About Our Staff

Greg Gamble, Executive Director
Greg has worked in and studied conservation for over fifteen years, including working with The Nature Conservancy and as Executive Director of the Desert Foothills Land Trust in Arizona. Greg received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, and graduate degrees in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University and Business Administration from the University of Michigan. In his spare time, he enjoys training for triathlons. Greg makes his home in Ojai with his wife and two young children.

Rick Bisaccia, Preserve Manager
A lifetime Ojai resident, general contractor, naturalist, search and rescue person, and a whole host of other incredible qualifications make Rick a dynamic OVLC team member. Rick has just the right mix of experience and personality for the day to day challenges as he stewards and manages preserve lands. He enjoys keeping the preserves pristine, and also finding creative solutions to increase awareness among the community of the sensitive nature of preserve habitat. Rick works closely with local police, fire department officials, the Forest Service and Ojai school district officials to assure the safety and well being of the preserves and those who enjoy them.

Brian Stark, Conservation Director
Brian grew up in Southern California. Primarily a city kid, he spent many summers of his youth on his grandparents’ cattle ranch in northwest Nebraska. He learned a lot about ranching and farming. When not helping out with chores he spent time fishing for trout in the stream that came through the ranch and hiking in the sandstone bluffs. These experiences led to a lifelong interest in and love of the outdoors.
            Brian started at the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo as a volunteer in 1994 and never left. Brian’s great work paved the way for his eventual selection for the Executive Director position. Brian’s passion is in conservation, specializing in watershed protection.  When not in the office, he enjoys mountain biking, fishing, and playing bass and guitar. He is excited to have joined the OVLC staff in March of 2010 closer to his new home with his new bride from Camarillo. “With such a close community and a vibrant local landscape, the opportunities seem limitless,” said Brian upon his arrival in Ojai.

Darcy Gamble, Development Director
Darcy came to Ojai with a varied background, a love of nature, local history, and international travel.  Upon deciding to live in Ojai Darcy made a conscious commitment to help protect and promote the town’s scenic, cultural, and social character. A busy mother of two toddlers, she also serves on the City’s Historic Preservation Commission and is an avid hiker.
               Darcy has worked for the National Park Conservation Association, was Website Manager for Williams-Sonoma.com, worked at Microsoft, and was most recently a caring Realtor in Cave Creek, Arizona.   Darcy has a BA from Washington State University and an MA from Colorado State University.   She is here to serve the members of the Land Conservancy with her heart.

Lynn Malone, Member Services Director
Lynn has lived, raised a family and worked in Ojai since 1975. She brings two decades of experience in nonprofit outreach and operations management and City of Ojai public administration to the OVLC. Lynn enjoys working with members, volunteers and the Ojai community to provide outreach, programs and special events to help bring about awarenes for OVLC’s mission. She finds meeting new friends and re-connecting with community members in the pursuit of keeping Ojai the special place that it is, to be rewarding work. 

Marti Reid, Bookkeeper
Marti joined the OVLC staff as our bookkeeper in November. She comes us with a diverse background of 30 years in the restaurant business including 7 as the general manager at Carrows in Ojai. She has also worked for more than 7 years at local non-profits including most recently the Ojai Youth Foundation and the Valley Oak Charter School. Marti is capable, confident, experienced, and lovely to work with. Marti and her husband have 2 daughters and have lived in Ojai since 1997.

Tom Swetek, Restoration Staff
The OVLC habitat restoration program team welcomes Tom Swetek. Tom is a long-time Ojai resident with great experience in restoration project installation and care. Over the last few years he has worked with both the CREW and Channel Islands Restoration on projects to remove non-native plants and re-plant native habitats.  Having Tom on-board will help accelerate our restoration plantings as we adopt a year-round restoration presence on our preserves.  His experience with native plants and their care will surely improve the effectiveness of our planting programs.