Board of Directors

Michael Meara

Chair

My personal values and those of the credit union are well aligned. It is my belief that having a local, member-owned financial institution, which promotes social and economic justice is vital to the sustainable growth of our community. I am honored to contribute my time to this cause and to be a part of the credit union's efforts to reach and serve more businesses and individuals in our community.

My background and experience as a financial advisor, planner, and consultant to individuals and business owners for over 20 years provides valuable experience and a unique perspective. I understand the goals, needs and concerns of small business owners, which will inform my role as a member of the Board.

Chuck Tremper

Vice Chair

Since moving to Santa Cruz over 10 years ago, I have actively sought opportunities to contribute to this community I've grown to love. To that end, I helped start "Think Local First - County of Santa Cruz" and I took a job at Ecology Action, which focuses on protecting our land, water & air.

My service on the SCCCU Board since 2009 allows me the opportunity to honor the credit union movement and further serve my community by helping foster a vibrant local economy while preserving our diversity and natural resources.

I share the credit union's commitment to "more than just the financial bottom line". Having worked with many boards as the director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, I'm very familiar with the critical role boards play in setting the strategic direction of their institution and I am eager to be part of that process for Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

Christina Cuevas

I have proudly served as Board member since 2007. I am currently the Secretary of the Board and Chair the Governance Committee. Prior to this role, I served on the credit union's Community Ventures Advisory Committee. Through my involvement in both entities, I have learned about the services and benefits that the Credit Union delivers to county residents.

I was originally attracted to SCCCU because of its alignment with my personal values and commitment to economic justice. During my tenure, the credit union has weathered the impact of the "great recession" and remains dedicated to its mission. Board and staff are working hard to bring new products and enhanced customer service to CU members. With the impending hire of a new CEO, it is an exciting time to be involved in this community financial institution.

I am the program director for the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. In this role, I am aware of community needs and the many nonprofit organizations in the county whose programs benefit county residents. Many of these organization and their clients benefit from the work of the credit union.

In addition to my volunteer service on SCCCU's Board, I serve on the Workforce Investment Board, Health Improvement Partnership Board, Regional Water Management Board, and the Community Advisory Board of KUSP.

Pamela Davis

I am a firm believer in the value of, and power in, people and organizations gaining control over financial services that are important to them. I have developed that perspective from my experience of 20 years growing the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group from a tiny start-up to a group of charitable nonprofit insurance companies with nearly $300 million in assets, now insuring more than 10,000 nonprofits across the country. I have seen first-hand how simultaneous focus on the bottom line and on the mission of service to the members can lead to substantial long-term success--not for some third-party stockholders, but for the very organizations whose money and effort brought that success.

I have lived in Santa Cruz for nearly 30 years. I feel very fortunate to live and work in this community. I graduated with Highest Honors in Economics from UCSC and have a Master's degree in Public Policy from UC Berkeley. I would like to bring whatever skills I have developed in my career developing a nationwide insurance group for nonprofits to our local community to help grow and strengthen Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and put community resources to work to enhance the best efforts of our local citizens.

Ricardo Rocha

My experience in the technology industry and as a local business owner provide a useful and relevant resource for serving Santa Cruz Community Credit Union as a member of the Board of Directors. I earned an Associate Degree in Microcomputer Management and Networking from Cabrillo College in 1996. Then, in December 1998, I went on to establish RV's Computers, growing it from a small independent firm to the leading Information Technology Solutions provider in the Tri-County Area. Exploring new technologies and how these new technologies can help our clients streamline their business is a passion of mine. I frequently meet with executives and business owners, sharing my expertise by advising them on trends, analyzing their systems for improved performance, and planning how IT can help support their business goals.

Over the years, I have volunteered my time serving on Boards or technology committees of various organizations, including the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Second Harvest Food Bank, Saint Francis Central Coast Catholic High School, and the Rotary Club of Watsonville.

As a local business owner, I recognize the value of the credit union. I have benefited tremendously from the credit union's services and believe other small businesses in our region can benefit as well. I will endeavor to promote new growth with sustainable planning and I am committed to providing good responsible management decisions that will benefit our community.

Howard Sherer

I have a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Organizational Communication and taught at a university for three years in the Chicago area. I first taught at San Jose State University and then Cabrillo College. I have been teaching at Cabrillo on and off since 1985 in both Marketing and Communication Studies.

In 1987, I joined Karla Hutton in founding Hutton Sherer Marketing Advertising Design. I was the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 2010. I've served on the following Boards (currently active in the first two): Workforce Investment Board of Santa Cruz County; Leadership Santa Cruz County; Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music; Alzheimer's Association; Small Business Development Center; Pajaro Valley Performing Arts Association; and Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce.

My previous service on only local nonprofit Boards reflects my belief in playing a role to improve our community. I intend to lend my marketing expertise to the credit union and serve in any other way, as requested.

Alisa Thomas

I have lived in Santa Cruz since 1987. I graduated from UCSC with a MS in Economics, and first worked as a financial planner, then as an economist with the United Nations in Vienna. I later studied law at Santa Clara University, and in 1999 passed the California Bar. I have been practicing immigration law in the area for the past five years. It is an honor for me to serve on the Board of SCCCU. I first joined the Board in 2000, and have seen the benefits it brings to our community. I believe in our mission, and I hope to be able to contribute my time for many years to come.

Eric Mendelson

One of my long held practices is to spend time working to improve the quality of life for the people of Santa Cruz. Toward that end, I have worked as a volunteer board member for such organizations as the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Association, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. My particular area of expertise is in financial management having spent over twenty years in commercial finance and financial consulting. I enjoy helping small businesses in Santa Cruz County obtain financing, grow their payrolls and make a economic contributions to the community. Currently, I am the Controller at New Leaf Community Markets.

I believe Santa Cruz Community Credit Union is an important resource for our community. Their good work providing high quality financial services to consumers and small businesses that might not receive the same products and services at traditional banks is valuable and worthwhile. Over the years, I have helped many companies obtain financing from SCCCU. These businesses have gone on to make a positive impact on the community by providing goods that improve the quality of life here in Santa Cruz and by providing a means for many people to make a living. Supporting a member-owned local financial institution which uses its earned financial resources to benefit people at all economic levels in Santa Cruz County, is a noble cause and I am willing to work hard on it's behalf.

Reggie Knox

Since graduating from UCSC in 1987 in Community Studies and Earth Science, I have worked as a farmer, organizer, consultant and non-profit manager promoting sustainable agriculture throughout California. I am currently the executive director of California FarmLink, a 12-year old non-profit that helps beginning and low-resource farmers access land and capital.

I have been a member of the Credit Union for 30 years and have always been inspired by the vision and commitment of this mission-driven financial institution. As a board member, I'm excited about the potential to help increase the Credit Union's positive impact in our community.

There is currently a tremendous amount of interest here and in communities across the country in building regional food systems by ensuring that farmers, food processors, distributors and local food retailers thrive. I am committed to this effort in my work at California FarmLink and I look forward to collaborating in this exciting work to help amplify the Credit Union's important role in building a strong economy, job security, and food security in our community.

Jane Massie

Supervisory Committee

As an Enrolled Agent and Certified Financial Planner® in Santa Cruz, I've been preparing tax returns since 1979 and have been working with clients on their investments and finances since 1997. I became a member of the Credit Union in 1983 and started volunteering at almost the same time, initially on the Credit Committee. At that time, the Credit Union was located in the space currently occupied by Zachary's on Pacific Avenue and the Credit Committee met in a back room on a card table and folding chairs. It has been wonderful to watch the credit union grow not just in size, but also in its service to the community. I also served four years on the credit union's Board of Directors, with two as Chairperson. I took a hiatus from my volunteer work for 13 years to attend to family, but returned to my volunteer work at the credit union as a member of the Supervisory Committee in 2009.

I believe the services provided by the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union are an essential part of our community's financial health. I am proud to be a member and I am committed to my volunteer work for this organization.