Our Staff & Board

kristina@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.684.7789 ext. 1

Kristina manages the business administration, operational requirements, and programs execution for a successful and productive facility as well as for an engaged and excited community. Kristina brings her considerable business acumen and professional skill set to the benefit of the staff and board, as well as to the community writ large who benefit from the incredible array of programs and activity happening each week under her care.

She is of particular critical positive impact to our success each year of the "Arts by the Sea" summer camp program. Additionally, she manages the recruitment, placement, and appreciation of the amazing volunteers who contribute countless hours to the spectrum of work occuring at the Arts Center. It is her personal touch that most volunteers remember, as well as her real interest in their volunteer experience being one of creative depth and experiential satisfaction.

Kristina earned a Bachelors degree from Westmont College with a double major in International Relations and Spanish. She is a well-known and well-loved local volunteer in our schools and Girl Scouts, helping to bring arts programs into the classroom and serving in troop leadership positions for over 10 years. Her dedication to others earned her the "Silver Volunteer Service Award" in 2015 from the President of the United States for completing over 450 volunteer hours in a single year.

accounting@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.684.7789 ext. 4

Elsa grew up in Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. After earning her liberal arts degree from Santa Barbara City College, she transferred to University of Cal-State, Northridge to earn a Bachelors degree in Accountancy. She has worked with individuals, start-up businesses and non-profit organizations providing bookkeeping, financial statement preparation and tax preparation. She relocated back to Carpinteria in 2017 after spending ten plus years living in Los Angeles.

In her spare time, she enjoys staying active doing yoga, running, hiking and dancing salsa and west coast swing. In addition, she enjoys Carpinteria beach, local museums and parks with her daughter Vivian and two dogs, Yogi and Wolfie.

Jodi was raised in a family of civic-minded art, theater and music lovers in the West San Fernando Valley. She developed a love for community service as Philanthropy Chair and President of Alpha Phi International Fraternity at the University of Arizona where she majored in Art, English and Sociology.

Returning to Los Angeles, Jodi earned recognition as an award-winning graphic designer and art director at internationally renowned advertising agencies, including J. Walter Thompson. Her career focus transitioned to include corporate sales, marketing, event planning and leadership development while she raised her three boys as a single Mom.

As a former V.P. of Sales for a variety of national multi-million dollar companies, Jodi brings over twenty years of strategic development and execution to the Arts Center.

In her role as Development Director, Jodi, a local Carpinterian, will oversee the annual fundraising event Palate to Palette, develop membership campaigns, increase corporate relationships, and coordinate collaborative programs and events with community businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Jodi serves on the Board of the Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and is a committee member for the Boys and Girls Club annual fundraiser, the Santa Barbara Alzheimer’s Walk and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation annual gala.

With a focus on inclusivity and relationship building, Jodi is passionate about helping the Arts Center’s impact extend to our entire community. “Art brings families and communities together. I am so excited to help the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center’s legacy grow, so that future generations of Carpinterians can experience their own sense of joy and confidence gained through artistic expression.”

lana@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.684.7789 ext. 5

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Lana Ziegler moved to Carpinteria in 2006 and fell in love with the small town. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2007 with a BA in Sociology, and subsequently taught Pre-Kindergarten at The Howard School while also serving as the Preschool Director.

 

After starting a family in 2012, she stayed home to raise her children. During that time, she developed a relationship with The Arts Center by enrolling her children in the homeschool art class, after school art class, and Summer Camp. Married to an artist, art has been a priority for her family, and she was delighted when she was asked to be the Arts by the Sea Summer Camp Director in 2022. She enjoyed her time at the Art Center so much, that she accepted the position of Program Coordinator and works in the cottage office in support of the program committee and other staff in the smooth operation of the Art Center’s many offerings. Lana oversees The Arts Center’s seasonal workshops and tours as well as the weekly Agewell senior arts & crafts program for ages 55+, the annual poetry contest for ages 5+, teen mural program for ages 11-19, and the summer, winter & spring break camps. Youth programming is her passion and she recently introduced kids’ yoga and youth guitar lessons to the children’s programs at The Arts Center.

 

In her free time, she loves to volunteer in her children's school, where she is Vice-President of the Parent School Board. She loves to participate in school activities throughout the year and lead small group arts and crafts during “Family Fridays.” On the weekends Lana and her family love to get together with friends for beach days or camping.

 

alec@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.684.7789 ext. 3

Alec was born and raised in Simi Valley. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from California Lutheran University, receiving a B.S in Computer Science. He then continued his education at CLU, earning his M.S in Information Technology, with an emphasis in Data Analytics. Alec was introduced to the Carpinteria Arts Center through his mother, who regularly volunteers and was featured in the “5th Dimension ” gallery exhibition in 2022.

Outside of the tech world, Alec coaches collegiate volleyball at CLU for the women’s program, high school volleyball at El Camino Real Charter High School, and club volleyball in Woodland Hills.

christy@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.684.7789 ext. 8

Christy was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Recently she moved from Carpinteria to Arizona, Jan 2025. Before working for the Arts Center, she was a gallery host for 2 years. Christy began as the gallery coordinator in Jan 2023 and since moving out of state now works for the Arts Center remotely, offering assistance to the artists, volunteers, and exhibition change overs.

She recieved two AA's from Santa Barbara City College in psychology and sociology and is currently working on her BA in psychology. When she can find time for something fun to do, she enjoys spending time with her kids and pets, taking photographs, and playing video games with her kids.

ivonne@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.951.0417

Ivonne is a dedicated leader with extensive experience working with artists, community, and non-profit organizations since 1988. Ivonne was born and raised in Mexico City. After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), she moved to Santa Barbara, California where she started a career in advocacy and support to sexual violence survivors. She worked at STESA (formerly known as Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center) as a Community Education Coordinator. After 15 years working in the nonprofit sector and becoming a mom, she shifted gears and moved back to Mexico.

Ivonne spent the last 10 years working for UNAM Centro Cultural Morelia as the Cultural Center Coordinator, where she paved the way to highlight and showcase local artists and bring cultural education to the community of Morelia.

She recently relocated back to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria area to be closer to family and continue participating in this great community that she considers home! In her spare time, she enjoys, being with friends and family. She loves walking on the beach, traveling, dancing, and visiting galleries, museums, cultural activities. While Ivonne is not an artist, she considers herself an ambassador for the arts and is passionate about making art and culture programming accessible to all communities.

nikki@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.951.0417

Nikki was born in China but raised in Los Angeles for most of her life with summers and winters in Montana. She's always felt a strong pull to explore other places and the lives of people who live there. Now living in Carpinteria, she's joined the Carpinteria Arts Center as their gallery coordinator.

A graduate of Smith College with a degree in Anthropology and Brazilian Portuguese Studies, Nikki has a deep appreciation for culture and aesthetic. Passionate about photography as well, she loves capturing her curiosities about overlooked moments and spaces. She also works with a New York-based menswear company and an interior design stylist working up and down the Southern California Coast.

Since joining the Arts Center staff, she coordinates different nonprofits to display their work in the Robinson Family Studio, oversees an incredible team of volunteer gallery hosts, serves as the liaison to the Exhibition team to enable our community art gallery to host 7 juried exhibits and 1 curated exhibit per year, and helps organize the free art receptions.

erynn@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.951.0417

Erynn was born and raised in Carpinteria and is proud to serve a vibrant local nonprofit in the heart of her hometown. As Facility and Events Coordinator at the Carpinteria Arts Center, she supports a wide range of programs and events—including the Summer Concert Series, Palate to Palette, the Holiday Festival of Trees, and more.

Her path into event coordination began through volunteer work with the Alzheimer’s Association, helping organize the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s. That experience led to a mentorship with a local event director and launched a career that has included planning everything from farm-to-table dinners and wine festivals to nonprofit galas, corporate trade shows, and multi-day conferences. Erynn brings both creativity and attention to detail to every event she supports, helping create memorable, community-centered experiences.

Outside of her role at the Arts Center, Erynn enjoys hiking local trails with her dogs, practicing yoga, cooking new recipes, exploring creative crafts, and working with clients as a certified nutrition coach.

celeste@carpinteriaartscenter.org
805.684.7789 ext. 3

Celeste was born in Goleta and grew up moving between different parts of Santa Barbara County, but calls Lompoc and Carpinteria her two hometowns. After spending two years in Louisiana, she moved back to Carpinteria in 2020 and has lived here ever since.

In 2020, Celeste started as a Program Facilitator for Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. She then worked as Carpinteria High School’s Library Media Technician in 2021 before deciding to continue her education in 2023. After earning two associates degrees in liberal arts at Santa Barbara City College, she transferred to UC Santa Barbara to pursue art.

While working towards her bachelor’s degree, Celeste was a student technician for the Art Department’s digital print and fabrication studios. There, she learned to love working with Adobe software, vinyl cutters, RISO printers, and 3D printers. Meanwhile, Celeste won the 2023 Carpinteria Avocado Poster Contest, interned as a research assistant with the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education and as an arthandler at the Glassbox Gallery, and organized a group exhibition called “Honor Your Mother” before graduating with an art B.A. in June of 2025.

Celeste is passionate about arts education and accessibility thereof, and is happy to serve the Carpinteria community in her position as Gallery Coordinator. In this role, her day largely consists of overseeing the Charles Lo Bue Gallery and the Robinson Community Art Display while collaborating with her wonderful volunteers.

When Celeste is not being a Gallery Coordinator, she enjoys making art, playing video games, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Alan is a board member whose deep love of the arts naturally attracted him to the Arts Center.  He is a key member and participant on the "Building a Home for the Arts Capital Campaign" and its $3.1 million goal.  He and his wife, Carol, serve in many local capacities having immersed themselves in local organizations and non-profits, as they believe in and support Carpinteria as a community of volunteers. 

He is retired from a long and successful profession in the business industry working in technology, finance, and operations; his career culminated as a Senior Vice President at Bank of America.  Alan earned his Bachelors degree from Stony Brook University (where he lettered 3 years playing DIII basketball) and his Masters degree in Business Administration from Adelphi University.  

In his initial retirement, he served thirteen years as a basketball coach for the girls team at Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, CA.  A native of New York and then a resident of the bay area, he and his wife moved to Carpinteria several years ago to be closer to family; they love contributing to the incredible town they now call their "forever" home.

A native of Los Angeles ("I love LA!") who moved to Carpinteria in 1980 with her husband Brad Stein, former City Councilman and two-time Mayor of Carpinteria. She is a founding member of the Carpinteria Arts Center serving as its first Treasurer and later as Chair of the Endowment Fund Committee. She also served as Treasurer of the Lou Grant Parent Child Workshop for eight years.

Carla earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics from the University of California Santa Barbara and enjoyed a long and successful career in Banking and Finance, first with Bank of America specializing in consumer and small business loans, then with Chase Bank as a Real Estate Loan Specialist.

More recently Carla was the General Manager for Sunset Shores, a 78-unit condominium complex near the beach in Carpinteria. After ten years in property management, she became fully retired in December 2021 and now divides her time between Carpinteria and Jacksonville, Florida.

Carla is the proud mother of three grown sons, Eric, Jeremy, and Kevin, who attended Carpinteria schools before going away to college. All three were NCAA student athletes and she is an ardent follower of college football and college baseball because of them.

Avid reader, keen traveler, theater goer and art collector. "I don't create anything myself, but I admire what others have created and living with beautiful objects gives me great pleasure and peace. I hope my art collection is a testimony to this."

Neal Bartlett has lived in Carpinteria since 2009, but his family has lived in the city since the 1930s. After growing up in Simi Valley, California, Neal earned his Bachelor of Science, with honors, in Business Administration and Finance from California Lutheran University. Neal received his Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon, School of Law.

Neal is the owner of Island View Law and his legal practice is focused on estate planning, trust administration, and probate. In 2016, Neal was certified by the State Bar of California as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law; Neal is one of only eleven Santa Barbara County attorneys certified in this area.

Neal currently serves on the Board of Directors for HELP of Carpinteria, the Carpinteria Community Association, and he is a Trustee with the Carpinteria Cemetery District. He is also a member and past-president of the Carpinteria Lions Club.

Outside of his work, Neal's interests include travel, struggling with his golf game, spending time with his friends and family, and trying to keep up with his young beagle, Oakley.

"I am thrilled to be a new board member of the Carpinteria Art Center. Art has been a big part of my life since my childhood. My parents were artists and musicians, so, to me, the smell of oil paint, wet clay and the strumming of a guitar are part and parcel of a good life. I also bring a business attitude to the board having been a co-owner of the retail shop, porch, for 11 years. I love Carpinteria and have raised my two wonderful children here, educating them in Carpinteria’s public schools. I believe that Carpinteria is the last of small, Southern California beach towns and I am passionate about maintaining that through art and community service."

Gregg Carty recently received the most prestigious award in our community by being named Carpinteria of the Year for his many years of service and dedication to our community. He is a former City Mayor who served as Mayor for two terms and was on the City Council for 16 years. He started out by working with the City in 1991 as a member of the Architectural Review Board. He is a longtime local who has lived in Carpinteria for more than 60 years. He says that because of his late parents, he knows, “the importance of community involvement and have been volunteering and formally part of various local government committees for the past 30+ years.”

Gregg has been a general contractor for 45 years and has been involved in many local projects. He volunteered to help lead the remodel of the Carpinteria Arts Center and was an integral part in inspiring so many other local tradesman to volunteer their time or donate goods for our nonprofit.

Tim Cohen and his wife Janey have lived in Carpinteria for over 35 years. Tim brings a 30-year management background in the engineering design and environmental services industry. In addition, he served on the board of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria for 12 years and helped lead the design and construction of their current facility on Foothill Road. Tim is also currently serving as a local youth mentor for the Santa Barbara County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA) school-based mentor program.

He has also been involved in education-related activities throughout his career. He has a long-standing relationship with UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, where he serves on the Dean’s Council and as Chair of the Corporate and Foundation Partners Program.

Kathy Dubock joined the board with a background of over 33 years of teaching and as an avid volunteer for the community. She studied communication studies at UCSB and went on to UC Irvine for her teaching degree which culminated with teaching in the SBUSD for 30 years.

In addition to being a gallery host and helping with events at the Carpinteria Arts Center, Kathy also assists with the events for the Carpinteria Friends of the Library. When she is not volunteering or walking with friends she loves to read and enjoys participating in a monthly book club with colleagues and friends.

Kathy and her husband have enjoyed living in Carpinteria for over 38 years!

Born in Viet Nam, Jaclyn resettled to the US with her family as refugees at the age of nine. Within a week of arriving from a refugee camp, she began school in California, knowing only a handful of English words. She went on to earn a BA in Fine Arts from California State Polytechnic Pomona, and an MA in Social Sciences from the University of California Irvine. She holds a deep sense of gratitude and proudly acknowledges herself as a product of the US public education system.

She began her career as a graphic designer but shifted to the nonprofit sector after graduate school. She joined Legal Assistance for Vietnamese Asylum Seekers, working in Asia with US attorneys to provide legal aid to Vietnamese refugees fleeing communist Vietnam. She later led the organization as its executive director. Subsequently, she assumed the roles of associate director at Canal Alliance, and executive director at West Valley Community Services. Both organizations catered to the working poor in Northern California, offering essential services such as food, clothing, housing, and family support.

Jaclyn and her husband prioritized raising their two daughters and relocated to the beautiful Santa Barbara area. She remained dedicated to community service, and participated in various nonprofits and community organizations. She was a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North and Social Venture Partners, Santa Barbara. She also served on the board of Lou Grant Parent-Child Workshop, Parents for Summerland School, and as a Trustee with Carpinteria Unified School District.

Lynda is in her fifth year serving on the board at the Arts Center and was instrumental as a member of the Leadership Team for the "Building a Home for the Arts Capital Campaign" and its $3.1 million goal.  Her passion is for creative arts programming and activities to welcome and engage every member of the community now and for many years to come.

She currently volunteers for Carpinteria Beautiful, collecting litter once a week over a 3 mile stretch.  Lynda enjoys being the facilitator for the Parkinson’s Transition Grief group.  Besides the Arts Center Board, she sits on the boards of Food From the Heart and Center for Successful Aging.  Previously, Lynda  served on the boards of Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA), PathPoint, MOXI, Friendship Center and the Parkinson’s Association.

She is retired from a distinguished career in public education: teacher of second grade in Los Angeles and second and first grade at Taiwan American School; Assistant Dean of Women at the the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Whittier Community College; Assistant Dean of Student Activities, Admissions, and Student Affairs, then Vice President of Adult Education, at Santa Barbara City College.  Lynda earned a Bachelors degree from the University of Southern California with a major in Education and a minor in Psychology, as well as a Masters degree in Counseling and Guidance from Montana State University Bozeman.

Jesus is a native Carpinterian whose family has lived in the valley for over one hundred years.  He has had a long career in education. Jesus has worked at SBCC, the Ventura County Community College District, University of Redlands, California Lutheran University, and CSUN. He has worked as a Dean, a Vice-President, an Assistant to the Chancellor, and as a tenured professor.

Jesus was selected as a Fulbright Scholar and has received three National Endowments for the Arts Fellowships, including one to study Medieval Italian art in Italy.

Jesus has also been active in community organizations that support culture and the arts. He served as president of the Carpinteria Valley History Society, vice-president of the Ventura County Historical and Art Museum, Chairman of the Oxnard Arts Commission, president of the Oxnard Foreign Film Society, and volunteers with the Carpinteria Arts Commission.

Jesus is married to Dr. Theresa FergusonGonzales, also a retired college professor and a volunteer for the CAC. Together they have 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and on great grandchild. Jesus and Terry travel yearly to Europe and spent 70 das in Paris for Terry’s 70th birthday. Together they are delighted to be part of the CAC.

Debbie Murphy has been the owner and broker of Murphy King Real Estate since 1982. She brings a wealth of volunteer experience ranging from the Carpinteria Sanitary District to serving on the board of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning board, the Carpinteria Chamber of Commerce and the California Avocado Festival board, for all of which she also served in the position of President.

Debbie also volunteers internationally, helping with many Rotarian service trips and serving as a Spanish translator and assistant for Aeromedicos during three years on trips into Baja California to provide medical and dental services in the pueblo of Cadaje, Baja del Sur.

Debbie also enjoys her eclectic art collection, gardening at the community garden, traveling the world and even making art herself from time to time.

Lenny grew up in a small rural community, Cooperstown, New York, and enlisted in the US Army as a trumpet player upon high school graduation where he met his future wife, Lisa Pekkanen, a trombone player from Carpinteria.

Their first few years of marriage were spent in college and developing their professional careers outside of Carpinteria. In 1991 they moved back home to Carpinteria where, along with Lisa’s dearly departed mother, Maija Pekkanen, they raised their two children, Laura and Erik.

As a musical artist, Lenny has performed on a multitude of stages from Santa Maria to Solana Beach to Oahu with local bands South on Linden, The Upbeat, SoLuna, The Brewery Boyz, The Flashbacks, and the SBCC Good Times Jazz Band.

Lenny’s professional career highlights are Technical Escalations, Sales and Training, Banker, Golf Pro, Purchasing Manager, and Facilities Engineer. He holds an AA degree in Liberal Studies from SBCC.

Maija Pekkanen was an early supporter and advocate of the Carpinteria Valley Arts Council. She would have loved the continuing evolution of the present day Carpinteria Arts Center. Lenny is proud to join the CAC board and help carry on her love of the arts in Carpinteria.

Roland joined the Board in late 2018, as the latest chapter in a long history of active service to and involvement in our local community.  As past President of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria, he stewarded a fine group of Rotarians in service-over-self projects to enhance the quality of life for others; he continues to contribute his positive energy there as Club Administrator.  As past Board Chair of the Carpinteria Chamber of Commerce, he guided fellow business-owners through targeted improvements in local economics and community relationships; he continues as a member of that board so as to be active in community affairs. 

With his Ph.D. in clinical psychology, Dr. Rotz has specialized in providing a full range of diagnostic and clinical services to children and adults for over 30 years.  He has provided local psychotherapy services for the past 20 years and is the owner/director of the Lifespan Development Center in Carpinteria.  Dr. Rotz is a nationally recognized expert on ADHD, and consults and presents both locally and nationally.  His focus is on appreciating and embracing the complexities of the unique characteristics associated with gifted, twice exceptional, ADHD, and learning challenged students. 

He and his wife have been married for 40 years and have twin daughters grown up and living elsewhere who greatly enjoy visiting with them in Carpinteria.  Dr. Rotz’ involvement with the Arts Center comes right from the heart, as he deeply understands the power of the creative arts to equally reach all students, transfigure a mind, and progress favorable development in every aspect of a cherished life.

Nini Seaman brings diverse art experience to the board as an artist herself. She started her studies in Montevideo, Uruguay in South America and ended with a Masters degree from Tufts University and the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts. Her volunteer experience ranges from helping local schools and homeowners’ associations to serving on the boards of Laguna Blanca School, Calm, and Girls Inc.

Nini enjoys spending time with her family, who are also artistic, and her two dogs.

Robert Stokes, who recently moved to Carpinteria in 2018 after living in New Jersey for 35 years, jumped right into volunteering in our community.

In addition to being an active member of the Carpinteria Lions Club and Carpinteria Beautiful, he volunteers with the Carpinteria Hosts and serves as a gallery host in the Lo Bue Gallery at the arts center. Bob adds his vast experience as an IT project management consultant and systems development manager along with being on the board of the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey to the board of directors.

Robert earned both his BS degree in finance and Master’s degrees in urban education from the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to earn his Reading Psychology Master’s degree from the Temple University. He has been able to share those talents with the community by volunteering as a reading and math tutor in his original hometown’s GED/Adult Literacy program.

Simon Palmer, an Architect with 10 plus years of commercial and residential experience, moved from Sydney, Australia to Carpinteria in December 2018 with his family. In Australia, he had the opportunity to design and install public installations for the Vivid Light Festival, a festival of lights held at night in Sydney each year. His work is not limited to just Architecture, but as a manager and specialist of building design information, he has fostered software and web development skills that he uses to also create tools for design professionals.

Since moving to Carpinteria, he has become a member of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning. He especially enjoys participating in the maintenance of hiking trails and Tomol Park. Simon is passionate about combining art and science to inspire creativity in the community.

Annalee has been a teacher all her adult life. She graduated from Yale in 1995 and then taught math for 14 years in independent and public high schools in Boston. She moved her young family to Carpinteria in 2009 after accepting a teaching position at Cate School, where over the years, she has grown into leadership as the Chair of the Math Department and now as the Dean of Academics. In addition to her teaching and administrative duties, Annalee loves being an advisor, helping to lead outdoor trips, and hosting knitting circles. Working to instill a sense of belonging and a belief in their capacity for growth is what Annalee finds most fulfilling about working with young people.

Annalee and her partner Chris have two incredible daughters, Rosita and Amelia, who attended Carpinteria Family School, Crane Country Day School, and who are now both students at Cate. Rosita and Amelia have enjoyed many weeks of “Arts by the Sea” summer camps, most recently as volunteer counselors. As a family, they enjoy outdoor adventure, travel, and talking to and about their four cats.

Annalee is honored to serve the board of the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center and is eager to support its excellent work in the community.

Lourdes Trigueros became a part-time resident of Carpinteria in 2010 and in 2019 was thrilled to become a permanent resident. She and her husband are committed to being active members of the community. She presently serves as a board member of the Carpinteria Morning Rotary and consistently volunteers at other nonprofits in Carpinteria. Lourdes is committed to supporting and empowering the Hispanic community and working towards the betterment of Carpinteria as a whole.

Lourdes was born and raised by her grandmother in the small rural Village of Tarimoro in Michoacan, Mexico. Her mother moved to the United States to better provide for children, and at age 13, Lourdes joined her and started working by picking vegetables in the fields of Salinas, CA. Upon graduation from high school, Lourdes enrolled at Glendale Community College to improve her English and finished a training program in medical office management. Pursuing higher education was a dream, but an impossibility at the time due to her financial and legal status in the United States. Fortunately, due to the Amnesty program established by then-president Ronald Regan, Lourdes acquired legal status by obtaining her permanent residency and became a proud U.S. Citizen five years later.

Lourdes started her career in medical management and billing at City of Hope Medical Center. Lourdes then went on to start a medical billing business, E & M Medical Management. In the last thirty years, Lourdes has grown the business into a successful small corporation that has provided services to Mission Hospital in the San Fernando Valley, Harbor UCLA in the So. Bay, San Antonio Medical center in Upland, CA., Queen of The Valley Hospital in the high desert, and many other medical entities. Due to her vast knowledge and experience in medical management, Lourdes is contracted by Medicare to assist in medical audits of physicians and medical facilities. She has also been sought after by law enforcement to help with medical fraud cases. Lourdes is now retired, but still maintains leadership in the corporation.

Lourdes loves to travel domestically and abroad. She enjoys hiking and is a prolific beachcomber, hunting for the elusive sea glass, which she uses in her love for arts and crafts. Lourdes crochets, knits, and loves everything related to art. She has recently taken on the new hobby of photography!

Leo is a Native Carpinterian that feels very fortunate to have grown up with art programs in the local school district. Leo currently is the Vice President and Branch Manager of the Carpinteria Branch of Montecito Bank & Trust. He has over 33 years in the Retail Banking Industry including 16 of those years in Carpinteria.

He has been passionate about the Carpinteria Community and has volunteered for several local non-profits over the years including the Carpinteria Valley Lions Club, The Rhythmic Arts Project, Carpinteria Education Foundation, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, Carpinteria Boys and Girls Club, and has been on the board of the Carpinteria Valley Chamber, and the California Avocado Festival with two years as the Board President.

Leo still enjoys painting when he gets an opportunity and thoroughly enjoys all things Carpinteria, including the downtown district, surf fishing and beach walks with his wife Marian, adult children, Justin and Katie, and his granddog Panda.

Monica Thomas has been a dedicated member of the Carpinteria Unified School District for the past 16 years, serving at both Carpinteria Middle School and Carpinteria High School. For the last seven years, she has worked as the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, supporting leadership and families, cultivating strong connections throughout the district.

Born and raised in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Monica earned her B.A. in Communications from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. Before moving to the United States, she worked for the Sinaloa State Government’s Economic Development Department, where she led the Hecho en Sinaloa (“Made in Sinaloa”) program, helping local businesses promote their products and reach broader markets.

Monica’s professional background also includes roles in logistics and event coordination at Casa Natalie Hotel Boutique & Spa and Las Rosas Hotel & Spa in Ensenada, Baja California. She also gained experience in media, marketing, and cultural events, working with the Cultural Festival of Sinaloa, nationwide department store COPPEL, and the water utility JUMAPAM in Mazatlán.

After marrying and spending a short time in Georgia, Monica and her husband moved to Carpinteria in 2007, where he lived before relocating to Mexico and meeting Monica. They raised their two children here, both proud graduates of Carpinteria High School who are now pursuing their college degrees. Together, they are a multicultural family; her husband was raised in the Netherlands by a Dutch mother and an American father, a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 who is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Monica deeply loves Carpinteria and its families. Through her various roles at CUSD, she has built meaningful relationships and remains committed to serving and supporting the community she now proudly calls home.

Karina and her family (husband Julien, son Eliott and daughter Sophia) moved to Carpinteria in 2013. Eliott and Sophia attended Canalino and Carpinteria Family School, Sophia is currently at Crane Country Day School, and Eliott is attending Carpinteria High School. Both have enjoyed many weeks of “Arts by the Sea” summer camps, Eliott most recently as a volunteer counselor.

Karina holds a Master’s degree in Immunology from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, a PhD degree in Neuroscience from the Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland and worked in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, Durham, NC. She joined Agilent Technologies over a decade ago and is currently responsible for research and the development and launch of cancer diagnostic devices in collaboration with biopharma companies. She has been involved with the American Cancer Society and is chairing the American Cancer Society’s local gala in November 2025.

Karina enjoys creative thinking in her scientific role and when time permits loves to write, sew, knit and discovering different kinds of art forms.

“We are so fortunate to have the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center in our town and I am honored to serve the board and support its excellent work in the community.”

Mary Watfa immigrated to the United States from Syria in 2004, where she completed her high school and college education before beginning a new chapter in California with her husband, Zack. Shortly after arriving, Mary and her husband, Zack, lived and worked in Ojai before moving to Carpinteria in 2008, where they built both their family and businesses together.

Like many immigrant families, Mary and Zack worked tirelessly to build a future for their family while supporting loved ones back home. Through years of working in local businesses, Mary developed a deep appreciation for hard work, resilience, and building meaningful relationships within the community. Today, Mary and Zack are proud part-owners of several local businesses in the area. In 2025, they were honored with the Small Business Award at the Carpinteria Community Awards Banquet in recognition of their community involvement and local business contributions.

Mary is passionate about education, art, and community involvement. From 2021 to 2025, she worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at The Howard School, where she formed meaningful connections with local families and students.

She enjoys cooking Mediterranean cuisine, running, and supporting her son’s soccer club and church community through volunteer work. Mary strongly believes in giving back and is deeply grateful for the community that has welcomed and supported her family throughout the years.

As a small business owner, community volunteer, and former Teacher’s Assistant, Mary hopes to bring her experience, dedication, and passion for community service to the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center. She values collaboration, creativity, and opportunities that bring people together. Mary is committed to supporting programs that enrich the lives of local families and strengthen community connections through the arts, education, and cultural experiences.

For more than two decades, Crescent LoMonaco has been an active member of the Carpinteria and Summerland communities. She lives in Summerland with her husband, the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Marshal, and their son, who attends Carpinteria High School.

Crescent’s extensive background in civic engagement includes serving as a local business owner and holding board positions with the California Avocado Festival, the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Carpinteria Parking and Business Improvement Advisory Board. She currently brings her passion for local preservation to the Summerland Beautiful board and writes the monthly Summerland Savvy column for the Coastal View News.

Now, as a local artist who has frequently exhibited her work at the Carpinteria Arts Center, Crescent is honored to join the CAC board. She looks forward to working alongside a dynamic team to champion the local arts scene, help shape the future of CAC, and inspire new artists to dive into the community.

Adriana Gonzaález-Smith is a dedicated community advocate, music educator, and nonprofit leader with a deep passion for the arts, education, and civic engagement. A fourth-generation Carpinterian, Adriana has spent many years actively supporting local organizations and initiatives that strengthen cultural awareness, community connection, and educational opportunities.

Professionally, Adriana is a music theory teacher and accomplished classical pianist who enjoys sharing her love of music and learning with students of all ages. She currently serves as Vice President of the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation, where she helps lead efforts focused on local history, cultural preservation, and community education through large-scale historical and cultural initiatives. She also serves as Vice President of the Laguna Blanca Family Association, supporting student and family engagement within the school community.

Adriana is especially passionate about projects that bring people together through storytelling, culture, music, and community collaboration. She strongly believes in the power of the arts to educate, inspire, and create meaningful connections across generations.

Outside of her volunteer and professional work, Adriana is a proud military wife and devoted mother to her son, Joaquin. She is honored to serve on the board of the Carpinteria Arts Center and looks forward to supporting its mission and continued impact within the community.

Doug Garrison began his connection to Carpinteria when he became an employee of Dako Corporation in 1993. After raising their family in Newbury Park, he and his wife, Nancy, finally moved to this little city by the beach 18 years ago. It did not take long for them to realize that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives here.

Doug grew up in Northeast Los Angeles, graduated from Occidental College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and then earned a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology from UCLA. He spent his entire career working for companies in the medical field as a scientist. First in a clinical laboratory, then in a start-up biopharmaceutical company and finally retired from the biochemical diagnostic manufacturing company, Dako (now part of Agilent Technologies).

Both Nancy and Doug were active as volunteers for the American Cancer Society fundraising efforts of Relay for Life in the past. Doug now volunteers as a ”pilot” for Cycling Without Age in Carpinteria, a group that provides trishaw rides for individuals who no longer are able to ride a bicycle themselves.

Although Doug’s artistic talents are limited, he always has appreciated all forms of the arts for most of his life including visual, music, theater, literature and dance.