EDCHS Board Members, Officers, and Team Members
Jill Kearney; EDCHS President
In addition to her role as president of the El Dorado County Historical Society, Jill also serves as a board member of the nonprofit group El Dorado Gold 1848, and as regional vice president of the Conference of California Historical Societies (region 38).
She’s had the pleasure of being a docent at the El Dorado County museum and a walking tour guide for the EDCHS downtown walking tours.
Researching to help expand her information on fun facts and details as a docent led her to explore the details of the 1864 bullion bend robbery in Pollock Pines, consequently leading to the making of her book, Not of the Ruling Power. Her research helped in writing a script for slain officer, Joseph Staples, for the 2021 Save-the-Graves event.
Jill additionally worked with author, Guy Nixon, and put together a story based on the early life and times of our local Maidu Chief, Coppa Hembo. The book, titled Grey Eagle's Story of Young Coppa Hembo, is written and illustrated by Jill and is also found published as part of the book, A River Divided.
Growing up in El Dorado County, Jill graduated El Dorado High School and explored a love of art and old buildings through studying architecture. She gained an Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree through Community College before getting married and finding herself raising two beautiful daughters. They joined in many of the activities associated with her family's love of history: Model T Fords, back country trails, living history events, and even a few of the adventures finding pioneer paths with fellow EDCHS Board Member, Dee Owens, and the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA).
As president of the Historical Society, she saw the mandatory covid shut down as an opportunity to do some necessary updates to the Fountain & Tallman Museum, which is the headquarters of the El Dorado County Historical Society. The floor, lighting, display cases, and docent amenities were addressed.
Through the Fountain & Tallman Museum, the EDCHS has been able to tell many stories of our County, the businesses that flourished and survived through the years, and the reasons they did or did not. With Jill’s leadership, our aim is to continue to have a working relationship with the county museum and the new Marilyn Ferguson Research Center and Library (part of El Dorado Gold 1848) for exhibit rotations as well as to rescue, preserve, research and display our county's rich history in many formats.
Debbie Ringnes; VP, Membership Chair
Debbie has been on the El Dorado County Historical Society's Board of Directors for several years in the position of Membership Chairman. Debbie has lived and worked in El Dorado County for 46 years. Since retiring from a career in the Title Insurance business in 2010, she has been able to pursue her interest in the County's rich history by volunteering for the Historical Society and the Marilyn Ferguson Research Library.
Mary Cory; EDCHS Secretary
Mary has served as the Director of the El Dorado County Historical Museum—a close partner of the El Dorado County Historical Society—for over 20 years. As the sole paid employee, she relies heavily on a dedicated volunteer staff to work with the public as docents, conduct research, and assist with special projects. Mary and the museum volunteers work continuously to improve the museum collections, exhibits, archives, and the historical railroad operation.
Jacob Rigoli, MBA, PMP®; EDCHS Board Member, Treasurer, and Webmaster
With roots tracing back to 1852, Jacob’s family's connection to the Golden State runs deep. Jacob is deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and sharing the stories of all Californians.
As part of a professional career at IBM, Pearson Education, Savvas Learning Company, and various EdTech startups spanning over 20 years and across five continents, Jacob Rigoli brings a wealth of experience to his roles as Board Member, Treasurer, and Webmaster for the El Dorado County Historical Society (EDCHS). Jacob also serves as a member of the El Dorado County Historical Museum Commission. Together with his husband, Sean, they have lovingly restored five 19th-century and early 20th-century properties, meticulously researching their histories to ensure authentic, period-appropriate restorations. Most recently, they restored the historic John Blair / Judge Thompson House in Placerville.
Jacob endeavors to safeguard early-California/Western records and artifacts. His mission is to connect the EDCHS with audiences ranging from local learners to global Gold-Rush history enthusiasts and to make those stories more accessible for all.
Rodi Lee; EDCHS Board Member
Native to Rescue, California, Rodi spent many weekends in Coloma, engaging in activities such as hiking, swimming, and volunteering. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Interpretation with a minor in Ethnobotany from UC Sacramento.
She is the author or co-author of 6 books including Donner Memorial State Park in Vintage Postcards (privately published, 2021), California State Parks in Vintage Postcards - A-Z (privately published, ), American River Canyon (Images of America, 2012), and California State Park Rangers (Images of America, 2009).
Her journey into the realm of environmental education and history began with volunteering at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, where she led natural history walks and presented local history programs. Over her 35-year career, she dedicated herself to the roles of naturalist and historian at five different state park locations: Folsom Lake SRA, Auburn SRA, Fort Humboldt SHP (Eureka, CA), Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, and California Governor’s Mansion SHP. Each assignment involved overseeing cultural and natural history programs and projects, requiring extensive research.
Following a rewarding career, she embraced retirement in 2008. Currently, she dedicates three days a week to volunteering in three locations: Folsom Museum, El Dorado County, and Placer County. Her passion for research remains unabated, ensuring a continuous journey of discovery and the pursuit of new information.
Kris Payne; EDCHS Board Member
Kris has served in various Board of Director and Leadership positions locally, including past President of the El Dorado County Historical Society and Regional Vice-President of the Conference of California Historical Societies, past President of the Placerville-Downtown Association and various El Dorado County Commissions and Committees, including as Founder and director of the Patterson Ranch Fire Safe Council.
Sara Pagano; EDCHS Board Member
Sara grew up in Orangevale, but Placerville is home where she lives with her husband, son, and 3 dogs and 3 cats. Sara is a credentialed teacher and certified naturalist with a passion for outdoor education and history, and a soft spot for non-profits. She loves running, yoga, reading, hiking, traveling, and being near water. Sara owns the awarded Around Here Magazine whose mission is to connect the El Dorado County community with local history, events, and resources. She additionally chairs the Publications, Publicity, Social Media, and Fundraising committees for the EDCHS.
Heather Burnett; Manager, Fountain & Tallman Museum
Heather Burnett is the manager of the El Dorado County Historical Society public presence: The Fountain & Tallman Museum located at 524 Main Street in historic Placerville, California.
Sean Manwaring; EDCHS Board Member
Sean, a former K-12 educator and behaviorist, has dedicated the past 12+ years to restoring and maintaining historic homes across Northern California. With roots tracing back to 1847, his family's connection to the Golden State runs deep. Sean is fervently committed to preserving and sharing the histories of Californians.
In 2020, Sean authored the book, Sacramento's Newton Booth and Poverty Ridge, a pictorial history of Sacramento’s historic neighborhoods . Additionally, he researched and authored two historic walking tours. Sean has also served on the boards of various non-profit and civic organizations in the Sacramento Region. In these roles, he promoted, grew, and maintained community support and engagement for historic preservation.
In 2018, Sean and his husband, Jacob, acquired the historic John Blair / Judge Thompson House in Placerville. Together, they restored this local landmark property, meticulously preserving the stories of pioneer families who resided there over the last 160+ years. Currently, Sean leads the development and membership programs for the California Museum. He also serves as a member of the El Dorado County Historical Museum Commission.
Dee Owens; EDCHS Board Member
Dee has lived in Placerville for 50 years, raising a family and now enjoying her grandchildren who live nearby. She is a retired El Dorado County elementary school teacher. As a teacher, one of her favorite subjects was California history.
Dee has been a researcher at the El Dorado County Historical Museum and is currently a researcher at the Marilyn Ferguson Research Center and Library at El Dorado Gold 1848 in the WPA-era post office building on Placerville’s Main Street. She enjoys researching early El Dorado County residents and El Dorado County property history. She has produced videos focusing on El Dorado County towns and people that are available on Sierra Community Access Television.
Working with the California-Nevada Chapter of the Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA) non-profit and the El Dorado National Forest, she is active locating and mapping the emigrant trails to the Gold Rush through the forest.
Don Uelman; Board Member (Emeritus)
Former EDCHS VP and leader of the Public Awareness Committee.