DIABLO EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

DEHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Through our membership, community activities, and events we celebrate our equestrian heritage while protecting and preserving the land use that supports equestrian activities in the greater Diablo area. Our Board of Directors and Advisors are non-paid volunteers. Any donation you elect to make you can trust will go towards our mission and values. Read more about our board members below.

Brian Pepper Board President

Brian has been an active member in several equestrian associations over the past decade including, Bay View Horseman’s Association, Tri-Cities Horseman’s Association, Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association, Contra Costa County Horseman’s Association and California State Horseman’s Association.

Brian served or currently serves on not-for-profit and non-profit Boards where he has held leadership roles including:

• Past Vice President -California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition

• Past Director – Contra Costa County Horseman’s Association

• Past President – Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association

Valerie Sterling Board Secretary

Valerie is a lifelong Contra Costa equestrian. She has participated in many disciplines including English, western, competitive trail riding, dressage, gymkhana, endurance, and three day eventing. She was a National Champion of the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC), and Top Ten at the Morgan Horse Nationals in Oklahoma City for Ladies Hunters. She is a member of the North American Trail Ride Conference, helping out or competing at many of their events in California.

Since 2018 Valerie has been the District Commissioner of the Clayton Canyon Pony Club and has worked with our chapter of the US Pony Club for 15 years. Over the past 20 years, she has logged countless hours teaching horsemanship to various groups including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4H and others.

Valerie is a retired Physical Therapist. During her career, she also completed a therapeutic Riding program at the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy.

In her free time, Valerie loves trail riding and horse camping, especially on Mt Diablo and the Sierra mountains with her husband and two mules.

Micki McCabe Walls Board Vice President

Micki is the granddaughter of a Livermore rancher and, as a child, she loved going with her grandfather to gather cattle long before the sun came up.

She had horses growing up until setting off to college and veterinary school, then rekindled her love of riding over 20 years ago. In place of gathering cattle, she now loves to trail ride and horse camp with family and friends. She has also been a member of Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association for over 20 years and is presently on the board of directors for CMDTRA. She is a retired veterinary internist with a passion for integrating Western and Eastern approaches to veterinary care.

Larry Sterling Board Member

In addition to his work with Diablo Equestrian Heritage Association, Larry is the former Vice President of the Concord Mt Diablo Trail Ride Conference and still services on their board. He also is an invaluable asset to the leadership and members of the Clayton Canyon Pony Club, and an active member of the North American Trail Ride Association, helping with their events in California. He especially enjoys the "safety rider" position, helping ensure that all riders return to base camp.

As for DEHA, Larry wears too many hats to narrow down a title. His greatest gifts include; motivation and determination, fabulous chef, avid equestrian, countless hours of time donated, he is a voice of reason and advocate, and a passionate person.

He is retired US Air Force, retired from Bay Area Rapid Transit and in his free time he loves trail riding and horse camping with his wife and their two mules.

Jessica Coffee Treasurer

Jessica Coffee joined the Diablo Equestrian Heritage Association as a Board Member in 2024 and is very excited about all that it brings.

Jessica is a mother of 4 and a Nana of 1, which is her greatest joy and accomplishment. She is the co-owner of StarCare Power Wash, Inc and serves on the board as the Secretary.

Jessica is a small part of a big horse family and loves every minute of it. In addition, she has been involved in many youth organizations in various roles, and for the past two years, she has helped co-chair the Leadline and Graduate division at their Gymkhana State Championship Show.