Mark Francis - Class of 1975
A Chico native, Mark Francis graduated in 1975 after an active high school career that included participation on Pleasant Valley baseball, basketball and football teams. Mark earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts and was involved in student government where he served as Student Body President his senior year. Mark graduated from Chico State in 1982, going on to graduate with honors from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Currently, Mark is President and CEO of Golden Valley Bank. Mark has a long history of community service in Chico, including serving a term on the Chico City Council from 1990 to 1994. He currently serves on a number of charitable boards and has spent over 18 years on the “Good Guys” committee raising money for Chico youth sports.
Born and raised in Chico, Jolene (Koch) Francis graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 1978. Soon after graduation, Jolene began what was to be a successful career in the financial services industry for over 28 years. With her help, Golden Valley Bank was organized, approved and began operation in 2006. She was also instrumental in creating the Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation, a charitable giving organization whose mission includes providing financial literacy programs to the local high schools. In January 2009, Jolene took the helm of the Chico Chamber of Commerce as President and CEO while remaining active on a number of local, charitable boards. Son Casey Dietle is 26 and a firefighter with Cal Fire. Twin daughters Kristen and Lauren are 18, both alumni of PV High School and currently freshman at Chico State.
Kristen (Retzer) Lucena graduated in 1986 after an active high school career that included participation on the PV Ski Team, writing for PV’s student newspaper, the Saga and student government holding the office of Student Body President her senior year. Kristen attended USC graduating in 1990 with a double major in English and History and obtained her JD in 1993 from Santa Clara University School of Law. Kristen returned to Chico in 1993, beginning her legal career as a prosecutor for the Butte County District Attorney’s office. In 2006 Kristen was both elected and appointed Butte County Superior Court Judge. Kristen and her husband, Chico native Matt Lucena, have two children.
Ric Newton, a Chico native, graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 1969. While at PV Ric was involved in student government where he served as Junior Class President. He was active in sports and was named All League in baseball. Ric received his AA degree from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, a BA degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree with distinction in Social Science from Cal State University, Chico where he is an adjunct professor. Ric is co-owner of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Homes, serving over 500 families a year. He is president of the board of directors for the Peg Taylor Center for Adult Day Health Care, a past president of the California Funeral Directors Association, Work Training Center, Chico Breakfast Lions Club, Chico Sunrise Rotary Club, and Salvation Army Advisory Board. He and his wife Colene have three daughters, Shawntel, Destiny and Vanessa.
Pleasant Valley High School Foundation
