The Economic Alliance Foundation
Forging a stronger Northern Santa Barbara County

About Us

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Who are we?

EconAlliance is a key catalyst inspiring high-performance, globally competitive industries and thriving communities.

EconAlliance is a cross-industry alliance that fosters awareness, advocacy, support and appreciation for Northern Santa Barbara County industries and communities.

View or Download the EconAlliance Latest Annual Review (PDF)

A 501c3 nonprofit organization, it promotes industry understanding, entrepreneurship and innovation, and the development of well-paying jobs, a highly-skilled workforce and worker opportunity. Driving positive impact through advocacy, strategic initiatives, unique partnerships and creative programs, EconAlliance supports industry attraction, retention and expansion, championing Northern Santa Barbara County communities and the key industry sectors that fuel these communities and inspire regional economic vitality.

MISSION

EconAlliance builds awareness, advocacy, support and appreciation for Northern Santa Barbara County industries and communities.

VISION

EconAlliance is a key catalyst inspiring high-performance, globally competitive industries and thriving communities.

The Economic Alliance Foundation

We Inspire Economic Vitality

Events

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Stakeholders

Industries

Communities

MEET OUR TEAM

Executive Committee

Sam Cohen

Sam Cohen

President

Gov’t & Legal Affairs Representative
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

BIO – Sam Cohen
Sam Cohen is the Government Affairs Officer and Legal Officer for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, a position he has held since 2005. During his tenure, Cohen led the tribe in their nine-year Fee to Trust application to successfully establish 6.9 acres of land in federal trust for a Chumash Museum and Cultural Center.

Cohen also served as lead counsel for the Tribe in the renegotiation of the Tribal State Compact in 2014 and 2015. He has been instrumental in the tribe’s educational legislative efforts that include bill AB 544 which established a teaching credential for the teaching of Native American Languages in 2008. In addition, AB 163 that expanded the previous bill to include a Culture credential in 2015.

Cohen earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and his law degree from the University of Minnesota and studied law at University College London. He has a graduate law degree (LL.M.) from of the Tax Program at New York University and also served as the managing editor of the Minnesota Law Review.
Prior to practicing Indian law, Cohen practiced law in Tokyo and Guam.

He is a frequent author on Native American legal issues and also serves as a board member for the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture & Business (COLAB), Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce, and Econ Alliance of North Santa Barbara County.

Patrice Mosby

Patrice Mosby

VP Governance

Co-Owner
Mosby Vineyard

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.

Philip Adam

Philip Adam

VP Finance

CEO
Innovative Produce

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.

Laurie Tamura

Laurie Tamura

Treasurer

Principal Planner/ President
Urban Planning Concepts

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

Phil Tabyanan

Phil Tabyanan

VP Fund Development

General Manager
Plus Property Management

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.

 

MEET OUR TEAM

Board of Directors

Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez

Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez

Board Member 2019

Attorney
Law Office of Maribel Aguilera

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.

Mark Allen

Mark Allen

Board Member 2023

Chief Operations Officer
Marian Regional Medical Center

Bio – Mark Allan
Mark Allen serves as COO of Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC) and its two campuses. He is a healthcare executive with 25 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience across a broad spectrum of healthcare settings. His past experience includes senior operations management in acute care hospital, multi-specialty group practice management, and ambulatory surgery practices.

Blake Bradley

Blake Bradley

Board Member 2024

Spaceport Integration Manager
SpaceX

Bio – Blake Bradley
Blake Bradley is the Spaceport Integration Manager for SpaceX at the Vandenberg Space Force Base launch site responsible for government & community affairs, launch site certification, local mission management for sensitive government programs, and management of strategic growth projects. Previously Blake managed the launch and recovery logistics operations for the West Coast spanning from Long Beach to VSFB.

Prior to SpaceX, Blake graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and worked in software sales & development. Blake is now a proud resident of the Central Coast and serves on the board of directors for REACH in addition to the board of the EconAlliance. In his free time, Blake enjoys the offerings of the region including hiking, wine tasting, and live music.

Dustin Cheney, MBA

Dustin Cheney, MBA

Board Member 2023

Chief Financial Officer
Lompoc Valley Medical Center

BIO – Dustin Cheney, MBA
Dustin Cheney is the Chief Financial Officer at Lompoc Valley Medical Center, having served previously as the Business Office Manager and the Controller. He oversees the financial operations for the District, which include the Acute Hospital, the Comprehensive Care Center, and multiple Physician Clinics. Dustin has been employed in the industry of Health Care Finance since 2008. He had previously worked in both private and public Finance since 2002. He moved to the Central Coast in 2005.

Dustin holds an MBA from California Coast University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Prior to that he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at California Stata University – Northridge. He is a Certified Professional Compliance Officer through AAPC.

Eric Daniels

Eric Daniels

Board Member 2021

External Affairs
Pub Policy Mgr., PG&E

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.

Katie Gorndt

Katie Gorndt

Board Member 2023

VP and Director of Nursing
Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital

BIO – Katie Gorndt
Katie, Vice President and Director of Nursing, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, is a senior executive with diverse clinical experience spanning over the past 24 years. Also serving currently as Ambulatory Surgical Services Director at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Gorndt joined the Cottage Hospital team after four years as Perioperative Surgical Services Director at Lompoc Valley Medical Center (LVMC). There, she was accountable for nursing and clinical services in all areas within Perioperative Surgical Services.

Prior to that position, Gorndt served as RN/Hospital Supervisor at LVMC and RN/Perioperative Surgical Services at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. Gorndt’s first California clinical position was as RN/Critical Care at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster. She began her clinical career as CNA/Surgical Technician/L&D Surgical Technician in Great Falls, Montana with Benefits Health System in 2006.

Gorndt received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Governors University in 2015 and earned a master’s degree, Integrated Healthcare Management in 2017. She has participated in two SEE International missions to Fiji to help address preventable blindness. Gorndt is a member of the Rotary Club of Solvang and enjoys movies, motorcycles, interior design and traveling.

Randal Hernandez

Randal Hernandez

Board Member 2024

Principal Consultant
IMPOWER, Inc.

BIO – Randal Hernandez

Randal Hernandez, Principal Consultant with Impower, Inc. was formerly Verizon’s Director, External Affairs for Southern California. He is accomplished in government and community affairs initiatives that promoted Verizon’s wireless broadband networks and advanced technology strategies. Prior to this role, Randal served as Managing Director, Gov. Relations for Union Bank and was Senior VP and Senior Public Policy Executive for Bank of America.

Randal was Chief-of-Staff to former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill. On behalf of the mayor, Hernandez directed staff and focused on economic development, international trade, city budget and the mayor’s legislative agenda. He also played a leadership role in the establishment of the Long Beach Economic Partnership, a 501c3 non-profit economic development corporation.

Randal is a graduate of Leadership Long Beach and Leadership Southern California. He holds a B.A. in Economics and a Masters degree in Public Administration from CSU, Long Beach. He has received the “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration, CSU Long Beach. Randal and his wife Tracy Hernandez are proud residents of the Santa Ynez Valley and Woodland Hills in Los Angeles.

Tim Mahoney

Tim Mahoney

Board Member 2023

Public Affairs Manager
Southern California Gas Company

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

Southern California Gas Company promotes Hydrogen, renewable natural gas, alternative fuel vehicles, energy efficiency, water pumping engines, fuels cells and microturbines as well as other commercial and industrial uses. 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.

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.

Ben Oakley

Ben Oakley

Board Member 2023

Manager, CA Coastal Region
Western States Petroleum Association

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.

 

Martin Pehl, A.A.E.

Martin Pehl, A.A.E.

Board Member 2023

General Manager
Santa Maria Public Airport

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.

Marvin Rodriquez

Marvin Rodriquez

Board Member 2024

Vice President, Operations
True Precision Machining

BIO – Marvin Rodriquez
Marvin Rodriquez has more than 22 Years in the Aerospace, Defense and Medical manufacturing industry. He began his career cleaning and de-burring machined parts and went on to learn and master the operation and programming of CNC Machine Tools.

Marvin has been with True Precision Machining (TPM) for 15 years. Because of his experience, talent and leadership, he was promoted to the Management Team in 2015. Marvin has extensive knowledge with complex multi-axis milling and turning manufacturing. He is principally responsible for the day-to-day operations, customer collaboration and ensuring the company’s visions are met.

Yolanda Vasquez

Yolanda Vasquez

Board Member 2024

Licensed Financial Professional
Vasquez Financial Group

BIO – Yolanda Vasquez

Yolanda Vasquez is a licensed financial professional, previously AVP/Branch Manager, Mechanics Bank South Broadway, Santa Maria. She began her banking career in 2006 as a teller with Mid-State Bank here on the Central Coast. Vaquez advanced to new positions under the bank’s Rabobank ownership, first responsible for New Accounts, later Business Lending. With Mechanics Bank, Vasquez served as Financial Services Manager prior to her independent consulting services.

Todd Ventura

Todd Ventura

Board Member 2024

President, PRP; First VP
37th District Agricultural Association

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.

Dr. Kevin G. Walthers

Dr. Kevin G. Walthers

Board Member 2024

Superintendent/President
Allan Hancock College

BIO – Kevin Walthers, PhD
Kevin G. Walthers has served as the superintendent/president of Allan Hancock College (AHC) for 11 years. With headcounts exceeding 20,000 students, AHC is the largest regional provider of post-secondary education for Central Coast residents. The college features a multitude of programs for students including a Veteran Success Center, a STEM Academic Success Center, a DREAM Center and an innovative Promise Program. The college’s signature program, The Hancock Promise, is a private/public initiative program that provides local high school students with two years of free tuition at the college.

A first-generation college student, Dr. Walthers attended Eastfield Community College in Mesquite, Texas, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in educational administration from East Texas State University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah.

Dr. Walthers is active in the Northern Santa Barbara County community, serving on the Chambers of Commerce for Santa Maria and Solvang, the board of the California Nature Art Museum, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, and the Breakfast Rotary Club of Santa Maria. He is also on the boards of California Community College CEOs and the California Community College Athletic Association.

MEET OUR TEAM

Staff/Consultants

Jenelle Osborne

Jenelle Osborne

EconAlliance CEO

CEO
EconAlliance

Bio- Jenelle Osborne
Jenelle graduated summa cum laude with a degree in History focusing on Public Administration from Texas Woman’s University (TWU.) Her career encompasses over forty years of both private and public-sector positions. These include Mayor for the city of Lompoc, Program Manager for the Law Enforcement Management Institute at TWU, Volunteer Manager for the Girl Scouts of Tres Condados, and Director of Development and Public Relations for Montessori Center School of Santa Barbara. She also owned a consulting and event planning business from 2005-2020.

Her service on various committees and commissions across the local, state, and national level and her advocacy and relationships across all levels of government have been vital to the region’s recent improvements.
Click to view full bio (PDF) here.

Terri Lee Coleman

Terri Lee Coleman

Advancement/Project Specialist

Advancement/Project Specialist
EconAlliance

Coming Soon!

Ana Ramirez

Ana Ramirez

Project & Events Coordinator

Project & Events Coordinator
EconAlliance

Coming Soon!

Victoria Conner

Victoria Conner

EconAlliance Initiatives Director

Principal
Strategic Vitality, LLC

BIO – Victoria Conner
Victoria Conner is principal of Strategic Vitality LLC, a strategic planning and “creative consensus-building” firm. She is also a co-founder of EconAlliance and has served the organization for several years as consultant and Initiatives Director, coordinating various industry and support initiatives.

Conner has provided consulting support for a variety of clients: Allan Hancock College (AHC), San Bernardino Community College District’s economic development division, Lompoc Adult School and Career Center, Orfalea School of Business at Cal Poly SLO, and United Way NSBC, as well as OASIS, Center for Employment Training, Grower-Shippers Association, and the San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach visitors’ bureaus. Prior to Strategic Vitality LLC, Conner had a public relations/marketing firm serving clients such as PG&E, Union Bank, Blue Cross, and others.

Conner considers her chief accomplishments to be the development of four statewide strategic plans with California space enterprise, each engaging over 150 executive/management stakeholders from 100+ organizations; the co-founding of EconAlliance and its key initiatives; support for the successful grant application for the Allan Hancock College Adult Education Consortium’s AEBG funding; and the development of a $15M successful Department of Labor grant for an industry-related nonprofit’s statewide initiative. The initiative featured 40+ funded statewide partners and 25 projects around education, workforce, innovation, and economic development.

Conner has presented twice at the national Association of Strategic Planning Conference as well as at workshops for the U.S. Department of Labor’s national convention. She is referenced in the Council on Competitiveness’ Collaborate: Leading Regional Innovation Clusters and is published in the Economic Development Journal, key publication of the International Economic Development Council.

She has served as Assistant District Governor and Awards Chairperson for District 5240 of Rotary International, and is a past president of Rotary Santa Maria South. She earned a B.A. in English from CSU Fullerton, as well as a teaching credential and taught elementary and middle school prior to her private sector work. Her earlier private sector work was in HR, public and community relations, and outreach.

Alejandra Mahoney

Alejandra Mahoney

Workforce / Education Director

Internship Program Director
EconAlliance

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.

Lisa Reynolds, CPA, MSA

Lisa Reynolds, CPA, MSA

Finance Director

Finance Director
EconAlliance

Lisa Reynolds, CPA, M.S., is a highly accomplished Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of experience in tax and accounting, including more than 15 years specializing in nonprofit organizations. She holds a Master of Science degree from California State University, Sacramento, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Ashford University, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Known for her meticulous attention to detail and client-centered approach, Lisa has dedicated her career to helping clients navigate the complexities of financial management with confidence. Her expertise spans tax regulations, fostering fiscal accountability, and ensuring compliance with GAAP standards to strengthen financial reporting and transparency. For nearly a decade, Lisa was a FINRA-licensed Series 7 and 66 advisor, further enhancing her ability to offer comprehensive financial insights and solutions. With a passion for empowering individuals and organizations to achieve financial clarity and long-term stability, Lisa remains a trusted advisor in the accounting and financial services community.

Teresa Young

Teresa Young

Marketing, Digital Strategist

Principal/ Founder
BRIGET.org

BIO – Teresa M. Young
Using proven strategies gained over 30+ years in business, I and my team execute 360° digital support for people in small growing towns.

Disenfranchised or marginalized communities in particular need our attention. We are able to harness the unique characteristics of a community and combine that with the creativity and energy of its people to yield results, using partnerships, educational workshops and keynotes, and marketing technologies.

I am still on a mission that I chose in 1982, to empower entrepreneurs, communities and leaders to grow strategically. BRIGET offers resources for public relations, web technologies, video and digital marketing. These interrelated areas of focus have supported countless businesses and solopreneurs for over 35 years. Whether building a new entrepreneur’s business, making a town’s brand statement in video, or streaming an interview to a board of directors, the systems and state-of-the-art innovations we employ make it happen.

I been a consultant to entrepreneurs, trade and non-profit organizations since 1986, in both retail and B2B sectors. This background yields a robust systems approach and allowed me to successfully launch more than 400 new entrepreneurs into their own businesses across 44 states and six countries. These start-ups were funded by $18,000,000 of SBA Loans granted based on a proprietary business plan model.

As Chairwoman of the International Sign Association, I worked with public utilities, research foundations, and public policy task forces to create greater support for growing communities. Today, I sit on multiple boards and my technical expertise and brand development skills serve organizations that are ready to bring their best assets into view, to build innovation, tourism and a healthy tax base for their towns.

Young is a graduate of Oberlin College with a double-major, degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Philosophy. She opened her first business in 1986.

More about me, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresamyoung/

Forging a Strong Northern Santa Barbara County

Some Key Activities

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Need more information?

The Economic Alliance Foundation

Our history of dynamic and progressive thinking

Spring 2011

An early organization inspired the later formation of EconAlliance. This was a grassroots collective, EconNSBC, formed by a diverse group of North County economic and community leaders interested in support of the key growth industry sectors that fuel North County’s economic prosperity.

August 1, 2011 - Website launched

The early organization launched a website, created under the domain name econnsbc.org. It featured a robust hub of resources and events with “Possibility Thinkers Launching A High-Performance Regional Economy.

September 8, 2011, Radisson Hotel

EconNSBC hosted first Forum to provide a understanding and strategic direction for the region’s long-term economic vitality. Presenters included: Bill Watkins, PhD, Executive Director, Center for Research and Forecasting, California Lutheran University; Joel Kotkin, Futurist & International Authority on Global Economic Trends; Delore Zimmerman, PhD, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Praxis Strategy Group

November 11, 2011

1000 Day Roadmap to Economic Recovery– presented by Dr. Zimmerman, conclusions from research, EconNSBC input and Strategy Workshop of September 8. (This Roadmap and planning would later, in 2013, lead to the founding of what is today’s EconAlliance organization.)

March 29, 2012

EconNSBC hosts “Keys to Northern Santa Barbara County Prosperity” at Radisson Hotel. The organization that followed, the Economic Alliance Foundation (EconAlliance) has hosted events nearly every month since that date–  averaging 12 forums, symposiums, webinars and networking events per year.

April 2, 2012

This early organization, Economic Alliance of Northern Santa Barbara County, Inc. filed as a 501(c)(6) in the State of California on Monday, April 2, 2012. The Economic Alliance Foundation was formed later as an offshoot and separate 501(c)(3).

November 15, 2012

EconNSBC hosts the first “Future Forum.” The Economic Alliance Foundation, formed the following year, continues with this activity as an annual event bringing “outside the box” thinking every year since.

August 7, 2013

The Economic Alliance Foundation (EconAlliance), organization in existence today, filed as a 501(c)(3) Public Benefit Corporation, a non-profit under 501(c)(3) Title 26 of the United States Code, on August 7, 2013.

October, 2013

EconAlliance registered their new domain name, EconAlliance.org on October 9th. Founder of EconAlliance Lawnae Hunter Recognized at Future Forum this month.

June 2014

EconAlliance and District Export Council of Southern California (DECSC) Shared Vision for Global Impact. Mr. Mike Kirkwood, President of the EconAlliance of Northern Santa Barbara County, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the District on June 19th.

2015 Events

Events for Energy Initiative as well as Education were high on the list this year. Workforce and Literacy Initiative Semi-Annual Update took place as well as the California Energy Action Summit. These and many more events were hosted by EconAlliance this year.

Feb 5, 2016

EconAlliance “Growing Possibilities” Ag Forum held Friday, February 5, 2016 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, was a “Forum to Celebrate and Support Regional Agriculture”. Many such Agriculture Forums have been hosted before and after this one.

March 3, 2016

The Women’s Network of Santa Maria Valley has made its mark with its annual Women of Excellence Awards. Victoria Conner took home the Women of Spirit Award. She is a co-founder of the Economic Alliance of Northern Santa Barbara County and is currently the Economic Alliance’s Initiatives Director.

2017 Events

Many vital events were hosted this year, including the Diablo Canyon Forum, 2017 Future Forum, Wine Forum for Wine Tourism, EconAlliance STEM Industry Day Camp, WALI 2017 Event, and IDEA Meetup

February 2, 2018

On Friday, February 2, 2018, nearly 300 northern Santa Barbara County agriculture and economic stakeholders gathered at the Santa Maria Fairpark for the third annual “Growing Possibilities” Ag Forum (held previously in 2014 in Lompoc, 2016 in Santa Maria).

2019 Events

Among the many events this year, the following stand out: Spring Forum Features Hancock College President and Seven Employer Panelists; Defense Supply Chain & Resource Fair April 26th; Broadband Forum Featured North County Successes, Challenges; EconAlliance STEM Industry Days Expands to SYV & Lompoc

May, 2020

In cooperation with USDA and Allan Hancock College, EconAlliance co-hosted a Community Prosperity Summit in May 2020. The two-day Summit was comprised of six sessions aligning with the priorities of the Federal Rural Prosperity Initiative.

2021

EconAlliance spearheads a full schedule, including February Ag Forum, Broadband Enhancement, Industry Outlook Presentations, COVID Resiliency Webinars, Rural/ Community Prosperity Summit, California State Treasurer Webinar, STEM Industry/ Career Video Pilots, and the Future Forum. In addition, EconAllianceshared results of the Infrastructure Survey. See Annual Review at the top of this page for all events this year.

2022

Santa Ynez Chumash & EconAlliance Secure Federal Grant of $444,787 for North County Broadband Planning. RFP issued for Broadband Project Technical Lead, the 2nd Annual Cross-Industry Golf Tourny is hosted, and multiple education projects are launched.