ABOUT US

REACT Alliance (Responsible Energy Adaptation for California's Transition) is a diverse group of local citizens and groups that have recognized the need to come together to create a powerful and united voice to oppose the Central Coast Offshore Wind Project. We will act to provide the information that the public so desperately needs to understand the project, its impacts and the future ramifications for our offshore and onshore communities.

We have created a non-profit corporation to address the dearth of information and to actively interact with the permitting and regulatory agencies involved. The impacts are varied and substantial, and the public has the right to know about the project. We intend to guide the public in ways to actively engage with the decision-making entities and to be empowered to use their voice as a regional citizen.

Our collective experience and knowledge enable us to research and present various aspects of OWFs (Offshore Wind Farms). Our passion as a group has the capacity to be a catalyst for change for a better future for our unique Central Coast lifestyle and for the future health of the oceans and her creatures.

REACT Alliance Board Members

Featured
Mandy Davis
Mandy Davis

President

For most of her life Mandy has been driven by her passion for the outdoors, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. These ingrained passions have focused her formal and experiential education and guided her lifestyle choices. As a biologist and Naturalist/Guide for her company Wildheart Coastal Adventures, she has been able to share these interests and positively influence folks to care about and protect our natural world.

In the past, Mandy's marine oriented activism has led her to participate in various organizations and grass-roots actions with Sea Shepherd, COAST Alliance, CHNMS core group and now REACT Alliance. She has worked functionally within our local system as a member of the harbor advisory board two times and has volunteered with the National Estuary program..

Mandy currently lives in Los Osos, California in her tiny home off the grid. She has two wonderful sons and has a simple, peaceful and satisfying life. Her personal motto: You have a choice...You have a voice! reactalliance2023@gmail.com

Saro Rizzo
Saro Rizzo

Vice President

Saro has been practicing as a public interest attorney on the Central Coast since 1992. Over the years he has represented numerous groups seeking environmental justice including the Avila Alliance which successfully sued UNOCAL to clean up Avila Beach in the 1990s. He lives in Avila Beach where he is raising to young boys with his wife.

Nicole Lonner-Dorfman
Nicole Lonner-Dorfman

Secretary

Nicole Dorfman is a small business owner and community activist. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and has dedicated her life to the betterment of families and children. Nicole served on the board of the Morro Bay Open Space Alliance, and worked to preserve open space on the Central Coast.  An avid reader, researcher and writer, Nicole is motivated to increase understanding and connections across political and ideological divides. She lives in Morro Bay with her husband and teenage sons. 

Betty Winholtz
Betty Winholtz

A transplant from Iowa, Betty has lived in Morro Bay for 37 years. For the last 35 years, she has been a tutor to elementary-to-college-age students. For the last 25 years, she has been learning Morro Bay politics, even serving as a city council member for 8 years. For the last 5 years, she has been actively involved in Citizens for Affordable Living. CAL took stands opposing the new sewer plant site and its rate increases, initiating a City ordinance to prevent RV camping on the Embarcadero, opposing the recent trash increase, and supporting preservation of the zoning north of Beach Street on the Embarcadero which lets citizens decide if a battery storage facility should be placed on the Embarcadero.

Melissa Beach
Melissa Beach

Treasurer

The Central Coast is where she grew up and then never wanted to leave. Shell Beach is where she currently resides. After graduating Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, the majority of her career has been focused on business development. She describes herself as a conscious extrovert with an ENTP debater personality. The ocean is where she spends a majority of her time free diving and surfing. On land she enjoys backpacking, gardening and yoga. Melissa has always had a profound interest and passion in nature. Currently she is putting all of her focus on uncovering the facts about the proposed wind project while helping her community to stay informed.

Andrea Lueker
Andrea Lueker

Andrea grew up in Colorado and spent much of her time in the Rocky Mountains, she attended Colorado State University and upon graduation in the 1980’s, moved to the Central Coast and completed a Master’s Degree at Cal Poly. While growing up in Colorado, Andrea spent much time in the mountains and in nature. Upon moving to California, she continued this with adding time spent on, in and around the ocean. Andrea retired in late 2021, after 35 years working in local municipal government. Most recently, she oversaw Port San Luis Harbor District as Harbor Manager for seven years, as well as taught at California Polytechnic State University as an adjunct professor. Prior to that she spent two years as the Executive Director of a newly formed, non-profit organization instrumental in securing historic fishing privileges to the Central Coast - the Morro Bay Community Quota Fund. Andrea began her career with the City of Morro Bay, spending 27 years with that city, including 7 years as City Manager. Andrea is involved with several other local nonprofits/organizations including President of the California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains since 2022, Board member of the Los Osos Community Advisory Council, serves on the Land Committee for the Land Conservancy of SLO County, is a member of the Los Osos Community Services District Parks and Recreation Committee and is Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Morro Bay Community Quota Fund. Married to Richard Hubbard since 1990. They have one married daughter who lives with her husband and their new son in Los Osos.

Sheri Hafer
Sheri Hafer

Sheri is from a 3rd generation Hemet, California family. She went to Cal State Long Beach and received a BS in Physical Therapy in 1984. Sheri worked at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in San Diego 8 years and Twin Cities Community Hospital for 27 years before recently retiring. She and Tom have 3 children. They own the f/v Kathryn H and fish live nearshore and spot prawn permits between Morro Bay and Big Sur. She has been actively involved in the fishing community and commercial fishing politics since marrying Tom in 1986. She is the Secretary for the Central Coast Women for Fisheries organization. She has been actively involved with the proposed Morro Bay offshore wind farm since 2015.

Be a Part of a Precedent Setting Movement!

Our public meetings are every first Wednesday of each month.

Join a Working Group and Be an Active Part of the Process.

REACT Alliance Working Groups

PR and Media - Create PR material, engage in social media campaigns, interface with mainstream media, schedule public interviews.

Outreach and Events - Public interaction and education about our mission, and distribution of materials at various locations. Organize and host events and assist with fundraising.

Research and Legal - Research matters related to OWFs including current studies, information from other organizations, expert testimonials and actions taken against the industry internationally.

New Member Introduction - Educate and introduce new members to the impacts of offshore wind. Facilitate working group choice.

Meetings and Government - Maintain meeting calendar. Attend and speak on behalf of REACT and stay current on federal, state and local actions pertaining to OWF

Fundraising - Raise operational funds from individuals, businesses and groups. Coordinate with outreach and events group for larger fundraising efforts.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.”

Margaret Meade