Dr. Greg Gillespie, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District will assume the duties as Chair of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Ventura County on July 1, 2021. Dr. Gillespie will serve in this capacity through June 30, 2022. Dr. Gillespie succeeds Midge Campbell-Thomas, Market President of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Ms. Campbell-Thomas will serve as Immediate Past Chair and Treasurer. The United Way’s volunteer Board is a dynamic group of community leaders representing diverse fields of expertise including business, education, financial, legal, and healthcare.
“It’s an honor to be able to serve as Chair of United Way’s Board of Directors during this unique time,” said Dr. Gillespie. “I am looking forward to serving with my fellow board members and United Way staff in our commitment to helping Ventura County residents achieve their full potential in education, financial stability, and health.”
New members added to the Board of Directors include Ashley Bautista, Public Information Officer, County of Ventura; Nancy A. Grygiel, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Amgen, Inc.; Tim Harrington, Regional Account Executive, Deluxe Corporation; Eduardo Lucero, Vice President of Production, Reiter Affiliated Companies; Dr. Cesar Morales, County Superintendent of Schools, Ventura County Office of Education; Marisela Rios, Senior Director of Finance, Medtronic; Manan Shah, Vice President and General Manager of California Individual Business, Anthem; and Kathryn M. Stiles, Director of Community Well-Being, Adventist Health Simi Valley.
Outgoing Board members included Antonio Castro, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Ventura Unifed School District; John C. Lindsey, President and CEO, Lindsey & Lindsey Wealth Management; Laura K. McAvoy, Partner, Musick, Peeler & Garrett, LLP; Michele Newell, Public Affairs Specialist, Aera Energy, LLC; Matthew A. Shrope, Agency Owner, Farmers Insurance; Jesus Torres, CEO, LEAD Public Strategies; Mark Varela, Chief Probation Officer, County of Ventura; Rigoberto Vargas, Director, Ventura County Public Health; and Trish Williams, Chief Risk Officer, CBC Federal Credit Union.
“We are truly grateful for the leadership and support of our outgoing Board members,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO of United Way of Ventura County. “We’re excited to welcome a diverse group of new Board members as we look ahead to continuing our work improving the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors in need and making a lasting impact in Ventura County.”
Since 1945, United Way of Ventura County has advanced the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. United Way identifies the root causes of poverty and works strategically to solve them by building alliances across all sectors, funding targeted programs and advocating for change. When we work together in common purpose, we LIVE UNITED. For more information about United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org.
