Santa Cruz Chamber Staff
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Casey Beyer
Chief Executive Officer 2017 - present With over 30 plus years of business and public policy advocacy in the public, private and non-profit environments Casey assumed the role of Chamber’s CEO in April 2017. Beyer was most recently the Executive Director of the Santa Cruz County Business Council and a senior adviser to the President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. As leader of the Santa Cruz County Business Council, Beyer led the successful fundraising effort that propelled Measure D’s success as well as being a frequent presenter supporting the ballot measure in forums and to many civic and community organizations throughout the county. Known for his consensus driven approach to public policy and business development, Casey’s work with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) to develop and support the legislative and regulatory policies that promote the economic vitality that drives the innovation economy. In 2009, Beyer was appointed by the Governor of California as a member of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Board of Governors, which he chaired in 2015-2016. The TRPA, a bi-state agency charged with environmental protection and economic vitality of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. Beyer is an avid bicyclist and has been a leader of bicycle advocacy groups including the South Bay Bicycle Coalition Board of Directors in the Beach cities of Los Angeles County. He has rich experience in the housing industry managing public policy and regulatory affairs for a large private homebuilder in the L.A. region. He has political experience includes service as U.S. Congressman Tom Campbell’s Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff for a California state senator, Chief Assistant to the California Secretary of State and other public and private sector roles over his career. His academic work is in urban and regional planning from San Jose State University and a bachelors degree from UC Santa Barbara in Urban History and Environmental Studies. |
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Annette R. McGarity
Director of Operations 2004 - present Annette is the Project Director at the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, responsible for day-to-day operations of the Chamber. During her time at the Chamber, she has created the Intern program, updated the Chamber technology systems, and created new procedures for accounting, membership tracking, and event management. Annette also creates e-mail campaigns, and has helped to expand the event program from 20 events to over 40 events annually. Previously, Annette was the owner of Annette McGarity Consulting/Computer HELP!, providing technical consulting in all phases of small business technology. She also served as IT Manager at Visiting Nurse Association and at Elrepco. Currently, Annette is Vice President on the Board of Directors at Whalers' Cover Homeowners Association. She also held the positions of Past President, Past Secretary, and Past Treasurer spanning more than 17 years. In 2004, Annette created "Project Wine Cruz" to raise funds for The Epilepsy Network, which she co-chaired for two years. Annette was born in San Antonio, Texas and has a Bachelor of Arts with Board Honors from University California, Santa Cruz. Annette was named Santa Cruz Chamber Volunteer of the Year in 2002 and 2003. She resides in Live Oak with her husband. |
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Jodie T. Kench
Membership Relations Director 2017 - present Jodie T. Kench is the Membership Relations Director for the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, responsible for planning and executing marketing, sales, and retention activities for Chamber membership and Chamber products and programs. By establishing credibility, trust and respect while developing new partnerships, she serves as the liaison between the Chamber and its members. Jodie also leads the Chamber’s Ambassador Program, a wonderful group of members who volunteer to guide new members through the first year of membership and connect new members to the Chamber, its benefits and activities. Jodie originally started working with the Chamber as its Public Relations Coordinator while attending the University of California, Santa Cruz where she earned her degrees in Psychology and Theater Arts. After graduation she was offered the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in a post-grad internship with the Walt Disney Company. But even that could not keep her away from NorCal as she was soon drawn back to the beautiful Santa Cruz County where she is grateful to call her home away from home. In her free time Jodie enjoys socializing, meeting new people, adventuring to new places, and playing competitive sports — especially, tennis, ping-pong and soccer. |
