Deep Santa Barbara Roots

My connection to Santa Barbara County is more than professional—it is generational. As a proud third-generation Santa Barbaran and graduate of UCSB, I have had a 30 year career with Santa Barbara County where I have built a rigorous technical foundation in auditing, accounting, and process improvement. I have deep expertise across every discipline we oversee: Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters, Fiscal, and IT. I don't just manage; I understand the technical work we do every day.

I have the professional credentials that bridge the gap between finance and public administration and keep these services safe and efficient: 

• CPA: Certified Public Accountant (California Board of Accountancy)

• CPFO: Certified Public Finance Officer (GFOA)

• CERA: Certified Elections Registration Administrator (The Election Center)

• Advanced Appraiser: California State Board of Equalization

• Housing Finance Professional: National Development Council

I am committed to this office because our services are the bedrock of a thriving society:

• Democratic Integrity: Our Elections division facilitates the peaceful transition of power, ensuring every citizen has a voice in our democracy.

• Funding the Future: The Assessor’s work feeds the property tax system, which provides the essential funding for our public infrastructure and schools—the single most important investment in our next generation.

• Protecting Rights & Prosperity: By maintaining the public record, we protect property rights and personal identity.

Unparalleled Technical Expertise

I am more than a manager; I am a practitioner who has worked in the trenches of every division I lead. My 30-year career is marked by high-level technical oversight and leadership:

• Audit & Finance: I earned my CPA at as an Accountant-Auditor for the County, specializing in internal audits, property tax divisions, and financial reporting.

• Project Management: I served as staff on the Debt Advisory Committee and assisted with the Capital Financing Feasibility Study.

• Systems Innovation: In 2003, I was tasked with developing the property tax system for unsecured property and served as project manager for the County mainframe, housing critical systems, for property tax, the Jail and Juvenile Hall.

A Guardian of Democracy

I believe elections are key to community rights and the foundation of our democracy. With more than 25 years of experience ensuring fair elections, I have served as a volunteer, poll worker, field supervisor, hardware support, trainer, and election central help desk troubleshooter.

Today, as I conduct Voter Observation tours, I remain a staunch advocate for face-to-face integrity. In an era of digital noise, I am committed to a non-partisan, neutral, and ethical election process. To maintain the public’s trust, I have spent my career refraining from political endorsements, ensuring that the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor’s office remains a sanctuary for democracy.

Proven Crisis Leadership

For 26 years, I have been a pillar of the Emergency Operations Center. From the Y2K transition to the Refugio Oil Spill and the Montecito Debris Flow, I have been on the front lines of Planning and Intelligence and the Joint Information Center, ensuring the community receives accurate, life-saving information during its most critical hours.

My Family & Community

I now live on the same plot of land as my grandparents did, but now with my family. I am close with my neighbors who call me the “soup lady” as I consistently help those who are sick or in need of the help that a warm meal can provide. I feel fortunate to live in Santa Barbara and want to keep my neighbors and community safe through the role of Clerk-Recorder-Assessor.