Volunteers

Opportunities to volunteer at the Chamber are available throughout the year. Build stronger relationships with other Chamber members through volunteer work in various areas, including Community Affairs, Finance, Marketing, Membership, Women in Business, the Business Fair, the annual recognition dinner, and special events. Most committees meet once a month for a couple of hours. Please contact membership@santacruzchamber.org to let us know if you would like to join a Chamber committee.

2012 Board of Directors

Jess Brown, President - Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
Brian King, President-Elect - Cabrillo College
Patrice Edwards, Past President - Times Publishing Group
Charles Eadie, Past President - Hamilton Swift Land Management
Donna Blitzer, VP Community Affairs - University of California, Santa Cruz
Eric Summers, VP Finance - Comerica Bank
Kirsti Scott, VP Marketing - Scott Design Inc
Duf Fischer, VP Membership -Chamber Consultant and Past President
Janene F. Adema - Bay Federal Credit Union
Emily Bernard - Dell Williams Jewelers
Mary Gourlay - Barry Swenson Builder
David Heald - Santa Cruz County Bank
Tom Honig - Freelance Journalist
Bonnie Lipscomb - City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Dept.
Chris Maffia - Santa Cruz County Bank
Mark Mesiti-Miller - Mesiti-Miller Engineering
Anne Mitchell - Anne Mitchell, CPA
Martina O'Sullivan - Dominican Hospital
Suni Patel - Super 8
Tess Piazza - Chase Bank
Tonée Picard - Bay Federal Credit Union
Karl Rice - Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Lynn Robinson - Santa Cruz City Council
Adele Talmadge - Talmadge Construction
Ted Whiting III - Santa Cruz Seaside Company

2012 Ambassadors

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.

Duf Fischer - Ambassador Chair
Erin Billingsby - Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
Camilla Boolootian - American Red Cross
Angel Dominguez - Santa Cruz Monterey Vacation Rentals, Inc
Joanna Doubleday - Joanna Doubleday Communications
Lalaine Dowdell - Plan Ahead Events
Greg Durante - AT&T
Laura Granahan - Stealth Network Communications
Lyn Henry - Lyn's Ledgers
Jeff Heitmann - Bank of the West
Chris Maffia - Santa Cruz County Bank
Robin Parke - R.P. Catering
Kamalesh Patel (KP) - National 9 Motel
Suni Patel - Super 8
Gaby Perez - Clear Channel Radio
Tess Piazza - Chase Bank
Karl Rice - Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Will Scheflo - Bay Alarm
Tom Stelling - KW Commercial
Adele Talmadge - Talmadge Construction

2012 Business Fair Committee

The Santa Cruz Business Fair is Santa Cruz's premier opportunity to connect businesses, organizations, and the Santa Cruz County community face-to-face. Every year, more than 100 businesses and nonprofit organizations introduce their products and services to the more than 1,000 attendees at this popular annual event. Local food, wine, and beverage companies serve up complimentary samples of their creations. Visitors can meander through the Grand Ballroom and Sun Room to visit the exhibitor's booths and take in the gorgeous views of Monterey Bay. We invite you to get involved in planning this fun event.

Debbie Sirles - Chair, Comerica Bank
Tiffany Aris - New Leaf Community Markets
Erin Billingsby - Marketing & PR Consultant
Kathleen Courtney
Joanna Doubleday - Joanna Doubleday Communications
Lalaine Dowdell - Plan Ahead Events
Duf Fischer - Chamber Consultant, Past President
Jeffrey Heitmann - Wells Fargo Bank
Georgianne Pillsbury - Essential Space
Deenie Rose - Deezign Displays
Briya Serrano - Santa Cruz Derby Girls
Lana Sumati - Natural Choices
Adele Talmadge - Talmadge Construction
Bryan Williams - Avid International
Judy Zobrosky - Harmonic Living

2012 Community Affairs Committee

The Community Affairs Committee works to identify issues affecting our community and develops forums and programs to examine and act on those issues at the local and state level. The Community Affairs Committee meets monthly to review local, county, state and national legislation which directly or indirectly impacts our Chamber members, business community, and the community as a whole.

Donna Blitzer – Chair, University of California, Santa Cruz
Alan Pagano – Past President
Angela Reed – Comerica Bank
Bonnie Lipscomb – City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Dept.
Charles Eadie – Hamilton Swift Land Management
Cynthia Mathews – Santa Cruz City Council
David Heald – Santa Cruz County Bank
David Lundberg – Workforce Investment Board
Duf Fischer – Chamber Consultant, Past President
Gary Merrill – Santa Cruz County Business Council
Jess Brown –Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
John Collins – Goodwill Industries
Lynn Robinson – Santa Cruz City Council
Barbara Mason – Santa Cruz County Economic Development Manager
Mark Mesiti-Miller – Mesiti-Miller Engineering
Martina O’Sullivan – Dominican Hospital
Mary Gourlay – Barry Swenson Builder
Patrice Edwards – Times Publishing Group
Deanna Sessums – California League of Cities
Ted Whiting – Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Tom Honig – Freelance Journalist

2012 Community Recognition Dinner Committee

The Annual Community Recognition Dinner & Auction Committee meets once a month beginning in the summer to plan this exciting evening. This premier event features cocktails, a silent auction, a scrumptious buffet, and our entertaining live auction. The Awards ceremony follows, with our awards for the Santa Cruz Area's Man, Woman, Business, and Organization of the Year.

Tiffany Aris - New Leaf Community Markets
Joanna Doubleday - Joanna Doubleday Communications
Amanda Rotella
Lana Sumati - Natural Choices

2012 Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is responsible for reviewing the financial records of the Chamber, reporting to the Board on the current financial situation of the Chamber, making recommendations to the Board, and creating the annual budget for the Chamber.

Eric Summers - Chair, Comerica Bank
Angela Reed – Comerica Bank
Anne Mitchell - Anne Mitchell, CPA
Steve Mangelsen – B2B CFO
Jess Brown - Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau

2012 Marketing Committee

The Marketing Committee is responsible for developing strategies to market the Chamber and its members to the Santa Cruz County community. The committee meets once a month to develop new marketing products and initiatives, explore new ways to help members build their businesses, and build awareness of the work the Chamber does to the local community.

Kirsti Scott - Chair, Scott Design Inc
Joanna Doubleday - Joanna Doubleday Communications
Patrice Edwards - Times Publishing Group, Past President
Duf Fischer - Chamber Consultant, Past President
Tom Honig - Freelance Journalist
Annette McGarity - Santa Cruz Chamber
Tonée Picard - Bay Federal Credit Union
Melody Sharp - Melody Sharp Web Design
Howard Sherer - Hutton-Sherer, Past President
Adele Talmadge - Talmadge Construction
Bryan Williams - Avid International

2012 Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is responsible for growing and maintaining membership in the Chamber. The committee meets once a month to discuss membership recruitment and retention strategies, contact new and prospective members, and brainstorm on events and activities that will ensure that Chamber members get a great value from their membership.

Duf Fischer - Chair, Past President
Janene Adema - Bay Federal Credit Union
Chris Maffia - Santa Cruz County Bank
Suni Patel - Super 8
Tess Piazza - Chase Bank
Karl Rice - Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Kirsti Scott - Scott Design Inc
Adele Talmadge - Talmadge Construction
Bryan Williams - Avid International
Erin Billingsby - Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
Annette McGarity - Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce

2012 Women in Business Committee

The Santa Cruz Chamber Women in Business community is one of the most active business groups in Santa Cruz. We invite you to get involved in our community though attendance at events and volunteering on the committee.

Chris Maffia - Chair, Santa Cruz County Bank
Kim Adams - Clean-Tec
Shannon Brady - Palo Alto Medical Group
Brianna Carabba - Lighthouse Bank
Rita Chick - American Red Cross
Cassandra Christine - Network Management Solutions
Loree Doan - Stewart Title
Joanna Doubleday - Joanna Doubleday Communications
Janet Janssen - JW Creative Workshops for Change
Serena Lynch - Annieglass
Annette McGarity - Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
Laura Owen - Bay Federal Credit Union
Nikki Shoemaker - Advanced Auto
Bonnie Weaver - Comerica Bank
Kalyne Foster Weisblatt - Women's Crisis Support/Defensa de Mujeres

2012 Women's Leadership Forum Committee

This one-day conference, includes outstanding speakers, networking opportunities, lunch, and a hands-on working sessions.

Brunella Deeds - Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Joanna Doubleday - Joanna Doubleday Communications
Rose Filicetti - Office of State Senator Joe Simitian
Kathy Gleitsmann - Sunshine Villa
Alese Greene - State Farm, Alese Greene
Sarah Limroth - Curves Santa Cruz
Diana Moreno-Inman - Bay Federal Credit Union
Susan Rousculp - Community Action Board
Laureen Yungmeyer - State Farm, Laureen Yungmeyer

2012 Economic Development Council

The Economic Development Council is a collaboration of the Chamber and the City of Santa Cruz. It purpose is to improve community prosperity and quality of life through the development of the Santa Cruz economic base that includes private sector investment, supportive public policy, and levels of public services. Its mission is to increase collaboration between the City of Santa Cruz staff and electeds, the University of California Santa Cruz, and leaders from the business community.

Martin Bernal – City of Santa Cruz
Donna Blitzer - University of California, Santa Cruz
George Blumenthal - University of California, Santa Cruz
Jess Brown - Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
Hilary Bryant - Santa Cruz Vice Mayor
Charles Canfield – Santa Cruz Seaside Co
Greg Carter – Attorney at Law
John Collins – Goodwill industries
Neal Coonerty – Santa Cruz County Supervisor
Ryan Coonerty – City of Santa Cruz
Jack Dilles – City of Santa Cruz
David Dobson – Santa Cruz County Economic Development
Charles Eadie - Hamilton Swift Land Management
Patrice Edwards - Times Publishing Group
Duf Fischer - Chamber Consultant, Past President
Craig French – Redtree Properties
David Heald - Santa Cruz County Bank
Tom Honig - Freelance Journalist
Maggie Ivy - Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council
Mike Jung – Santa Cruz Sentinel
Ken Kannappan - Plantronics
Peter Koht - City of Santa Cruz
Don Lane - Santa Cruz Mayor
Bonnie Lipscomb - City of Santa Cruz
Cynthia Mathews – Santa Cruz City Council
Gary Merrill – Santa Cruz County Business Council
Mark Mesiti-Miller – Mesiti-Miller Engineering
Donna Murphy - University of California, Santa Cruz
Martina O'Sullivan - Dominican Hospital
Peter Prindle - Prindle Properties
Julianna Rebagliati – City of Santa Cruz
Lynn Robinson - Santa Cruz Vice Mayor
Deana Sessums – California League of Cities
Ron Slack - Good Times Santa Cruz
Matthew Thompson - Thacher and Thompson Architects
Ted Whiting III - Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Glenn Zimmermann – BTF Enterprises