BIO – Ignacio “Nash” Moreno
Nash joins EconAlliance with a robust background in executive leadership, cross-industry project management, and a proven track record of advocacy across both the private and nonprofit sectors. Locally based in Santa Maria, Nash brings an exceptional blend of technical expertise and regional passion to the position.

Key highlights from Nash’s distinguished career include:

• Aerospace & Defense Program Leadership: As a Project Manager at RedWire Defense Tech in San Luis Obispo, Nash has led complex aerospace and defense programs involving advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/UAV) supporting domestic and international customers.
• Aviation & Infrastructure Management: Nash was elected to the Santa Maria Public Airport Board and recently served as President of the Santa Maria Public Airport District.
• Deeply Engaged Community Advocate: A graduate of the Leadership Santa Maria Valley Class of 2025, Nash has a demonstrated passion for community building and managing diverse stakeholders. He has frequently represented regional interests at prominent events like the State of Vandenberg, SMVC, and the Central Coast Airfest.

As President of the Santa Maria Public Airport District board, Nash managed a $5M annual budget, overseeing infrastructure improvement projects and ensuring alignment with strategic goals. He directed a team of 15 airport staff on operational decisions, optimizing resource allocation and project execution and represented the airport at key industry conferences (ACA, Mead & Hunt Air Service Development, ICAS, AirVenture), strengthening relationships with industry partners.

Nash, as a deeply rooted member of our community who is actively engaged in local volunteer leadership, is uniquely positioned to foster meaningful new collaborations and partnerships. He is skilled at promoting economic growth, fostering partnerships, and enhancing operational excellence to support sustainable development initiatives.

BIO – Lauria Tamura
Laurie Tamura has 40 years of land planning experience with 32 years as the owner of Urban Planning Concepts. Urban Planning Concepts has been involved in the development of over 10,000 homes along with commercial, industrial, and winery projects in Santa Barbara County.

In giving back to the community, Laurie has served in many volunteer positions including the Boards of the Chamber of Commerce, Police Council, Leadership Santa Maria Valley, American Planning Assoc. and Home Builders Association. In 2016-17 she was President of the Santa Maria Valley Breakfast Rotary Club. The Boy Scouts of America has been her family’s passion and she served on the district and council boards.
Contact me:
Laurie Tamura
President and Principal Planner
Urban Planning Concepts, Inc
2624 Airpark Drive
Santa Maria, Ca 93455
805-431-6713
laurie@urbanplanningconcepts.com

BIO – Patrice Mosby
Patrice Mosby was raised in a rural area of Sacramento County, a place where children roamed freely in nearby creeks and orchards. She received a BS from UC Davis in Plant Science, with a focus on row crop production and pesticide, soil, and water management, and ultimately settled in the Central Coast. During her seven years in agricultural fieldwork, specifically vegetable genetics and pest management, she pursued a business degree with emphasis on accounting. Throughout her career, Patrice has nurtured business relationships to help support the Central Coast’s growing community and financial needs. As a Sr. Relationship Manger with Wells Fargo, Patrice oversaw Middle Market Banking’s development and expansion efforts. This position at Wells Fargo went beyond traditional credit facilities and real estate financing. It involved working across business units to deliver debt and equity capital, cash flow-based lines for acquisition dry powder, leveraged recapitalizations, ESOP financing and bond issuance.

Patrice along with her husband and two daughters have built an extensive history of working within the Central Coast wine community. They previously founded Chimere Winery and recently established Mosby Vineyards. Patrice also held a key executive position during startup phases for PrimusLabs. Patrice’s community involvement extends outside work with volunteer leadership in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County communities. It underscores her commitment to develop economies throughout the community and globally by driving a positive, innovative social impact that addresses barriers to economic mobility in low and moderate-income communities–particularly in the areas of housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health.

Patrice has been an active member of Santa Maria Rotary Clubs for 15 years, an Alternate Board Member of the San Antonio Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Task Force Development Committee member of SeeAG, Finance Council and School Endowment Foundation member of St. Louis de Montfort, and past president of California Women for Agriculture.

BIO – Philip Adam
Production Supervisor, Innovative Produce
Philip Adam is a sixth generation produce farmer in the Santa Maria Valley. As part of the family ownership of Innovative Produce, Inc., Philip has worked in every aspect of the business from moving sprinkler pipe to research and development. His role as Production Manager brings him face to face with the challenges of being a Santa Barbara County farmer.
Prior to joining Innovative Produce Philip worked with an investment bank in the Houston area focusing on mergers/acquisitions as well as entrepreneurial capital for the oil and gas industry.

Philip holds a BA from Rice University in Houston, TX where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with majors in Economics and Policy Studies. He is a track and field enthusiast and has earned All American honors. Philip continues his passion for sport as head coach of the St. Joseph High School track team.

BIO – Maribel Aguilera- Hernandez
Maribel Aguilera is an esteemed practitioner in business and real estate law. Her practice encompasses the representation of clients in the intricate processes of forming and operating corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and various other business entities. Maribel possesses a distinguished specialization in the domains of sales and acquisitions, reorganizations, and dissolutions, as well as complex real estate transactions.

Her expertise extends to fulfilling the comprehensive real estate transactional needs of her clientele, with a particular focus on land use and real estate development for both residential and commercial projects as well as residential and commercial leasing.

In addition, Maribel provides counsel to business clients, aiding them in navigating the myriad issues that arise in daily operations. She offers guidance across a spectrum of transactional, general corporate, and governance matters.
Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked for energy companies as a business development land manager where she developed unique skills in title work, due diligence, mineral assets, and natural resource law.

She devotes her free time to improving her community as a city councilwoman and representing children in court.

BIO – Eric A. Daniels
Eric Daniels serves as an External Affairs and Public Policy manager for PG&E, covering the areas of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, Monterey County, and San Benito County. This includes supporting PG&E’s government relations and public outreach efforts, and monitoring California energy issues.

Daniels is a Monterey County native, having grown up amongst the pioneering ranching families east of King City. He attended Sacramento State University and has worked in the California State Legislature and the US Congress. He spent several years in Sacramento as chief lobbyist for a space industry nonprofit advocating for California space enterprise and supporting space companies throughout the state.

BIO – Mark Funkhouser
Mark Funkhouser has worked for the Chumash Casino Resort since August of 2003. Over the course of his 22-year career, Mark has led virtually every major “green” initiative undertaken by the resort and other properties owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Although he has worn many hats in his leadership roles for the resort’s Facilities Department, Funkhouser’s main area of focus has been eliminating waste, improving energy efficiency, and reducing overall resource consumption.

He is quick to point out that we use a very disciplined approach to implementation, stating “we are NOT just green for the sake of being green, but rather approach every project with a specific plan and purpose, all of which are founded in a solid Return On Investment.”

Funkhouser holds many critical accreditations and industry certifications. These include a C-27 California Licensed Contractor, an IICRC Master Textile Cleaner and Journeyman Water Restorer, an IFMA Certified Facility Manager (CFM) since 2010, an NSPF Certified Pool Operator (CPO), a Certified Professional Food Manager and an NASP Certified Safety Auditor. He also participates in the local International Facility Management Assn. (IFMA) California Central Coast Chapter where he was vice president for 2017 to 2019 and past President from 2014 to 2016 and is a current member of the Measure “A” Citizens Oversight Committee, Co-chair of the CRRA Sustainable Business Council, and a community representative for the Santa Barbara County Solid Waste LTF.

BIO – Ben Oakley

Ben Oakley has many years of environmental and technical experience with a proven track record of success in the fast-paced and challenging environment of the California energy industry, including management positions for environmental health and safety as well as government and regulatory affairs. Ben recently served as campaign spokesperson for a successful county-wide ballot initiative in Ventura County.

Ben received his Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Master’s in Natural Resources Management from Utah State. A long-time resident of the Central Coast, Ben also holds several leadership positions in the community including serving as a member of the Santa Barbara County APCD Community Advisory Council and member of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Commission.

BIO – Martin Pehl
Martin Pehl was hired in April, 2023, to serve as General Manager of the Santa Maria Public Airport District. He has a strong aviation background in master planning, development, airport program management, construction, maintenance coordination and revenue development. He previously held positions as airport manager for Merced Regional and Napa County Airport, and was most recently Assistant Airports Manager for San Luis Obispo County. Pehl has a bachelor degree in Aviation from San Jose State University.

BIO – John Rohner

Coming Soon!

BIO – Phil Tabyanan

Phillip Tabyanan was born and raised in Goleta, and spent the last twenty years studying international business and working in the maritime transportation industry along the West Coast. He specialized in large scale project management and contract negotiations while pursuing a passion in real estate.

Phillip relocated to Santa Barbara County with his family in 2019 and currently serves as the General Manager of PLUS Property Management, California Operations.

BIO – Todd Ventura
Todd Ventura was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the 37th District Agricultural Association in 2023 and is currently serving as 1st Vice President. The 37th DAA Boards oversees the Santa Maria Fairpark and their operations. As a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student, Ventura worked at Poor Richard’s Press, learning the printing business from the ground up. In the coming years, Ventura became a partner and President.

He is currently President/Owner of Poor Richard’s Press and considers himself an entrepreneur, mentor, and cross-media marketer, with his company handling all forms of Print, Design, Mail, Apparel, Web and Promotional materials. Ventura has served on the Community Advisory Board for the Dean’s Office at the Cal Poly School of Agriculture, and has been a professional auctioneer for 27 years, presiding over livestock, charity, fine wine, and lifestyle auctions across the Central Coast.

BIO – Tim Mahoney

Tim Mahoney was most recently Public Affairs Manager for the Southern California Gas Company in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. As the company’s liaison with business, community and environmental groups, elected and appointed government officials and customers, his duties included public relations, governmental affairs, environmental/green initiatives, economic development, emergency preparedness/safety, energy efficiency programs and marketing.

The Gas Company is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility serving 18 million consumers through 5.1 million meters. The company’s service territory encompasses 23,000 square miles in most of central and southern California. The Gas Company is part of Sempra Energy. Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

Mahoney joined The Gas Company in 1998. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association, Santa Barbara Industrial Association, United Against Crime and Resource Conservation District.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from UC Santa Barbara and an Associate in Science degree from Santa Barbara City College. Tim and his wife, Myra, have lived on the central coast for forty years. They have two adult children.

BIO – Coming soon!

BIO – Alejandra Mahoney
As Director of Education for People’s Self-Help Housing until her early retirement in 2021, Alejandra Mahoney oversaw development and administration of Peoples’ Self-Help Housing’s (PSHH) K-8 After-School and College Club programs offered at PSHH’s 11 learning centers, interfacing with numerous local and grant funders on mutual priorities.

Born in Costa Rica, raised in Northern Santa Barbara County, Alejandra joined PSHH in 2006, bringing extensive experience from her career at Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Fitzgerald Community School, and Santa Barbara County Office of Education. She has guided education initiatives across the Central Coast, serving as a board member for the FUND, an ambassador for Allan Hancock Community College, and Leadership Santa Maria Valley. Alejandra was also a co-organizer, Charter Board Member and Founding Board President of the Central Coast Future Leaders (CCFL). CCFL is a local nonprofit serving Latino youth and parents and emphasizes youth leadership and empowerment. The organization launched the annual Latino Legacy Awards program in the North County area. Alejandra is proud of having personally assisted dozens of first-generation Latino college students secure university placement in some of the nation’s greatest institutions – Notre Dame, UCLA, USC, and others.

Alejandra is a former Board member, supporter of, and volunteer with EconAlliance. She was a key contributor to the EconAlliance North County Industry video and helped host the first EconAlliance STEM Industry Days at Peoples’ Self-Help Housing. She worked in partnership with EconAlliance and United Way to initiate and implement the past multi-year “Working Neighborhoods” grant involving a dozen economic development and education stakeholders. Over her career, Alejandra has served on numerous other local and regional boards.

Before transitioning to a career in education, Alejandra had entered the family business – agriculture. As co-owner of TKP Farms, one of the first certified organic farms in the area, she became engaged not only in organic farming, but in organic farming development and public education. As a Board Member and then President of the California Certified Organic Farmers’ San Luis Obispo Chapter, she worked on organic system plans, policy, certifications, and outreach to farmers, communities, and policymakers.