Sequoyah welcomes Steve Hart, Fred Blickle, Sandy Gross and Hilliard Terry
OAKLAND – Sequoyah Country Club, Oakland’s historic 105-year-old organization, has elected Steve Hart, technology business owner, as President and named three other new Directors. Mr. Hart, of Oakland, succeeds legendary Oakland attorney David Stein who helped oversee completion of major enhancements to Sequoyah which, like Oakland itself, is undergoing a renaissance.
Fred Blickle of Emeryville as well as Sandy Gross and Hilliard Terry – both of Oakland – are the three new members of Sequoyah’s nine-member Board of Directors Hart is joined by Vice President Marc Cunningham, of San Francisco, and Treasurer Gerard Bajada of Piedmont – both longtime members.
Sequoyah is one of the nation’s most picturesque country clubs with a challenging golf course offering beautiful views of the Bay, state-of-the-art facilities and programs for individuals and families.
A Club member since 2011, Steve Hart has played a key role in the completion of the most sweeping enhancements to the Club in the past two decades. Through his involvement on various committees, Hart has implemented various technology improvement projects, attracted and retained new members and improved Club amenities and services over the past seven years. As a freshman at the University of California at Berkeley, Hart launched Advantage Microsystems which provides information technology and security services to Bay Area businesses.
“Sequoyah Country Club has been one of the jewels of the Bay Area for more than a century,” said Hart, who lives with his wife Elizabeth and their two children in the Rockridge District. “I look forward to working with all of our members to ensure Sequoyah thrives for generations to come.”
“Our golf course – one of California’s most challenging – remains our ‘pride and joy’ but we’ve also focused on family programs and facility enhancements to ensure the Club offers something for everyone,” Hart added.
To survive the last economic downturn, Sequoyah emphasized its roots and core assets – natural beauty and location – while broadening its appeal for families and thrived despite an overall decline in membership for many country clubs. The Club’s broad appeal is underscored by 150 new members over the last two years.
Fred Blickle – who previously was Recording Secretary – has been a Sequoyah member since 2012. A civil and environmental engineer, Blickle is a Principal/Vice President of the global consulting firm GHD. He’s written more than 50 articles on various environmental topics including golf courses and water resources.
Sandy Gross and his wife Paula have been Sequoyah members for more than two decades. Born and raised in Oakland, Gross operates his family’s business AFCO Electronics in his hometown. He currently serves on the Club’s membership committee and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of California at Berkeley.
Hilliard Terry has been an active member of the Sequoyah community since 2011 and currently serves on the House Committee. For the past 15 years, Terry has been a corporate executive officer in various industries, most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Textainer Group Holdings Limited and Vice President and Treasurer at Agilent Technologies, Inc. He currently serves on the board of directors of Umpqua Holdings Corporation and Umpqua Bank, and is very active in the Oakland community.
In 2018, Sequoyah Country Club completed a New Facilities and Renovation Plan with the headliner being the new, 3,500-square-foot, TechnoGym Fitness Room and Golf Performance Center. An aerobics studio, game room, and high-definition golf simulator complement the storied clubhouse.
Programs including junior golf, tennis, swim, hip hop classes, summer camp and group hikes draw members from all corners of the Bay Area. Sequoyah Country Club is proud to be one of the most diverse country clubs in the country.
To take a tour of Sequoyah or get more information about the Club, please call Membership Director Katie Hall at 510-632-2891. Individuals interested in membership may also inquire through the Club’s web site: www.sequoyahcc.com. An extensive history including photographs of the Club and Oakland can also be viewed on the website.