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Contact Us
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 nine full-time 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 for the last ten years, managing and directing all Chamber programs. He is committed to bringing good jobs to the community and understands the important 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.
Etta Waterfield, Membership Manager and Economic Development Commission
(805) 925-2403 ext. 817
etta@santamaria.com
Etta began her career with the Chamber in December 2004. Her responsibilities include overseeing membership development and assisting the President and CEO in advocating and promoting economic growth throughout the City of Santa Maria.
Gina Keough, Visitor & Convention Bureau Manager
(805) 925-2403 ext. 814
gina@santamaria.com
Gina has been a 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.
Jennifer Mejia, Visitor & Convention Bureau Group Sales Coordinator
(805) 925-2403 ext. 815
jennifer@santamaria.com
Jennifer will be assisting group tour operators, meeting planners and special event coordinators in providing the complimentary services available to them. She will also be attending industry tradeshows to present the Santa Maria Valley as a leisure and meeting/convention destination.
Barbara O'Malley, Vice President of Operations
(805) 925-2403 ext. 824
barbara@santamaria.com
Serving in her current position since 1996, Barbara is responsible for all Chamber accounting and business management programs. Her experience has contributed greatly to the seamless operation of the daily activities. She has more than 25 years experience in her field, which includes forecasting, planning and budgeting.
Marcy Lariz, Event 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. In
addition, Marcy creates layouts and designs
for various ads, brochures, flyers and articles,
and she also aids in developing new chamber
memberships.
Terri Paniagua, Services Coordinator
(805) 925-2403 ext. 851
terri@santamaria.com
Terri brings with her a strong knowledge and appreciation of the Santa Maria Valley. As part of the front office, Terri is one of the first contacts a visitor or member makes when calling or visiting the Chamber. Throughout the year, she will be assisting in the designing of new tourism brochures and will be planning the Tourism Month Luncheon, and assisting with the Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival.
Cara Martinez
Administrative Assistant
(805) 925-2403 ext 812
cara@santamaria.com
Cara comes to us from the Santa Maria Foursquare Church where she has worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Youth pastor for the last eight years. Cara and her family are still extremely involved with the church activities. Prior to working for the Church, Cara was employed with The Credit Bureau of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties for eighteen years. She started out as a typist and ended her time there as an Account Executive managing the sales department. She also served as a sales representative and public relation consultant. While Cara was with the Credit Bureau she was an Ambassador for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce so it seems it will be a perfect match for her to be the Receptionist/Administrative Assistant her.
2007-2008 Officers
Chairman of the Board: Brooks Wise
Chairman Elec/Treasurer: Rob Buchanan: Byars Thompson Buchanan Insurance
Vice Chairman: Cindy McKellar: Your People Professionals
Vice President: Jason Diani: Diani Ward Diani, LLC
Past-Chairman: Randy Wise: Straw Hat Pizza
Board of Directors
Trent Benedetti: Benedetti & Associates
Mike Bouquet: Toyota of Santa Maria
Jim Bray: Plains Exploration & Production
Jean Carmichael: Santa Maria Valley YMCA
John Everett: Allstate Insurance
Harrell Fletcher: Fletcher-Cross & Associates
Mark Fugate: Charter Brokerage Investment Co.
Peggy Greer: Santa Barbara County Education
Brian Kearns: Coastal Business Finance
George Majoue, MotionZ
Tahir Masood: Coast Hills Federal Credit Union
Stephanie Robb: Allan Hancock College
Kathy Simas: Santa Barbara Foundation
Diane Alleman-Stevens: Retired
Nancy Stewart: Stewart Honda
Debi Testa: Testa Catering
Max Tucker: Best Western Big America
Leah West: Santa Lucia Bank
Brooks Wise: Mission Community Bank
Committee Chairs
Business: Trent Benedetti, George Majoue
Ambassadors: Erika Milton
Transportation: David Whitehead
Military Affairs: Dave Cross
Hispanic Business: Marcelo Ferreyra
Leadership Santa Maria Valley: Marilyn Randall
Santa Maria Valley Visitor & Convention Bureau: Mark Sullivan
North Broadway & West Main Improvement Group: Max Tucker
volunteers
Joetta Baldiviez
Carolyn McCall
Jackie Taylor
Virginia Williams
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