Rebecca Armstrong

Rebecca Armstrong is an Air Quality Engineer II in the Planning and Rules Section of the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. She has degrees in Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara, and a Professional Certificate in Air Quality Management from UC Santa Barbara Extension. She started at the APCD as a student intern in early 1987 and was soon hired as a full-time employee. She began working in the planning division, then worked on the Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Program for 13 years. During this time, she supervised several student interns and worked on various permitting projects. Rebecca currently works in the Rulemaking Section. She served on the Air & Waste Management Association Board of Directors from 1991-1993. Her hobbies include spending time with her children, swimming, hiking and camping.

Sara Brumit

Mary Byrd

Mary Byrd is the Public Information Officer & Education Specialist in the Community Programs Section of the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. She has a B.A. from Swarthmore College. She has worked in journalism, and had her own communications consulting business, specializing in environmental technologies, alternative vehicles, and renewable energy research. At the District, she is the Santa Barbara Car Free Project Manager, writes the On the Air newsletter and other publications and reports, maintains and develops the websites, coordinates the teachers grants partnership with the County Education Office, and works on a variety of school and community outreach projects. She enjoys biking to work.

Michelle Coffin

Michelle Coffin is an Accounting Technician in the Fiscal Section in charge of accounts payable and billing.  Michelle graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a B.A. in Finance.  Prior to her employment with APCD, Michelle worked with the Santa Barbara County Public Works, Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division for two years in charge of accounts receivables.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends.  She also likes to snowboard and travel every chance she gets. 

Joel Cordes

Joel Cordes is the Air Monitoring Supervisor in the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division.  He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas (Hook-em Horns). Joel has been working in air monitoring at the APCD since 1992. Prior to the APCD Joel worked for private industry designing ambient air and source monitoring instrumentation and systems.  Joel was born and raised in Texas but has called Santa Barbara home since 1986. 

Kristina Costa

Ben Ellenberger

Ben Ellenberger is an Air Quality Engineer Supervisor in the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and began working for the APCD in 2008. Before coming to Santa Barbara he worked as an engineer for the San Joaquin Valley APCD for three years.

Juliet Fernandez

Juliet Fernandez is an Office Technician in the Engineering and Compliance Division. Juliet has worked for the APCD since 1990. Before APCD, she worked for the Santa Barbara County Auditor Controller office. Her outside interests include tennis, skiing, photography, and traveling with her family.

Jim Fredrickson

Jim Fredrickson is an Emissions Inventory/Planning Specialist III in the Planning and Rules Section and Innovative Technologies Group in the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division.  Jim is a Santa Barbara native and holds two B.A. degrees from UC Santa Barbara in Geography and Environmental Studies. He started at the APCD in April of 1990 as a member of the Planning Section. He has been responsible for federal and state plan development; emission inventory database development; and implementation of several emission-based fee programs (AQAP, Annual Emission, and Air Toxics Program).  Jim also works on incentive funding programs as the Project Manager for the Old Car Buy Back Program, Lower Emission School Bus Program, and assists with administration of the Carl Moyer Program.

Eric Gage

Glenn Gazdecki

Glenn Gordon Gazdecki is an Inspection Specialist III in the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has a B.A. in Economics & Business and Sociology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara and is a Registered Environmental Assessor I and Certified Professional Dry Cleaner from the International Fabricare Institute. He was hired by the APCD in early 1989. Glenn's outside interests include his family, sports, travel, books and movies. His favorite college football team is the University of Michigan Wolverines and his favorite hike is Rattlesnake Canyon.

Jennifer Gin

Michael Goldman

Michael Goldman is the Manager of the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from The State University of New York at Buffalo and started working at the APCD in 1987. Prior to his appointment as division manager in 2008, Mike supervised the APCD’s general source permit program. Mike was also responsible for the development and oversight of District’s permit automation and streamlining program, the emission reduction credit program and the permitting of every type of source we regulate, including large oil and gas and energy projects. His hobbies include photography, hiking, sports , reading and movies. Mike was born in Brooklyn and raised in Jersey.

Doug Grapple

Doug Grapple is an Air Quality Engineer III in the Planning and Rules Section of the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. He has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology. Doug performed equipment permitting tasks for the APCD from 1980 to 1995, and has been involved in rulemaking from 1995 to the present. He is interested in bicycling and innovative bicycle designs.

Glenn Griffin

Glenn Griffin is an Inspection Specialist III in the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has a B.A. in Physics (UCSB), an M.S. in Systems Management (Univ. of Denver), and a Certificate in Air Quality Mgt. (UCSB extension). He was hired by the APCD in 1999 and  works primarily on Part 70 Major Source facilities. He was previously employed by the Ventura County APCD and San Joaquin Valley Unified APCD. His compliance responsibilities include onshore and offshore oil and gas sources and Celite Corporation. His hobbies include bonsai and growing orchids.

Howard Hammeren

Howard Hammeren is a Monitoring Specialist III in the Community Programs Section of the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. He has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Howard joined the APCD in the summer of 2000 with almost 20 years experience in air quality monitoring. He is the primary field technician and site operator for seven monitoring sites maintained and operated by the APCD. He enjoys outdoor activities including biking, camping and ocean kayaking.

David Harris

David Harris is an Air Quality Engineer in the Engineering and Compliance Division. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara, and has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He likes to surf, sail, golf, travel and spend time with family and friends.

Paula Iorio

Paula Iorio is the Air Quality Permit Technician for the Engineering and Compliance Division. She has been with the APCD since 1989 in administrative and specialist positions in the Technical Services Division, Technology and Environmental Assessment Division, General Source Division and at the front desk. Paula's job duties include permitting of Gas Stations, Dry Cleaners and Auto Body Shops; maintaining permit and compliance databases; responding to public information requests; processing transfer of owner/operator, cancellations, and NOV letters; assisting staff; and running data base reports.

Brian Kato

Donald Kendig

Donald Kendig is APCD's Business Manager.  Donald was previously a Financial Systems Analyst with the Santa Barbara County Auditor-Controller's Office, and worked for the Santa Barbara County Superior Court and County Administrator's Office. Donald is a Certified Public Accountant since 1999, and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and Government Finance Officers Association. Donald graduated from Palomar Community College with an AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences and from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a BA in Business Economics with an Accounting Concentration. Donald spends his free time with family and friends, hiking, biking, dancing, reading and meditating. His interests include good governance, environmental sustainability, public political participation, child development, continuous learning, financial planning, multi-cultural enrichment, food, finances, and technology.

Eric Kett

Janice Kettler

Janice Kettler is a Monitoring Specialist II in the Community Programs Section of the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. She received a B.A. in Communications from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Janice began work for the APCD administrative and fiscal sections in 1989. In 1994 she was promoted to the air quality specialist classification and trained with staff in ambient air monitoring data review, data quality control and quality assurance. In 1998, Ms. Kettler was promoted to ambient air monitoring site operations and data processing for the APCD. Janice thoroughly enjoys living in California and has participated in the Santa Barbara Sister Cities Program activities.

Michael McKay

Mike McKay is an Inspection Specialist I in the Engineering and Compliance Division.  He was born and raised on the Central Coast, and has a B.S. in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and children and is an avid sports fan.

Kaitlin McNally

Kaitin McNally is an Air Quality Engineer Supervisor in the Engineering and Compliance Division. She joined the District in September of 2005, and has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Santa Barbara (UCSB). She is a member of Engineers without Borders (UCSB chapter), and has traveled to Peru to participate in solar and water projects. Kaitlin enjoys spending time with friends and family, volunteering, and interior decorating.

Jim Menno

Jim Menno is an Air Quality Engineer III in the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He started at APCD in 1991 as permit and compliance engineer for major oil and gas sources. Jim is currently the project manager for the Nuevo Energy Lompoc Oil and Gas Plant and Platform Irene, Argeullo Inc. Gaviota Oil Heating Facility and Platforms Harvest, Hidalgo, and Hermosa; Gaviota Terminal Co.; and Celite.

Marc Moritsch

Jonathan Mundt

Jonathan Mundt is an Inspection Specialist III in the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has been employed by the APCD since June 1990 and works with the Oil and Gas facilities.

Matthew Niro

Matt Niro is an Inspection Specialist I in the Engineering and Compliance Division.  He received a B.S. degree from UC Santa Barbara in Aquatic Biology.  In his off-time he enjoys surfing, snowboarding, hiking and scaring himself rock climbing.

Leticia Ortiz

Leticia Ortiz is an Office Technician for the Engineering and Compliance Division.

Molly Pearson

Molly Pearson is the Community Programs Supervisor in the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. She received a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geography from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1990. Since then, she has worked in the air quality field as a consultant and at the Ventura County and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control Districts.

Joe Petrini

Sharyl Preskitt

Sharyl Preskitt is the Human Resources Officer in the Administration Division. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the California State University, Fresno. Sharyl began with the APCD in October 2000 and handles all aspects of Human Resources. She is a huge animal lover! Sharyl's family includes a Dalmatian and a parakeet.

Janice Robinson

Janice Robinson is an Accounts Specialist in the Fiscal Section. She has worked with the APCD since Feb 1991. Janice is responsible for the payroll of all employees and is affectingly known as Timecard Guru. She is an avid commuter, commuting from the city of Lompoc since 1991, doing her part by using the Clean Air Express as her main mode of transportation.

Al Ronyecz

Al Ronyecz is an Air Quality Engineer in the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division.

Andy Rusch

Andy Rusch is a Network Specialist II in the Administrative Division, Data Processing Group. 

Brian Shafritz

Phil Sheehan

Phil Sheehan is an Air Quality Engineer III who works primarily on oil and gas permits for the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has been with the APCD since 1989 and has degrees in both Petroleum Engineering and Geology.

Terry Snyder

Terry Snyder is a Principal Inspection Specialist with the Engineering and Compliance Division. He came to work for the APCD in 1988. He has over 24 years of combined experience, training and education in onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, production and processing. During this period he has worked on every major energy project within the APCD. His current assignments include ExxonMobil, Venoco, Greka and Hallador projects where he works with these companies to ensure the operate their facilities in compliance with all applicable federal, state and APCD air pollution laws and regulations. Terry also serves as the APCD's representative on the county System Safety and Reliability Review Committee and is the APCD's Safety Coordinator. Terry spends his free time with his wife and two daughters. His interests include photography, surfing and golf.

Craig Strommen

Jim Swihart

Jim Swihart is a Department Data Processing Specialist, Sr. in the Administrative Division, Data Processing Group. He holds an A.S. degree in Computer Science and started with the APCD in 1990. He has 5 children (2 still at home) 3 dogs, 1 horse and assorted kid’s pets (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, bugs). His outside activities include church activity, family history, hiking, camping and backpacking.

Ron Tan

Ron Tan is the Planning and Technology Supervisor in the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. He holds a BS in Mathematics from Stanford, MS in Engineering from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering from UCLA. He has been with the APCD since 1988 and prior to his appointment as Planning and Technology Supervisor in 2004 Ron worked on a wide variety of projects including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), permitting of major oil and gas facilities, Vandenberg Air Force Base and transportation and air quality issues. Ron's non-work related interests include bicycling, gardening, and cats.

Robert Thornburg

Robert Thornburg is an Inspection Specialist III in the Engineering and Compliance Division. He has a B.S. in Biology from San Diego State University, and has completed the California Air Resources Board Uniform Air Quality Training Program. His projects include North and South County general sources, onshore and offshore oil and gas facilities, and Vandenberg AFB. He is a private pilot, and NAUI Scuba Diver.

Bob Van Beveren

Bob Van Beveren is a Data Process Supervisor. He has been working in IT since 1985 and previously served as the Network Operations Director of large corporation. He started with the APCD in 1993. His first project was to make the Data Acquisition System function in production mode. Under his supervision, all employees received desktop computers, the APCD network was upgraded to modern standards and made reliable, Internet services were implemented, and numerous line-of-business database applications were created. Bob and his staff orchestrated a smooth technological move from our former offices in Goleta to our new offices in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.

Dave Van Mullem

Dave Van Mullem was appointed Director and Air Pollution Control Officer in August 2011.  He has a B.S. in Business Statistics from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, an M.S.in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and an M.S. in Environmental Management from West Coast University. After graduating from college, Van Mullem was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, and then was assigned to Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1991 to manage the air quality program. Achieving the rank of Colonel, Van Mullem became Director of Environmental Management. He left Vandenberg in 1998 to lead the Santa Maria office of AECOM, an international environmental consulting firm. He has also served as an at-large member on the District's five-member (volunteer) Hearing Board since 2002. He lives in Orcutt with his wife, and has family in Goleta and Santa Barbara.

Cynthia Vestal

Carly Wlburton

Mike Willis

Liz Zavala

Liz Zavala is an Office Technician in the Technology and Environmental Assessment Division. She has been working with the APCD since 2001 and assists a staff of 15. Her hobbies include baking, cooking, spending time with her grandchildren, and shopping.