Bob Sharp is a commercial property owner in El Sobrante.

Nicole is a life-long Bay Area person who grew up in San Francisco and has lived and/or worked in El Sobrante for almost 30 years. She has two adult children Joshua and Sara, who attended local public schools and went to the Boys and Girls Club and May Valley community center.

Besides being the branch manager for US Financial Mortgage Lending and a El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce board member, she also sits on a few committees for the Contra Costa Association of Realtors, where she was named Affiliate of the Year for the West Contra Costa Association in 2010 and recently named Affiliate of the year (2021) for the Contra Costa County Association of Realtors.

She loves skiing, hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving in tropical waters, traveling, playing Scrabble, going to concerts, movies, plays, street fairs (El Sobrante Stroll!!!), learning foreign languages, as well as helping to make home ownership dreams a reality and  El Sobrante a better place for all of us. Nicole previously served as President of the Chamber from 2021 through 2025.

Jim Cowen joined the Chamber in 1985, and became a director the following year. He has served 3 times as Chamber President, and is the 2005 Citizen of the Year.  Jim grew up in El Sobrante and attended local schools, and graduated from St Marys’ College in Moraga.  His first business was Mail Plus, and since 2000 he has run Jim Cowen Insurance Brokers.    

Marie Carayanis, resident of El Sobrante since 1963. She was co- owner for 30 years (1970-2000) of a local business in downtown El Sobrante, Nick & Marie’s Delicatessen and Catering, and thus became active in representing the needs of business owners.

Marie has served on the Chamber Board since 1968, held the position of President in 1984-85, 2003-04, 2014-16, and is currently Membership Chairperson. She was one of the founders of the El Sobrante Stroll and serves as the Director of Vendor Booths for the Stroll.  In addition to her role with the Stroll, she Chairs both the Events Committee and the Membership Committee.

Marie’s priorities are her family,  3 daughters & grandchildren, her friends, and promoting the goals of the Chamber for the betterment of the El Sobrante Valley Community.