Tom Gray, Founding Principal of Preserve Communities, Inc., will introduce the history and evolution of Rancho San Carlos as it became the Santa Lucia Preserve.

The story of the Santa Lucia Preserve begins in the 6th Century and continued into the Spanish Mission era of 1770-1821; Mexican Californios 1822-1848; Homesteading1849-1870; Cattle Barons1870 -1920; Gatsby era1920-39; the Oppenheimer estate1940-1990; and finally the Santa Lucia Preserve from 1990 to the wild-land beauty today.

In terms of wildlife vitality, there is a strong argument that the Preserve represents the best of coastal California, and that the plan for the Preserve provides the most realistic long-range opportunity to protect those values. The development and conservation projects are both complete with $500 million in proceeds and $25 million in endowment funds to the Conservancy, respectively.

Tom and his wife Alayna, the first residents of the Preserve, recently published “History of Rancho San Carlos [1834-1990].” The book commemorates the lives of those pioneers who preceded the development partners — and of the homesite purchasers who are today’s community members.

Tom is a graduate of Stanford University (bachelor’s in Economics) and UCLA (master’s in finance and computer sciences). He has a long association with the advancement of CSUMB and is past chairman of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County.