_An Edhat Reader
Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbars
What: On July 1, 2024, Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara elected new officers to guide our mission for the next three years. Felisa Strickland, full-time parent, and caregiver will serve as President; Camille Rutherford, Operations Manager for Nygren Consulting, LLC will serve as Vice President. Paul Bowen, President, and Chief Engineer at Multiplex Engineering will continue as Secretary; and René Eyerly, Assistant City Administrator for Santa Barbara will serve as Treasurer.
Who: Felisa Strickland, full-time parent and caregiver will serve as President; Camille Rutherford, Operations Manager for Nygren Consulting, LLC will serve as Vice President. Paul Bowen, President and Chief Engineer at Multiplex Engineering will continue as Secretary; René Eyerly, Assistant City Administrator for Santa Barbara will serve as Treasurer; and Chris Harris, Audit Partner with Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP will serve as Past President.
Why: Alpha Resource Center’s Board of Directors guide the nonprofit’s mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Santa Barbara County by supporting families, creating opportunities, and fostering belonging.
When: The officers began their new roles on July 1, 2024, and they led the nonprofit’s Board Retreat on Saturday, July 27th.
Bios: Felisa Strickland | President
Felisa is a full-time dedicated caregiver and advocate for her daughter, Lily, who has developmental disabilities. She moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to family and has since become deeply involved in the disability community. Felisa’s passion for supporting individuals with disabilities led her to become actively involved with Alpha. She has participated in numerous trainings, served on various committees, and is a co-facilitator of a support group. She is also a strong advocate for disability rights, participating in statewide initiatives and serving on the board of directors for both Alpha and The Arc of California. Felisa’s commitment to her daughter and the broader disability community is evident in her extensive involvement and leadership roles.
Camille Rutherford | Vice President
Camille is a Santa Barbara native with a passion for community and leadership. With a background in luxury hospitality and real estate, she transitioned into social impact consulting, driven by a desire to help others. Her experience includes a global role in disaster relief and a deep personal connection to the disability community through her sister. With a personal connection to the disability community, she is excited to contribute her expertise to Alpha Resource Center as a board member.
René Eyerly | Treasurer
René is the Assistant City Administrator of Santa Barbara. With a strong background in both city government and the private sector, she has held various leadership roles within the city, overseeing departments such as Airport, Waterfront, and Human Resources. She is known for her work in sustainability and resilience, including creating the Homeless Encampment Response Team and spearheading a pilot program for homeless individuals living in fire-prone areas. Prior to her Santa Barbara role, she led sustainability initiatives in San Jose.
Paul Bowen | Secretary
Paul is a semi-retired engineer and entrepreneur with a strong community involvement. He has a successful career in engineering and business, including founding his own company. His son’s autism diagnosis led him to become involved with Alpha Resource Center, where he appreciates the staff and programs. Paul is active in the community, serving as an Airport Commissioner and volunteering for various organizations. He enjoys a fulfilling personal life with his wife, Terri, and has diverse hobbies including flying, gardening, and cooking.
Chris Harris | Past President
Chris is an audit partner with Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP with over 25 years of experience.
Chris’ passion is non-profit organizations, serving as President for C.A.R.E.4Paws, Treasurer for the Santa Barbara Symphony, Vice President of the Santa Barbara Athletic Association, and on the Claremont McKenna Track and Cross-Country Advisory Board. In addition, he’s an active volunteer with numerous charitable organizations throughout Santa Barbara County. He served as table captain for Alpha’s annual Circle of Life Luncheon for several years before joining the board in 2018.
Alpha Resource Center
Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara was founded in 1953 and provides programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Santa Barbara County. We are a lifespan organization (birth to death) that believes everyone has a valuable contribution to make. Our programs bring ability to the forefront and highlight potential while supporting families, creating opportunities, and fostering belonging.
Media Contact: Jeff Henson, Director of Development, jhenson@alphasb.org or 805-683-2145
