Wood Glen Hall Board of Directors includes Tim Gamble (left), president; Carrie Wanek, treasurer; Karen Knight, board member; Melissa Fassett, secretary; Mary Jean Vignone, vice president; and Jeff Lombardi (not pictured.) They are with Jeff LaBelle, executive director. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Wood Glen Hall, a nonprofit retirement residence offering affordable independent and assisted living for senior citizens in Santa Barbara, has announced new roles on its board of directors.
Mary Jean Vignone, a 12-year member of the board, will serve as vice president. An executive coach and organizational development consultant accredited by the International Coaching Federation, Vignone holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s in business administration, a master’s of arts, and a doctorate in human and organizational development. She brings a blend of academic experience and more than 30 years of corporate and nonprofit experience to her role.
Vignone, who previously served as treasurer of the board, became active on the Wood Glen Hall board when her mother was a resident and she has fond memories of the care her mother received.
Carrie Wanek, chief financial officer at the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, succeeds Vignone as treasurer. For the last 15 years, she has dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector. Previously, she served as director of finance and human resources at the Alzheimer’s Association of the Central Coast.
Wanek earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Arizona State University and is a certified nonprofit professional through Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. She considers her role on the board a natural fit based on her financial expertise and keen understanding of the unique requirements of elder care, balancing independence with assisted care.
Melissa Fassett serves as the board’s secretary. She is a partner with Santa Barbara-based Price, Postel & Parma LLP specializing in labor, employment and intellectual property law. As an attorney, she counsels and advises public and private employers in the development and implementation of personnel policies and procedures, and investigation of claims.
In addition to her involvement with Wood Glen Hall, Fassett supports the historic Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara.
Tim Gamble, who has been on Wood Glen’s board for more than 25 years, continues in his role as board president. A Midwest native, he has lived in Santa Barbara since 1980. Gamble served in the U.S. military, earned multiple business degrees, and is now retired from a career in the financial services industry.
Gamble is community-minded and has been active on the board of directors as well as committees for multiple nonprofits, including United Way, Sansum Clinic and the Boys & Girls Club. He has also served as president of numerous Santa Barbara-based organizations, including the University Club, Rotary Club of Santa Barbara and La Cumbre Country Club.
Gamble connected with Wood Glen when his mother was a resident years ago. He saw what a wonderful community it was and sought out a seat on the board of directors.
Jeff Lombardi, commercial client service adviser at Montecito Bank & Trust’s Commercial Lending Group, serves as a board member. Raised in Santa Barbara, he has more than 15 years in the financial industry and 13 years exclusively at Montecito Bank & Trust, where he started his career.
Lombardi volunteers as a member of Ventura Rotaract, a group that focuses on social events and volunteer opportunities within the community.
Karen Knight, who served as Leadership Services officer and Red Feather Ball coordinator at United Way of Santa Barbara County during two stints, 1993-2003 and 2007-13, is also on the board at Wood Glen Hall.
Knight, who attended the University of California, helped start City Commerce Bank in 1978, serving nine years as the bank’s vice president of business development, marketing and training. She paused her career to raise children, returning to the workforce in 1993. She owned and operated her own business, Liberty Fitness, in Wildomar 2003-2006.
A resident of Santa Barbara, Knight also serves on the Opera Santa Barbara Board of Directors. She has deep roots in the community, and volunteers for Opera Santa Barbara, Ensemble Theater Company and United Way of Santa Barbara County.
Marking its 65th anniversary this year, Wood Glen Hall has been ranked among the Best Senior Living facilities in California by U.S. News and World Report.
It’s located at 3010 Foothill Road in Santa Barbara providing comfortable living, quality care and a thriving community for seniors. For a tour of the facility or to meet Wood Glen Hall’s executive director, Jeff LaBelle, call 1-805-687-7771. For more information, visit https://woodglenhall.org.