I am thrilled to be embarking on my new role as the Executive Director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation. The opportunity to lead and serve this vibrant community is a great honor. I look forward to working with everyone to enhance and preserve our wonderful Central Coast paradise.
My wife, Stephanie and I moved to Avila Beach in 2006 from the Bay Area to be closer to Stephanie’s parents. We enjoyed living in Avila for over 8 years and currently live in San Luis Obispo. I am a retired elementary school educator and finished my teaching career in Santa Maria, CA in 2022. Prior to being an educator, I held various positions in the semiconductor equipment sector employed at Applied Materials and other Silicon Valley companies. While living in Avila, I was active in the community serving on multiple boards including the Avila Beach Community Services District, Avila Beach Civic Association, and the Avila Beach Community Foundation. I had the pleasure of serving as President of the Foundation, so it is wonderful to return to such a great organization in my new role.
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to Rick Cohen for his exceptional leadership and guidance during his 15 years as Executive Director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation. His commitment to the community's well-being has been an inspiration to all. His vision has laid a strong foundation for our collective success, and I am honored to continue building upon it as we work together toward our shared goals. Wishing Rick a joyous retirement, filled with many new adventures.
Additionally, I want to announce the retirement of another outstanding board member, Richard Zacky. We thank him for his extraordinary decade of leadership and dedication to the Avila Beach community. We are immensely grateful for the wisdom, expertise, and guidance he has shared with the foundation. We thank Richard for his invaluable contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
Now for the best news of the month, the Avila Beach Community Foundation Board of Trustees met on December 5th to determine grant awards to be distributed for the coming year. For this annual round of funding in 2024, we awarded a grand total of $54,200 to our community partners. Grants were awarded to: Avila Beach Civic Association, NatureTrack, Cancer Well-Fit Program at the Avila Bay Club, Central Coast Aquarium, KCBX Public Radio, Noor Foundation of San Luis Obispo, Operation Surf, People’s Self Help Housing at Lachen Tara in Avila Beach, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, Port San Luis Harbor District Doggy Waste Bags, Surfrider Foundation, Avila Beach Free Trolley, Avila Beach Life News Publication and Friends of the Avila Pier.
In the coming months, I will plan to spotlight each of these organizations to recognize all that they contribute to our wonderful community.
Wishing each of you a New Year filled with peace, joy and good health in 2024.
My wife, Stephanie and I moved to Avila Beach in 2006 from the Bay Area to be closer to Stephanie’s parents. We enjoyed living in Avila for over 8 years and currently live in San Luis Obispo. I am a retired elementary school educator and finished my teaching career in Santa Maria, CA in 2022. Prior to being an educator, I held various positions in the semiconductor equipment sector employed at Applied Materials and other Silicon Valley companies. While living in Avila, I was active in the community serving on multiple boards including the Avila Beach Community Services District, Avila Beach Civic Association, and the Avila Beach Community Foundation. I had the pleasure of serving as President of the Foundation, so it is wonderful to return to such a great organization in my new role.
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to Rick Cohen for his exceptional leadership and guidance during his 15 years as Executive Director of the Avila Beach Community Foundation. His commitment to the community's well-being has been an inspiration to all. His vision has laid a strong foundation for our collective success, and I am honored to continue building upon it as we work together toward our shared goals. Wishing Rick a joyous retirement, filled with many new adventures.
Additionally, I want to announce the retirement of another outstanding board member, Richard Zacky. We thank him for his extraordinary decade of leadership and dedication to the Avila Beach community. We are immensely grateful for the wisdom, expertise, and guidance he has shared with the foundation. We thank Richard for his invaluable contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
Now for the best news of the month, the Avila Beach Community Foundation Board of Trustees met on December 5th to determine grant awards to be distributed for the coming year. For this annual round of funding in 2024, we awarded a grand total of $54,200 to our community partners. Grants were awarded to: Avila Beach Civic Association, NatureTrack, Cancer Well-Fit Program at the Avila Bay Club, Central Coast Aquarium, KCBX Public Radio, Noor Foundation of San Luis Obispo, Operation Surf, People’s Self Help Housing at Lachen Tara in Avila Beach, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, Port San Luis Harbor District Doggy Waste Bags, Surfrider Foundation, Avila Beach Free Trolley, Avila Beach Life News Publication and Friends of the Avila Pier.
In the coming months, I will plan to spotlight each of these organizations to recognize all that they contribute to our wonderful community.
Wishing each of you a New Year filled with peace, joy and good health in 2024.
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