Board of Directors

Jan Blakslee, President
Retired business executive
It was only natural that Jan would join the OVLC upon his arrival in Ojai in 2002. For years he has been focused on nature and sustainable resources with “Friends of the River” in Chicago, US Forest Service conservation efforts in Idaho, and he continues to be an active member of The Nature Conservancy. Now retired from a successful career in executive recruitment and development systems, Jan lends his skills in recruitment and business management to the OVLC board of directors. Jan enjoys organic gardening, antique collecting and international travel. He and his wife Mary enjoy preserving the beauty of natural resources.

Mary Bergen, Director
Mary first came to Ojai in 1957 when her parents bought a ranch on Creek Road. She learned to love the land by exploring the hills and canyons on horse and on foot. After graduating from high school, she became a marine biologist and worked as for the California State Lands Commission and the Department of Fish and Game, studying the effects of man’s activities on the ocean. In 2000, Mary moved back to the ranch in Ojai and permanently set down roots. She is very happy managing the avocado orchard and continuing to explore the beauty of the valley with her two horses and two dogs.

Stefanie Coeler, Secretary
Retired business executive, equestrian
Having been interested in the protection of environmental resources all her life and an active OVLC member and volunteer for the past six years, it was natural for Stefanie to join the board. If you have been at OVLC events, you have likely enjoyed some of Stefanie’s creativity and dedication. Born and raised in Germany, she came to Ojai to be with her sweetheart Willi, an airline pilot, now her husband. Stefanie brings two valuable assets to the OVLC, a degree and career in business and a passion for the outdoors. She especially loves riding her horse and hiking on the Ventura River Preserve which she is lucky enough to call her “back yard” as an Oso Road resident. She has been instrumental in watching over the VRP on our behalf.

Jim Combs, Director
Retired business executive, International Paper
Jim and his wife Dottie moved to Ojai six years ago from suburban San Francisco after his retirement. Having been active with the Lyndsey Wildlife Museum, Audubon Society and the Sierra Club, Jim was ready to live in a place where he could enjoy nature. Soon after his arrival in Ojai he began to volunteer for OVLC, building donor benches and birdhouses. Jim is active in several Ojai-based nonprofit organizations. He and Dottie have raised 3 sons and now find time to enjoy participating in nature pursuits such as wildlife rehabilitation with the Ojai Raptor Center and bird watching at the Ojai Meadows Preserve. He joined the OVLC board of Directors in the spring of 2007.

Roger Essick, President Elect
Avocado grower and Orchard Manager
Roger Essick, an Ojai resident and avocado and citrus farmer for 36 years, will return to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Board of Directors after a year off.  Roger served as board President during his previous term and has a long history with the OVLC after having served several times on the board since the beginning days.  Roger has enjoyed raising his family of two grown children and four grandchildren in the Ojai Valley and looks forward to helping to preserve Ojai’s natural places for generations to come.  He lives on the east end of Ojai on a large avocado ranch with his wife Pat, a Topa Topa school teacher, who shares his love for the Ojai Valley.

Jesse Grantham, Director
Condor Recovery Program Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Jesse brings a broad range of experience in natural history  having spent years in wildlife and endangered species research and management,  restoration ecology, land management, horticulture, biology and ornithology.  OVLC is especially privileged to benefit from his 24 years with the National Audubon Society.    Currently he heads up efforts to restore the endangered California Condor.  Jesse and his wife Trina have lived in Ojai on and off since 1980. Jesse continually monitors bird populations and their activity on OVLC preserves in addition to serving on the Board of Directors.

Margot Griswold, Director
Senior Restoration Ecologist, NewFields Agricultural & Environmental Resources
Margot is a resident of the Upper Ojai Valley since 2003. She has a background in farming from the Central Valley of California, and currently works as a plant ecologist specializing in native habitat restoration. She is past president for SERCAL (California Society for Ecological Restoration) and currently serves on the board of Los Angeles Audubon where she directs local science education projects. She is also a member of the Los Angeles County Environmental Review Board. She is dedicated to ecological education and land conservation.

Cari Guerrero, Treasurer
Branch Manager, Rabobank
An Ojai native, Cari was born at the Ojai hospital, back when they were still delivering babies! Growing up in Meiners Oaks, she and her sister found refuge on the Ojai Meadows Preserve long before it was preserved, and now has come full circle, by joining the OVLC board. She now plays on the meadow with her 3 year old daughter Lilly when she isn’t busy working or playing an important role in finance management on the OVLC board. I am so thrilled to be a part of OVLC and look forward sharing my appreciation for Ojai.” She is also a member of the Ojai Rotary Club and a board member of Food for Thought.

Brian Holly, Director
Conservation Biologist, BioResource Consultants, Inc.
A third generation Ojai resident, Brian is a conservation biologist with BioResource Consultants, an environmental consulting firm based in Ojai.  Brian brings extensive experience in ecology, wildlife biology, ecosystem management, environmental policy and natural resource planning.  For over ten years, Brian has been working on ecological restoration projects in the Ojai watershed and other southern California watersheds.  He also serves as an active member of the Ventura County Search and Rescue Team-Upper Ojai.  Brian and his wife Camille spend much of their free time rock climbing, backpacking, fly fishing and mountain biking throughout the Sierra range and western United States.  Brian has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science-Conservation Biology from the UC Santa Cruz and will defend his Master’s thesis in Ecosystem Science and Conservation at Duke University in the spring of 2011.   

Allan Jacobs, Director
CPA and Attorney, Waite, Jacobs and Atkinson, Attorneys at Law
A former OVLC board member, CPA and Attorney is returning to our board. We are pleased to welcome him back as he is such an asset to the OVLC. Allan and his wife Janet have lived in Ojai for 10 years though his family settled here in the 1930’s. Allan attended Monica Ros, San Antonio School, and Nordhoff. He and Janet have 3 grown children. Allan is an avid hiker and fisherman, Peace Corps volunteer, Eagle Scout and dedicated Ojai Rotarian.

 
Paula Power, Director
Ecologist, Channel Islands National Park
A simple lesson on the names of local mountains and the daily walk home from San Antonio School began Paula’s lifelong appreciation of the mountains, trails, and open space of Ojai. Nine years working in the wilds of British Columbia, a degree from UCSB, and graduate school in Texas prepared her for her current position as Ecologist for Channel Islands National Park. Since Paula’s return to Ojai, she has volunteered her expertise on the Ojai Meadows and Ventura River preserves and now serves as OVLC’s Restoration Committee chair. She joined the OVLC Board of Directors in January, 2008. Paula always manages to fit OVLC needs into her busy work schedule, and her other job as mom to her son and daughter.

Larry Rose, Vice-President
Sales Manager, Brokaw Nursery
A 4th generation Ventura County resident, Larry is no stranger to the threat that unchecked growth poses, so is happy to serve on the OVLC board in an effort to protect this valley he and his wife Lisa cherish. In addition to a full time job in sales of avocado and citrus, and being a delegate to the International Society of Citrus Growers, Larry has served for years on OVLC’s Agriculture and Land Committees. He currently serves as the chair of the Land Committee and Vice President of the Board of Directors.

Cricket Twichell, Director
Retired Administrator
A natural to serve on the board, having lived in the Ojai Valley since 1969, Cricket moved here from the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts when her husband was hired by The Thacher School. A full-time Mom until 1977, she began working in Admissions for the Thacher School and worked in the Development office as well as taught study skills, until retiring in 1996. Often found wandering around the Ojai hills, she is interested in wildflowers and native plants and enjoys giving nature hikes. She’s also hooked on Ojai history, giving talks about the colorful characters and events which have influenced Ojai’s past. She is honored to have been asked to join the OVLC board, and “humbled to serve amongst such a great group of people”.

Deborah Whorf, Director

Engineering Manager, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

Deborah is a converted transplant from the east coast who has happily adapted and totally immersed herself in the Ojai community and culture. She came to Ojai in 1998 to assist with the completion of the Ojai Valley Inn’s new spa and went on to become the Project Coordinator for the Inn’s vast $90M Renovation.  Deborah is currently the Engineering Manager overseeing general maintenance, processes and projects at the Inn.  You can spot her on most weekends enjoying her horse, Winston, riding throughout the Ventura River Preserve. In addition, Deborah and her husband, Bill, enjoy traveling throughout California whenever they can find free time as well as an occasional visit back to the east coast to visit family.