Ambassador Program

Santa Cruz County Chamber Ambassador Program

Basics
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.

When
Ambassadors meet as a team once a month and make a commitment to attend 50% of all Chamber events including Business after Hours, Ribbon Cuttings, Leadership Forum series, Chamber Luncheons, Membership luncheons, Breakfast Briefings and the Chamber's four annual major events.

Rewards
The greatest return for being an Ambassador is the development of a rich network of business friends and acquaintances that will pay returns for years to come. In addition, Ambassadors earn public recognition as well as the credits against the cost of Chamber events. Top performing Ambassadors are featured on a rotating basis on the Chamber’s website and in the Chamber’s weekly eNews mailings to members. Ambassadors earn credits for each scheduled communication with a member, each event they attend, and other services. Credits earned can be used towards not only events but also Chamber member marketing services, sponsorship, and products.

2024 Ambassadors:

Duf Fischer, Ambassador Chair
Santa Cruz County Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber Consultant and Past President

Graduate of UC Santa Barbara with degree in economics and accounting. Served in the U.S. Army 8 years. Co-Founded F & M Engineering Construction, Inc. Owner, Partner, President, Executive V.P. of many travel organizations. Community Service: President Santa Cruz Jaycees, President Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, President Miss California Scholarship Pageant, Chairman Santa Cruz City Planning Commision, Chairman Animal Protection Institute, Chairman Advisory Board, Coast Commercial Bank, Chairman Board of Directors, Family Service Association, Board Director, Rotary Club of Santa Cruz, Served as political advanceman for Ronald Reagan. Delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business and Delegate to the first ever White House Conference on Travel and Tourism. Served as Congress Chairman for ASTA 61st World Travel Congress in Taipei,Taiwan. Duf just finished a two year term on the Santa Cruz County Sherrif's Advisory Team and most recently, has been invited to join Cabrillo College's Presidents Circle Committee which he began in September of 2018.

Lora Allanson
John C. Allanson Insurance Agency

Lora hails from the southland and is a native Californian. She grew up, the youngest of 6 kids, near the coastal community of Seal Beach. She arrived in Santa Cruz in 1979 to attend UC. While she was at the University, she met John in Solar Technology. They both graduated in 1981, which feels like yesterday, they got married the month after graduation and started in the insurance business shortly thereafter. They have been blessed to live and work in this beautiful area and raise their three awesome kids here.

Before Lora started dating John, she had been involved in a "head on" auto accident and spent many months recovering from her multiple injuries. The man that hit her was uninsured. She and John have since dedicated their life's work to making sure their client's have the right coverage for their needs. They love people and are always happy when they are able to help them protect their assets and their family's well being.

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.

Mark Gerber
Edward Jones & BNI Trendsetters

I am a financial advisor with Edward Jones and a member of BNI Trendsetters. As a financial advisor I provide holistic financial advice and specialize in helping families in tech make the most of their stock compensation and benefit packages. I am passionate about financial literacy and love to help people along the path to financial independence.

As a member of BNI I am part of a tight knit network of entrepreneurs. We support each other by giving referrals, being cheerleaders, giving motivation, and sharing ideas on how to grow our businesses.

I grew up in the Mojave Desert on the outskirts of Las Vegas. I left cactus and tumble weeds for palm trees and warm turquoise waters of Hawaii. I got my degree in business management from BYU Hawaii. And spent enough time surfing to probably earn a double major if surfing was a major.

I met and married my beautiful wife Rachel while in Hawaii and after we graduated decided that we could never leave the ocean. We moved to Santa Cruz about 5 years ago and have since had two children. We have a two-year son and a newborn daughter. I grew up vacationing to Santa Cruz, so it is a dream come true to raise my family in this amazing community.

Sara Horsley
Biohaven Pharmaceuticals

After over a decade in media sales I was looking for a change and an opportunity for growth. I transitioned to the Pharmaceutical Industry in late 2015 and have never been happier. I've lived in Santa Cruz County since 1989, after an adventurous decision to relocate from the East Coast. Graduated from UCSC with a BA in Economics in 2000 and have been a proud member of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee since 2012.

Shortly after moving to Santa Cruz I quickly fell in love with the beaches, the redwoods and everything this county has to offer. When I am not working you can usually find me either swimming, cycling or running and loving every second of it.

Matthew James
Hopkins & Carley

Matthew James is a shareholder at Hopkins & Carley. Matt is an experienced civil litigator, and for over 20 years, he has focused on construction, real estate and general business matters. In addition, Matt counsels clients on transactional matters ranging from small residential and commercial projects to large scale public works claims. Matt also obtained his real estate broker’s license in 2006.

Matt grew up in Santa Cruz, graduating from Soquel High School, University of California, Berkeley and Santa Clara University School of Law. Matt is grateful to continue to call Santa Cruz home. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and taking part in the wide range of outdoor activities Santa Cruz has to offer.

Julie Jimenez
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Julie Jimenez is Director of Sales and Marketing at Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection. With 25+ years in the hotel and hospitality industry, she has lived and worked in several popular travel destinations along the west coast, but Santa Cruz won her heart when she arrived here in 2016. She is active in the travel industry community including Santa Cruz County Hospitality and Lodging Association. She spends her free time chasing after two toddlers alongside her husband Miguel.

Aurora Lowe
Wonder Realty Group - Keller Williams

Aurora was born and raised in Santa Cruz and considers herself very lucky to be a native Santa Cruzian. Her career in real estate started almost 10 years ago in appraisal management and moved into sales. After growing her individual business as a realtor, she knew she would be able to better serve her clients by expanding into Wonder Realty Group.

Her love for travel started at 18, to this day she has visited over 20 states. Over the course of her travels she realized her love and great interest for real estate. She has seen how the architecture and industry differs from state to state and city to city and she can tell you that Santa Cruz definitely is one of a kind. She holds a designation in divorce real estate. She is a specialist in real estate collaboration - Divorce. She knows how to communicate with attorney’s on real estate holdings and can help navigate all parts of real estate in a Divorce situation. She is greatly interested in this designation as feels she can truly help people through tough circumstances.

She not only helps her clients buy and sell real estate but she also invests in real estate herself, owning 2 properties in Santa Cruz County by the age of 32. She knows the process and can help navigate any situation that may arise. She brings her spunk for life, her confidence in negotiating, skillful communication, her passion for the industry and her affinity for human interaction into her practice on a daily basis. All of these things allow her to surpass expectations when entering into and completing a transaction. She prides herself in how she conducts her business and how she remains an honest, committed and loyal individual.

Chris Maffia
Chris Maffia was born and raised in Santa Clara Valley growing up in Cupertino and attending the local schools. Working in Santa Clara Valley with Bank of American for 8 years she transfer to Santa Cruz County in 1985. Moving to Scotts Valley, Chris has worked in Bank of America offices in Aptos, Capitola and Santa Cruz.

Chris’s banking career spanned more than 40 years beginning with Bank of America where she started as a teller. Working her way through lending and personalized banking positions to being name a Senior Vice President. In 2005, leading a team of Personal Bankers , 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 as VP/Regional Relationship Manager responds for business and community development. In July, 2022 retired from the bank after 17 years serving her community.

Chris’s community involvement has spanned many non-profit boards and committees through the years and still participates in many today. Here is a short sample of her volunteerism:

United Way Santa Cruz Board
Dominican Hospital Foundation Women of Wellness
Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce

Past Awards:

Affiliate of the Year, Santa Cruz Association of Realtors
Betty Elward award presented for outstanding participation in the Dominican Hospital Foundation annual Gala
Ambassador of the Year Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce

Chris and her husband Chuck live in Scotts Valley. They have 3 children, Chris’s daughter Danielle (Shaun) and Chuck’s children Brooke (Victor) and Justin (Lindsay). They are active grandparents with 8 grandkids. Fortunate that all families live close by and able to join family dinners and celebrations. In her spare time Chris loves to cook and garden along with yearly trips to Maui.

Marlena Munoz
Acupuncturist & Herbalist

Marlena Munoz is a licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist. She earned her Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in 2001.
She did her post graduate work in pain management, facial rejuvenation acupuncture, women’s disorders and five element theory. She also maintains specialties in digestive disorders, nutritional therapy, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

She is a second generation healer. She has a deep passion for not only helping patients overcome existing conditions but assisting individuals in maintaining a healthy and thriving lifestyle. She would love to share her passion for the healing powers of acupuncture with you.

Paul Peters
Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

Paul is a community advocate who lives in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz. With a heart fueled by compassion and a passion for service, he has found his calling as a Second Harvest Food Bank team member. He is determined to make a meaningful impact on those facing food insecurity. He cherishes his community and is dedicated to making a positive impact.

Joining the Second Harvest Food Bank team was a natural fit for Paul. He has over a decade of experience working with food and supporting community organizations. As a Corporate and Community Relations Manager, he ensures that families and individuals in need can access nutritious meals. Whether organizing food drives, coordinating events, or raising funds to support the Food Bank’s operations. In addition to his role at the Food Bank, Paul is actively engaged in various community initiatives focused on driving social change and promoting environmental stewardship. He volunteers at local organizations and participates in grassroots advocacy campaigns.

In his free time, Paul often explores Santa Cruz's stunning natural beauty, whether hiking along coastal trails or catching waves at some of the region's surf spots. He also enjoys cooking, gardening, camping, and spending quality time with his loved ones. He has a chocolate lab named Reef that loves the water and going to the beach.

Beth Powanda
Powanda Insurance Agency

Beth Powanda is an independent health insurance broker specializing in Medicare health plans. She works with several carriers directly so there is no cost to you for her services. The benefit of working with Beth is that she can offer you a “menu” of options to choose from based on your specific needs that include your budget, where you reside, your doctors and prescribed medications.

Whether you simply have a question, or are wondering what the first steps are to enroll in Medicare, Beth can personally hand hold you through the process to reduce the stress and worry that accompanies so many during this time of transition.

Beth grew up near Philadelphia where she spent her summers at the Jersey Shore. She has resided on the Central Coast for the past 30 years and now makes her home in Capitola. She is the proud mother of two adult daughters. She spends her free time golfing, paddle boarding, cooking up new recipes and dancing to live music.

Beverly 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.

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.

Nick Scimone
Santa Cruz County Bank

Nick Scimone lives in Santa Cruz with his wife, Lindsey, and is Assistant Vice President, Relationship Manager at Santa Cruz County Bank. During his time with the Bank, he has also served as Commercial Credit Analyst / Underwriter, and in Loan Services. He maintains an office at Santa Cruz County Bank’s 75 River Street location in downtown Santa Cruz, where he serves clients in the greater Santa Cruz area. Nick previously served as AVP Senior Commercial Underwriter with 1st Capital Bank.

Mr. Scimone received a Master of Business degree from California State University Monterey Bay, and a Bachelor of Political Science degree from San Francisco State University. He also attended CCBN Credit Analyst School. Outside of work, Nick enjoys an active lifestyle, at the gym and taking advantage of Santa Cruz County’s outdoor hiking trails. Nick is an avid reader and international traveler. He and Lindsey support local community organizations and attend charity events throughout the year.

Elana Solon
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

A native of Santa Cruz County, Elana received her BA in Linguistics from Yale University and returned to the Central Coast to complete her MA at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

Initially pursuing a career in both technical and academic editing and writing, later pivoting to events and hospitality, nonprofit work has always been a common thread throughout Elana’s life, volunteering with youth-, education- and culturally based nonprofits since childhood, including The Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., Women and Youth Supporting Each other (WYSE) at Yale, and, locally, the Black Health Matters Initiative, Black Surf Santa Cruz, and Reggie Stephens Foundation.

In 2021 and 2022, Elana served as Director of Memberships, Marketing and Events with the esteemed 135-year-old Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce. In that capacity, she lent her talents to the local business community during one of the most historically challenging times. It was her honor to facilitate and reimagine networking and educational events and opportunities for local leadership in our public, private and nonprofit sectors alike.

These days, equipped with her background in operations, hospitality, and intercultural communication, Elana is privileged to continue to grow her connections in service to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in the role of Philanthropic Operations Officer. At CFSCC, Elana works to cultivate, engage and build purposeful relationships with donors and the communities that comprise our beautiful county.

A natural networker, she loves connecting like-minded people and organizations to each other. Let her know why you love Santa Cruz County, and she’ll help guide you toward the individuals, businesses, and groups who place what you love at the heart of what they do.

David Stearns
Allterra Solar

David is a 25-year resident of Santa Cruz and a graduate of Santa Cruz High School. He attended UCLA earning degrees in Political Science and Urban and Regional Planning. He is a proud member of Think Local First, cherishes Santa Cruz's entrepreneurial spirit, and is an ardent champion of central coast business. He enjoys sports, outdoor recreation, and from Thanksgiving to New Years you can find him at Companion Bakery sipping egg nog lattes. David is a guest host on Community TV's Voices From The Village and is frequently quoted in local media offering insights on pressing civic issues. David currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Allterra Solar, Santa Cruz County's most frequently hired solar PV contractor. He encourages any homeowner paying more than $100 per month for electricity to call him immediately.

Tom Stelling
Stelling Commercial

Tom Stelling has been a licensed realtor and a trusted name in commercial and multi-family real estate sales, leasing, and management since 1984. In 2009, following a successful commercial real estate career at the largest commercial real estate brokerage company in North America, and 7 years with a local Santa Cruz brokerage, Tom joined KW Commercial, the most respected and fastest growing commercial real estate sales and leasing team in the United States. Tom is recognized as an expert in local real estate issues, and is quoted regularly in the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper and is seen on the Real Estate Weekly television program. He was recently interviewed for the NBC Nightly News Program as an expert on local commercial real estate trends. Tom is an active board member of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, is on the board of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce, an active participant in leadership Santa Cruz, and an active Member of the Bay Area Apartment Brokers Forum. In his free time, Tom likes to surf, sail, jog and spend time with his two teenage children Tommy and Lizzy.

Adele Talmadge
Talmadge Construction

Born at Sister's Hospital on West Cliff Drive, Adele Talmadge has been a Santa Cruzan all her life. Her parents owned Port O' Call Grocery in Pleasure Point. After attending Cabrillo College, Adele went on to gain over 30 years of bookkeeping and customer service experience in residential, commercial construction and property management. In 1984, she co-founded Talmadge Construction. Adele remains an active part in the community, volunteering for the Amgen Tour in 2010, directing the Lifestyle Festival for the Tour in Seaside and the Awards Ceremony for Tour of CA in 2012. Adele loves Tae Kwon Do, earning her First Degree black belt at the age of 50.

Katie Tollick
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Katie grew up in the Los Gatos Santa Cruz Mountains with her family of 6, often taking the backroads to Capitola, where her childhood goal of moving to the beach began. Katie graduated from Chico State University, with a bachelor's degree in Recreation, Hospitality & Parks Management and a minor in Food Studies, where she found her love for hospitality. Upon graduating from college, Katie backpacked through Europe, traveling through 9 countries and exploring different cultures and cuisine. This life-changing experience made it very clear that her ultimate goal was to continue building a career in the hospitality industry and lead her straight to Dream Inn Santa Cruz.

Katie started at Dream Inn as a Reservation Sales Agent, where she quickly exceled in customer service & sales. She is dedicated to her job and passionate about building memorable guest experiences. Katie has taken on several roles including Sales & Events Coordinator, Executive Meeting & Marketing Manager, and currently, Sales Manager. Katie has been at Dream Inn, Santa Cruz for 5 years, lives in Capitola, and finds herself extremely lucky to live her dream of being by the ocean every day

Alexander Pedersen
Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center

Alexander is a business advisor with the Small Business Development Center, CEO and founder of the non-profit, Fair Wage USA, owner/operator of his business, Pedersen Home Enhancement and a student of mechanical engineering at Cabrillo College. His experience serving educational and community organizations includes his current roles as board member for the Second Harvest Food Bank and president and founder of the Cabrillo College Entrepreneurs Club as well as previously held positions of student senator at Cabrillo College, Founder and president of the Sacramento City College Robotics Club and board member of the non-profit Davis Makerspace.

Alexander is passionate about utilizing his interests in engineering, technology and business to promote wellness and alleviate the burdens of disadvantaged communities. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing and outdoor activities such as running, surfing, mountaineering and backpacking.

More Information
To learn more about the Chamber’s Ambassador program, please contact us at 831-457-3713.

APPLY NOW

Congratulations to the 2023 Top Four Ambassadors for
going above & beyond!

Beverly Ritchey, 1st Place

Chris Maffia, 2nd Place

Adele Talmadge, 3rd Place Tie

Katie Tollick, 3rd Place Tie

Looking for a fun way to interact with other Santa Cruz County Chamber members? Become a Chamber Ambassador today! See photos of our previous events above.