Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Board of Trustees



		Stephen Svete, President, is a professional urban planner and environmental policy consultant. President of Ventura-based Rincon Consultants, his firm advises government and industry on environment science and policy matters. He is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Steve holds a B.A. degree in Geography from the University of California, Riverside, and an M.A. degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from UCLA. Steve is a noted writer on planning issues, and is a contributing editor to California Planning & Development Report. He has been published in the Los Angeles Times, the Sacramento Bee, and the Bakersfield Californian. He has a keen interest in civic issues, and formerly served as Vice Chair of the city's Cultural Affairs Commission. He serves on the board of the California State University, Channel Islands Campus Planning Committee. Steve has traveled widely in Latin America and Mediterranean Europe, and is fluent in Spanish. He and his wife Mindy and their two daughters live in Ventura. They are avid outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers. In his free time, Steve likes to surf Ventura's renowned point and reef breaks. Photo: Donna Foster

		PATRICK PERKINS, Vice-President, is a retired test engineering manager, employed by IBM Corporation for 30 years. He holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology from San Jose State University. Raised in Fillmore and Oxnard, Pat is an alumnus of Hueneme High School and Ventura College. He served in the US Air Force for four years. Pat returned to Ventura to retire, where he lives with his wife. They have two adult children and one grandchild. Photo: Donna Foster

		MARTHA ZEIHER, Secretary, is a meetings and events planning consultant with over fifteen years experience at University of California Santa Barbara, Cate School, Kinko's, Inc. and California State University, Channel Islands. She earned a B.A. degree in Teaching from Sam Houston University. She has lived in Ventura for 16 years and is involved in community organizations such as Family-to-Family and serves as an instructor of pre-teen catechism at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Martha is the founder and past president of Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation, the grassroots action organization dedicated to the preservation of Ventura's hillsides. Martha lives in east Ventura with her husband of twenty years and twelve-year-old daughter. Photo: Donna Foster

		KENNETH R. MERIDETH, Treasurer, is a CPA and partner with the Ventura County CPA firm Soares, Sandall, Bernacchi & Petrovich, LLP, where he leads the audit department. Ken has been with the firm for 23 years. He holds a B.A. degree in Economics from UCSB and an M.S. degree in Accounting from CSUN. Ken has served as the president of the Santa Barbara/Ventura chapter of California Society of CPAs, and has volunteered his accounting skills to many not-for-profit organizations, currently serving as the treasurer for United Way of Ventura County and Ventura Education Partnership. Ken grew up in Santa Barbara before moving to Ventura in 1978. He lives in east Ventura with his wife. They have three children; the youngest is attending UCSB. For fun, Ken dabbles in most of Ventura County's natural resources, including hiking, gardening, bicycling and surfing. Photo: Donna Foster

		BROOKE ASHWORTH, was an environmental analyst with international law firms for over 16 years, specializing in hazardous waste management and environmental due diligence. She has also worked as an environmental consultant and land use planner. Brooke served as the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy's President from it's inception in 2003 through 2006. She currently is vice chair of the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Commission. Brooke holds a B.S. degree in Environmental Planning and Management from the University of California, Davis. Brooke and her husband have lived in Ventura for 19 years. Together with their son and daughter they enjoy hiking, birdwatching, boating and the beach. Brooke is an avid hill walker and bodysurfer. She takes pleasure in a good book and gathering friends and family for a fine meal. Her interests in the natural environment and land use planning principles have come together in her passion for preserving Ventura's hillsides. Photo: Donna Foster

		GARY K. BEDNORZ has been in sales and management for the past 25 years and currently runs a wholesale business distributing packaged firewood, cooking wood and natural charcoal to the retail industry as well as gourmet restaurants. Gary graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of New Mexico. He moved to Ventura in 1981. Gary has been our Boothmaster since the beginning of VHC and heads up our Arroyo Verde Park Cleanup Campaign. He also volunteers with the UNM Alumni Association as a two term board member doing student recruiting and scholarship fundraising. Gary serves on the national environmental committee for the US Power Squadrons and teaches safe boating classes with the Ventura Power Squadron. Additionally, he does wildlife transport of sick or injured animals from the LA area to rehab centers in Ventura County. Gary is married to Karen and they have an adult daughter, Marguex, and two dogs: Betty and Martini. In his spare time he can be caught fishing, gardening or playing Frisbee. Photo: Randy Encinas

		DONNA C. SANTO is an attorney who has practiced law in the county of Ventura since 1983. She received her J.D. from Whittier Law School and is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the California Board of Legal Specialization. Donna is a member of the Ventura College Foundation Board, and a member of Ventura County Collaborative Family Lawyers. Donna participates in special projects with the Carnegie Art Museum and volunteers for the Telluride Film Festival each year. Donna lives in the Ventura hillsides. She has two children and one grandchild. Donna likes to travel, read, ski and work out at the gym. Photo: Donna Foster

		WILLIAM B. SMITH is a partner with the Ventura law firm Ferguson, Case, Orr, Paterson & Cunningham, LLP. He is an estate planner and handles business and real estate transactions for his clients. Bill earned his B.A. degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a J.D. from Santa Clara University, and a Master of Business Taxation from University of Southern California. Bill and his wife, Rose Hayden-Smith, moved to Ventura in 1987. Their daughter is at Loma Vista Elementary School. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors for AIDS Care, Inc., presently serves on the Board of Palmer Drug Abuse Program of Ventura County (PDAP), and has been involved in numerous other charitable organizations in Ventura County. He can frequently be found playing basketball and surfing, and also enjoys gardening and music. Photo: Donna Foster