State Farm Agent Kelly Sopak also coaches the Carondelet Women’s Basketball team.
Grace Paik grew her creative solutions to keeping her children busy while dining in restaurants into a thriving small business.
The Orinda Association welcomes two new board members: business owner Grace Paik and local State Farm agent Kelly Sopak.
Originally from Chicago, Paik moved to the Bay Area four years ago.
“In the last 20 years, we have moved 16 times due to my husband’s active-duty post in the Air Force,” said Paik. “We have lived all over the USA and abroad, including Korea, Japan, Germany, Illinois, Colorado, Washington DC, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina and California.”
Her husband, Seung Paik, retired as a U.S. Colonel in the Air Force.
Grace and Seung have three children: Samuel, who graduates from Cal Poly this June; Elanor, who attends University of Southern California; and Micah, a homeschooled high school junior with a demanding golf schedule. The aspiring professional golfer also has his own sports podcast called “Paikman Chicago.” Another important family member is the family’s Havanese poodle Lulu.
During her free time, Paik plays the violin and hikes around the beautiful Bay Area. Her other interests are interior design, coffee and investing in the lives of people in her community – something her involvement with The Orinda Association will allow her to expand upon.
Longtime Orinda resident Sopak hails from Washington State and is a graduate of the University of Nevada (Reno). For the past 28 years, he has been a State Farm Insurance Agent with his office in Orinda (www.kellysopak.com).
A sports enthusiast, Sopak has head coach responsibilities for the girls’ basketball team at Carondelet High School in Concord. Prior to Carondelet, he performed the same duties at Miramonte High for 11 years. During that time, he led the team to the most wins in school history.
Sopak and his wife of 24 years, Beverley, have two daughters; 22-year-old Lauren, currently in the Saint Mary’s College Professional M.B.A. program and the director of basketball operations for the women’s basketball team, and 20-year-old Leah, a sophomore at St. Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, and a scholarship basketball player. The Sopaks also have two dogs, both Pomeranians, named Carmella and Kobe.
“As a small business owner and youth coach, I don’t get much free time, but my hobbies include spending time with family, traveling (tropical), golf and classic cars,” said Sopak. “I’ve always respected and appreciated the many efforts and endeavors of The Orinda Association. I am beyond excited to be a working member of the OA and looking forward to working with such a talented and hardworking group.”
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sally@theorindanews.com.
