Our All-Volunteer Board of Directors
If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the California Strawberry Festival, please allow us to introduce ourselves.
Collectively, we are the all-volunteer board of directors. Individually, we are either working professionals in a variety of industries who volunteer with the Festival, or we are retired and are professional volunteers. Some of us have been with the Festival for decades and some of us have just come on board.
But all of us have one thing in common. For each of us, the Festival is near and dear to our hearts—a complete labor of love.
Executive Committee
Greg Berini—Camarillo
Festival Chair
Entertainment Chair
The Festival represents the best of our county. We bring people from all different backgrounds, communities, faiths, and cultures to Ventura County for two days. Many of our festival goers are from outside Ventura County, and the Festival does a great job of showing how impactful and powerful our community can be when we work together. Celebrating 40 years of this event is truly amazing.
The California Strawberry Festival, celebrating its 40th year, is a direct testament to the love and pride the people of Ventura County have for celebrating family, our farming identity, and the constant support of the local non-profit organizations. This is truly a multi-generational event where all ages of family members can enjoy the day. I am so honored and humbled to be a small part of bringing the families together and making lifelong memories.
Marsha Cordes — Oxnard
Festival Co-Vice Chair
Food and Beverage Chair
I joined the board in 2019 after volunteering at the festival for many years with Kiwanis and Oxnard-Ocotlan Sister Cities. I was recruited by Tani Carlton, Mark Spellman, and Dean Kato. I have worked with Souvenirs, Volunteers, Entertainment, Marketing, and Food and Beverage. I am currently the Food and Beverage Chair. When I am not volunteering, I am getting paid to be a Chaos Coordinator (ASB Director) at Oxnard High School. I am proud to be born and raised in the Strawberry capital of the world, and I love that we can showcase that through our festival!
Andrew Salinas—Oxnard
Festival Co-Vice Chair
Transportation/Security Chair
I became involved with the Festival when it was at Channel Islands Harbor providing security as a police officer with the Oxnard Police Department. From 2003 to 2007, I was involved as a Police Explorer Advisor, and in 2007, I was invited to join this all-volunteer board. Seeing the magnitude of this community event, watching the thousands of people attend each year, knowing the Festival’s support of nonprofits, and the college scholarships given each year to children of farmworkers, made joining the board an easy decision. I currently serve as Vice Chair overseeing parking, security, traffic, and shuttles – transporting over 50,000 guests each year. I continue to serve the community as the Assistant Sheriff of Ventura County. I’ve made it my priority to model the desire to be involved in our community to my own officers, which is part of their evaluation process.
I truly consider it an honor to be a part of and serve on this working board comprised of working and retired professionals from all walks of life. Knowing the impact this Festival has had on the community has kept me motivated to return to help in every way I can for nearly 20 years – and counting.
Dean Maulhardt—Camarillo
Treasurer
It’s the enjoyment of everyone that visits the festival. Every year we see new and returning families trying new foods, rides and entertainment always with a smile.
I joined to be part of the Oxnard community and help celebrate the agricultural industry through the strawberries. Farming is a big part of the life in Ventura County.
Kathy McAden—Oxnard
Secretary
I started out as a volunteer in 2005 working in the information and souvenir booths after being asked by long-time board member Daisy Tatum to volunteer. I think it’s very important to be involved and support the community you live in. I became a member of the Board of Directors in 2007 and currently serve as Secretary. I’m on the Public Relations and Volunteer committees and Co-chair the Promenade Committee. I retired in 2007 after 35 years with the Ventura Port District (Ventura Harbor). I really loved working in the public sector. Now I keep busy by serving on the board of two different nonprofits.
The Festival’s impact over the years has added to the local economy, enhanced tourism, given educational opportunities through our scholarship program, and supported numerous local non-profits while providing great family fun! I would encourage everyone to get involved and be a part of something larger than yourself. To serve, support and remember our rich agricultural heritage.
Dean Kato—Oxnard
Past Chair
Executive Board
I started as a volunteer doing whatever was needed in 1984. All of that experience helped when I went on to college and began producing special events at Chico State in 1990. Since 1995, I’ve been in sales and marketing. I was involved in PowerBar Sponsorship Marketing throughout the 90’s, as well as sponsorships and event management at Woodstock ’99. I gained music festival experience on tour with Ozzfest ’03. Now, I am in the renewable energy industry. I returned to the Festival as a volunteer in 2011 and was voted in as a board member in 2014. Currently, I serve as Vice Chair and I am on the marketing/public relations, site, food and beverage, and entertainment committees.
CSF brings us all together working for a common cause. I am proud to be a part of it. It’s important to constantly improve and evolve our community event each year. When we do that, we improve the CSF experience for everyone: our guests, nonprofit partners, and sponsors.
Mark Spellman—Thousand Oaks
Executive Board
Sponsorship Chair
In the early years, I remember coming out to Channel Islands Harbor and buying those unforgettable strawberry-filled burritos and other delicious homemade treats from the booths on the grass. The festival had such an intimate, hometown feel back then — neighbors, families, and local vendors all coming together to celebrate. Now, 40 years later, it still has that same charm and warmth, with something special for everyone who attends — a place where new memories are created every year.
The Strawberry Festival represents everything I love about our community — local pride, family, culture, and giving back. I joined the board because I believe in its mission: celebrating the people who make Ventura County special while supporting scholarships and local nonprofits. Every year, I’m inspired by how this festival brings together families, small businesses, and volunteers from all walks of life. It’s more than an event — it’s a reflection of our community’s heart and spirit.
Daisy Tatum—Oxnard
Volunteer Chair
It has been amazing to be a part of the California Strawberry Festival since its beginning at Channel Islands Harbor to it growth at Strawberry Meadows at Oxnard College and then to its current destination Ventura County Fairgrounds due to continued increasing festival goers.
To me, the festival brings continued pride to the city of Oxnard. The California Strawberry Festival has created a “family” of volunteers who have been with the festival in excess of 20 plus years. Volunteers come from high school students, organizations, families, and first timers. It is always wonderful to see how energetic, happy and the warm greetings they give to festival goers.
Denise Kato — Oxnard
Souvenirs Chair
My favorite memory goes back to being a teenager helping my dad, the Festival’s founder, prepare for the very first Strawberry Festival—painting signs by hand, judging nonprofit booths, and feeling the excitement of something meaningful being created. Since then, the Festival has grown from a small community event at Channel Islands Harbor to College Park and now to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Watching it evolve while volunteering year after year has been incredible.
What means the most to me is that my children continue to volunteer alongside me and my brothers, just as I did with my parents. The Festival feels like a family reunion every year—my cousins, uncles, aunts, and so many longtime volunteers all coming together to serve our beautiful community.
My dad wanted to make Oxnard famous and celebrate the strawberry industry and community he loved. Continuing that legacy is deeply meaningful to me. I believe that’s why so many of us on the board enjoy volunteering together: we’re part of something special, something that connects generations, and something that still brings joy to this community 40 years later.
Tani Carlton—Oxnard
Executive Board
The California Strawberry Festival has always held a special place in my heart because it’s something my whole family gets to experience together. Festival weekends are a true family affair—my parents, my husband, and I volunteer together each year, keeping a tradition that means so much to us. Now, I get to see my children enjoy the festival too, especially in the newly expanded kids’ area, which has quickly become their favorite part of the weekend.
At our family business, Otani’s Seafood in Oxnard, we have the honor of displaying all the festival’s official posters. I love watching guests pause to admire them and share their memories—it’s a daily reminder of how much the festival means to our community.
My involvement began years ago as a volunteer, first helping when our school made the famous strawberry pizzas and later working alongside long-time board member Kathy, whose passion and leadership inspired me to stay involved. Those early experiences sparked a lasting connection that eventually led me to serve on the Board of Directors. I’m grateful to continue a tradition that brings people together and celebrates everything that makes our community so special.
Board Members
Kimberly Gibas—Oxnard
My favorite memory of the festival is hearing the music playing, happy faces holding strawberry shortcakes, volunteers everywhere and feeling the excitement of our guests and realizing “this is why we do it’.
I became a board member because the California Strawberry Festival is more than an event—it’s an annual tradition that brings the community together. The festival helps support local nonprofits while adding fun for our guests to experience.
Marth Guillen
There are so many great memories I can share about the festival, but if I had to choose one, it would be my first time getting involved through my union-hosting a beer booth and volunteering in the Strawberry Festival’s Sponsors’ VIP area. I helped keep the area clean, stocked, and running smoothly, stepping in wherever I was needed. The friendships I have made throughout the years have been truly amazing.
The Strawberry Festival means celebrating a showcase of unique delicious strawberry themed creations. Beyond the event itself, the friendships I’ve made and continue to make over the years have been so incredible, and one of the reasons why the Strawberry Festival is so special to me. I’m proud to be part of an amazing hardworking board that works tirelessly each year to make the Strawberry Festival a fun, family-friendly event.
Valerie Samaniego— Oxnard
Shortcake Chair
Bud Harley—Camarillo
In the early years of my involvement with the festival, I remember being in awe of the talent and dedication of the volunteers who served on the board. When asked to be on the board, I originally said no, and then I said yes, I would try it for a year. That was more than a decade ago.
I tell people I joined the board to help non-profits achieve their goals. I love watching nonprofit teams hang out, build relationships, have fun, and raise funds in a relaxing, enjoyable way. I love listening to the camaraderie, banter, and relationship building I see year after year. When I joined the board, I had one thought: “I am here to serve. “ I have the honor to serve with a group of people who amaze me with the diversity of backgrounds, skills, and passions.
I am grateful to the team at Pacific Camps Coast 2 Coast for allowing me to interact with the countless vendors, sponsors, non-profits, and other board members by filling in the gaps during the planning of each festival.
Luly Lopez — Oxnard
VIP Chair
Sandy Montes-Cerna — Oxnard
Sandy Montes-Cerna served as the Executive Administrative Assistant and Office Manager for the California Strawberry Festival for 21 years. When COVID-19 unfortunately impacted live events nationwide, the Festival—like many others—paused operations for several years.
She now proudly serves as an Executive Board Member and has held this role for the past three years, continuing her long-standing commitment to the organization and community.
In addition, Sandy has worked for over three years with LanguageLine Solutions as a Regional Support Executive. Her role requires consistent travel, allowing her to support clients across her region while maintaining strong professional relationships.
Beyond her career, Sandy has cherished being part of the Festival and creating lasting memories with her daughters — Jacquie, Molly, Bella, Blanca, and Brie — as well as spending time with her beautiful five-year-old grandson. She enjoys weekends surrounded by family and friends, working in her garden, and running her side hustle as a live clothing.
Taylor Penny — Oxnard
Former All-Volunteer Board of Directors
Billy Belcher | Chair 2009
Larry Calderon
Suzanne Chadwick
Pedro Chavez
Don DeArmond | Co-Chair 1995, Chair 1996-2005
Linda Dullam
Kristie Elzinga
Supervisor John Flynn
Arlene Frasier
Dr. Tsujio Kato | Chair 1983-1995
Conrad Raul Alvarez, Sr.
Angela Kamm
Ron Kato
Dr. Tsujio Kato
Ken Klopman
Carol Lavender
Nikki Lewis
Angela Lopez
Joe Milligan
Patrick Mullin
Don Mulville
Danie Navas
Andy Oshita
Jeanie Pelkey
Michael Reinwald
Ed Robings
Su-lin Rubalcava
Janet Sederquist
Ed Sotelo
Karin Speights
Todd Terres
Sgt. Ron Whitney
Nancy Wolgamott
1984 Inaugural Festival Officials
Oxnard City Council
Nao Takasugi, Mayor
Dorothy Maron, Mayor Pro Tem
Dr. Tsujio Kato, Councilman
Dr. Manuel Lopez, Councilman
Planning Committee
Dr. Tsujio Kato, Chairman
Will Berg
Mona Broyles
Fred Buenger
Kathy Burris
Dr. Robert L. Carter
Suzanne Chadwick
Jim Faulconer
Steven M. Greenwood
Don Lewis
Al Lopez
Dick McCarthy
Cleo McCormick
Jeanie Pelkey
Jan Schumacher
Virgie Yates
Festival Consultant
Terry Pimsleur
Harbor Manager
Frank Anderson
Volunteers
Carmen Dittrich
Ralph Ennis
Gair Foell
Jan Schumacher
Kitty Stewart
Dan Enriquez
Gary Wheeler
Gayle Tape
Michael Koutnik
Al Reynolds
