ranch.

Mike Avila, Jr.
Planning Commissioner

Mike Avila, Jr. is a small business owner. Mike and his wife, Kellie Avila, own Avila Traffic Safety, which began operation in 2014 with locations in Atascadero and Fresno. Today, this company employs over 100 people, and performs roadway safety work, installing roadway signage, and structures as well as selling roadway safety products and equipment.

In 2002, Mike and Kellie, started M.E. Avila Construction Corporation, a construction contracting firm based out of Atascadero primarily performing Federal Government contracts and telecommunications projects within the Western United States, extending to Alaska for some select projects. The Avilas successfully operated this business until 2022, when they sold it. This business still operates today under new owners and management. 

Mike holds both a General Engineering and General Contractors Lic. in multiple states since 2001. A member of San Luis Obispo County community for 40 years, Mike graduated from Arroyo Grande High School and settled in Atascadero in 2004 where he and Kellie presently reside and have raised their 2 children who are now adults. 

Throughout the years, Mike has built numerous custom and build-to-sell homes for clients in South San Luis Obispo County. Building homes continued Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit with the freedom and creativity from working on these projects and with clients. Even with the demands of owning businesses which included extensive travel, Mike made sure to carve out time to coach his sons when they were younger and regularly made their games in high school and college.

Mike brings his many years of contracting and business experience, as well as being a citizen of San Luis Obispo County of 40 years to the Planning Commission. Mike looks forward to giving back to the community that has been so beneficial to him and his family, and the Planning Commission provides that opportunity where he will be fair and objective.

Gere Sibbach
Civil Service Commissioner

I was born in the Southern California City of Norwalk. My father, grandfather, and two uncles were employees of the Los Angeles County Road Department. I learned at an early age that civil service work could be honorable and rewarding. My family moved to Atascadero in 1964 when I began eighth grade. My future wife, Diane, was a classmate. I played in the High School marching band with her and numerous rock and pop bands over the years. Now, I enjoy singing with Diane and playing instruments in our church choir.

I studied Mathematics at Cal Poly, earning a BS, and MA. I competed in an open civil service recruitment for Account Clerk at the County of San Luis Obispo. Scoring well, I was soon hired by the County Auditor-Controller and began my career as a civil servant. By 1980, we had started a family and wished to move back closer to our parents. I was hired as the Director of Finance at the City of Morro Bay, where I served until 1983, when the new County Auditor-Controller recruited me to become his Assistant. Later in 1990, I won my first election as Auditor-Controller. 

Now I am a retired CPA and 33-year SLO County employee. I was six times elected Auditor-Controller and served in that position for 22 years, the longest tenure of any Auditor-Controller in the history of our county. After retiring at the end of 2012, I ran for the part-time position of Atascadero City Treasurer and was elected in 2014, serving 10 years. I strongly support the role of the Civil Service Commission ensuring merit based hiring and fair treatment of all employees, which in turn provides great benefit to all County citizens. 

Lori Bagby 
Parks Commissioner

A resident of San Luis Obispo County since the age of six, Lori has deep roots in the community and a strong appreciation for everything that makes it special. Growing up in the area, she developed a love for the outdoors—whether it's running along city streets or scenic trails, hiking in the hills, or playing pickleball with friends. These activities have strengthened her commitment to preserving and enhancing this amazing place she calls home.

With 22 years in the escrow industry and a current career as a realtor, along with serving on the Board of Directors for LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero—a nonprofit dedicated to substance abuse awareness, prevention, and intervention for local youth and their families—Lori has had the opportunity to serve and support the community in meaningful ways. She, also, serves as the race director for the LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero Fun Run and Family Day, the organization’s largest fundraiser, which helps sustain and expand its vital programs.

Lori is passionate about ensuring that San Luis Obispo County remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.