Announcement

Santa Ynez Visitors Association New Board Announced

Non-profit organization promotes year-round tourism in Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang

Mary Harris, Executive Director of the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association has announced the results of the recent board of directors election for the non-profit organization of more than 120 members promoting year-round tourism in the Valley communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and Solvang.

2010-12 SYVVA Officers:

* President: John Kochis, General Manager, Bridlewood Estate Winery, Santa Ynez

* Vice-President: Thomas O’Higgins, Owner, Wine Country Home, Los Olivos

* Treasurer: Sherry Thore, CPA, Owner, Sherry Thore CPA, Buellton

* Secretary: Dorothy Brunton, Co-owner, Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar, Solvang

* Immediate Past-President: Douglas Ziegler, Owner, Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez

(back row) Thomas O’Higgins, Dorothy Brunton, Carlos Lopez-Hollis, Bent Olsen, Wayne Hurte. (front row) Maria Centrella, Sherry Thore, John Kochis, Chris Bashforth, and Sandra Hallmann. (Not pictured is Douglas Ziegler)

SYVVA is also welcoming three new board members:

* Chris Bashforth, Executive Director, Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, Santa Ynez

* Sandra Hallmann, General Manager of Wine Valley Inn & Cottages, Solvang

* Carlos Lopez-Hollis, Owner of Dos Carlitos Restaurant & Tequila Bar, Santa Ynez

Returning board members are Maria Centrella (Marketing Director, PCPA Theatrefest, Solvang); Wayne Hurte (Executive Director of Marketing, Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez); and Bent Olsen (Owner of Solvang Inn & Cottages, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Red Viking Restaurant, Solvang).