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Chamber Staff
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau is a nonprofit association of businesses and organizations that work together to build a healthy, robust economy in the Santa Maria Valley.
Established a century ago, the Chamber is one of the oldest and most prestigious business organizations on the Central Coast. Our continuing mission is to promote a favorable economic climate while making the Santa Maria Valley a better place in which to live and work. We focus on the development and retention of businesses, taking an active role in business issues, providing meaningful membership services and improving the quality of life for all residents in our community.
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau has a great team of professional staff members who serve the daily needs of the membership.
Bob Hatch, President & CEO
(805) 925-2403 ext. 825
chmbrchief@aol.com
Bob has served as President and CEO of the Chamber beginning in 1994, managing and directing all Chamber programs. He is committed to bringing good jobs to the community and understands the importance of a solid education. Bob works with the City and local governments to promote Santa Maria’s favorable economic environment to new and existing businesses.
Dave Cross, Director of EDC
(805) 925-2403 ext. 817
edc@santamaria.com
Dave joined the Chamber staff in October, 2009. He is the Director of the Economic Development Commission , which is under the umbrella of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. The EDC is responsible for attracting new companies to Santa Maria through advertising and other promotional methods. The Commission also sponsors and supports retention efforts, including the Manufacturers Association and other programs and workshops designed to help local businesses.
Terri Oneschuck, Finance Manager
(805) 925-2403, ext. 824
TerriO@santamaria.com
In May 2011, Terri was hired as the Finance Manager for the Chamber of Commerce. She is responsible for all accounting and business management. Because there is a staff member with the same name, Terri Oneschuck is referred to as 'Terri O'. Terri O is also the Chamber Liaison for Business Committee & our Board of Directors.
Gina Keough, Visitor & Convention Bureau Manager
(805) 925-2403 ext. 814
gina@santamaria.com
Gina has been a staff member of the Visitor Bureau team since 1999. Working directly for the President and CEO, she oversees all public relations and tourism marketing activities of the Bureau. Her duties, among others, include development of regional and national advertising to enhance the image of the Santa Maria Valley.
Marcy Lariz, Events & Marketing Coordinator(805) 925-2403 ext. 816
marcy@santamaria.com
Marcy joined the Chamber of Commerce team in 2006. Marcy’s main role is organizing the Chamber’s ongoing community events, which includes collaborating with contributors, sponsors, media and members to produce events that are both successful and memorable. She also has the responsibility for marketing Chamber events & services. Marcy creates layouts and designs for various ads, brochures, flyers and articles. In addition, Marcy manages SantaMaria.com and SantaMariaChamberNews.com, she assists with in house IT, and she also aids in membership services. Marcy is also the the Chamber Liaison for the Chamber's Breakfast Club and Ambassador Club.
Jennifer Harrison, Visitor & Convention Bureau Group Sales Coordinator
(805) 925-2403 ext. 815
jennifer@santamaria.com
Jennifer assists group tour operators, meeting planners and special event coordinators in providing the complimentary services available to them. She also attends industry tradeshows to present the Santa Maria Valley as a leisure and meeting/convention destination.
Terri Paniagua, Services Coordinator (805) 925-2403 ext. 851 terri@santamaria.com
Terri has been working for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce since 2007. She is a frontline staff member and one of the first people to make contact with visitors - in person, on the telephone and via email. Answering inquiries is one of her main responsibilities, so it's up to Terri to be informed on what is going on in Santa Maria, so if there is something your business is doing for our visitors, please make sure to keep her in the loop. Terri also coordinates the Bureau's annual tourism luncheon, works on updates for collateral, and prepares mailings, along with a host of other duties. Terri is bilingual and is familiar with sign language as well. She currently is our staff liaison for the Santa Maria Arts Council and volunteers for the Santa Maria Police Department.
Cara Martinez, Membership Liaison (805) 925-2403 ext. 852
cara@santamaria.com
Cara joined the Chamber of Commerce team in January, 2008. Cara is responsible for membership development and retention for the Chamber of Commerce, enlightening and updating members of the many benefits and services that are available to them. Her other responsibilities include Administrative Assistant duties, including website updates.
2011-2012 Officers: Chairman of the Board: James Bray - Plains Exploration & Production Company
Chairman Elec/Treasurer: Trent Benedetti - Benedetti & Associates, CPA
Vice Chairman: Donna Randolph - State Farm Insurance
Past-Chairman: Jason Diani - Diani Ward Diani, LLC
Board of Directors: Mark Fugate - Charter Brokerage Investment Co.
Brian Kearns - Coastal Business Finance
Debi Testa - Testa Catering
Peggy Greer - Santa Barbara County Education
George Majoue - Santa Maria Philharmonic
Kathy Simas - Santa Barbara Foundation
Leah West - Santa Lucia Bank
Tim Rooney - Rooney's Irish Pub
John Tunnell - Tunnell Roofing
Kirk Spry - VTC Enterprises
Donna Cross - Next Day Signs
Erika Weber - VTC Enterprises
Dan Pankratz - One Way Board Shop
Tim Ritchie - Home Motors
Cindy McKellar - Your People Professionals
Clarence Cabreros - Heritage Oaks Bank
Eddie Murray - Morgan Stanley
Committee Chairs: Business: Trent Benedetti
Ambassadors: Erika Weber
Transportation: Hallie Holden
Manufacturers Association: Ray Deutsch
Leadership Santa Maria Valley: Hugh Rafferty
Santa Maria Valley Visitor & Convention Bureau: Karen Gridiron
Volunteers:
Carolyn McCall
Terri Bosch
Duane Williams
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