Community Spotlight

Justin Perkins | Michelle Hock | Kenny Ross

By Craig Smith

Justin Perkins

If you’ve ever walked along the river promenade behind the Hatt Building, you might have seen a cluster of kayaks in the water—Justin Perkins in the middle of them in his wide brimmed straw hat, explaining to his clients how the Gold Rush impacted Napa, what changes in river wildlife have come about because of flood control, or maybe ghost stories about Captain Hatt. Perkins speaks with a commanding and captivating voice. He credits music—he’s been a bass player most of his life—with helping him develop his voice as an instrument. He is very good at what he does. Soon after he launched his business, Enjoy Napa Valley—now Napakayak.com, Travel Zoo listed him in a weekly Top Twenty list as one of the best activities to do around the country.

The business idea came to him gradually and organically. He’s always been an avid cyclist, and decided to do tours on weekends, working part-time for a local company. “The owner of the company told me I ought to do kayak trips, which kinda came out of nowhere,” said Justin. Five years later, he started offering trips through another company, which did offer kayaking. When that business dissolved, Justin created his own business, offering bicycling, hiking and kayaking. “All the phone calls I got were from people looking to kayak.”

During all this time, Justin had a day job selling wine, which he gave up a year after launching his business. He’s also fascinated with Napa’s past. “We have this incredibly rich history that nobody was talking about. To me, kayaking history tours just made sense.” In addition to the history tours, Justin does traditional kayak rentals, but adventurers looking for something out of the ordinary will join him for a history paddle.

As a boy, early trips to Tahoe fostered his love of the outdoors. He always walked to school, and if it meant a chance to go through the woods, he took the long way. “We used to jump fences and hike in places that looked interesting. I wouldn’t do that today, but we were kids.”

There was always a piano in the Perkin’s home, though, as he put it, “I never excelled at it.” At age eight he picked up violin and a few years later an electric bass, and he’d found his instrument playing in bands as a teen. Justin started as an Englich major at Sonoma State, thinking he would be an English teacher, but a drummer suggested that he switch to music. He did, and finished with a degree in music. Today, he plays locally with the Kristin van Dyke band. “We do original music, which means that there is a framework and I fill in what I think is right for the bass.”

Justin loves Napa and can’t imagine moving. He contemplated majoring in anthropology, an itch that his job scratches every day. “We get visitors from all over the world—Africa, China, Europe and everywhere else. Why would I ever leave?”

Michelle Hock

Michelle Hock attended her first Kiwanis meeting nearly fifty years ago—before women were even allowed to join the organization. “I was only eight years old, and my dad was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Bakersfield, where I was born,” she said. She joined the Kiwanis Club of Napa in 2009 while networking for her employer at the time, and immediately fell in love with the organization. Since then, she has served in nearly every elected leadership role available at the club, divisional, and regional levels. Today, she is running for Governor-Elect of CNH (California, Nevada and Hawaii), the highest elected position in the tri-state district.

Michelle is known for being one of the highest-energy, fun and creative people in the room. As a child she competed in the Little Miss America pageant and advanced to Nationals. She had to perform, but says, “I couldn’t sing or play an instrument.” Instead, she did a routine as “Clooney the Clown.” “Being a clown sounded like a lot more fun.” The judges liked it—she was awarded “Miss Congeniality.”

While attending Bakersfield College, Michelle often passed another student on her way to class. She was attracted, but at the time she was in a relationship, so they never spoke. A couple of years later, that earlier relationship behind her and while out on a date, she spotted that student she’d seen across the room. She excused herself, walked over, and introduced herself. “Hi, what’s your name?” she asked. His name was Keith, and three years later, in March 1995, they were married. Their daughter Madie was born the following year, and son Kadel, followed in 2002.

Michelle’s love of Napa Valley began in 1997 when she was invited to run the Napa Valley Marathon. Running along Silverado Trail, she was struck by the beauty of the area. When she crossed the finish line, she told Keith and Madie they were moving here. “Napa had a small, European feel to it,” she says.

Michelle has worked in hospitality at Auberge du Soleil and the Vintage Estates. She also worked for St. Helena Hospital, for a non-medical home care company, and for CIA Copia.

In 2018, Michelle joined DoNapa’s Ambassador program, a role perfectly suited to her personality. She greets visitors and helps them discover the restaurants, wineries, and shops that make Downtown Napa vibrant.

Three and a half years ago, she also began working part-time with B12 Love in Downtown Napa. “It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had and aligns perfectly with who I am—health and wellness,” she says. She stays active by walking at least 10,000 steps a day, often reaching 24,000. “Movement is medicine.”

Kiwanis—an organization dedicated to serving children and improving communities—holds a special place in her heart, and she imagines she will always be a member. “It feels like family,” she says. “Whenever you’re around Kiwanians, it feels like home. Kiwanis taught me leadership—and even how to be a public speaker.” Those who know her well believe she’s a natural fit for the Governor-Elect role.

Kenny Ross

is a car guy, always has been. As a kid in Sacramento, he collected Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars. At twelve, he started writing General Motors, initially requesting a brochure on the new Firebird. They always replied, and when he was 15, the plant in Fremont offered his family a guided tour of the facilities. “I fell in love with GM,” said Kenny. His first car, a used 1965 Pontiac Bonneville for which he paid $200, “Was the size of a boat,” he said.

Just after high school graduation, Kenny went into debt to buy a used 1975 Chrysler Cordova. His parents figured their son would go to college and become a lawyer, but Kenny wanted to get that car paid for and thought that selling cars would be a better choice. His mom didn’t like that idea at all, but agreed that he could try it for six months before college. Soon after, Kenny started selling cars at a Ford dealership. And he loved it.

“I fell in love with talking to people,” he said. It didn’t hurt that he was given a new Mustang to drive and made $2,500 his first month, which in the late ‘70s, was good money. The problem was, as he recognized when it was too late, was that he was too young and immature to handle all that early success.

“I made some bad decisions and was headed down the wrong path.” He lost his job and his money. He was deeply shaken, and became determined to turn his life around. He moved to Southern California to become a used cars manager and was promoted to General Sales Manager on his first day on the job. GM then sent him to Banning to revive a failing dealership and then another one in Pomona. The third time, in 1994 he found a distressed dealership in Vallejo. After a couple of years, he asked GM for a loan to buy out the existing owner. “At the time I was still renting a house. Hardly a great credit risk.” GM turned him down. Someone told him to ask again. He still didn’t look credit worthy, but he had a great reputation and GM decided to take a chance on him. He was able to buy land in 2001 and opened the Vallejo Auto Mall in 2006. A testament to what kind of boss he was, 18 former employees moved there to work for him. While virtually all owners name their dealership after themselves, Kenny name his TEAM Chevrolet.

Kenny was the one of the first ones at work every day, and he visited every employee. He developed relationships with police, fire, the chamber of commerce, and supported local charities, believing that they were all part of the TEAM.

Kenny sold the business and retired in 2017. His daughter Lainy, who just completed a Master’s degree in architecture, lives in England. His son Shelby and his wife Shannon live in Bellevue, Washington, with their 18-month-old son Reinhart, whose picture Kenny loves to show off. Kenny credits his parents with all his success in life. “My dad was a true Mensch. He worked all day, then spent time with his family and friends. Both of my parents were remarkable, totally supportive people.”

Kenny loves Napa. “It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, with a great climate and no bugs! I’m not a big wine taster, but we’ve got great restaurants. I’ve got an amazing group of friends. I truly believe that I have been blessed beyond anything I deserve.”