We nominated our client, Renee Grubb, co-founder of Village Properties for Pacific Coast Business Times' Top 50 Women in Business. Congratulations Renee, for not only being named Top 50, but also receiving Editor's Choice!
Published on The Ventura County Star in Business on March 19, 2016
Channel Islands Aviation Flight School chief flight instructor David Koble (right) conducts a flight lesson with Danny Zarachoff, of Moorpark. The school has received examination approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight school OK'd to issue licenses
Camarillo-based Channel Islands Aviation Flight School has received examination approval from the Federal Aviation Authority, the family-owned business said.
FAA examination authority means flight school has the privilege to conduct end-of-course checks and testing for student pilots and to issue pilot licenses. An outside FAA-designated pilot examiner previously had to conduct the exam.
"One advantage of receiving examination approval is the scheduling end-of-course checks. We don't have to wait for an outside examiner's schedule to coincide with a test date," said David Koble, the flight school's chief flight instructor, who will be issuing pilot certifications. "We can streamline student activities and the test dates. It's more expedient."
Started in 1976, the Channel Islands Aviation Flight School offers private pilot, instrument rating, commercial single engine, certified flight instructor, and advanced ground instructor courses. A youth aviation academy is offered in the summer.
We arranged for our client, Village Properties, to be on the cover of Voice, aka Casa Magazine.
Congratulations to Village Properties on 20 years!
Brad Tisdale spoke with radio hosts Dianne Duva on Duva and Neil Kreisel's "Money Talk" radio show on KZSB 1290 AM to discuss the introduction of the Long-Term Care Benefit plan at Life Care Funding. The Long-Term Care Benefit Plan converts a life insurance policy into a monthly benefit that pays for any form of Senior Care including Homecare, Assisted Living, Nursing Home, Memory Care, and Hospice.
Published on Noozhawk in Business on January 27, 2016.
By Gina Potthoff, Noozhawk Staff Writer
Jeff DeVine and Joanne Funari have finished consolidating their two community banks in a merger that now goes by the American Riviera Bank name. DeVine will remain CEO as Funari, former interim CEO and COO at the Bank of Santa Barbara, will stay on as COO. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk photo)
A large-scale meet-and-greet went on last week within the walls of the American Riviera Bank in downtown Santa Barbara, where employees of the former Bank of Santa Barbara settled into new digs.
The merger between the two community banks became official Jan. 1, but the Jan. 16-17 weekend marked moving day and consolidation of the downtown offices, both right next door on Figueroa Street between State and Anacapa streets.
Last week was also the first chance for customers of the respective banks to run into each other at the 1033 Anacapa St. headquarters, where American Riviera Bank has operated since 2006.
“We pretty much doubled overnight,” said Jeff DeVine, who has stayed on as CEO of American Riviera Bank. “It went surprisingly well.”
That’s thanks to some six months of preparation to combine efforts since the merger was announced in July 2015, he said.
With the union, American Riviera Bank becomes the second-largest community bank based in Santa Barbara with assets over $400 million and three South Coast branches.
American Riviera Bank already had a location at 525 San Ysidro Rd. in Montecito.
Bank of Santa Barbara, which opened in 2005 before being recapitalized by local investors in 2009, already had a Goleta branch at 5880 Calle Real.
Its former 12 E. Figueroa St. headquarters will be subleased to a yet-to-be-determined tenant.
Bank of Santa Barbara’s small business administration lending department complements American Riviera Bank’s mortgage department.
The American Riviera Bank merged with the Bank of Santa Barbara in a deal that places the community banking institutations in a position to better lend and conduct business. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk photo)
American Riviera Bank had the better online system, dedicated parking lot and two levels of offices. A Bank of Santa Barbara program inspired the partnership to add a two-vehicle courier fleet to ferry non-cash deposits.
What DeVine sees now is a manageable — and scalable — full-service community bank that can process two times the loans while splitting the cost of complying with ever-changing federal banking regulations.
“It’s really difficult for a small bank,” said DeVine, who sat down with Noozhawk this week to discuss the changes along with Joanne Funari, who went from interim CEO and COO of Bank of Santa Barbara to executive vice president and COO of the combined bank.
Both view the merger as an opportunity to serve more clients — many of them small business owners — without compromising on quality.
The two institutions went from a combined 78 employees to 62, 10 of which were displaced because of overlap and some who chose to leave prior to the merger, DeVine said.
With the overall bump, Funari said American Riviera Bank could hire a dedicated human resources director, IT professional and regional bank manager along with a loan and central services expansion.
“It’s a community bank feel,” Funari said.
“Small business people want to know their banker. Now we cover Goleta all the way to Montecito.”
A branding study helped the institutions pick the name after learning that American Riviera Bank had more potential for two reasons: it didn’t pigeonhole the bank to stay inside Santa Barbara or Santa Barbara County and it turned up fewer options under a Google search.
American Riviera Bank is also focused on toeing the line to cater to those who prefer to scan checks with their cell phones or ATMs as well as the old-school clients who still want to shake an associate’s hand.
It’s too soon to say when the bank might grow. Funari said the team is much more focused on making sure clients and employees are happy with and understand the changes, with potential to add more services as needed.
Channel Islands Aviation has been featured in the Ventura County Star to announce their partnership with Liberty University in Virginia. CIA has teamed with the university to promote students getting their pilot's license, while simultaneously getting a Bachelor of Science in aeronautics.
Congratulations, Channel Islands Aviation!
SABER at The University Club in Downtown Santa Barbara.
From left to right: Judy Rattray, First American Title; Mark Schniepp, Presenter; Jennifer Goddard Combs, Moderator; and John Palmenteri, TV/News Reporter.
Mark Schniepp, PhD., California Economic Forecast, Brian Johnson, Marcus & Millichap, Keith Berry, Keith Berry Real Estate and Justin Anderson, Ameriflex Financial Services presented "How Long Can the Current Economic Boom Continue? What You Have to Know." at SABER: Santa Barbara Executive Roundtable (SABER) on Thursday, November 12, 2015. Nearly 70 attendees heard from theses Central Coast experts in finance, commercial and residential real estate as well as an acclaimed economist along with breakfast and a chance to network with local professionals. The event was sponsored by Palius + O’Kelley, CPAs Inc., Riviera Insurance Services, LLC., Heritage Oaks Bank, Spherion, Hahka Kitchens, AmeriFlex Financial Services, and Keith C. Berry Real Estate.
SABER: Santa Barbara Executive Round Table is Santa Barbara’s premier small business educator and networking organization, dedicated to enhancing the professional lives and skills of local business leaders. Guest speakers renowned in their fields are invited to educate attendees in subjects that are pertinent to business success. For more information go to www.sabersantabarbara.com.
Dianne Duva, CFP
Published on Noozhawk in Nonprofits on November 11, 2015.
The St. Francis Foundation of Santa Barbara announced the officers of its board of directors for the new year. Dianne Duva will serve her second term as president.
Duva has served on the board since 2009. She is a certified financial planner with Arlington Financial. She holds the series 7 and 66 registrations as well as life, accident and health, and variable insurance licenses.
Vice President Kathleen Baushke is the executive director of Transition House.
CPA Nora Taugher is the treasurer. She works for the accounting firm of Ridgeway & Warner.
John Eck will serve as secretary. He is an attorney at the legal firm of Griffith & Thornburgh, LLP.
With a focus on individuals the most in need, the St. Francis Foundation of Santa Barbara promotes and supports healthcare in the South Coast communities of Santa Barbara County. The foundation began over 100 years ago in 1908.
For more information about the St. Francis Foundation of Santa Barbara, call 805.563.4702, email Dianne.duva@arlingtonfa.com or info@stfrancisfoundationsb.org, or visit www.stfrancisfoundationsb.org.
Published on Noozhawk in Business on November 3, 2015.
Beth Mitchell
Beth Mitchell has been named vice president of employee benefits at the Oxnard office of Santa Barbara-based HUB International Insurance Services Inc..
Prior to working at HUB International for nearly eight years, Mitchell has worked for over thirty years in employee benefits.
After working with a large carrier for over 14 years, Mitchell began working to assist clients with the complexities of the employee benefits world on the brokerage side.
Mitchell's wealth of knowledge and experience in the private and public sectors in employee benefits, marketing, sales, financing arrangements, wellness initiatives, contracts, employee staffing and benefits plan administration make her an integral part of the HUB team.
Mitchell can be reached at 805.618.3714 or by email at beth.mitchell@hubinternational.com.
American Riviera Bank appeared on the front page of the Santa Barbara News Press on October 29, 2015.
Published on Noozhawk in Non-Profits on October 28, 2015
Leading the charge for the Santa Barbara Family YMCA's annual campaign are, from left, co-chairs Tom and Beth Schmid and chair Matt Rowe. (Santa Barbara Family YMCA photo)
The Santa Barbara Family YMCA has set $185,000 as the goal for its annual campaign, and Matt Rowe, Santa Barbara Family YMCA board member, has been selected as campaign chair to ensure the fundraising target is met.
Every dollar raised in the annual campaign is applied to placing kids and families in need in YMCA programs, such as swimming classes, health and wellness programs, day camps, sleep-away camps and after-school care.
This year marks the sixth annual campaign that Rowe has participated in, and the third of which he has been campaign chair.
“Already a lot of planning and organization has gone into turning our $185,000 goal into a reality,” Rowe said. “The money raised allows the Santa Barbara Family YMCA to make good on our promise to be an inclusive and responsible force for positive change in our community.”
Rowe was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He joined the YMCA in 2006, when he and his family lived in Darien, Conn. They transferred the family membership to Santa Barbara upon relocating.
Rowe is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley’s Santa Barbara office.
Assisting Rowe in overseeing the annual campaign are co-chairs Beth Schmid, fellow YMCA board member, and her husband, Tom. The two have played an integral role in past campaigns, according to Rowe, and he feels very confident that with their support, and the support of management, staff and volunteer campaigners, the annual campaign will be a successful one.
“Our annual campaign plays such a pivotal role in our YMCA’s efforts to give back to our community,” Rowe said. “For me, chairing our annual campaign is an honor and a privilege and represents the highlight of my charitable efforts each year.”
To learn more the Santa Barbara Family YMCA’s annual campaign, call 805.687.7727.
Village Properties' Renee Grubb and Ed Edick celebrate the opening of the new Montecito office Calcagno & Hamilton Real Estate. To view the article, click here, and read more about the dynamic team, Michaael Calcagno and Nancy Hamilton.
We arranged for our client Sasha Ablitt of Ablitt's Fine Dry Cleaning to speak on The Elizabeth Stewart Show on 1290 AM. Sasha talked about dry cleaning misconceptions, and gave listeners tips to better garment preservation! Ablitt's is celebrating 30 years of business.
Local real estate professional Wayne Natale will serve as event chair of the fifth Annual Salute to Teachers Golf Tournament and Cocktail Party scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2 at Glen Annie Golf Course, located at 405 Glen Annie Road in Santa Barbara.
Registration for the tournament begins at 10 a.m., tee of is at noon, and the cocktail party is scheduled for 5 p.m.
In addition to the golf tournament, there will be contests, a silent auction and plenty of food and drink. All money raised from the tournament is earmarked for the Teacher’s Fund.
Founded in 2002, Teacher’s Fund raises monies for Santa Barbara area teachers for supplies and outside classroom activities not covered by school funding.
Renee Grubb and Ed Edick, co-owners of Village Properties, started the nonprofit, which has given over $1 million to local educators.
Wayne Natale
Helping Natale stage the Oct. 2 event are the following committee members: Renee Grubb and Sheila Hunt, sponsors organizers; Steve Puailoa, golf activities; Adrienne Schuele, auction; Bob Curtis, volunteers and food & beverage; Dianne and Brianna Johnson, special promotions; Rich Nahas, emcee; and Joan Roberts, Terrie Whipple, Lara Casatagnola, Robert Watt, Lee Hung, Patty Armor and Jon McCusky, volunteers at large. Natale is in charge of set-up.
So far, sponsors of the fifth Annual Salute to Teachers Golf Tournament and Cocktail Party include Cox Media, Santa Barbara Foundation, Prospect Mortgage, Coastal Copy, Heritage Oaks Bank, On Q Financial, Union Bank, Montecito Bank & Trust, Banc of California, First American Title, Chicago Title Company, Fidelity Title Company, Haaland Diving Inc., Adrienne Schuele Real Estate, Marborg Industries and Movegeen and WFG Title Company.
From the time Natale earned his real estate license in 1981, he has sold and marketed residential, ranch, land, vineyard and estate properties in the Santa Ynez Valley, where he and his wife, Patti, have lived since 1976.
When not volunteering with Teacher’s Fund, Natale gives his time as a board member of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and sits on their Santa Ines Mission Mills committee.
He is also a member, as well as past president, of the San Lorenzo Foundation and a board/founding member of the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce.
To learn about participating in the fifth Annual Salute to Teachers Golf Tournament and Cocktail Party or sponsorship opportunities, contact Natale at 805.686.7454 or WayneN@villagesite.com.
— Jennifer Goddard Combs is a publicist representing the Teacher's Fund.
Wells Hughes
The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation has named Wells Hughes as the recipient of its 2015 Humanitarian Award, according to Lindsey Leonard, executive director of TBCF.
The Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual, individuals, organization or business for dedication to improving the human condition of TBCF families by alleviating suffering while supporting and contributing to the welfare and well-being of those in need.
Hughes, founding board chair of TBCF in 2002, will be recognized at TBCF’s Gold Ribbon Luncheon Oct. 1, 2015 at the Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore.
The Gold Ribbon Luncheon is the celebratory culmination event for TBCF’s Gold Ribbon Campaign held in recognition of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month during September.
The Campaign will increase awareness about pediatric cancer, secure financial support and provide networks for youth with cancer and their families.
Introduced to TBCF by the nonprofit’s founder, Nikki Katz, Hughes currently serves as an emeritus board member as well as a member of TBCF’s Fund Development Committee.
Additionally, he has continued to be an active ambassador of the cause by participating in speaking engagements and fundraising endeavors, including co-chairing the organization’s inaugural Little Heroes Breakfast in June 2015.
His contributions also include developing the organization’s board governance structure during TBCF’s early days.
“Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation is proud to recognize Wells with our Humanitarian Award for dedicating the past decade to contributing to the welfare and well-being of families that have a child with cancer by garnering resources to further the organization’s mission,” said Leonard. “He is a proven advocate for families and has time and time again gone the extra mile to ensure the financial and emotional burdens families experience when caring for a child with cancer are alleviated.”
Additionally, Hughes serves on the advisory board and finance committee for the Dream Foundation and still has a big brother relationship with the 7-year-old boy he met 14 years ago while volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
He is a founding partner of the wealth management firm Arlington Financial Advisors in Santa Barbara.
To learn more about Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation or to purchase tickets to the Gold Ribbon Luncheon, visit www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org or call 805.962.7466.