Mike Sheppard was born in a small town in the northeastern Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. One of three children, his life in Arkansas was short lived in that his family moved when he was five to Sonoma, Ca. He was very much into sports playing baseball, basketball and football but had decided atan early age that he wanted to be a graphic artist. He was High School Student Body President, and attended Santa Rosa Junior College before transferring to San Jose State University where he earned his BA degree. A work experience job at the City of Cupertino in City Planning, while attending San Jose State University, directed his job path for the next 30+ years. Using his design talents, he worked as an assistant Planner for Cupertino, doing City Planning and Design Review of new buildings for the City. This job sparked an interest in architecture and landscape design that would use his design talents for many years. After several years he left The City of Cupertino, to learn the “tech” industry as a PlanningProduction Manager for National Semiconductor. Wanting to get back to Sonoma County, he took a job as a Planner for the County of Sonoma and later as Planning Director for the City of Sebastopol. This then lead to him working for the City of Santa Rosa as Senior Planner until his retirement.Mike and his wife Mandi have two kids, a son in San Diego and a daughter in Vancouver Wa.Consequently he and Mandi make frequent trips both north and south. Moving to Oakmont was seen as a halfway point between their two children and five grandchildren.Pickleball was something that his brother, Tom, invited him to try. He picked up the game quickly mainly due to his past handball experience. Mike loves the game and the competitive nature of it but also loves the friendly social aspects the game and the Pickleball Club affords. He is a past board member and frequently volunteers to “mentor” anyone interested in developing their skill level.