POST appoints Sandra Thompson to its board

The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has appointed Sandra Thompson to its Board of Directors. Thompson is a native of Iowa, where she grew up on her family’s farm. She spent 18 years in various sales, marketing and strategy positions with IBM, where she led e-commerce and Internet infrastructure initiatives worldwide as vice president of network solutions.

After leaving IBM, Thompson attended law school, graduating in May 2002 from the University of California Hastings College of Law. She later joined Fenwick & West as an international corporate tax attorney. She is currently self-employed representing clients pro bono in tax litigation.

"Sandra Thompson brings a rich mix of expertise and interests to POST’s Board," said POST President Audrey Rust. "With her business acumen, legal training and deep personal connection to the land stemming back to childhood, she appreciates and understands POST’s strategic approach to land conservation.

We’re thrilled to benefit from her energy and insights as POST works to provide permanent protection for our local natural lands." Thompson joined POST’s Board in January. An active community volunteer, she serves as a regional board member for Teach for America. She also sits on the planning commission for the town of Woodside, where she lives with her husband, John, chairman and CEO of Symantec Corporation. She says her farming background and interest in land conservation and the environment are what motivated her to join POST’s Board.

"The Peninsula is an amazingly beautiful place, but it’s not like this by accident. It’s the result of hard work over a long period of time by concerned individuals supporting groups like POST," Thompson said. "I love our wonderful California and want to ensure that future generations are able to do the same."