Joan K. Seppala

In 1963, Ms. Seppala founded The Independent, a Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin weekly newspaper, and continues as its publisher. Ms. Seppala participates in Alameda County’s Altamont Settlement Committee and the Livermore Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee. She serves as a board member of the Valley Study Group Board, an organization formed by employees of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to increase community awareness of its scientific achievements. She co-founded the Livermore Cultural Arts Council approximately 50 years ago, and remains a member today. As early as 1986, she envisioned a performing arts center in downtown Livermore to enrich the cultural life of the community, and with others, led the founding of the Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center. Ms. Seppala’s involvement in the broader community has been recognized with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award from the Tri-Valley YMCA; Las Positas College Friend of the College Award; Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ District 1 Champion for the Arts Award; and along with her husband, Lynn Seppala, Livermore Rotary’s Rodeo Parade Grand Marshall for outstanding service to the community and volunteer efforts toward the betterment of Livermore.