Paso Robles Joint Unified School District

Elected: 2022,  Term Expires: 2026
Representing Trustee Area 2
Email: jcpeterson@pasoschools.org

Joel Peterson has been active in the Paso Robles community for 20+ years. Since 2001, Joel has worked in wine and craft beverage marketing and public relations, helping attract and promote the region to consumers, the wine trade, and the media. Professionally, he serves as the executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. He has been active in the Main Street Association, he’s served on the Paso Robles Planning Commission, the Twin Cities Community Hospital Board of Directors, and the Paderewski Festival Board of Directors. Mr. Peterson served in the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District from 2012 to 2020. He is married with two daughters who both currently attend Paso Schools.

Elected: 2024, Term Expires: 2028
Representing Trustee Area 5
Email: ldmccoy@pasoschools.org

Laurene D. McCoy is a lifelong Bearcat. She graduated from Paso Robles High School in 2003 and has lived in Paso Robles for the past 24 years. Laurene and her husband Larry have been married for 12 years and are the proud parents of two Georgia Brown Elementary students. Laurene enjoys world travel and immersive cultural experiences, especially native cuisine. She is currently serving our community as a full-time Family Life Pastor for a local church. Laurene's work with a wide cross-section of local families and experience as a mother inspired her to represent the interests of these families as a member of the Paso Robles School Board. It is her strong conviction that a solid education and strong parental engagement are vital to the well-being of our students. Laurene wants our students to get the most out of their education while learning how to function in the real world. She says that Paso Robles as a community has come a long way, but there is still much good work to be done. As a Board Trustee, she wants to help make that difference in the lives of our students and with local families as a whole.  Laurene truly looks forward to serving our community on the Paso Robles School Board for the next two years

Elected: 2022, Term Expires: 2026
Representing Trustee Area 1
Email: jccogan@pasoschools.org

Jim Cogan is a parent of two PRJUSD students. He has a long resume of community service in Paso Robles as a PRYFC football coach, board member for the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Ranch Owners Association, Paso Robles Recreation Foundation, and an elder at Highlands Church. Jim brings over 20 years of local government experience, having worked for the cities of San Jose, Menlo Park, Paso Robles, and Ventura. He is the chair of the Paso Robles Supplemental Sales Tax Oversight Committee and is a local government consultant with public and private clients. Jim is the Chief Operating Officer of the agricultural technology startup ACREcloud, LLC, a Paso Robles-based software as a service company that provides farm management software products for farmers and farm labor contractors. ACREcloud is the first agtech and the first Paso Robles company to win Angelcon, a prestigious Central Coast startup venture funding competition. Jim lives at Lake Nacimiento with his wife, Shannon, and two sons.

Elected 2024,  Term Expires: 2028
Representing Trustee Area 3
Email: newilliams@pasoschools.org

Nathan is a proud husband to his wife Tiffany and father to four kids who span ages from elementary school to high school, all attending schools within PRJUSD! A 1997 graduate of PRHS and son of former teacher Gregg Williams, Nathan found his way into community service early on and continues that by serving on various boards (Flamson Middle School PTO President, PRHS Bearcat Boosters President, Paso Robles Youth Baseball, Paso Robles Youth Football & Cheer, and more!) along with the school board.

As a career firefighter with San Luis Obispo City Fire Department, he remains involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, championing their worthwhile efforts through various means.

As he humbly serves his first term as a Trustee, Nathan continues to encourage the community that he represents to reach out to him and share their voices. A strong proponent of advocacy for all, the best way to do that, he says, is by standing together.

Elected: 2022, Term Expires: 2026
Representing Trustee Area 4
Email: slwilliams@pasoschools.org

During my lifetime in Paso Robles as a Registered Nurse, school volunteer, youth cheer program director, community leader, and parent, the students and staff have become part of my story. On a deeper level, I have raised four children within our district, and I fiercely believe in us. I want to drive Paso Robles School District back to the top by unifying our dynamic, powerful community, prioritizing students' physical and mental wellness, placing high values on quality education, supporting and amplifying our teachers, reestablishing safe and well-maintained campuses, creating greater fiscal understanding and responsibility, and focusing on an environment representative and safe for every single student within the district. I am a Military mom, I am a mom of a Texas Tech law student, I am a mom of an athlete and a mom of a future engineer. I understand the magnitude of this position. When we plant deep roots in education, strong trees branch out into our communities. I am motivated, committed, and inspired to serve our community on the Paso Robles Unified School District Board of Trustees!

Elected: 2024, Term Expires: 2028
Representing Trustee Area 6
Email: locastillo@pasoschools.org

Leo Castillo is a dedicated 22-year military veteran whose commitment to service extends far beyond his time in the armed forces. A proud and loving father of five with one bonus child and—one tragically lost to cancer—Leo understands the deep importance of family and community. He is the father of four living children, whose ages span from 4 to 14, and with his wife, they have built a blended family rooted in love and resilience. Their children have attended local schools, including Pat Butler Elementary, with one currently attending Paso Robles High School, reflecting the family’s strong ties to the Paso Robles community.

Throughout his life, Leo has made a lasting impact as a community leader in Paso Robles, California, through his involvement in a variety of local organizations. He has previously served as a leader for the Boys & Girls Club, the Paso Robles Youth Arts Center, and the Kayla Peach Foundation, where he dedicated his time and efforts to providing opportunities for personal growth and creative development for young people.

Leo's dedication to community service extends to his belief in the importance of transparency and open communication. He has always advocated for clear and accessible information between local organizations, government bodies, and residents. In particular, Leo values the role of transparency within the Paso Robles community, recognizing that clear dialogue fosters trust and strengthens the bonds between residents and local institutions.

As a staunch advocate for education, Leo also emphasizes the critical role of parent involvement in the success of students within the Paso Robles School District. He believes that strong parent engagement is essential to the academic achievement and overall well-being of students. Leo has always encouraged parents to be active participants in their children's education, understanding that a collaborative partnership between families, educators, and the community is vital for the future success of all
students.

Through his family, his leadership, and his tireless service to the Paso Robles community, Leo Castillo has left a lasting legacy of compassion, service, and dedication. His commitment to transparency, education, and community engagement continues to inspire and strengthen the fabric of Paso Robles.

Elected: 2024, Term Expires: 2028
Representing Trustee Area 7
Email: keenney@pasoschools.org

Appointed 2025, Term Expires: 2026