Editor’s note: In January, several of our Executive Committee members were termed out and an election was held to replace them (below). As Condor Call editor I have the highest praise possible for those leaders: Chair Katie Davis and Vice-Chair Jim Hines, who have put in hours, days and years for the environment and fighting for social justice and wildlife. The good news is they are not leaving the chapter, simply taking on other positions.
Let’s all welcome and help the new leaders. To get involved, contact our executive director: jonathan.ullman@sierraclub.org
MAUREEN ELLENBERGER
Chapter Chair
Hi everyone! As the new Chair of the Sierra Club Santa Barbara - Ventura Chapter, I’m excited to share a bit about myself.
My passion for environmental work began back in 2009 when I was selected for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Consortiums’ CleanTech Venture Investor Fellowship – which was really my first deep dive into sustainable energy.
I have spent over 30 years in the software industry beginning at Bell Labs and more recently, starting and supporting new companies in the Software Services industry.
After retiring from a rewarding career as a Senior Executive at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, I moved to Santa Barbara in 2016. Since then, I’ve jumped into our local environmental community with both feet.
You’ll find me wearing different hats – Sierra Club Chapter Treasurer, UC Climate Steward, and a very busy participant of the Exxon Be Gone Coalition and an active member of the Society of Fearless Grandmothers SB.
As your Chapter Chair, I’m focusing on bringing our communities together. My goal is to support and strengthen our regional groups and amplify our environmental and conservation advocacy. Also to democratize energy, that is helping to drive the transition to clean energy and ridding ourselves from Big Oil and Big Banks across our region.
I want us to tap into the incredible strength of the Sierra Club’s national network while adding our own local innovative spirit.
When I’m not working on environmental initiatives, you’ll likely find me walking my dog along Santa Barbara’s beaches or exploring California with my husband Dave.
From our local coastline to Joshua Tree and Yosemite, I’m constantly amazed by the natural beauty around us – and that’s what keeps me motivated to protect it. Please reach out to me with ideas and areas that you would like to see us focus on: Melle2007@gmail.com
I welcome your input and engagement. I am looking forward to working together to support the Sierra Club mission: “to defend everyone’s right to a healthy and beautiful world.”
LIZ LAMAR
Vice-Chair
I live in South Oxnard and have been a Sierra Club leader for a decade. They are fond of native plants and equitable access to nature.
KEITH NEVISON
Member-at-Large
I’m excited to join the Sierra Club's Santa Barbara chapter as an at-large Member to advocate on behalf of native plants, local ecosystems, wildlands and wildlife, water conservation, smart fire management, and other issues affecting our region and state.
I currently serve as the Director of Horticulture & Operations at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the nation's first botanic garden dedicated entirely to native plants. My background also includes extensive experience in the field of regenerative agriculture, and I’m highly interested in the thoughtful implementation of urban growth that protects productive farmlands, while balancing conservation of natural resources.
Other activities include serving on the City of Santa Barbara's Integrated Pest Management Committee, and as a Campaign Advisor to Fairview Gardens' Center for Urban Agriculture in Goleta."
In my spare time, I run marathons and am an aspiring triathlete.
STEVE COLOME
Member-at-Large
I am a long-term Sierra Club member, having served as Chair of the Greater Boston Group of the Sierra Club and Council Representative for the New England states forty years ago. My professional background is in Environmental Health Sciences; and I departed New England to take a faculty position at UC-Irvine, and subsequently the School of Public Health at UCLA.
I was actively engaged during those years in the regional and global challenges of acid rain and the stratospheric ozone hole, two issues that have been largely resolved due to regulatory control over the pollutants that cause these problems. We need similar success in reduction of GHG emissions.
I currently live in Ojai and am active working with city and county government on ways to locally address the climate crisis. Along with several residents we formed the Ojai Climate Action Network to inform the public on pathways to decarbonization and to advocate for climate policies: www.electrifyojai.org
I am pleased to reactivate my involvement with the Sierra Club Chapter in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. This chapter has a long and valiant history addressing the environmental and climate challenges of oil and gas production along with protection of our precious natural resources and beautiful surroundings.
One of my goals serving the Executive Committee is to attract and pass leadership to a new generation of environmental and climate activists.
MICHELLE I. SEVILLA
Member-at-Large
I work on local environmental issues and policy in the California State Legislature as Director of Communications for Assemblymember Steve Bennett and I serve as the first Network Manager of the Central Coast Climate Justice Network.
My focus as a volunteer leader in various organizations is to work in the nexus of equity and justice in the environmental movement and I bring a unique lens as a young immigrant from the Philippines.
With more than a decade of environmental outreach and education experience, I serve as a Board Member of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, CFROG (Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas), our Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter Sierra Club, and as a Steering Committee Member of 350 Santa Barbara.
MICHAEL BRICKMAN
Social Media - Internet
Michael moved to Ventura County in 2016 from the New York area where he worked in Marketing for several Wall Street Investment firms. Prior to that he owned a digital marketing agency supporting more than 50 music artists and entertainers with websites, social media and online stores.
As an avid outdoorsman and environmentalist, he can be found locally on the hiking trails of the Santa Monica Mountains and Conejo Open Space or backpacking and fishing in the Sierras. He believes strongly in the healing power of Nature and John Muir's famous line, "the Mountains are calling, and I must go" and loves this area because the Mountains are in our backyard!
Michael works with the Nature Conservancy in the Adirondack Park running a volunteer survey team looking for aquatic invasive plants in the pristine Lake system along with leading a Boy Scout troop, Riverkeepers and a trail alliance.
Since moving to Ventura County, he has been an active Sierra Club member joining hikes with the Conejo Valley outings group and writing articles for Sierra Club Climate action.
Now, he's working now to help our Sierra Club chapter maintain and grow our presence in the area to better communicate across digital media and engage with members.