CHAMBER BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Chairman: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals
Chairman-Elect: Jason Buchanan, HUB International Insurance Services
Vice Chairman: Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Vice Chairman: Gina Gluyas, BHGRE Haven Properties
Past Chairman: Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Co
Board Members
Sue Andersen, Marian Regional Medical Center
Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc.
Micaela Buchanan, Lark + Sparrow LLC
Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business Solutions Powered by Digital West
Nancy Crawford, Care Connection Transport + Home Care - Santa Maria
Donna Denham
Kelsi Fitzgerald, Veritas Innovative Pest & Termite Solutions
Karen Gjerdrum, Fothergill Andre, Morris & Buttery
Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District
Dave Merlo, Glenn Burdette, Inc
Sylvia Palacios, Santa Maria Town Center
Terè Paredes, Maya Restaurant
Joshua Beau Flores Sahagun, Luttrell Staffing Group
Dr Eric Sauers, A T Still University / College for Healthy Communities
Ryan Swack, Best Western Plus Big America
Dr. Kevin Walthers, Allan Hancock College
Interested in Chamber volunteer leadership opportunities? Contact Molly Schiff, VP of Chamber Operations & Membership, at molly@santamaria.com to learn more about open positions on our committees
CONTINUED - CHAMBER HELPS LEAD DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AS HERITAGE WALK LOFTS BREAK GROUND
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Michael Boyer, CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, noted that the Chamber has been involved in this effort for years. “We’ve been working with the Vernon Group and the City since 2018 around this project,” Boyer said. “Our hope is to bring lots of people living downtown so this area will support thriving restaurants, storefronts and commercial activity turning downtown into a destination.”
Dow emphasized that while construction is underway, it’s critical for residents to continue supporting local businesses downtown “These new residents will help support the small businesses that help shape the character of our community while also creating jobs and strengthening our local economy,” she said
The Vernon Group estimates construction will last about 20 months Once complete, the Heritage Walk Lofts will offer a modern urban aesthetic, with units designed to blend both style and affordability
The Heritage Walk Lofts represent more than new housing they are a key step in shaping a vibrant and resilient downtown Santa Maria. The Chamber remains committed to advocating for projects that drive economic vitality, attract new investment, and create opportunities for local businesses.
For more information on the Chamber’s economic development initiatives, or to learn how your business can get involved, contact Suzanne Singh, Vice President of Economic Development & Government Affairs, at suzanne@santamaria com
For questions related to city planning and development, reach out to Chenin Dow, Community Development Director for the City of Santa Maria, at cdow@cityofsantamaria org
Takealookatsomeof ourother recent Chamber publications including our new Local Business Spotlight and editorials.
Business, #SantaMariaStyle is the Chamber’s quarterly digital magazine publication The magazine is another way we highlight local businesses, see what’s going on in the community, celebrate our members and more!
Check out our newest edition, featuring various locations focused on arts, culture and theater in Santa Maria Valley! Check out features on PCPA, Santa Maria Civic Theatre, and the Dana Adobe Cultural Center
Scan to read the Spring 2025 Magazine! or go to: https://chambervu.com/ santamariaspring25/
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: YOUR PEOPLE PROFESSIONALS
In this month’s Local Business Spotlight, we spoke with Sandra Dickerson, CEO of Your People Professionals, who shared how the company has spent 40 years helping local businesses navigate the challenges of payroll, HR compliance, and employee management so owners can stay focused on growing their business
Pictured: Sandra Dickerson of Your People Professionals highlights the company’s four decades of supporting Central Coast businesses with tailored HR services, from payroll to compliance, allowing owners to dedicate more time to building and growing their operations
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SERIES! For more information or if you are interested in being featured, please reach out to the Chamber marketing team via email at marketing@santamaria.com
Scan to view this month’s spotlight.
operations that take place on one of the nation’s most strategically significant military installations.
The day began with a visit to the NASA Mission Control Center, where Daye Hoffman delivered an insightful mission brief His presentation provided a firsthand look into NASA’s ongoing operations at VSFB, with a focus on upcoming launches and how this unique partnership with the Department of Defense supports national and international space missions
Next, the group toured Firefly Aerospace, a cutting-edge c launching from about Firefly’s space sector an to building cost small to mediu offered an up-c and technology and launch oper
Leadership Santa Maria Valley Explores the Final Frontier at Vandenberg Space Force Base
During lunch, the class was honored to receive a Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30) Mission Brief from Colonel Dorian Hatcher, Deputy Commander of Operations at SLD 30. His overview highlighted the base’s pivotal role in missile defense, space launch operations, and support for both governmental and commercial partners
The afternoon transitioned into a deeper dive into national defense capabilities with a TEG Mission Brief focused on Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) operations Major Tyler Carr, Captain Jessica Zetina, and Master Sergeant Sanderson Conway provided an overview of the training, strategy, and operational readiness required to support these critical missions
The final stop of the day took the class to North Base for a tour of the Missile Alert Facility, led by Captain Mitchel Baugh This secure and highly specialized installation is integral to the monitoring and command of missile systems The tour provided a tangible understanding of the infrastructure and personnel required to maintain constant vigilance and operational readiness
Throughout the day, the LSMV class was consistently inspired by the professionalism, innovation, and strategic vision of everyone they encountered. From commercial rocket development to defense readiness, the experience at Vandenberg Space Force Base offered a powerful reminder of the region’s vital role in shaping the future of space and national defense
As always, the LSMV program is grateful for the access and hospitality provided by the staff at VSFB and for the opportunity to connect with leaders at the forefront of aerospace and defense
