The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced its Board of Directors and officers for the 2026-27 fiscal year, effective July 1.
Vacancies in three director positions made by outgoing board members Emily Kitts, Shannon Siefert, Erika Weber, and David Merlo were filled by new board members Katie Gorndt, Michael Specht, and Miguel Ramirez.
“We eagerly welcome our new board members and express our immense gratitude to our returning leadership team, all of whom bring a vast wealth of expertise and dedication to our region,” said Michael Boyer, Santa Maria Valley Chamber president/CEO.”
“We accomplish far more together than any of us can alone, and their collaborative leadership will be instrumental as we advocate for business growth and regional vitality across Northern Santa Barbara County,” he said.
“These leaders reflect the breadth and strength of our business community—representing essential sectors across youth development, healthcare, agriculture and entrepreneurship. Each embodies the core values that guide the chamber’s work: people, accountability, respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity,” the chamber said.
The new board directors are:
Katie Gorndt: Gorndt serves as vice president and director of nursing at Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, where she provides executive leadership for hospital operations, quality, regulatory compliance, and clinical services.
She said she is ardent about “building high-performing teams, advancing patient safety, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.”
Her work has focused on operational excellence, quality improvement, physician collaboration, and leading transformational change.
She is engaged in professional and community leadership through the American College of Healthcare Executives, United States Air Force as an honorary commander, and the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce.
Michael Specht: Specht is COO of Santa Maria Valley YMCA, where he oversees operations, facilities, programs, partnerships, and development for an organization serving more than 6,900 members and thousands more program participants across the Central Coast.
He brings a background in corporate and community wellness and management, along with personal training and wellness coaching certifications.
He serves as board secretary of the Central Coast Running Club, and chairs the Santa Maria Valley Young Professionals Network.
Miguel Ramirez: Ramirez serves as CEO of 3 Generaciones LLC, an agricultural services company based in Santa Maria. He brings experience in agricultural operations, business management, and farm labor services to the chamber Board of Directors.
As a local business leader, Ramirez works alongside his family to support the Central Coast’s agricultural sector while advocating for economic growth and community engagement across the Santa Maria Valley.
2026-27 Executive Board officers:
● Board chair: Jason Buchanan, HUB International Insurance Services
● Chairperson-elect: Gina Gluyas, BHGRE Haven Properties
● Vice chair: Teré Paredes, Maya Restaurants
● Vice chair: Sylvia Palacios, Santa Maria Town Center
● Past chair: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals
2026-27 Board of Directors:
● Sue Anderson, Marian Regional Medical Center
● Dominick Barry, Aurex
● Michael Boyer, Santa Maria Valley Chamber
● Kelly Briggs, SESLOC
● Jason Buchanan, HUB International Insurance Services
● Micaela Buchanan, Lark + Sparrow LLC
● Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business Solutions Powered by Digital West
● Paul Cook
● Nancy Crawford, Care Connect Transport + Home Care – Santa Maria
● Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals
● Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District
● Gina Gluyas, BHGRE Haven Properties
● Katie Gorndt, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital
● Erik Justensen, RRM Design
● Sylvia Palacios, Santa Maria Town Center
● Teré Paredes, Maya Restaurant
● Miguel Ramirez, 3 Generaciones LLC
● Joshua Beau Flores Sahagun, Luttrel Staffing Group
● Eric Sauers, A.T. Still University
● Michael Specht, Santa Maria Valley YMCA
● Ryan Swack, Best Western Plus Big America
● Todd Ventura, Poor Richard’s Press
● Kevin Walthers, Allan Hancock College