Board of Directors 2025-2026

Dr. Richard Rush, Chair
Al Lowe, Vice-Chair
Mike Sedell, Treasurer
Leslie Leavens, Secretary

Jessica Arciniega
Betsy Chess
David Fukutomi
Dr. Cynthia Herrera
Dr. Sevet Johnson
William Kearney
Dianne McKay
Gabriella Navarro-Busch
Banks Pecht
Jim Scanlon
Julie Tumamait-Stenslie

Read Board Member Bios Here

Special Liaisons and Advisors

George S. Stuart
Curator Emeritus

Andy Ludlum
Docent Volunteer Council Chair

City Councilmember Liz Campos
Ventura City Council

Rod Gilbert
Special Advisor

Nan Drake
Special Advisor

Chuck Cohen
Special Advisor

Community Involvement

The Museum depends on the volunteer time and talent of many dedicated community members to offer the programs and exhibits it provides each year. We welcome community members who are interested in joining our team to volunteer for one of these committees:

Committee Members

July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

As appointed by the Board of Directors in June 2025.
This list is updated annually.

Committees Of The Board

Audit
ensures that the Museum’s financial systems are audited regularly by a qualified entity to ensure that they are accurate and meet professional standards.

Jim Scanlon, Chair (Board)
John McConica
Tom Wolfe

Finance and Investment
ensures that the Museum acts as a responsible steward in managing its financial resources to accomplish its mission in an effective and efficient manner, and to adhere to all legal requirements and accounting principles to ensure fiscal responsibility and build public trust.

Mike Sedell, Chair (Board)
Asad Baig
David Fukutomi (Board)
Spencer Garrett
Rod Gilbert
Mike Kumazawa
James Lewis
Al Lowe (Board)

Governance
reviews the Museum’s leadership and management infrastructure and refines the policies, procedures and legal documents that support best practices for nonprofit organizations and ensure that MOVC moves into the future with the strongest building blocks.

Kate McLean, Chair
Sue Chadwick
Bill Kearney (Board)
Banks Pecht
Jim Scanlon (Board)
Sally Yount

Sustainability Committee

Bill Kearney, Chair (Board)
Dick Rush (Board)
Leslie Leavens (Board)
Linda Dullam
Jim Scanlon (Board)
Cheryl Heitmann
John Lamb
Dianne McKay
Kate McLean
Nan Drake
Jeff Smith
Spencer Garrett
Al Lowe (Board)
John Orr

Advisory Committees

Accessions
considers potential collections and deaccessions of history related materials.

Alice Sweetland, Chair
Ruth Taylor Kilday, Interim Secretary
Janette Jauregui
Maggie Kimball
Vivian Nelson
Sara Jane Underwood
Ben Todd
Julie Tumamait-Stenslie (Board)
Gary Wolfe
Steve Donovon

Fine Arts
promotes interest, appreciation, education and research in art through exhibits, collection, conservation, and preservation of fine and decorative art for the edification of the Museum audience.

Pam Small, Chair
Linda Edison
Bobbi Dufau
Nina Butler
Carolyn Menne
Martha Spriggs
Leslie Leavens (Board)

Latino Advisory
provides counsel regarding museum-wide initiatives that reflect community needs and cultural interests.

Cliff Rodrigues, Chair
Vanessa Acosta
Ana Alvarez 
Jose Alamillo 
Julio Alcala 
Jessica Arciniega (Board)
Frank Barajas 
Eric Boys 
Dr. Angela Chavez
Jorge Corralejo 
Jaime Doniaz
John Echeveste
Judith Charlene Gallardo
Dr. María Munguia 
Gabriella Navarro-Busch (Board)
George Sandoval 
Ron Solorzano
Roberto Vargas 

Docent Volunteer
provides volunteer services to the Museum.

Kathy Abbott-Mayer
Judi Waters Allen
Mimi Allin
Jane Blackman
Cherie Brant
Gerry Browning 
Linn Butler
Joyce Cantrell
Glenda Cardona 
Betsy Chess (Board)
Roberta Cordell
Bob Delaney
Barbara Dupree
Linda Hadlen
Jack Hewson
Barbara Hilburn 
Kay Hill 
Royce Hill
Marilyn Hilton 
Judy Hodson
Jeanne Hunt
Linda Kimbrough
Robin Lamar
Barbara Laubacher 
Sam Ponce

Andy Ludlum
Marcia Marcus
Pat Masterson
Suzy Melonas
Teddi Morris
Vivian Nelson
Barbara Niles
Merle Oberg
Kris Olson 
Jeanne Pruitt
Sandra Sanders
Joyce Schoppe 
Louise Sharp
Karilyn Steward
Mary Stewart
Barbara Topping
Marian Totheroh
Robert Tovias
Sandra Tovias
Carole Van Orsdol
Linda Velthoen
Mary Volpe
Peggy Watson
Tessa Weeks
Dotty Wheeler
Sylvia Wikholm
Alberta Word