97% of Ventura County

Picture in Ojai of tiny houses at mesa

Dr. Nicolas Palacios – Global Marketing Manager – Amgen 97% of development here in Ventura County is planned as Agriculture or Open Space, meaning the remaining is what is allocated to housing, commercial and industrial developments. This is just one factor influencing housing here in addition to the larger issues affecting the crisis across the state.…

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New HACSB Commissioner

Congratulations to VCLA alumni Alejandra Tellez (Cohort XXV) on your recent appointment to the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura. Thank you for your service to our community, Alejandra.

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VCLA Alumni – 2024 Election Results

Congratulations to the VCLA Alumni who ran for local seats throughout the county, including incumbents Bev Dransfeldt (Cohort XXVII), and Misty Perez (Cohort XXVIII) who will continue to serve on the Pleasant Valley Rec & Park District and the Port Hueneme City Council, respectively. We will also have some new faces on the daises, including…

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Cohort XXX Video Reflection

Martha Johnson  Program Administrator – Ventura County Health Care Agency Get a peek into a VCLA session with this video shared by current cohort member Martha Johnson for her third sessions, covering water, waste, public works, and a visit to The Situation Room Experience.  View the video HERE.  

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Guardian in Ventura County

Congratulations to Dr. Steve Elson (VCLA Board Member and a member of VCLA’s Class I), CEO Emeritus of Casa Pacifica Children and Family Services for being honored at their recent 30th Anniversary celebration event. Dr. Elson received the Guardian Angel Award, given to individuals that have made a significant contribution to Casa Pacifica. Dr. Elson served as their…

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CSUCI Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Congratulations to VCLA board member and alumni Dhruv Pandya (Cohort XXVI, center) for being honored as the 2024 Distinguished Alumni at the CSUCI President’s Dinner, held Saturday, September 28, 2024. Dhruv not only serves on the VCLA board, but also on the Turning Point Foundation board, the CSUCI Alumni and Friends Association board, and mentors students…

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Ventura County’s Natural Beauty

Rhett Mauch Chief Executive Officer – Search Dog Foundation As a new Ventura County Leadership Academy member, I was allowed to participate in an immersion experience to take an in-depth look into an attribute of our county that I was interested in learning more about. I took this opportunity to visit Santa Cruz Island, the…

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Forty Under 40

Natalie Pavia (Cohort XXIX) has been named a 40 Under Forty honoree with the Conejo Chamber of Commerce. Natalie is a financial advisor with Thrivent and is committed to making a difference in people’s lives. With a background in the nonprofit sector, she is involved with many local nonprofits like Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) & ACTION…

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Leadership Award Announcement

Congratulations to VCLA alumni & Interim President at Oxnard College Oscar Cobian (Cohort XXII) for receiving the 2024 Excellence in Servant Leadership Award from The California Community Colleges Classified Senate! Nominated by members of the OC Classified Senate, Dr. Cobian was recognized for his “exceptional support of the involvement of Classified Professionals in participatory governance at the…

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