VENTURA — As of July 1, 2026, United Way of Ventura County is welcoming several new members and officers to its board. Tim Harrington will continue to serve as board chair, a position he will hold until June 30, 2027.
Other members of the new board leadership team include Stratis Perros, Environmental Services Director at City of Simi Valley, chair-elect and board development committee chair; Ozzie Rios, VP, Commercial Banking Officer, treasurer and finance committee chair, and Dr. Jeffrey Martin, Assistant Area Medical Area Director-Bus Svcs/Aff Hospital at Kaiser Permanente assuming the role of board secretary. Jennifer Velasquez, SVP, Strategy Initiatives at Bank of America is filling the role of resource development committee chair. Emma Grossman, Controller, ROWI Teen and Parent Wellness Centers will serve as Audit & Investment Committee Chair.
Additional new members of the board include Brittny Alamillo, Branch Manager at Premier America Credit Union, Katie McKinney, Assistant Director Public Health with Ventura County Public Health, Carlene Saxton, Assistant City Manager for City of Ventura, Dave Ward, Planning Director with County of Ventura Resource Management Agency. Leanne Neilson, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs at California Lutheran University, and Brian McCarthy, Assistant Planning & Community Development Director for City of Fillmore.
Outgoing board members include Sierra Gutierrez, Vice President, Regional Growth – CA at Premier America Credit Union, Manan Shah, VP/GM California Individual Business with Anthem, and Brad Whetten, VP, Center Manager, Citizens Business Bank.
“To all of our outgoing board members, thank you for the tremendous hard work and dedication you have shown throughout your service,” said Mitchel Sloan, president and CEO of United Way of Ventura County. “You have all made a lasting, positive impact on our community. I’d also like to extend a special thanks to Brad Whetten for his service as board chair, and Sierra Gutierrez, for her service as board secretary and chair for Women United.”
United Way’s volunteer board of directors is a dynamic group of community leaders representing diverse fields of expertise including business, education, financial, legal, and health care.
About United Way of 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. For more information about United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org