Jason Copus, second from the right, is the newest member of the Montecito Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Other directors include, from left, Michael Lee, Sylvia Easton and Peter van Duinwyk; and, at far right, Joseph Pennino.
Jason Copus, second from the right, is the newest member of the Montecito Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Other directors include, from left, Michael Lee, Sylvia Easton and Peter van Duinwyk; and, at far right, Joseph Pennino. Credit: Evelyn Spence / Noozhawk photo

Montecito Inn Sales & Marketing Director Jason Copus is the newest member of the Montecito Fire Protection District board of directors. 

Copus was chosen unanimously by the other four board members and sworn in on Monday.

He replaces Stephen Dougherty, who resigned in February. 

The five-member board governs the district and works directly with the fire chief. 

The board now includes Copus, President Peter van Duinwyk, Vice President Sylvia Easton, Secretary Michael Lee, and Joseph Pennino.

Copus had previously run for a seat on the board in 2024. 

Since he replaced Dougherty, whose term was not yet up, Copus will be required to run again in the 2026 election if he wants to stay on the board. 

Two others applied for Dougherty’s open seat: Chris Albertson and Jenelle Williams. 

Board members said it was an impressive group of applicants, but they ultimately tapped Copus because of his extensive experience working and volunteering in Montecito. 

Copus, an 2003 Westmont College graduate, was born and raised in Montecito. He and his wife, Zoe, have three children. 

Jason Copus was sworn in as the fifth member of the Montecito Fire Protection District Board of Directors on Monday.
Credit: Evelyn Spence / Noozhawk photo

He has been with the Montecito Inn for 22 years. 

He is also a director with the Cold Spring School Foundation, and a board member with the Coast Village Community Business Improvement District. He is the treasurer at the Knowlwood Tennis Club. 

He served with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer position, for several years. He joined Santa Barbara Search and Rescue in 2023, and currently serves as a rescue member and the public information and education officer. 

“I’ve always had a heart for public service and safety and protecting my community,” he said. 

He said he had attended board meetings over the past few months to learn more about the board and the district. 

“I want to be a part of supporting Montecito, seeing the community protected through the fire district, and I’m here to help support…” he said. “I don’t put my time or my presence into something that I’m not going to put in all my time and take it seriously.” 

Copus’ arrival is the latest change to the fire district, which is preparing to welcome a new fire chief, Brian Fallon, on April 1.

— Noozhawk South County editor Evelyn Spence can be reached at espence@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.