Board of Directors

2025 Board Members
Naomi Altergott
President

Naomi Altergott is a resident of Guadalupe. She is the owner/operator of Altergott Strategic Focus. She is a certified business coach, certified health and nutrition coach, functional nutrition counselor and a certified wellness hypnotist. Naomi is also a licenses financial professional. Naomi is very involved in the community. She is a member of the Guadalupe Business Association, an Ambassador for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, Past President of the Santa Maria Women’s Network, and a member of Elks Lodge 1538 in Santa Maria. Naomi is excited to serve as President for the Dunes Center Board and be part of the growth that is taking place at the Dunes Center and in Guadalupe. Naomi is passionate about educating the public on the many programs that the Dunes Center has to offer to students, families, and the overall community.

Ben Oakley
Vice President
Ben Oakley combines many years of environmental and technical experience with a proven track record of success in the fast-paced and challenging environment of the California energy industry, including management positions for environmental health and safety as well as government and regulatory affairs. Recent achievements including serving as campaign spokesperson for a successful countywide referendum. Ben received his Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Master’s in Natural Resources Management from Utah State. A long-time resident of the Central Coast, Ben also holds several leadership positions in the community including serving as a member of the Santa Barbara County APCD Community Advisory Council and member of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Commission.
Jim Corridan
Acting Treasurer
Born in California, Jim Corridan spent much of his career in the Midwest working with non-profit and government sectors. His interest in hiking and access to the natural beauty of the dunes has provided the impetus for his involvement with the Dunes Center. He began his board membership in 2022, and currently serves as Treasurer.
Robert Cooks
Secretary
Robert Cooks became involved with the Dunes Center in 2019 and shortly after he became a member of the board. He was born in San Luis Obispo and soon after that he relocated to the Santa Maria Valley. He has always been active in giving back to his community and helping those that are in need. Since he briefly lived in Guadalupe when he was younger, the community is near and dear to his heart and that is really why he’s excited to be a part of the Dunes Center and being a part of the growth and expansion! I love being on the board because we get to see directly how we’re affecting the community of Guadalupe and the students with the awesome Dunes Center programming. I also learn new things about the area that I can share with other natives who might’ve never known these facts before.
Brian Billones
Board Member
Brian Billones joined the Dunes Center Board of Directors in 2020 with a strong desire to serve the local community. A native Californian, he was born and raised in the Central Coast, where his family has called home for nearly a century. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego and has a career in the healthcare industry. He is excited to be a part of the next chapter for the Dunes Center.
Jennifer Harrison
Board Member
Jennifer joined the Santa Maria Chamber team in 2006. In her current role, she provides leadership to the Visitor Bureau and Tourism Marketing District efforts. Jennifer performs a wide range of duties, promoting and supporting tourism and hospitality-related business in the Santa Maria Valley. She plays a central role in promoting Santa Maria Valley as a destination for individuals and groups to visit. Jennifer also works in partnership with a network of local businesses and organizations and serves as the primary leader of the community's efforts to build the hospitality sector of the local economy. Outside of work Jennifer enjoys traveling and hiking with her husband John and her children.
Kelli Briggs
Board Member

SESLOC Federal Credit Union is a $1.2 billion credit union serving over 57,000 members through six branches in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara counties. Briggs is responsible for operations of the credit union, including branches, contact center, wealth management, advertising, communications, public relations, special events, deposit operations, delivery channels, sales, member financial education and political advocacy. She has been on the SESLOC team for nine years.
Briggs is a graduate of San Diego State University, where she earned her bachelors degree. Within the credit union industry, she served as co-chairperson on the Credit Union Alliance advisory committee and a member for Credit Unions for Kids. She is also a graduate of the Cardwell Group Leadership 306/2 program.
In the local community, Briggs also serves on the Lumina Alliance Board, Santa Maria Valley YMCA Board, and is a Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Member. 

Kelly Stone
Board Member

Kelly Stone has over 20 years of experience practicing law and is licensed in both New Mexico and California. Kelly has an MBA and many years of practical experience with business operations and transactions.  During her professional career, Kelly has practiced business law, insurance defense, employment law, representation of Title IV-D agencies, probate and estate planning, and general civil litigation. 

Before joining Carmel & Naccasha, Kelly practiced law in New Mexico and was General Counsel to sister companies located in New Mexico and California. Prior to her role as General Counsel, Kelly was a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico for six years and an Associate Attorney for Miller Stratvert, P.A. for three years. 

Kelly has lived on the central coast for almost ten years. She has been married to her husband for over 20 years and enjoys spending time with him and their three children, ages 13, 10, and 5. Outside of work, she coaches soccer and is heavily involved in all of her children’s school and sporting activities including soccer, baseball, basketball, and dance. Kelly also enjoys parenting their Black Labrador Retriever, Luna, their American Village Dog (aka mutt), Willy, and her two Orange Winged Amazon Parrots, Birda and Julio. Kelly has a green thumb and has received Yard-of-the-Month awards from her neighborhood’s HOA. 

Trish Waterbury
Board Member

As a Santa Barbara County resident of over 29 years, Trish has both a love and passion for the Central Coast. Before her real estate career, she was in human resources. Trish considers herself a dedicated volunteer, serving for the California State PTA from 1996 to 2018, from the unit school level to being President of the Santa Maria Valley Council of PTA’s, then the Santa Barbara Country 15th District President, to the Board of Managers who oversees all of PTA schools in California. She also was on the Board of  Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation, for 9 years, whose mission is to provide arts for all students at the Orcutt School District. Currently, volunteering for the Old Orcutt Farmers Market which has just completed its 3rd year and on the Santa Maria Women’s Network board.

As a Realtor with PB & Associates, Trish’s mission is to listen to her clients’ wants and needs and help guide them to their goals of home ownership, with an emphasis on client relationships built on trust and confidence, and her main objective is to make sure clients are satisfied with her as their agent and provide quality real estate services. She is highly motivated and enjoys her work. Integrity, loyalty, and accuracy are characteristics Trish will bring every day and is driven to provide an exceptional real estate experience.

Trish and her husband of 39 years, Steve, enjoy many outdoor activities, including golfing, camping, and traveling.

Staff

L. Erika Weber
Executive Director

Erika is a lifelong resident of the Central Coast, a second generation Californian born in San Luis Obispo and raised in Santa Maria. She grew up enjoying the beaches and hillsides that make up this beautiful region. She was either at the beach, surfing the waves and exploring tidepools or in the mountains, riding horses or hiking amongst the oak trees.

Erika has worked in the non-profit world for over 25 years, bringing awareness, community engagement and support to important local causes. She is eager to volunteer and support the many organizations and small businesses within her community.

Erika is active with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber and South County Chambers and currently serves on the Board of the Santa Maria Women’s Network.

Joey Nichols
Director of Education

Joey is a resident and outdoor enthusiast of the Central Coast. She has backpacked through the Los Padres National Forest, San Rafael Wilderness, and the Sierra Mountains.  As a Girl Scout, she learned about native plants and animals and protected our Dunes ecosystem through service projects involving coastal preservation and clean-up.  Her exploration led to a passion for geology, and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Orcutt Mineral Society.  Prior to joining the Dunes Center team, she was a K-12 teacher. She worked in Guadalupe for 8 years, supporting underserved students in the Guadalupe Union School District.  Joey taught STEM classes for the Dunes Center in the summer of 2023 and enriched student learning through hands-on experiences with whale rib bones, honey-filled beehive boxes and UV-reactive rock and mineral displays.  She brings enthusiasm, technical savvy and a passion for outdoor learning and education to our staff. 

Josh Ochoa
Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator

Josh Ochoa is a passionate community outreach professional with a strong foundation in public health and volunteer coordination. Holding a Bachelor’s in Public Health and Epidemiology from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Josh has had the opportunity to work with incredible organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Apple, where he learned the importance of creating meaningful connections and making a positive impact in people’s lives.

Through his roles in nonprofits like MADD, Josh developed a deep love for bringing people together, supporting local causes, and creating safer, more informed communities. His time at Apple helped him refine his ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life, an invaluable skill that he brings to his role today.

As the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, Josh thrives on building genuine relationships, supporting volunteers, and ensuring that every program is impactful and meaningful. Known for his friendly, approachable nature and meticulous attention to detail, Josh is always eager to help others. Outside of work, he’s an avid hiker, fitness enthusiast, and someone who finds great peace in the beauty of the ocean. Whether it’s exploring the Central Coast or simply enjoying the outdoors, Josh is deeply passionate about protecting and sharing the natural wonders around him.

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