title https://www.pacbiztimes.com Proudly serving Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:41:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 Street smarts: South Coast State of the City luncheon returns https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2024/03/25/street-smarts-south-coast-state-of-the-city-luncheon-returns/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 07:41:06 +0000 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/?p=92644 This article is only available to Business Times subscribers Subscribers: LOG IN or REGISTER for complete digital access. Not a Subscriber? SUBSCRIBE for full access to our weekly newspaper, online edition and Book of Lists. Check the STATUS of your Subscription Account.

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Street smarts: Cal Poly assistant professor wins reputable $120K award https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2024/03/01/street-smarts-cal-poly-assistant-professor-wins-reputable-120k-award/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 15:41:00 +0000 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/?p=92519 This article is only available to Business Times subscribers Subscribers: LOG IN or REGISTER for complete digital access. Not a Subscriber? SUBSCRIBE for full access to our weekly newspaper, online edition and Book of Lists. Check the STATUS of your Subscription Account.

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Street smarts: Ventura County YMCA launches annual fundraiser https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2024/02/23/street-smarts-ventura-county-ymca-launches-annual-fundraiser/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:05:59 +0000 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/?p=92479 The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has launched its 2024 annual fundraising campaign, the nonprofit announced Feb. 14.  Until March 15, the Y’s goal is to raise $200,000 so it can continue to offer its programs to all community members, regardless of an ability to pay, it said in a press release. This year’s annual fundraiser Read More →

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The Southeast Ventura County YMCA has launched its 2024 annual fundraising campaign, the nonprofit announced Feb. 14. 

Until March 15, the Y’s goal is to raise $200,000 so it can continue to offer its programs to all community members, regardless of an ability to pay, it said in a press release.

This year’s annual fundraiser is particularly special as the Southeast Ventura County YMCA is also celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024.

The YMCA‘s two no-cost signature programs are supported solely by donations.

One of the programs, Find My Genius, closes the learning gap that often occurs during summer, especially for children in low- to middle-income households. 

In 2023, Find My Genius enrolled 575 young scholars in its summer program and 287 took part in its year-round afterschool program.

The other program, Safety Around Water, is a no-cost program that teaches the basics of water safety and how to be safer near and around water. 

Last year, 720 children participated. The Y also provided $200,000 in financial assistance in 2023 to those in childcare, summer camp and teen and membership programs who could not otherwise afford to take part.

 “For 60 years, the Y has focused on giving back to our neighbors. We’re committed to providing enriching programs for children, improving the overall health of community members and being at the forefront to help people in need. Each donation made during the month-long campaign can be life-changing,” Ronnie Stone, president and CEO of the Y, said in a press release.  

Other YMCA programs include after school childcare in the Conejo Valley, Las Virgenes, Moorpark and Simi Valley school districts, summer camps, and Model United Nations and Youth & Government for middle and high schoolers.

To learn more about the fundraising campaign or to donate go to sevymca.org/annual-campaign.

GIVING PEOPLE A HOME

El Camino Homeless Organization, a SLO County-based nonprofit aimed at providing supportive services to homeless people, announced that it has helped 31 individuals and families find housing in the community so far this year. “This milestone exemplifies the impact that can be achieved when a community comes together to support our mission,” Wendy Lewis, CEO of ECHO, said in a press release. 

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

• Santa Barbara-based CIO Solutions was named to the annual CRN Managed Service Provider 500 list. The MSP 500 list aims to showcase and celebrate MSPs that are driving growth and innovation in the industry. Congrats on the honor!

• Mission Wealth announced it received the 2024 Women’s Choice Award for Best Place to Work for Women and Millennials, a testament to the firm’s ongoing commitment to creating an empowering and inclusive workplace. Congrats on the honor!

PRIDE MOVIE NIGHT
The Pacific Pride Foundation, in partnership with House Of Pride and Equality, hosted the second Pride Movie Night in Santa Maria on Feb. 21. The goal of the event was to highlight the importance of change and expanding one’s horizons. Keep an eye out for more events in the future!

BIKING FOR CANCER

The 16th Annual Tour of Paso bike ride is set to kick off on March 24, offering enthusiasts a chance to pedal through Paso Robles wine country while supporting a noble cause. Organized by the Cancer Support Community – California Central Coast, this event aims to raise funds to aid local cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Learn more at tourofpaso.org.

PLANE PULL 

The Santa Barbara Airport, along with Alaska Airlines and Atlantic Aviation, will host the Alpha Resource Center’s third  annual Plane Pull fundraiser on March 2, where teams will compete to pull a nearly 100,000-pound Alaska Airlines Embraer 175 aircraft with a rope for a distance of 20-feet in the fastest time possible. Learn more at: alphasb.org/plane-pull. 

FINAL SCENES

SCHOOL FAIR: The Santa Barbara County Education Office is hosting its second job fair on Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to help schools and district offices attract more workers.

HELP WANTED: The American Red Cross Pacific Coast Chapter is seeking volunteers to help install more than 180 free smoke alarms for local families during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event in Santa Maria on Feb. 24. Learn more at SoundTheAlarm.org/CCR.

SBMA CONCERT: The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is hosting the acclaimed Ying Quartet for a chamber music concert on Feb. 27 starting at 7:30 p.m.

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Greater Central Coast becomes Sutter Health’s sixth community market https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2024/01/31/greater-central-coast-becomes-sutter-healths-sixth-community-market/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:01:14 +0000 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/?p=92322 Sutter Health, a Sacramento-based nonprofit integrated health system, announced on Jan. 31 that its sixth community-based market will be the Greater Central Coast. The market will be anchored by Sansum Clinic, a 103-year-old nonprofit outpatient healthcare organization based in Santa Barbara, which officially became part of Sutter Health in October. “Our community-based markets allow us Read More →

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Sutter Health, a Sacramento-based nonprofit integrated health system, announced on Jan. 31 that its sixth community-based market will be the Greater Central Coast.

Kurt Ransohoff, Warner Thomas, other key executives, physicians and community members gathered on Sept. 29 at Sansum’s 4151 Foothill Rd. campus, celebrating the fact that Sansum Clinic is now a member of Sutter Health. (courtesy photo)

The market will be anchored by Sansum Clinic, a 103-year-old nonprofit outpatient healthcare organization based in Santa Barbara, which officially became part of Sutter Health in October.

“Our community-based markets allow us to laser-focus on delivering comprehensive, equitable care within each region, in order to make the greatest impact for the patients and communities we serve,” Warner Thomas, Sutter Health president and CEO, said in a press release.

“Expanding Sutter’s footprint, anchored by the Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, furthers our commitment to increasing access to our high-quality healthcare and services for the Central Coast community where they live and work,” Thomas said.

Sutter’s five other markets are Greater Sacramento, Greater Central Valley, Greater East Bay, Greater San Francisco and Greater Silicon Valley.

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Geri LaChance, SESLOC CEO, retiring in June https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2024/01/10/geri-lachance-sesloc-ceo-retiring-in-june/ Thu, 11 Jan 2024 02:17:53 +0000 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/?p=92158 Geri LaChance, president and CEO of the SESLOC Federal Credit Union for 12 years, is retiring effective June 2024, the San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit announced Jan. 10. She will be succeeded by Mike Quamma, the organization’s executive vice president and CFO. SESLOC Board Chair Tom Lebens praised LaChance’s tenure. “It’s hard to aptly summarize the Read More →

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Geri LaChance, president and CEO of the SESLOC Federal Credit Union for 12 years, is retiring effective June 2024, the San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit announced Jan. 10.

SESLOC CFO Mike Quamma, left, is replacing long-time president and CEO Geri LaChance in June.

She will be succeeded by Mike Quamma, the organization’s executive vice president and CFO.

SESLOC Board Chair Tom Lebens praised LaChance’s tenure.

“It’s hard to aptly summarize the legacy Geri will leave at SESLOC after 12 years at the helm of the credit union,” he said in a press release. “She will leave SESLOC well-positioned for the future thanks to the myriad of changes she has championed.”

During LaChance’s time as president and CEO, the credit union grew to over $1.2 billion in assets and garnered frequent, regular recognition and accolades from the community and the credit union industry. She led SESLOC’s technology infrastructure which includes robust systems and a keen focus on digital technologies that enhance the ease of doing business with the credit union, Lebens said.

Additionally, LaChance championed the construction of SESLOC’s new headquarters which opened in 2014, as well as getting SESLOC back on the Cal Poly campus.

Lebens also credited LaChance’s political advocacy, both statewide and nationally, which he said has helped to protect the important role that credit unions play in people’s lives.

“But equally important is the indelible stamp she has made on the workplace at SESLOC,” he said. “Great company culture is no accident. Geri has set the tone and expectation at the top that SESLOC must be, above all, a great place to work.”

Lebens said the credit union’s board is confident that Quamma, who has been with SESLOC since March 2020, will be a worthy successor to LaChance. Quamma has nearly 30 years of experience in the credit union sector, including senior positions at the Seattle Credit Union and the Boeing Employees Credit Union.

“(Quamma) has been instrumental in ensuring the financial stability and resilience of our credit union during the challenging times of the pandemic and its aftermath,” Lebens said.

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Street smarts: Santa Barbara company donates equipment https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2023/12/26/street-smarts-santa-barbara-company-donates-equipment/ Tue, 26 Dec 2023 18:42:53 +0000 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/?p=92052 Santa Barbara-based MOS Equipment held a special event on Dec. 21 dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of local law enforcement agencies in digital forensics. The company donated its Mission Darkness faraday bags and analysis enclosures to the agencies, with each kit valued at approximately $11,000. AWARDS SEASON The Ventura County Chapter of SCORE recognized two local Read More →

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Santa Barbara-based MOS Equipment held a special event on Dec. 21 dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of local law enforcement agencies in digital forensics. The company donated its Mission Darkness faraday bags and analysis enclosures to the agencies, with each kit valued at approximately $11,000.

AWARDS SEASON

The Ventura County Chapter of SCORE recognized two local businesses for outstanding achievements in 2023 on Dec. 14. The two businesses were KnitPal of Moorpark, recognized as Small Business of the Year, while Real Model Solutions of Ventura was recognized for Outstanding Progress in Business Development. 

WINNER, WINNER

• RTX, a Raytheon company, won The Foodbank of Santa Barbara’s Hunger Heroes Corporate Showdown. In total, the competition helped raise $61,840 and the eight competing teams collectively donated over 2,407 pounds of food and collectively put in 67 hours of volunteer time. Cheers to the season of giving!

• Chase Restaurant, located on State St. in downtown Santa Barbara, won the annual Downtown Santa Barbara’s Décor Committee amongst 25 competing businesses! Congrats on that holiday spirit!

ENHANCED EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The City of Santa Barbara Fire Department announced its recent acquisition of two state-of-the-art fire engines which it said will help them enhance its emergency response capabilities.

NEW ADDITION

• VetSurg, the only locally owned 100% board-certified veterinary surgical center in Southern California, has announced the addition of Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. Hilary Ludwig. 

• Dignity Health French Hospital Medical Center announced Tessa Espinoza as its new Chief Philanthropy Officer, effective Jan. 8. 

• The Santa Barbara Museum of Art announced three newmembers to its Board of Trustees: Rachel Kaganoff Stern, J. Paul Longanbach, and Beth Wood. They will serve under the leadership of Board Chair Nicholas Mutton and their term officially begins Jan. 1.

UPSKILL PROGRAM

The Economic Development Collaborative is now enrolling employees in workplace English language training at no-cost, thanks to a one-time grant from the Employment Training Panel. For those interested email upskill@edcollaborative.com.

FIRST TIMERS

The inaugural flight from San Luis Obispo Airport to Las Vegas took place on Dec. 15. The now daily flight will be a big boost to the SLO economy!

GETTING INVOLVED
Amgen will serve as the title sponsor of the Irish Open starting in 2024, following the acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics plc in October 2023. Horizon Therapeutics, a leading Irish company, began sponsoring the tournament in 2022 as part of a multi-year commitment to the Irish community.  

LOOK UP!

Another space flight took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Dec. 20. The mission, called Fly the Lightning, launched a payload for Lockheed Martin.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING

Nonprofits serving Goleta residents are encouraged to access $250,000 in grant funds the city has made available through a ompetitive application process. The process runs through Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. and online applications will be accepted for both the Goleta City Grant and Community Development Block Grant programs.

FINAL SCENES

HAPPY RETIREMENT: Ellen Goodstein, the executive director at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute for the past nine years, has stepped down from her post. We wish her luck in her next journey!

REMODEL DONE: San Luis Obispo-based CALM launched its new website last week. The remodeled website, accessible at calm4kids.org, comes as part of CALM’s commitment to serving its diverse audience and facilitating easy access to crucial information. 

BIG TIME HELPERS: Santa Barbara-based Direct Relief has been named the largest charity in California and the 5th largest charity nationally, according to Forbes Magazine’s newly released annual list of the 100 largest U.S. charities.

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Area Salvation Army captains share plans to help in 2024 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2023/12/15/area-salvation-army-captains-share-plans-to-help-in-2024/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:05:50 +0000 https://www.pacbiztimes.com/?p=91929 This article is only available to Business Times subscribers Subscribers: LOG IN or REGISTER for complete digital access. Not a Subscriber? SUBSCRIBE for full access to our weekly newspaper, online edition and Book of Lists. Check the STATUS of your Subscription Account.

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