About the Burlingame Hills Improvement Association
Serving 'The Hills' since 1959. Preserving our rural character, fostering community connection, and advocating for hillside residents.
Our Mission & Origins
In 1959, the Burlingame Hills Improvement Association was formed to promote and foster the interests and welfare of property owners in the Burlingame Hills, and to preserve and protect their rights, as well as to safeguard the rural character and natural contours of the hillside area. In 1963, the organization formally incorporated as a California Mutual Benefit Nonprofit Corporation.
Although political boundaries divide our ~850 homes and ~2,800 residents between the City of Burlingame and unincorporated San Mateo County, we all share the same roads, oak forest canopy, wildlife habitat, utilities, and community pride. BHIA serves as the unified official voice of Burlingame Hills homeowners when working with local city, county, and state government.
Key Association Accomplishments
🚨 Public Safety & Emergency Drills
Sponsoring community disaster survival drills, equipping neighborhood emergency supply caches, and operating the Urgent Announcement Service alerting 800+ residents during storms and wildland incidents.
🛡️ Crime Deterrence & ALPR Cameras
Partnering with Burlingame Police and County Sheriff to install automated license plate reading cameras monitoring neighborhood entrances, dramatically curbing property crime.
🌳 Forest Canopy & SOD Protection
Organizing 15 consecutive years of UC Berkeley Sudden Oak Death surveys and securing group-rate preventative treatments protecting more than 1,000 mature native oaks across our hills.
🌲 Strict Tree Protection Ordinance
Advocating successfully for the County Tree Protection Ordinance establishing strict fines up to $10,000 for unpermitted cutting or topping of Significant and Heritage trees.
💧 Sewer District Financial Rescue
Collaborating with San Mateo County Public Works to rescue the Burlingame Hills Sewer Maintenance District from near-bankruptcy, securing 1.5% and 1.372% fixed-rate loans without special assessments.
🎉 13 Annual Regional Gatherings
Orchestrating 13+ annual neighborhood parties each summer and fall, keeping neighbors personally connected — the #1 proven factor in disaster survival and recovery.
Board of Directors & Officers
Dedicated volunteer neighbors stewarding our community association
Amy Sanford
Amy moved to Burlingame Hills in 2006 from Easton Addition, having lived in Burlingame since 1992 with husband Blair and their three children. Active in the community, she previously taught at Lincoln School, was PTA President at Roosevelt School and Parent Group President at Menlo School. She serves on our Board since 2016 and as President since 2021.
John Keller
John has served on the Board since 2008. Until retirement, he was a Circuit Design Manager. He earned his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley and actively surveys neighborhood conditions after major storms.
Jan Akers
Jan has served on our Board since 2018. Until retirement, Jan's career was the strategy, planning, and execution of integrated global marketing programs for the tech industry. She earned an MBA in Marketing & Finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Michael Corbett
Michael has served on our Board since 2018. He is the Chief Business Officer for a pharmaceutical company and Salesforce consultant. He holds a Bachelor of Computer Science degree in Artificial Intelligence from Curtin University.
Don Dains
Don has served on the Board since 2013. Until retirement, he served as Senior Safety Engineer at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and is a Certified Safety Professional. He earned his MS in Industrial Management from SUNY Stony Brook.
Guy Anthony
Guy has served on our Board since 2016. He is a Consulting CFO to a broad range of early-stage venture startups, advising CEOs and Boards. He earned his MBA in Finance from Harvard University.
Pam Shaffer
Pam coordinates our signature neighborhood tradition: the 13 annual regional hillside parties that connect hundreds of neighbors across our hills each summer and fall.
Jeani Delagardelle
Jeani has lived in Burlingame Hills for 6 years. She is an independent healthcare tech consultant and VC investor who has served on 24 corporate and nonprofit boards with extensive audit, finance, and recruitment experience.
Rodrigo Espinosa
Rodrigo has served on the Board since 2022 and lived in Burlingame Hills since 2012. He serves as SVP of Marketing Strategy at global agency MC2 and chairs the Industry Experience Management Advisory Board at Cal Poly SLO.
Susan Dan
Susan has served on our Board since 2015. Prior to retirement, she was Executive Assistant to the President of a nonprofit biomedical research institute. She earned her BS in The Humanities from SF State University.
Nick Ho
Nick serves as an active Director on the BHIA Board, supporting community events and neighborhood welfare.
Tom Dimiduk
Tom leads the modernization of BHIA's digital systems, RSVP workflows, member database, and web infrastructure.
Presidents Emeriti
Served on the Board for 26 years until 2012. Assistant Chancellor of Research & Tech for San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCD).
Served as President for a decade leading sewer restoration, tree protections, and tech infrastructure. Former educator with MBA from USF.
Annual Association Membership Dues
BHIA is funded entirely through voluntary household dues ($40/year). Your contributions directly support our 13 neighborhood parties, fire extinguisher training sessions, SOD surveys, and tree canopy defense.