Congratulations to our Top 3 Ambassadors of 2021!

The Chamber Ambassadors are a team of Chamber members who volunteer to engage with new members, Chamber event participants, and the Santa Cruz Community on behalf of the Chamber. Ambassadors guide new members through the first year of membership and connect new members to the Chamber, its benefits and activities.

Ambassadors also connect with current members, encouraging their active participation and robust use of opportunities the Chamber provides. And, the Ambassadors promote the business community and the Chamber throughout the community.

There is a point system in place to reward Ambassadors for their volunteer work and a monetary award at the end of the year for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ranking Ambassadors.

Immense thanks and congratulations to Marc Murano, Jenny Ibarra, and Sara Horsley for going above and beyond in 2021!  

2021 Winners:

1st:
Chris Maffia
Santa Cruz County Bank

Chris Maffia is Vice President, Relationship Manager for Santa Cruz County Bank where she is responsible for business and community development for the Santa Cruz market. In her background of over 33 years of banking, she has held a variety of positions starting as a teller with Bank of America and working her way through lending, and personalized banking positions with Premier Banking. In 2005, Chris retired from Bank of America as Senior Vice President, Market Manager for the Central Coast Premier Banking Team. Chris joined Santa Cruz County Bank in 2005 and has enjoyed working at the bank’s office in downtown Santa Cruz.

Chris is currently the Board Chair for the American Red Cross of Santa Cruz County. She previously served as the Board of Trustees Chair for the United Way of Santa Cruz County for two years as well as the campaign chair. She is also a 15-year active member and past chair for Dominican Hospital Foundation Guild. Chris currently serves as the chair of the luncheon committee for the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business.

Past recognitions include Affiliate of the year for the Santa Cruz Board of Realtors, Ambassador of the Year for the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, and the Betty Elward award presented for outstanding participation in the Dominican Hospital Foundation Guild. 

2nd:
Beverley Ritchey
David Lyng Real Estate

​Beverly Ritchey is Director of Operations at David Lyng Real Estate where she oversees the office facilities at the company’s 8 office locations. She also manages several of the company's accounting operations including year-end reporting.
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Beverly previously owned and operated Santa Cruz Marine Company in Santa Cruz which included yacht sales, lessons and rentals, and owned the Yacht Harbor Café Restaurant. She has traveled internationally including spending several winters in the Sea of Cortez operating yacht charters. Beverly also worked for the President of Five Currents, a company producing Olympic ceremonies from London to Sochi and the continental games ceremonies from Toronto to Baku. Beverly is a long time resident of Santa Cruz County. In her spare time, she volunteers as an Ambassador for the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of the Santa Cruz United Way.​

3rd:
Rod Caborn
First Class Fundraising

Rod grew up on the east coast of England, and received a BA with honors in Business Studies from Sheffield University. He was recruited from Sheffield to play professional rugby in Spain. Under his captaincy F.C. Barcelona won two national championships. Rod met his wife, Kelly, in Barcelona and returned with her to her native California. While completing his masters in linguistics at San Jose State, California, Rod experienced first-hand the dire financial straits of many Californian schools and resolved to dedicate his marketing and production skills to a career in fundraising.
 
In 1993 Rod founded First Class Fundraising, which from its inception specialized in producing large, motivational community-building events.
From Pebble Beach to The San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park, and from Tahema to Tesla Motors, he has been inspiring and delighting audiences ever since.

​In addition, Rod has been the Master of Ceremonies for hundreds of foundations and corporations, and, as a professional auctioneer, has raised over $25million for local and international non-profits. He also serves as a fundraising consultant for many organizations, representing every one of his cherished clients with integrity and expertise.
 
Rod lives with his wife and their two daughters in Santa Cruz, California, where he is the Foundation Chair and Past-President of The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club.
More Information
To learn more about the Chamber’s Ambassador program, please contact our Director of Memberships, Marketing & Events, Elana Solon, at 831-457-3713.

Congratulations to the top three Ambassadors of 2021 for going above & beyond!
(Chris Maffia, Beverly Ritchey, & Rod Caborn )