The Board of Directors at St.Luke’s
Jesse Hernandez
Background: Jesse has been involved in the nursery industry since 1984. What started out as a part-time summer job as a junior in high school at Escalon High, became a passion over the years to come. A graduate of Modesto Junior College, and continuing to Fresno State University. After 3 years of managing Monterey Bay Nursery in Watsonville CA, he returned to manage Morris Wholesale Nursery in 1994 before purchasing it in 2006. He and his wife, Kathy have a daughter, Camila.
Contact: jesse@morriswholesale.com
Michael Hicks
Education: BS Business Administration with a concentration in accounting, CSU Stanislaus, 2005, Manga Cum Laude; MS in Taxation, Golden Gate University, 2019; Certified Public Accountant
Background: Michael lives and takes pride in his hometown of Modesto. He’s worked in the accounting industry for the past 15 years at various CPA firms in the central valley. In 2018 he created his own firm where he caters to his client’s business and tax needs. Michael and his wife Anna have four children. His other passions include his Catholic faith, hiking, and backpacking.
Contact: mhicks@mhickscpa.com
Ralph Curtis
Business: Curtis Legal Group, A Professional Law Corporation
Education: Bachelor of Arts, St. Mary’s College, Magne Cum Laude; He earned his law degress at the University of California, Davis School of Law in 1974. He continued his legal education in 2006 at Pepperdine University with training in Mediation.
Background: Mr. Curtis has volunteered his time as a Past-President of the Ceres Rotary Club. He has severed as a board member of Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Modesto Chamber of Commerce, County Health Services Agency, and was a Past Chairman for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Parish Council.
Contact: ralph@curtislegalgroup.com
Edwin Rizo
Background: Edwin is a native from Nicaragua , he has been in Modesto since 1986. He founded Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. in 1990. He runs Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc with his brother Ivan. They have combined their management and technical expertise to create a solid, well-run company with an outstanding line of products. Edwin and his wife Erika have 5 daughters.
Contact: Erizo@rizolopez.com
Ross Lee
Background: Born in Modesto, and raised on a dairy and almond farm. 1980 graduate of Modesto High School. Parishioner at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, involved as Eucharistic minister, Lector, and Catechist. Past President of Modesto Rotary, nine years on the Board of Community Hospice.
Law practice is business, corporate, and transactional practice with emphasis in agricultural clients. Married to Gina since 1988, two college-aged daughters, Jenna Rose at Cal Poly SLO, Caroline at Modesto Junior College. He enjoys farming, travel, ministry, reading, and the San Francisco Giants.
Contact: rlee@modelaw.com