Where Ideas Are Born 2026

WHERE IDEAS ARE BORN

At Sonoma Raceway, high-performance experiences are helping leaders spark creativity, strengthen teams and rethink what’s possible The Fast Track to Innovation

Inside: Where Great Spaces Begin Take a behind-the-scenes look at the designers,partnerships and philosophy shaping Northbay Kitchen & Bath Recovery, Reimagined From prevention programs to residential treatment, see how Center Point DAAC is helping individuals and families build healthier futures

Froggy would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Bragg Home Services, the presenting sponsor of Froggy’s Pawsitive Impact. Because of their leadership, we were able to shine a light on the incredible work happening every day at the Humane Society of Sonoma County and help animals across our community.

Wine Country Golf at Its Best

Windsor Golf Club “Classic” golf can be defined in many ways, if your definition includes a beautiful landscape uncluttered by neighboring homes and surrounded by mountains with gorgeous Sonoma County vineyards, then the Winsor Golf Club is the perfect example. With lush fairways perfectly manicured greens and well-placed sandbunkers, Windsor Golf Club provides a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Rooster Run Golf Club The Rooster Run Golf Course started as flat pastureland. Meandering through the property were three creeks, native willows, cottonwoods and oak trees. These creeks and many ancient trees were incorporated in the design, a total of 370,000 cubic yards of soil were moved to shape to the course. As a result, the course features undulating hills, six lakes and the area’s only island green. Thirty-nine faiway and green-side bunkers, add to the challenging play at Rooster Run GC.

Your first stop for Sonoma County Golf n Multiple Annual Membership options available to fit your needs. n A variety of leagues for all golfers including Men’s Club, Senior Men’s Club, Women’s Club, Senior Women’s Club and more! n Group & individual instruction n Each course features a full grass driving range and short game practice facility. Book your tee time online today!

Where Ideas Are Born 2026 • Volume 51 • Number 3 CONTENTS

50 YEARS OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

LEAD STORY 20 Team Building in the Fast Lane Susan Wood Sonoma Raceway’s corporate experiences put a high-speed spin on workplace retreats WORK/LIFE 14 Retirement 15 A.I. SPONSORED SPECIAL SECTIONS 29 Designing the Details Meet the team, philosophy and trusted partners behind Northbay Kitchen & Bath

FEATURE STORIES 42 Troubled Waters

Susan Wood California’s salmon fishermen navigate an uncertain future amid ongoing restrictions

50 Beyond Wildfire Alerts

Susan Wood Watch Duty continued to grow from a local wildfire resource into a broader emergency platform Bill Meagher From severance to networking, here’s how to move forward after losing a position

68 When the Job Ends

55 Recovery Reimagined

How Center Point DAAC is expanding access to treatment, recovery services and hope throughout the North Bay

Where Ideas Are Born 2026

NorthBaybiz 5

COLUMNS 9

DEPARTMENTS 12 The 707

Only In Marin Bill Meagher How Marin balances growth, local character and accountability in an ever-changing business landscape Editor’s Note Rosie Padilla Exploring the spaces where deals happen, ideas are born and communities are shaped Tech Talk Michael E. Duffy A.I. is changing the workplace but not always in the ways employees expected Robert Eyler Economic uncertainty may be unavoidable, but understanding the fundamentals can help businesses adapt Econ 101 Napa Insider Christina Julian One of Napa Valley’s most celebrated estates reflects on its past while looking toward the future From Fix to Finish Sir Fix-a-lot Seasonal conditions can lead to hidden home issues, here’s what to watch for Market Minute Rosie Padilla With homeowners staying put longer, renovation projects are reshaping today’s housing market Vine Wise Adam Lee In wine, the learning never stops—and that’s precisely the point

The latest news from Sonoma and Napa counties

The 415 The latest news from Marin County

Biz Scene Sonoma County Pride

Great Tastes Alexandra Russell Sullivan Rutherford Estate in St. Helena Biz Scene Karaoke night at the Washoe House

What’s Happening Upcoming North Bay events

On the Move Comings and goings in the business community Beyond the Boardroom Kim Claypool LGBT Activist and college professor of LGBT studies and criminal justice, Greg Miraglia

/northbaybiz

@northbaybiz

NorthBay biz (ISSN No. 1542-3549: USPS 097-770) is owned and published monthly (plus three bonus issues annually) by North Bay Media Group, LLC. Editorial offices are at 3392 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 USA: (707) 528-4434. Sub- scription price is $35 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid at Santa Rosa, CA 95402 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2022, NorthBay biz. Reproduction of this issue in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without written permission by the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NorthBay biz, 3392 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 USA.

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6 NorthBaybiz

Where Ideas Are Born 2026

“ NorthBay biz magazine has been a wonderful tool for my business. ”

W hen taking over my family business, I did not realize at the time what a great role the NorthBay biz Magazine would have through the upcoming months and years. The magazine, and even more so, the employees of the magazine, have played an intricate role in the progression of our business. The magazine is such an amazing tool in keeping the community apprised in the ongoings of our business as we grow and serve our community. It began with the passing of my dad, Bill Simpson, the founder of Simpson Sheet Metal. The magazine played such a wonderful role in paying tribute to the him. Moving forward, I had the opportunity to be certified as a woman- owned business, as well as receiving several awards in the community for the same. This media of keeping the community aware of the wonderful ongoings of our business has been wonderful. Over time, and through the growth of our business, we now find ourselves here at Simpson Sheet Metal in a blessed position of being able to give back to our community. Alongside NorthBay

biz, Lawrence Amaturo, Guy Fieri and others, we are able to contribute to the literacy program here in Sonoma County. The magazine and the outreach pouring into this program are making a difference in the lives of children in the community. NorthBay biz magazine has been a wonderful tool for my business to keep others informed on our growth

and role in Sonoma County and again, even more so, we have built incredible relationships

with the Amaturo team. For this we are thankful! Barbie Simpson

Helping grow your business isn’t just something we do... it’s all we do! For advertising and marketing information, call us at 707.548-8216

BUSINESS & NONPROFITS

North Bay bike coalitions spread the word about the many benefits of cycling TWO WHEELS AND THE TRUTH

Celebrating 50 Years

Inside: A salute to Redwood Credit Union at 75!

Business & Nonprofits Issue 2025

$4.95

HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SENIOR LIVING

Publisher

Lawrence Amaturo

The age of connection

Managing Editor

Rosie Padilla

Staying active and engaged is vital for health and wellness as we age

Associate Editor

Kim Claypool

Inside: Elder Fraud • Tech Talk Poggio • Ice Baths • Vine Wise Vaccine Rates • Napa Insider

Website Editor

Samuel Wright

Business and lifestyle news for the North Bay.

ENTERTAINMENT

Health, Wellness and Senior Living Issue 2025

$4.95

Contributing Editor

Bill Meagher

That’s Entertainment!

Design Director

Anne Schenk

From Country Summer to local movie houses to kid rock bands—there’s no business like show business in the North Bay

Marketing Consultant

Lori Rooney

Inside: Gene Simmons on Brand ADUs • Napa Insider • Tech Talk Great Tastes • Piatti • Vine Wise

MONEY • INVESTMENT • INSURANCE

Entertainment Issue 2025

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Writers Bill Meagher Jason Walsh Kim Claypool Rosie Padilla Samuel Wright Susan Wood Columnists Adam Lee Alexandra Russell Bill Meagher Christina Julian Michael E. Duffy

Get the North Bay’s premiere business and lifestyle magazine delivered to your home or business every month!

How a respected local daily was sold off to ‘a destroyer of newspapers’

T he NorthBay biz brand extends beyond the pages of the magazine. It includes active involvement in the business community, original and co-sponsored events and special bonus issue produced throughout the year. For 50 years, NorthBay biz has attracted and retained a notable group of business leaders, comprised of highly-educated business owners, managers and executives involved in the livelihood and well-being of their communities.

Inside: 15 Gen Z workers need a timeout! 16 The sunny side of ‘toxic positivity’ 32 A bite from the Sandwich Generation 47 Requiem for an Eames 51 The Top 500

Money, Investment and Insurance Issue 2025

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FOOD • WINE • HARVEST

Inside: 15 Get busy task masking! 30 Wine Country seeks fountain of youth 38 Curse of the Michelin star? 44 WID: Wine Improvement Discussion 58 Kyle Altomare sparkles at Gloria Ferrer Def Leppard’s Rick Allen is drumming up support for North Bay first responders Rock of Ages

Robert Eyler Rosie Padilla

Food, Wine and Harvest Issue 2025

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Helping grow your business isn’t just something we do .... it’s all we do!

Subscribe at www.northbaybiz.com or call 707-570-7811

8 NorthBaybiz

Where Ideas Are Born 2026

Only In Marin

Regulations, Definitions and Investigations

By Bill Meagher M arin has always love of process and natural beauty has made it both a desirable place to set up shop and something of a cautionary tale. The poster child for the battle between commerce and humanity is Mill Valley. But the city at the foot of Mount Tamalpais is shifting gears and those changes may make opening a business in Mill Valley easier. been regarded as a challenging place to do business. The combination of wealth, education,

sustainable non-GMO milk and honey. Whole Foods springs to mind. Characteristics such as signage, color schemes and menus come into play. For its defining purposes, Fairfax has looked at the number of stores the company has and considered “six locations worldwide.” But it’s a big old world. And some exceptions would need to be carved out to include banks, grocery stores, drug stores, medical offices, real estate offices, mail and delivery services and movie theaters. Some of the above are naturals. You need medical offices when you

The permitting process can be one of the biggest hurdles facing businesses, Marin communities are now exploring ways to streamline approvals

I know Mill Valley too well. When the Mill Valley Record was still in business, City Hall was one of my beats. Watching issues come before the City Council or Planning Commission was a real- time illustration of how long it could take to secure approval for a commercial remodel or obtain a conditional use permit. It wasn’t unusual to see one side bring a lawyer, an architect, a landscape architect and a government relations consultant to bump heads against business rivals, neighbors or just residents who didn’t want things to change. But now the city is discussing ways to make the use permit process faster, cheaper and easier. The price was formerly $8,000 for a conditional use permit and could take months. Now the city wants to drop the price to $2,000 with a time frame for approval of about a month. What is a Chain? Fairfax is currently trying to answer the existential question of what a chain business is, and the clock is ticking. A 45-day moratorium passed in March allowing the town to explore exactly how it wants to tackle the age-old question of how to limit businesses that are part of large companies while appearing to welcome new business and not land in court. Perhaps best known as the birthplace of mountain biking, Fairfax has always been home to a political process that is at once both wide open and not easily defined. The downtown is quaint and decidedly local, and nobody is suggesting that McDonald’s open a new location with President Trump tossing out the first Big Mac. Still, that vision gives the Fairfax Town Council indigestion no amount of Tums can cure. A planning commission hearing in February got the ball rolling as commissioners wrestled with how to ban chain retail stores while still allowing some exceptions. Fairfax is certainly not the first Marin city or town to try to thread the “formula” needle, and with good reason. There are some chains that are favorites, even in the land of organic shade grown

Meagher is a contributing editor at NorthBay biz and has been a journalist for more than 40 years. His work has appeared in daily and weekly newspapers throughout California as well as on PBS, CNBC and ABC. He has written for the stage and done podcasts. He has ghostwritten two books and is currently researching a new one. He doesn’t want to talk about the San Francisco Giants. wade into the financial mess that is PPM. Taking time away from poking the Trump Administration in the eye with a sharp stick and promoting his new book, he sent a letter to the FBI and SEC. In it, he asked the agencies to investigate investors’ allegations of fraud by investors and determine what, if any, funds can be returned to investors. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation has revoked PPM’s license. g For those who have had their attention focused on other pursuits, PPM issued loans tied to real estate investments, and in turn paid investors returns generated from those loans. But in late 2025, PPM had to halt distributions to its investors as well as withdrawals by its investors due to a cash crunch. Alarmed investors began making inquiries which in turn has led to probes. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, is the latest person to find out from the real estate office that your house is worth less than you hoped, and then you need the drug store for the prescription. And movie theaters are a must for the 29 people who still don’t have Netflix. Your Marin Moment It appears that the tale of Pacific Private Money, the Novato real estate investment firm, is not going away anytime soon. An alphabet soup of federal and state agencies — including the SEC, FBI, DFPI, Marin County DA and Alameda County DA — are busy peeling back the layers on this onion that could lead to fraud charges against Tiburon PPM CEO Mark Hanf.

Where Ideas Are Born 2026

NorthBaybiz 9

Read on Sonoma! Simpson Sheet Metal is proud to be a sponsor of Read On Sonoma Read On Sonoma had our most successful school year yet, with over 1,460 students participating in 7 schools! We are expanding to twelve schools and 3,300 children. Our students read more than 630 million words — That’s 49,180 books, or 34 books per student! Keep up the great work! — Barbie Simpson, Owner and President Put Your Trust In Us

Celebrating more than 40 years as a family owned business. Our team is here to meet all of your HVAC needs.

707-576-150 • www.simpsonsheetmetal.com • Santa Rosa, CA

Editor's Note

Where Ideas Take Shape

By Rosie Padilla T

here is a saying in business that success is all about who you know. Relationships certainly matter,

region for decades. This issue also examines how new forms of community are emerging through technology. Watch Duty began as a tool designed to provide timely, reliable information during wildfire emergencies. Since its launch, the North Bay-founded platform has become an essential resource for residents navigating increasingly complex public safety challenges. As the organization expands into power outage reporting and other emergency preparedness tools, it demonstrates how technology can create its own kind of gathering

but I would argue that where those relationships are built and the spaces that bring people together deserve just as much credit. Some spaces are physical

destinations where deals are made, partnerships are formed and ideas take shape. Others are industries, traditions and technologies that influence how we live and work. Together, they help define the character of a region. That idea became the inspiration behind this issue of NorthBay biz . For years, business leaders predicted that technology would make location less important. Work could happen anywhere. Teams could collaborate from different states, countries or continents. Yet despite the rise of remote work and digital communication, people continue to seek opportunities to connect. They still value shared experiences, meaningful interactions and environments that foster creativity, collaboration and innovation. The stories in this issue explore those spaces from several different perspectives. In "Skip the Slides, Hit the Gas," Susan Wood examines how Sonoma Raceway has transformed the traditional corporate retreat. Rather than spending another day around a conference table, companies are discovering the value of experiences that encourage teamwork, communication and fresh thinking. Through programs hosted at the raceway's Turn 11 hospitality center, business leaders and employees alike are stepping outside their everyday routines and finding new ways to connect. Sometimes the best ideas emerge when we leave familiar surroundings behind. Other spaces are deeply rooted in tradition. In "Not Quite a Full Catch," Wood explores the return of California's commercial salmon fishing season after years of closures and uncertainty. The fishing industry has long been an important part of the North Bay's economy and culture, supporting generations of families whose livelihoods depend on the waters off the Northern California coast. While challenges remain, from environmental pressures to evolving regulations, the story highlights the resilience of an industry that continues to adapt while preserving a way of life that has helped shape our

From racetracks and wineries to offices and workshops, the North Bay is filled with places where ideas become action

space—connecting people with information when they need it most and strengthening communities during times of uncertainty. While these stories may seem unrelated at first glance, they share a common thread. Each explores the spaces that influence how we live, work and connect in the North Bay. Some are physical destinations. Others are industries, technologies and community networks. All play a role in shaping our region's identity and future. The North Bay has always been defined by more than geography alone. Its character is built through the businesses, organizations and people who continue to invest in its success. From raceways and fisheries to innovative technology platforms and family-owned enterprises, the region thrives because of the connections formed through shared experiences and common purpose. As you read through this issue, I encourage you to consider the spaces that have influenced your own journey. Perhaps it's the workplace where your career began, the community organization that opened a new door, the local business that became a trusted partner or the digital platform that helped you navigate a challenging moment. Whatever form they take, these spaces matter because they bring people together. Ideas rarely emerge in isolation. Opportunities are seldom created alone. More often, they are born in the spaces where people connect, share perspectives and imagine what comes next. Thank you, as always, for reading. g

Rosie Padilla is the managing editor of NorthBay biz , where she leads editorial strategy across print and digital. A Sonoma State University graduate, she’s pas- sionate about storytelling and community-focused journalism. Outside of work, she enjoys binging true crime, bowling and getting lost in a good horror novel.

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NorthBaybiz 11

The 707

New Delta Route Connects Sonoma County to Salt Lake City According to a May 22 press release from the County of Sonoma, Delta Air Lines will begin nonstop service between Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport on Oct. 6, expanding travel options for North Bay residents and businesses. The airline will initially offer two daily round-trip flights through Delta Connection partner SkyWest Airlines using Embraer E175 aircraft. The route will connect Sonoma County travelers to Delta's Salt Lake City hub, providing access to destinations throughout the U.S. and abroad. County officials said the addition reflects continued demand for commercial air service in Sonoma County. Delta becomes the fourth major carrier serving the airport, joining Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. The County of Sonoma said the new route is expected to support tourism, business travel and regional economic activity. The announcement follows a record-setting year for passenger traffic at the airport in 2025, underscoring the growing role of Sonoma County's regional airport in connecting the North Bay to national transportation networks. —RP

Summer Amenities Reopen Across Sonoma County Parks Summer recreation opportunities across Sonoma County are set to return Memorial Day weekend, with the reopening of Spring Lake Regional Park's Water Park, swimming lagoon and boat rentals, as well as the seasonal River Shuttle serving Russian River beaches. In a May 15 press release, Sonoma County Regional Parks announced the return of several seasonal amenities designed to improve access to popular outdoor destinations throughout the county. Spring Lake's Water Park and lagoon will reopen May 23, with daily operations beginning June 5. Kayak, paddleboard and boat rentals will also resume for the summer season. Regional Parks officials also announced the return of the River Shuttle, which provides weekend and holiday service between El Molino High School in Forestville and the popular Steelhead and Sunset beaches. The service is designed to reduce parking congestion and make river recreation more accessible. Additional seasonal offerings include lifeguard services at select locations, life jacket loaner stations throughout the Russian River corridor and tube rentals at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. Seasonal parking fees at several river parks will remain in effect through Labor Day. — RP

Free Chipper Program Returns to Sonoma County Sonoma County has opened its free Residential Curbside Chipper Program for the 2026 season, providing residents with resources to reduce wildfire risk and improve defensible space around their properties. In a May 8 press release, Permit Sonoma announced the return of the program, which offers eligible property owners in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County up to two hours of complimentary vegetation chipping service. Participants are also pre- approved for a second visit, with appointments scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is administered by Permit Sonoma's Fire Prevention Division and is intended to help residents remove hazardous vegetation near homes and along key access routes. County officials said maintaining defensible space and reducing roadside vegetation can improve wildfire resilience while supporting safer evacuation routes and emergency response access. The Residential Curbside Chipper Program has served hundreds of properties throughout Sonoma County in recent years. Residents are encouraged to apply early as available appointments fill throughout the fire season. — RP

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Where Ideas Are Born 2026

The 415

Marin residents invited to help direct $2.5 million Marin County is launching a new round of participatory budgeting, giving residents the opportunity to help determine how $2.5 million in public funding will be spent on community projects. Led by the County’s Office of Equity, the initiative allows residents to submit ideas, help shape project proposals and vote on which programs receive funding. Anyone age 14 or older who lives, works or attends school in Marin County can participate, regardless of immigration status. County officials are seeking ideas focused on community improvements and advancing racial equity, with submissions being accepted through summer 2026. A Marin County news release noted that the first participatory budgeting cycle, launched in 2023, funded 24 community projects after more than 3,600 residents cast votes. Winning proposals included youth mentorship programs, climate resiliency efforts and cultural arts initiatives. — RP

Marin expands roadway improvement program According to a Marin County news release, approximately 57 miles of roadway across 150 segments in unincorporated Marin are slated for improvement during the 2026 construction season, a 50% increase over last year’s paving and preservation efforts. The work is part of the County’s Five-Year Pavement Management Plan, which uses pavement condition data to prioritize repairs and extend the life of local roads. County officials said efficient project delivery, competitive bid pricing and increased funding allowed crews to complete some projects ahead of schedule in 2025, paving the way for an expanded construction season this year. Over the past four years, the County’s overall Pavement Condition Index has improved from 66 to about 70, moving the road network from “fair” to “good” condition. Construction is expected to begin in early June with a $2 million road sealant project covering roughly 16.5 miles of roadway in communities including Marinwood, Kentfield, Marin City and San Quentin. Major corridors slated for treatment include Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Donahue Street and College Avenue.— RP

Invasive pest found in grapevine shipment Marin County agricultural officials are working to prevent the spread of an invasive insect after glassy-winged sharpshooter nymphs were discovered on grapevine plants shipped to the Costco store in Novato. The pest poses a significant threat to vineyards and agriculture because it can spread diseases that damage grapevines and other crops. The County's Agricultural Commissioner's Office is asking anyone who recently purchased leafed-out grapevine plants from the retailer to contact inspectors so the plants can be evaluated and, if necessary, removed. Officials said the insects were discovered during a routine inspection of plants shipped from a Fresno nursery. A Marin County news release noted that establishment of a local glassy-winged sharpshooter population could have serious consequences for the North Bay wine grape industry and landscape plant businesses. Marin is coordinating with state officials, neighboring counties and local retailers to prevent the pest from spreading throughout the region. — RP

Where Ideas Are Born 2026

NorthBaybiz 13

F or generations, retirement was viewed as a finish line—a reward earned after decades of work. Increasingly, however, workers are choosing not to wait. A growing number of professionals are embracing what has become known as a "mini retirement" or "micro-retirement," a planned break from work lasting several months or even a year. Unlike a traditional sabbatical, these pauses are often self- funded, with workers intentionally saving money so they can temporarily step away from their careers to travel, pursue personal interests, care for family members or simply recharge. While the trend is often associated with younger workers, recent research suggests its appeal extends far beyond Gen Z. According to a survey conducted by HSBC, 37% of Americans say they plan to take a mini retirement, with most envisioning a break lasting six to 12 months. Respondents identified age 46 as the ideal time to take their first extended career pause. The concept reflects changing attitudes toward work and life balance. Rather than postponing personal goals until later in life, proponents of mini retirements argue that experiences, personal growth and well-being should be integrated throughout a career rather than reserved for retirement. The idea appears to resonate particularly strongly with Gen X and Millennials, who reported aspirations to take an average of three mini retirements during their lifetimes. Gen Z and Baby Boomers followed closely behind, suggesting that the desire for periodic career breaks is not limited to a single generation. Many workers entered the post-pandemic labor market with different expectations than previous generations, placing greater emphasis on flexibility, mental health and personal fulfillment. For some, a temporary career break has become an opportunity to travel, pursue passion projects, learn new skills or simply step away from the pressures of daily work before returning with a renewed sense of purpose. By NorthBay biz staff work/l i fe Retirement The rise of the mini retirement

Mini Retirement by the Numbers 37% of Americans say they plan to take a mini retirement. 6–12 months is the preferred length of a career break. 46 is the average age Americans say they'd like to take their first mini retirement. 87% of people who have taken a mini retirement say it improved their quality of life. 39% cite financial security as the biggest obstacle to taking one. 32% say they're concerned about re-entering the workforce afterward.

The appeal may be easy to understand. According to HSBC, 87% of people who have taken a mini retirement said the experience improved their overall quality of life. Supporters argue that periodic breaks can provide opportunities to gain perspective, reassess priorities and avoid the burnout that often accumulates over decades in the workforce. Of course, stepping away from work comes with challenges. Financial planners often caution that extended career breaks require significant preparation. In addition to everyday expenses, workers must consider health insurance, retirement contributions and the realities of reentering the job market. Those concerns are reflected in the survey findings. Among U.S. respondents, the biggest barriers to taking a mini retirement were financial security concerns (39%), family obligations (34%) and anxiety about returning to the workforce afterward (32%). For North Bay residents, the financial hurdles may be particularly pronounced. High housing costs and California's overall cost of living can make stepping away from a steady paycheck more difficult, even for workers who support the concept in theory. Employers are also paying attention. As organizations continue to compete for talent, some are expanding sabbatical programs, increasing flexibility or exploring new ways to address burnout before employees feel compelled to leave altogether. While not every company can accommodate extended absences, the growing popularity of career pauses is forcing leaders to rethink how they support long-term employee well- being. Whether mini retirements become a lasting workforce trend remains to be seen. But the concept reflects a broader shift in how workers define success. For many, career achievement is no longer measured solely by promotions and retirement accounts. Increasingly, it's also about creating space for experiences, growth and balance along the way.

Source: HSBC Global Retirement Survey

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Where Ideas Are Born 2026

work life

AI Fatigue: When Productivity Tools Become One More Thing to Manage

By NorthBay biz staff

N ot long ago, artificial intelligence felt like a novelty. Today, it can summarize meetings, draft emails, generate reports and answer customer questions—often before employees have finished their first cup of coffee. As AI tools become increasingly embedded in the workplace, however, some workers are discovering an unexpected side effect: fatigue. The promise of artificial intelligence has always been straightforward. Automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows and give employees more time to focus on meaningful work. Yet for many professionals, the reality has proven more complicated. Instead of replacing work, AI often adds a new layer of oversight and decision- making. The pressure to adopt these tools is growing. Several major companies have made AI integration a workplace expectation, with some executives describing AI proficiency as an essential skill for modern employees. According to a 2025 survey conducted by AI Resume Builder, 24% of companies reported requiring AI use across all roles. That enthusiasm, however, is not always shared equally throughout organizations. A January survey conducted by AI consulting firm Section found that while 74% of C-suite executives reported feeling excited about AI, 68% of individual contributors said they felt anxious or overwhelmed by the technology. The disconnect highlights a growing workplace challenge. While leaders often focus on AI's potential to increase efficiency, employees are frequently the ones tasked with learning new platforms, adapting workflows and determining when AI-generated content is accurate enough to trust. Researchers have even begun using a new term for the phenomenon: "AI brain fry." According to a recent study highlighted by Harvard Business Review, workers who frequently switched

between multiple AI tools reported higher levels of decision fatigue and made more mistakes. Researchers surveyed approximately 1,500 workers and found that nearly one in seven experienced mental fatigue associated with managing AI tools on the job. The issue isn't necessarily the technology itself. Rather, it's the growing expectation that workers constantly evaluate, verify and refine AI-generated output. An email drafted by AI still requires review. A meeting summary may need factchecking. A report generated in seconds often demands human oversight before it can be trusted. In some cases, employees report spending less time creating content and more time managing the technology that creates it. The trend reflects what some workplace experts describe as a productivity paradox. AI tools promise to reduce workloads, yet workers often find themselves navigating an expanding ecosystem of software, notifications and automated recommendations. The result can be a feeling that technology is simultaneously saving time and consuming it. For employers, the implications extend beyond employee satisfaction. The Harvard Business Review research found that workers experiencing AI-related fatigue reported more errors, slower decision-making and lower overall productivity. If organizations hope to realize the benefits of AI, they may need to pay closer attention to how these tools are being implemented and supported. That doesn't mean abandoning AI. Most experts agree the technology will continue to play a significant role in the future of work. Instead, the challenge may be finding the right balance between automation and human judgment. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly common across industries, the most successful workplaces may not be the ones that adopt every new tool. They may be the ones that thoughtfully determine where AI genuinely adds value and where

employees are better served by relying on their own expertise. For workers already feeling overwhelmed by a rapidly changing technological landscape, that distinction could make all the difference.

Signs You May Be Experiencing AI Fatigue

• Feeling pressured to use AI even when it doesn't improve your work

• Constantly switching between multiple AI platforms

• Spending more time reviewing AI output than creating original work

• Feeling overwhelmed by new AI features and updates

• Struggling to determine when AI- generated information is accurate

• Experiencing decision fatigue after managing multiple digital tools

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NorthBaybiz 15

Tech Talk

Cowork By Michael E. Duffy

I know that it seems that all I talk heavily impacted by new tools like Claude Code from Anthropic and Codex from OpenAI, which aim to drastically reduce the need for human-generated code. And now Claude Cowork and OpenAI’s Frontier are poised to have a similar impact on non-technical work, using AI “agents” that automate tasks found outside software development: collecting data, analyzing it and creating reports or suggesting action. A couple of weeks ago, I attended a 40-minute webinar put on by Anthropic entitled “The Future of AI at Work: about these days is AI. But the rate at which changes are announced is unlike anything I’ve seen in the 50- ish years that I’ve been working in tech. Software development is being

to generate its own to-do list, showing how it planned to proceed. Although viewers never see exactly how long the process took, this time we got to see the outputs from Cowork, a spreadsheet and a PowerPoint which appear to be of professional quality. Of course, there is the question of whether the analysis is correct, and that is hard to judge from the demo. The issue is trust. If I asked a human coworker to perform this task, I would naturally check their work the first few times, to make sure that they hadn’t goofed up, especially since I would be presenting the data to others. In fact, I would probably ask them how they know that the analysis is correct. But assuming that they got it right, and could explain

Introducing Cowork” (you can watch it yourself at the following link: tinyurl.com/techtalk26-03; there are settings to watch at faster-than-normal speed). For me, it was eye-opening. The webinar started with an emphasis on the shift from conversing with chatbots to directing agents. What distinguishes agents from chatbots is the ability to use tools. For example, you can direct an agent to send an email or analyze the data in a folder. Claude Code already has this “agentic” ability, but it’s accessed via a command-line interface (which engineers are pretty comfortable with). But non-engineers saw the usefulness of Claude Code and started using it for other tasks, despite the less- than-friendly interface. Seeing that, Anthropic developed Cowork as a way to make it easier for non-engineers to benefit from directing agents to perform tasks. The first demo (at 21:39 in the webinar) started with the following request to Cowork: “Please help me find a good 2-bedroom apartment on Zillow. I’m looking in San Francisco around the Rincon Hill area (or South Beach/SOMA) under $6k a month. I want an in-unit washer/dryer and parking. Please create a spreadsheet comparing each listing’s link, address, rent, square footage, amenities and move-in date.” Cowork dutifully began assembling the information (although we didn’t see it run to conclusion). It’s easy to see how (assuming it worked correctly) Cowork could speed up an otherwise onerous data gathering task. The second demo (at 23:00) asked Cowork to analyze a folder containing weekly sales data and produce a spreadsheet allowing “what-if” modeling, as well as a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the data at a monthly business review. The prompt was pretty detailed, the sort of brief you might write for a competent coworker when asking them to do the same work. Much like that competent coworker, Cowork asked some clarifying questions and set to work. One of the things it did was

themselves, I would gradually come to trust their work. If you decide to use a tool like Cowork, you need to go through the same process of establishing trust in its work. In software development, we use tests to help ensure that code is correct, making it easier to trust code produced using AI. Other users need to develop their own checks (a task which AI can help with). When it was released as a “research preview” in January, Cowork was available to those subscribing to their $100 and $200 monthly plans. It is now available at the $20 per month level, although the amount you can do is more limited: Anthropic describes it as "perfect for quick tasks like organizing a folder or pulling together a short report.” Even at $2,400 a year for the “Max 20X” plan, it’s a bargain when compared to adding headcount. I was talking with my eldest daughter about AI. She works in marketing for a small architectural firm outside Washington, DC, putting together proposals for architectural work. This is exactly the sort of work agentic AI tools like Cowork are targeting. As I told her, it’s probably worth at least $20 a month out of her own pocket to learn how to use the tools and possibly demonstrate their effectiveness to her boss. It’s the same advice I would give to you. Agents are coming. They will change the way you do your job. Best to be ahead of the curve and invest in yourself. g

Michael E. Duffy is a 70-year-old senior software engineer for Electronic Arts. He lives in Sonoma County and has been writing about technology and business for NorthBay biz since 2001.

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Where Ideas Are Born 2026