The Executive Committee
The ExComm (executive committee) is the body which is responsible for managing the activities of the Santa Cruz Group of the Ventana Chapter. We develop local policies (subject to those that exist at the National, State, and Chapter level), provide guidelines, manage local staff, develop fundraising plans, and in general ensure that the Group operates for the benefit of the National Club, Chapter, and the local environment.
Officers
Chair
Mike Guth (elected for 2022-2024 term)
mguth AT guthpatents.com
831-462-8270
Vice Chair
Steve Bakaley (elected for 2024-2026 term)
slbakaley AT gmail.com (preferred method of contact)
831-612-6575
Secretary
Jim Danaher
danaher AT cruzio.com
831-465-6818
Co-Treasurers
Mary Odegaard (appointed)
marytodegaard AT gmail.com
831-423-3067
Trician Comings (appointed)
triciansc1 AT earthlink.net
Other Members
Jerry Busch (elected for 2023-2025 term)
jerrybbusch AT comcast.net
831-464-3237
Iwalani Faulkner (elected for the 2023-2025 term)
equitytransitsantacruz AT gmail.com
831-278-1007
Micah Posner (elected for the 2023-2025 term)
micahposner AT cruzio.com
831-227-4772
Ethan Quaranta (elected for the 2024-2026 term)
ethan.quaranta AT gmail.com
650-714-4282
Kristen Sandel (elected for 2024-2026 term)
krsandel AT gmail.com
The Climate Committee
The Climate Committee promotes and employs State and local Sierra Club Climate Change policies to help build a fossil-free, sustainable future for California.
Committee Chair: Magi Amma
magi AT hippocampus.com
The Conservation Committee
The Conservation Committee, the only committee required by the National Sierra Club by-laws, meets monthly and makes recommendations on environmental issues of concern to the Executive Committee. We welcome your participation!
Committee Chair: Mike Guth
mguth AT guthpatents.com
831-476-0295
The Transportation Committee
Our local Sierra Club Transportation Committee advocates for sustainable transportation options, including bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit improvements, and opposes large scale expansions for automobiles, with greenhouse emissions in mind. The Transportation Committee makes recommendations on transportation issues of concern to the Executive Committee.
We support keeping the public transit option on the rail-trail corridor and are excited about the 2018 start of construction of rail-trail segments (bike-ped trail) on the S.C. west side and in Watsonville.
Committee Chair: Rick Longinotti
longinotti at baymoon.com
The Political Committee
Our task is to evaluate all local elections whether candidates or issues, and make a determination if we will attempt to make any endorsements. The Sierra Club endorsement is highly regarded to voters and carries a lot of weight so we take our job seriously.
Committee Chair: Micah Posner (elected for the 2020-2022 term)
micahposner AT cruzio.com
831-227-4772
Outreach and Events Committee
We inform the public about environmental issues as well as sharing travel stories to beautiful, natural places.
Committee Chair: Open
Outings Chair: Steve Bakaley
slbakaley AT gmail.com (preferred method of contact)
831-612-6575