Board of Directors

Lazaro was born and raised in Sonoma, CA. He was born into a family who strived to achieve the American dream through hard work and dedication. He is very proud to share the sacrifices made by generations of his family, as well as their family stories. Lazaro wishes to pass on this passion to his four sons, Orlando, Lazaro Jr., Abel, and, Benjamin who he shares with his Wife Patricia.

Peggy Rubens, Chair of the Penglai, China Committee has been part of Sonoma’s wine industry for twenty five vintages. With Cline Cellars since 2001 as Director of Operations, Peggy appreciates her wide range of responsibilities. Her interest in Penglai is related to its premier position in China’s wine and grape growing industry, as well as her curiosity about the rich levels of meaning in Chinese culture.

I joined the Board in February of 2013 when I became the Co-Chair of the Tokaj Committee, shared first with Cecily Wallis and now with Joan Toth. As a Hungarian-American it has been rewarding to experience the sharing of cultures and traditions between Sonoma and Tokaj. Our two Communities now have a connection which can continue through the years.

I have a long history with Sonoma Sister Cities Association. I first visited Kaniv in 1985 when I represented the City of Sonoma to initiate a sister city relationship. I subsequently visited in 1987 with the official Sonoma delegation and again in 1989 to attend a Sister City International conference with members of the Kaniv committee in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
I have lived in Sonoma since 1974 and raised my three children here. I recently retired after 12 years of owning Artifax Art-to-Wear, a woman’s clothing store, on the Sonoma Plaza. Retirement has afforded me more time for painting and photography and swimming.
My goals for the Kaniv committee are to establish a lively communication via telecommunication and fundraise to help them with their ongoing efforts to shelter refugees fleeing the war.

Sherri Ferris is the founder of Protocol Professionals, Inc., an international relations consulting firm, offering expertise from a highly skilled team of experts, including former U.S. Ambassadors and State Department officials, the Countess of Valenciana, Princess of Tonga, international business executives,
academic scholars, foreign diplomats, senior level military officers, and special event professionals. The company provides business etiquette (how to work with VIPs) and international protocol training, public relations, liaison with the diplomatic corps, and special event production including Head-of-State visits.

Ms. Ferris was Deputy Chief of Protocol for the City and County of San Francisco from 1992 to 1997, for Mayor Frank Jordan. For ten years she was the senior host for VIPs at the Walt Disney Company, welcoming royalty, world government leaders and famous film stars. Sherri received her graduate degree with honors in Psychology from California State University Fullerton and holds a California Marriage, Family and Child Therapy license. Her psychology background is an effective tool in helping companies and organizations, to better
understand their clients and how to implement excellent customer service. Sherri serves as Director of Consular Relations and Protocol for the Napa Valley World Affairs Council and Chief of Protocol for Sonoma Sister Cities Association.

Andrew joins the Board as a new Director-at-Large, bringing his experience as both an attorney and historian. “My basic reason for joining the SSCA board is to serve the Sonoma community in the international dimension. I would like to do so using my familiarity with European (especially East European) history as well as my legal and linguistic background. My field of expertise is Ukraine.” Andrew is also fluent in Ukrainian and has already provided invaluable service as a translator during some of the SSCA events featuring Ukrainian speakers.