2026 Candidates for BVRI Board of Directors

The 2026 Election cycle will be held from February 4th through February 28th, 2026. One Class A or Class B BVRI member from each property (homeowner or lot owner) is eligible to vote. The person designated as the “Primary Owner” when you signed up for your 2025 BVRI membership will receive an email to vote via our online Election Buddy system.

There are five board seats up for election in 2026, including one vacancy. We are thrilled to have seven prospective candidate – here are their statements:

Jesse Honig (New candidate)

Hello everyone! My name is Jesse Honig. I first came to Bear Valley when I was four years old. I spent my childhood here, learned to ski, and worked as a Volunteer Ski Patroller during high school. Over the past 25+ years, this community and the people it is composed of have given me so much. I have a deep love for this place. It’s one of the few places where kindness and generosity are the norm and where you are likely to find help from a stranger if you find yourself in a tight spot.

While I have always tried to give back in the small ways that make Bear Valley such a welcoming place, I’ve been looking for more opportunities to contribute since my mother passed away in 2023 and I took ownership of our cabin.

In my time here, I’ve seen many iterations of both village and mountain ownership and have the perspective of a child and young adult growing up here as well as that of an adult and homeowner. As a result, I have some understanding of the challenges and opportunities Bear Valley faces now.

Professionally, I am an environmental lawyer and currently serve on the Board of Small Business Utility Advocates, a California non-profit. By serving on the BVRI Board, I hope to be able to help Bear Valley continue to evolve in ways that support current and new residents and preserve the welcoming, tight knit community. My deepest hope is that Bear Valley can continue to be the small, unique place that it has always been while also improving the opportunities and resources to support its residents and workers. Thank you for your consideration.

Jon Rader (New candidate)

My name is Jon Rader, and I would like the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for BVRI.  I live in Lodi with my wife, Lindsay, and 2 children (ages 11 and 13).  I am a State Farm agent here in Lodi and opened my business just over 10 years ago.  When not in Bear Valley, we love to camp, boat, and do anything outdoors.

I grew up coming to Bear Valley and staying at the Lodge with my family when I was young.  My sister and I have countless memories in the Cathedral Lounge and many pictures in front of the fireplace.  Later when my wife and I met, we continued to call Bear Valley our home mountain as her parents had a place in Dorrington. Last July we were able to purchase our own cabin in the Village and have loved everything about this beautifully unique area since.  From skiing and snowmobiling through the winter, to enjoying Bear Lake and hiking in the summer, we are so blessed to have our second home here.

I currently serve on a few Boards at home – The Lodi Chamber of Commerce, Vineyard Christian Middle School, and a non-profit called Your Kidney My Kidney Our Kidney.  I would love the chance to bring my experience, knowledge, and love for the Bear Valley community to the BVRI Board of Directors.

Thank you for your consideration.

Don Williams (New candidate)

Please accept this letter as my formal expression of interest in joining the BVRI Board of Directors. Having visited Bear Valley for three decades before becoming a full-time resident three years ago, I am deeply committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in our community.

My role as a property manager for two Creekside Condo associations provides me with a daily, “on-the-ground” perspective of the operational challenges and opportunities facing our residents. I have supplemented this professional work with consistent volunteer service, including my involvement with the Bear Valley Trail Stewards, Bear Valley Adventure Company Trail Days and various local cleanup and social initiatives. I am passionate about being involved in the Bear Valley community. 

I believe my professional background makes me a strong candidate for the Board. My experience as a business owner and former licensed contractor allows me to bring a technical and analytical eye to community projects and oversight. Furthermore, my experience in coaching has taught me how to lead diverse groups toward common goals

Mike Bassoni (Incumbent)

Hello Bear Valley. My name is Mike Bassoni and I am enthusiastically offering to continue serving on the BVRI board.

My wife and I have owned a Creekside Condo for the past 10 years which has allowed us many wonderful experiences in and around Bear Valley, both hiking in the summer and skiing on the mountain. We continue to enjoy the music festival and the magical effect it has over the village each summer.

My history in the Sierras is extensive, having worked as an outdoor educator in the 70’s, climber, backcountry skier and whitewater enthusiast. The “Range of Light” has always been a special part of my life and Bear Valley has allowed myself and family to continue that sense of mountain connection.

Professionally I worked as facilities director with a 130-year-old educational institution in the Bay Area, managing daily facilities operations, annual budgeting and construction management during the school’s many expansions. I have been on the BVRI Board for the past 3 years and would be honored to continue that relationship with the community.

Eric Jung (Incumbent)

I have lived in Bear Valley since 1969. I served on the CSA Board in the 1970’s. I served 15 years on the County Board of Supervisors. I had a band, the Goonge Brothers, playing the local bars. I publish the Cub Reporter, a monthly newspaper for Bear Valley. I was President of the Bear Valley Music Festival for 2 years. I believe in Bruce Orvis’s vision for the community, except restrictions on cutting trees which we now know are excessive (think Meadow Restoration). BVRI is the curator of Bruce’s vision and deserves your support. Thank you for considering a vote for me to continue on the BVRI Board.

Sue Olson (Incumbent)

My husband, Craig, and I became partners in our Bear Valley home in 2018, and as we refer to it, it is our “happy place.” We love spending time in Bear Valley while hiking, skiing on the mountain and meadow, enjoying the lake, and taking advantage of all the recreational opportunities this special community offers. Our three adult children and families also join us whenever they can, and Bear Valley continues to be a place where we gather, relax, and recharge.

Over the past three years, it has been an honor to serve on the BVRI Board, including the last two years as President. I have valued the opportunity to contribute to this community. During my time, I have focused on strengthening communication, supporting community improvements, and fostering productive relationships with our many partners who help make Bear Valley vibrant and sustainable.

Professionally, I run a leadership and culture consulting practice and currently serve as a strategic advisor to a technology company. These experiences, combined with my appreciation for the outdoors and the Bear Valley way of life, have shaped my approach to board service: collaborative, practical, transparent, and committed to community stewardship.

Bonnie Powell (Incumbent)

I’ve been a BVRI member and BV Co-Op member for almost 10 years, and a BVRI Board Member since 2023. I lead BVRI’s communications and membership committees…as most of Bear Valley knows, from seeing my endless BVRI posts on Nextdoor and my name in your email inboxes! If you re-elect me, I’m hoping that — with help from my fellow committee members — we’ll have a new mobile-friendly website and actual membership database for BVRI by the end of 2026.

We bought our place on Upper Orvis in fall 2016. We love to ski (former BV devo team), hike, bike, and swim. We also rent our cabin via VRBO, managing the property ourselves. I strive to be a responsible community member by making sure our renters follow all Bear Valley rules and norms.

I work full-time as the culture & communications lead for a scientific infrastructure organization overseen by Berkeley Lab. In addition to serving on the BVRI Board, I volunteer for my son’s Scout troop and the advocacy organization Rainbow Families Action.