This week in Santa Cruz County business: Santa Cruz County Bank’s new hire ahead of rebrand, search for Chamber of Commerce CEO, Joby FAA certification

Each week, we’re taking a closer look at the movers and shakers, the growth of industries, and what’s really driving the Santa Cruz County economy. I’ll be spotlighting some of the biggest areas for opportunity, updates on local development and all things underpinning the regional business scene each Wednesday.

Got ideas? Send them my way to news@lookoutlocal.com with “Business News” in the subject line.

Santa Cruz County Bank hires new marketing lead in advance of rebrand

Longtime marketing expert Alison Voorhees is now the senior vice president and director of marketing at Santa Cruz County Bank. Voorhees’ hiring comes as the bank prepares for a rebrand following its merger with Salinas-based 1st Capital Bank. The combined entity will become West Coast Community Bank next year as the company expands its Monterey County presence. 

Voorhees has more than 20 years of experience in marketing, including her most recent role as the vice president of marketing strategy for Capital City Bank in Florida. 

Voorhees joins the marketing team as longtime executive vice president and chief marketing officer Mary Anne Carson prepares for retirement in early January. Carson was the bank’s fourth original employee. 

County’s largest chamber of commerce preps for CEO search

The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to start its search for a new executive following the departure of Casey Beyer after seven years. Dan Smart, chair of the board of directors, said the job will be posted early next year, with a goal of hiring someone by March 1. In the meantime, leadership duties will be split among Smart and the five other members of the chamber’s executive committee. 

Top of mind in their search will be someone local who understands the unique challenges and strengths of the region.

“We’re really looking for someone to understand what we can do better [to serve our 400-plus members],” said Smart. “It’s a big change for the organization.”

Smart expects significant interest, and said the board has already received inquiries. 

“When we hired Casey seven years ago, interest in the position was massive,” he said, adding that it required multiple committees in order to interview all the qualified candidates.

Smart, who declined to give a reason for Beyer’s resignation, said the board was “honored and happy with everything Casey did over seven years.”

In the coming year, one of the major goals for the chamber will be forging closer ties with other local chambers, including the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce and Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, with whom they share members. Chamber leaders are also planning a tour to meet with business owners and leaders in San Luis Obispo in February to learn more about the work being done there.

Ch-ch-changes: Openings, closings and other developments

• Downtown Santa Cruz antiques shop marks 25 years in business: Miss Jessie May’s at 1533 Pacific Ave. is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Saturday. The store was founded by Tyra Vaughan and her mother; it’s now run by a collective of five women. 
• Scotts Valley officials to vote on Town Center project: The Scotts Valley City Council is slated to vote Wednesday evening to move forward with the community’s vision for a new Town Center development. The project has been in process for almost 20 years and has seen several previous development efforts. The new plan selected by residents would include 300 housing units, retail space, wide sidewalks and bike paths.
• Joby Aviation moves closer to commercial launch with new FAA approvals: Santa Cruz-headquartered Joby Aviation received two key approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration that bring the company closer to being able to launch commercial air taxi service. The company announced Tuesday it’s received what’s known as a Part 141 certification for its pilot training program, which gives federal approval for the company to train and certify pilots for its electric air taxis. The FAA also approved the company’s safety management system. Joby officials have set an ambitious goal of starting commercial service next year, planning to launch first in New York City and Los Angeles.

Got hires, promotions, or departures to report? Send them to news@lookoutlocal.com with the subject line “Career changes.”

Looking at the numbers

• $45.4 million: That’s the size of the contract awarded to Southern California-based Shimmick Construction Company for renovations to the Murray Street Bridge in Santa Cruz. The project, decades in the making, is focused on improving the bridge’s earthquake resistance and widening bicycle and pedestrian lanes. 

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Save the date

• Thursday, Dec. 5: The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce will hold its holiday business after-hours networking event at Woodstock’s Pizza, 710 Front St. in Santa Cruz. The event, held from 5 to 7 p.m., is also a food drive to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food for the drive. More details here.
• Thursday, Dec. 5: The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit comments on Milestone 3 of the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project, which calls for a passenger rail between Pajaro and Santa Cruz, as well as additional segments of the Coastal Rail Trail. The hearing is slated to begin as early as 9:30 a.m. after the rest of the board’s agenda. It will be held at the Scotts Valley City Council Chambers, 1 Civic Center Dr. in Scotts Valley.
• Monday, Dec. 16: A virtual community feedback meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. to discuss the proposed Clocktower Center project in downtown Santa Cruz. City planning staff and representatives from local developer Workbench will answer questions from the community and hear concerns. Meeting details are here.
• Wednesday, Jan. 15: Santa Cruz Works has rescheduled its eighth annual Titans Awards ceremony, celebrating individuals who have made a significant contribution to Santa Cruz, Monterey or San Benito counties through their innovation, leadership and dedication to making a positive impact. The ceremony is at Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Tickets and details here.

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