The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has tapped Brad Willis as the 30th chair of its Board of Trustees. Willis has served on the museum’s board for six years and previously served as secretary and member-at-large. He accepted the chair position at the museum’s annual meeting Jan. 25.
The museum also has named Terrence Valeski as immediate past chair; Susan Parker, vice chair for development; Venesa Facine, vice chair for governance; Salvatore “Tory” Milazzo, vice chair for finance; Hank Mitchel, secretary; and Keith Reichel, member-at-large.
“The Museum of Natural History and Sea Center have been educating our community on the natural world that surrounds us for over a century,” Willis said. “The passion and commitment of the museum staff ensured that this mission could continue throughout the pandemic.
“I look forward to working with everyone at the museum — staff, management and other trustees — to fuel this can-do spirit, to further investments in the museum’s collections and infrastructure, and to create magical new ways to connect our visitors to the natural world.”
Willis joined Deckers Brands in March 2014 and is their chief technology officer. He oversees Deckers’ global IT operations, playing a key role in supporting various digital, CRM, and data analytics programs to fully connect with and serve consumers online, in retail stores, and across the wholesale distribution platform.
Willis was previously chief information officer and vice president of information technology at West Marine and spent some 15 years with the LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton Group. He is currently a member of the National Retail Federation’s CIO Council.
Willis has experienced firsthand the educational role the museum serves for newcomers to learn about the natural habitat in the Santa Barbara area and beyond.
For a full listing of the trustees and their bios, visit sbnature.org/about/board.