MEET THE COUNCIL
Mayor Duane Picanco
(e-mail)
Term: 2009-2011
Duane Picanco was born in Tulare County in 1941. He is married to Rose Marie and they have two children; Carolyn and Kevin. Councilman Picanco has lived in Paso Robles for 32 years. Besides what amounts to a part to 3/4-time job as a Council Member, Duane is the area manager for KAR products. He also has been the Downtown Parking Chairman President and Zone Chairman for the Lions Club. He also has been on the Boards of Camp Fire Girls, Youth Football and St. Rose School. Councilmember Picanco served eight years on the Planning Commission and is still involved in Sports Activities.
Fred Strong,
Mayor Pro Tem (e-mail)
Term: 2009-2013
Fred Strong was born in Wisconsin in 1937. He is married to Patty and they have five children between them; Kathy, Zoe, Fabian, Colleen and Michael plus six grandchildren. Fred grew up in Greendale, WI, one of three Greenbelt Villages created by the Federal Government during the depression. He was Jesuit educated at Marquette High School and University where he became Director of Foreign Language Laboratories in 1961. He came to California in the same capacity for San Jose State in 1963. Then he entered a multi-faceted 35 year career in newspaper editing and publishing, radio broadcasting and representing private citizens and groups before government agencies, boards, councils and commissions. He is retired but still occasionally serves a few clients.
A civic- minded, community-orientated volunteer, Fred has chaired and served on numerous government committees and advisory bodies in San Luis Obispo, San Jose, and Sonoma County. Local work includes the North County’s First District Water Advisory Committee and the revision of the Paso Robles Airport Master Plan and Land Use Plan.
He was a co-founder and the original coordinator of the first Paso Robles Parks and Recreation sponsored Youth Soccer program in the early 1980’s and, for eleven years, was the Coordinator of the S.H.A.R.E. and Healthy Share monthly food program in San Luis Obispo County. He has been a regular volunteer for the Main Street Association and the Vine Street Showcase events.
He is an avid Duplicate Bridge competitor and directs games at three local community centers. He also has a love for golf so you will find him on the links whenever he has free time.
John Hamon
(e-mail)
Term: 2006-2010
John Hamon was born on July 27, 1954. John, a fourth generation, father, grandfather, husband and businessman was raised in Lompoc, California.
The Hamon Family has a rich history on the Central Coast beginning with John’s Portuguese great-grandfather who immigrated to San Luis Obispo in the 1890’s from the Azores to work on the Cuesta Grade train tunnels. John graduated from Lompoc High School and attended Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo. While at Cal Poly as a student he met and married Marjorie Triol in 1975. In 1976 John graduated from Cal Poly’s School of Industrial Technology with a Bachelors of Arts Degree. Upon graduation from Cal Poly, John and Marjorie made their home in Paso Robles. Marjorie grew up in Paso Robles and graduated from Paso Robles High School. John earned his general contractors license and joined his in-laws Tom and Bettie Triol in their family overhead garage door business.
John and Marjorie have two children a daughter Jessica and son John the III. The Hamon family worships at St. Rose Catholic Church where they serve as Ministers of the Eucharist and Music. John quickly embraced Paso Robles becoming an active volunteer in many community organizations. John volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America – Paso Robles Troop 60 (an Eagle Scout himself), Board Member on the Chamber of Commerce, the Paso Robles Volunteer Fire Department attaining the rank of Captain, and served as President for the Rotary Club of Paso Robles. John is a Board Member on the Industrial Technology Advisory Board at Cal Poly. He has served on the Airport Advisory Committee and Chairman of the Planning Commission.
In his free time John enjoys flying and is a private pilot, enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Nick Gilman
(email)
Term: 2009-2013
Ed Steinbeck
(email)
Term: 2009-2011
Ed Steinbeck has deep roots in the Paso Robles area. His Great Grandfather Ernst moved his family here from Geneseo Illinois in the mid 1880s and settled in an area east of Paso Robles that is now known as Geneseo. The Ernst family farmed in the area for many years and some family members still farm to this day.
Ed’s mother, Hazel Ernst Steinbeck was born in the area in 1910, and passed on to her heavenly reward on September 21, 2007. Hazel married George Steinbeck, who was a Lutheran Minister. Grandpa Frank Ernst passed away in the fall of 1948 just after Ed was born, and George, Hazel and family decided to move to the ranch on Union Road, currently owned and farmed by Ed’s brother Howie. Ed spent his first nine years enjoying the ranch life here in Paso.
Ed and his family moved away when his father decided it was time to go back into the ministry. Ed returned to the area to attend Cal Poly from 1966 to 1971, graduating with a Bachelors degree in City Planning. He then spent the next 18 years in Sonoma County as a City Planner raising his three children with his wife, Linda, who also had a successful house plant leasing business.
Ed moved his family back to the Paso area in 1989 and began a second career in real estate. He became active with the Paso Robles Association of Realtors, serving as President for two different terms. He also served as Region Chair for the California Association of Realtors for three years. Ed served 9 years on the Paso Robles Planning Commission, twice as chair. He has also been an active supporter of the Bearcat Boosters and the Skills USA program at the High School, Up With Kids back to school shopping, and volunteers at church.
Linda Steinbeck, Ed’s wife of 39 years, is an avid community volunteer with Loaves and Fishes and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer besides helping with the real estate business. Daughter Andrea is a partner in the real estate business and Daughter Melissa and Son James live in the Midwest with their spouses and children. Ed and Linda have been blessed with nine grandchildren.
