Nina, Age 5

Cheri, Age 5

Tracy, Age 2


Nina Machado, Executive Director
Nina has resided in Amador County since 1990.  Nina was hired as the Executive Director of First 5 Amador in March 2002.  Prior to this, she worked in the area of Public Health for ten years.  For five of those yeas, Nina assisted Amador County Public Health Nursing with the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program and eventually moved into a health education position with Tobacco Reduction of Amador County.  Nina worked closely with the community and local governments to gain policies and ordinances regarding youth access to tobacco and environmental tobacco smoke.  Nina has two grown children and serves as a board member of a local non-profit that provides support to cancer patients and their families.





Cheri Garamendi Aguiar, School Readiness Coordinator
Cheri grew up locally just outside of Mokelumne Hill.  After studying at the University of San Diego and the University of Madrid, Spain, she completed her B.A. in Child Development at San Francisco State University.  She has since moved back to the area, leaving her position as the Education and Youth Program Coordinator for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.  She has a life-long commitment to children and service, making this position a great fit.  Cheri is a happy parent of one son, Cody Robert.





Tracy Carlton, Project Coordinator
Tracy came to work for the Commission after completing her Masters degree in Cultural Anthropology. She has experience in both the non-profit and private sectors, including skills in strategic planning, database management, fundraising campaigns and business planning. She has a strong commitment to youth mentoring, community involvement, and sustainable living.