The Contra Costa School of Performing Arts is governed by a non-profit, public benefit corporation called ChartHouse Public Schools.
Heather Vega - Board Chair
Heather is currently a Vice President at Larson Communications. A former journalist, Heather knows what appeals to reporters, how to find the human side of any organization’s offering, and is an expert at sorting through data to find interesting tidbits that can be parlayed into larger stories. Heather joined Larson Communications after eight years as an award-winning education reporter at the San Mateo Daily Journal, including freelance work which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle and Parenting on the Peninsula.
During her tenure at Larson Communications, Heather has quickly risen through the ranks, from communications manager to her current position as vice president. She has represented organizations across the country – ranging from local charter networks to nationally renowned education technology organizations. Today, she’s an expert in personalized learning as well as school systems. Heather’s uncanny ability to find the unique angle in every story has helped her clients land prominent placements in media outlets such as NPR, The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, Fast Company, Denver Post, EdSurge, The San Jose Mercury News, The Huffington Post, and Associated Press.
Greg Ponikvar - Board Member
Greg Ponikvar is a passionate educational leader committed to fostering charter school excellence. With a Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University, Greg brings valuable expertise as a dedicated board member. As a founding History Teacher at Everest Public High School, he earned National Board Certification, highlighting his commitment to exceptional teaching. Greg's impact grew as the founding principal of Summit Olympus, a diverse high school in the heart of downtown Tacoma, Washington, where his leadership contributed to a 100% college acceptance rate.
Furthermore, Greg's dedication to providing enriching opportunities led him to establish the Summit Expeditions Program. As the program lead, he guided a team of teachers in offering a wide array of community-based educational experiences to thousands of students, helping them uncover their passions. This endeavor exemplifies his commitment to broadening students' horizons beyond the classroom.
Deeply dedicated to developing effective leaders, Greg established the Marshall Leadership Institute, nurturing high-quality and diverse educational leadership. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Marshall Street, a division of Summit Public Schools, Greg oversees transformative programs benefiting teachers, leaders, and student-centered schools. Guided by an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and student success, Greg is grateful for the opportunity to offer his knowledge and experience to help CoCo Arts thrive.
Catherine Foster - Executive Director