Back to Home Page Chamber Mission Chamber Committees Board of Directors & Staff Member Benefits, Join Now Promotional Opportunities Contact Us Organizational Chart Chamber videos Audits, Tax Returns	2010 Board of Directors Top Row: Brian Talley, Anita Robinson, Kristen Yetter Second Row: Russ Levanway, Patricia Wilmore, Kathi Main Third Row: Bob Stets, Missy Reitner-Cameron, Jeanne Potter, Michael Gunther Fourth Row:  Charlene Rosales, Tom Lebens, Ali Semon Bottom Row: John Ewan, Ron Yukelson, Clint Pearce Not pictured: Tim Billing, Bruce Ray, Rick Stollmeyer, Bill Thoma, Chip Visci Executive Committee John Ewan, Chair of the Board Tom Lebens, Immediate Past Chair of the Board Michael Gunther, Vice-Chair, Legislative Affairs Division Ron Yukelson, Vice-Chair, Economic Development Division Ali Semon, Vice-Chair, Community Affairs Division  Charlene Rosales, Vice-Chair Membership/Operations Division  Clint Pearce, Treasurer Bob Stets, Board Counsel   Staff The administrative office is located at 1041 Chorro Street, San Luis Obispo, (next to our Visitor's Center at 1039 Chorro) PHONE (805) 781-2670 David Garth President/CEO 786-2770  E-mail Dave Dave has been President/CEO of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for 36 years. During his tenure, the Chamber has grown from 250 members and 2 employees to 1,500 members and 16 employees. In addition to overseeing the Chamber staff, Garth works closely with the 21-member Board of Directors in setting priorities, carrying out goals and ensuring the organization’s fiscal responsibility. Garth was named California Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year by the California Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 1992 and was recognized as an Accredited Chamber Executive, an honor bestowed upon a select few. Prior to his Chamber career, Garth was a television news director, reporter and news anchorman for several television stations in the Midwest and California. He's also a professional fine art landscape photographer. Garth’s photographs have been widely published and displayed in several California galleries. Dave’s passions are his wife Sandy and his photography. He loves the outdoors and nature, and spends most of his free time either taking or printing photographs, or ocean kayaking. Ermina Karim Director of Governmental Affairs 786-2761 E-mail Ermina As the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Director, Ermina Karim serves as the liaison for the local business community to the city, state and federal governments. Karim joined the Chamber staff in November of 2007. She previously spent two years as a reporter with The Tribune covering the county’s business community. Prior to moving to the Central Coast in 2005, Karim worked in New York City as a vice president in Equity Capital Markets at Credit Suisse, a leading global financial services firm. She also spent several years as a financial journalist for print and online publications. She earned her bachelor's degree from Northwestern University. Karim staffs those Chamber committees that evaluate issues affecting local business, including Economic Development, and Legislative Issues Evaluation. Additionally, she coordinates the Chamber’s annual legislative trip to Sacramento, where members have the opportunity to meet with local representatives as well as the Speaker of the Assembly, Senate Majority Leader and other statewide officers. Ermina and her husband, Jeremy, a winemaker, live in San Luis Obispo with their young daughter. Kristin Mehiel Director of Membership Services 786-2766 E-mail Kristin As Director of Membership Services, Kristin recruits new chamber members and develops relationships with new and existing members.  Kristin grew up in California and graduated from UC-Santa Barbara with a degree in biology. She went into nutracuetical sales while living in Boulder, Colo., and then worked in marketing for a leading financial web site developer. In 2004 while living in Orange County, Kristin launched DiningOut, an authoritative guide to fine dining in the county and Long Beach. She and her husband moved to San Luis Obispo when he was hired as a professor at Cal Poly. She commuted to Orange County for a while, but recently sold the successful publication to build a career here and have more time for her two young children.    Grace Allen  Director of Visitor Services  786-2767 E-mail Grace As the Director of Visitors Services, Grace is responsible for making sure everyone who comes in contact with the visitors center staff -- whether by phone, e-mail, or in person -- is provided helpful and friendly assistance from San Luis Obispo's finest hospitality staff. Born and raised in the Philippines on the island of Cebu, Grace speaks two Filipino dialects and Spanish. Her family moved to the Central Valley, where she attended Kings River Community College and she met her husband, Bobby James. They moved to SLO to attend Cal Poly University. Of course, they fell in love with SLO and the community and decided to stay.   During her spare time, she loves to garden and spend time with family and friends. Lindsey Miller Director of  Marketing 786-2763 E-mail Lindsey Lindsey Miller is the Director of  Marketing & Leadership SLO. In her job, Lindsey handles communications for the Chamber and participates in the tourism marketing efforts for the City of San Luis Obispo. She was an intern for the SLO Chamber before taking on her full time role, and loves working at the Chamber because she gets a chance to promote the city she loves so much.  She attended Cal Poly, receiving a degree in tourism marketing and special event planning. Her job at the Chamber enables her to use both elements of her degree, and in 2004 she returned to Cal Poly to complete her Masters in the field. Lindsey loves to spending time in SLO. You'll usually find her shopping downtown or dining with friends. Lori Silva Member Accounts Manager 786-2772 E-mail Lori As the Chamber's Member Accounts Manager, Lori handles the registration for most of the Chamber's monthly events, such as Good Morning SLO and the Legislative Lunches, as well as coordinating the annual UCSB Economic Forecast Project. She also manages and updates the membership database, creating new member profiles, keeping information current for our Membership Directory, Visitors Guide and online listings. A San Luis Obispo native, Lori loves to spend time outdoors enjoying our great weather and beautiful area. Family is something that she highly values and she's ecstatic about having a wonderful husband and two of the best kids a mom could ask for. (They each gave up a year's allowance each so she'd include that in her bio.) Cyndi Silva Accounting Manager 786-2762 E-mail Cyndi Cyndi is on her second tour of duty as Accounting Manager with the Chamber. First hired in 1986, she left after 11 years to start her own bookkeeping business. She returned in 2007. As Accounting Manager, Cyndi is responsible for all bookkeeping activities -- from accounts payable and payroll, to financial statements reviewed by the Board of Directors, to preparing for the Chamber's annual audit. A native Californian, Cyndi moved to San Luis Obispo in 1971 to attend Cal Poly, where she earned an Animal Science degree. A varied career included administrative/marketing stints with the San Francisco Giants and California Cooperage Hot Tubs. Cyndi's teenage sons, Manuel and Frank, keep her life outside of work fun and event-filled and her bookkeeping business remains busy. Her limited spare time is devoted to reading and metaphysical interests.  Lindsey Haring Assistant to the President/CEO 786-2760 E-mail Lindsey Joining the Chamber Team in September 2009, Lindsey acts as assistant to President/CEO, Dave Garth. Her responsibilities include assisting Garth and managing his calendar, organizing numerous Chamber events, including Good Morning SLO and monthly board meetings, as well as staffing the Ambassadors Committee.  Born and raised in California, Lindsey moved to San Luis Obispo in 2003 to attend Cal Poly. She is currently completing courses through the distance education program at CSU Chico and is anticipating graduation in 2010 with a BA in Liberal Studies.  After years of working in retail and the restaurant industry, Lindsey is excited join the Chamber and work with a talented group of people who are passionate about serving the community. She enjoys an active lifestyle and being outdoors, spending time with her husband Josh and their families, wine tasting and cooking.   Whitney Diaz Director of Internet and Publications 786-2777 E-mail Whitney Whitney joined the chamber in the fall of 2009 to manage the Web sites, online newsletter and other communications. Her goal is to strengthen communication with and among members by making the Web sites more user-friendly and interactive. Before joining the Chamber, Whitney worked at The Tribune, the Ventura County Star and SLO City News. Whitney grew up in Southern California, where she attended Moorpark College and later transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She graduated from Cal Poly in 2008 with a degree in journalism. Now, she lives in downtown San Luis Obispo and enjoys hiking with her boyfriend Dan along SLO's various trails and along the coast. She also enjoys cooking and testing out new recipes on unsuspecting friends and family. Casey Haggerty  Member Services Coordinator 786-2774 E-mail Casey As the member services coordinator, Casey Haggerty oversees and plans membership mixers and ribbon cuttings, coordinates the Mixer Showcase and supports member services. Casey grew up in San Francisco and later moved to Marin County. She attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Animal Science. After graduating, she taught preschool in Marin County, and then returned to Cal Poly to earn her Multiple Subject Credential. Over the next couple years, her career path varied from product administrator to business manager. She found her way to the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce in November 2009. She brings to the Chamber a passion for her community and a strong enthusiasm for life and work. Outside of the Chamber Casey enjoys spending her time staying active with her boyfriend Jimmy and dog Kayla. You can find her on local hiking trails with friends and family or running solo through San Luis Obispo. Casey is an outdoor enthusiast and local art and music follower.   Sandi Sigurdson  Executive Director of Leadership San Luis Obispo 786-2765 E-mail Sandi Sandi Sigurdson began her tenure as Director of Leadership SLO in January 2010. From 1994 to 2009 she was Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo Symphony and managed its growth from a small community orchestra with a budget of $300,000 to the respected, successful and internationally known organization it is today with a budget of over one million dollars.  A graduate of Leadership Class I, Sandi has twice served on the Board of Directors for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, is a former SLO City Planning Commissioner and worked for the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo (ECOSLO) from 1991-1994, later serving on their Board of Directors. Sandi is past president of the Central Coast Planned Giving Council and was honored as a Cuesta College Woman of Distinction in 2004.  In 2009, Sandi served as president of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. Sandi is married to Steve McGrath, harbor manager at Port San Luis Harbor District. They have three children and their favorite person is their  granddaughter, Guadalupe Itzamná Arias de McGrath. Before entering nonprofit work, Sandi spent 15 years in hotel and restaurant management, starting that career as a maid and dishwasher. Sandi prays regularly for relief from the burden of self-righteousness and is grateful for Central Coast oak trees.