Kristen Kovacs: Director and President — Parent of two Mountain View alumni, Kristen has a long leadership legacy beginning with the Mountain View PTA where she held various roles including President, Auction Chair, and Jog-a-thon Chair. She also coached winning Math Superbowl teams in the Math Enrichment Program. She continued with PTA at Goleta Valley Jr. High and at Dos Pueblos High where she was After-Prom Party Chair and a member of the Charger Challenge Committee. She also served as President of the SB Area Council PTA.
In addition, Kristen enjoyed executive board positions with National Charity League, and was president of the Stanford Club of Santa Barbara for twelve years. She coached community teams of high school students in the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics program. Kristen earned her degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and is married to B.J. Kovacs, MD. She enjoys tennis, art, games and puzzles, and her miniature dachshunds.
C.J. Miller: Director and Secretary – CJ is the parent of a Mountain View alumna, and during her daughter’s years of attendance, she found numerous ways to volunteer and take on leadership roles. She served as Secretary, Vice President, President, and twice as Auction Chair on the PTA. She also served on the Magic Committee and spent countless hours volunteering in the classroom. She continued to serve on the PTA at Goleta Valley Jr. High as well as at San Marcos High School. In addition to volunteering at local schools, CJ was a member of National Charity League where she served on the executive board and co-chaired the annual Presents Gala. CJ earned a BA in Communications from the University of the Pacific and holds a Certificate in Environmental and Interior Design from UCSB. Prior to becoming a full time mom, CJ worked in the Human Resources field.
Although a transplant from the bay area, CJ and husband Tim have lived in Santa Barbara for over 30 years and have been in their home in the Mountain View School district for almost 20 years. You will often see them walking their golden retriever around the neighborhood. CJ also enjoys her regular tennis game with former Mountain View moms, as well as waterskiing and recreating with the family on their boat.
Summer Knight: Director and Treasurer – Summer is a current Mountain View parent and has been so for the last 15 years, as well as previously attending the school as a child herself! As a 4th generation local to Santa Barbara, she went on to attend Santa Barbara City College and then graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Business Economics. She helped her husband open a successful local franchise, Budget Blinds of Santa Barbara, in 1997 before becoming a Realtor in 2003.
Summer currently serves on the Supervisory Committee for the Santa Barbara County Federal Credit Union and was previously on the Executive Board of the Mountain View School PTA as the Treasurer and then Auditor, in addition many other volunteer jobs at the school. As a neighborhood homeowner and parent, Summer is well invested in the on-going success of the school.
Laura Ciontea: Director and Assistant Treasurer — Laura Ciontea is a former shareholder and managing partner of the audit and accounting practice with the accounting firm Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner and Morrisset in Santa Barbara. She has over 30 years of experience in public accounting and her principal areas of practice are accounting and auditing with special emphasis in nonprofit organizations, manufacturing and benefit plans. In addition to her current consulting on audits, reviews and compilation engagements, Laura also provides litigation support, internal control reviews and other attest services. Laura received her Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from University of Illinois in 1980.
Laura is currently on the Legacy Committee/Leadership Council for Alpha Resource Center and the treasurer of Las Aletas, the auxiliary of Assistance League of Santa Barbara as well as a volunteer for the SBIFF. Laura is a former chair of the board of directors of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross. Laura was also involved with the Girl Scouts and was a board member of National Charity League Inc. for many years. She also served as PTA treasurer for Mountain View School, La Colina Jr. High and San Marcos High School.
Laura and her husband Jim have two children who are alumni of Mountain View School.
Joanna Lauer: Mountain View School Principal and Director – Joanna Lauer is currently the principal of Mountain View School in Goleta, California. Her experience in K-12 education includes teaching, curriculum writing, conference presentations, and consultant work. She has revised services for students in two different school districts, and has extensive knowledge in the area of professional development. Joanna’s educational background includes a bachelor’s and a doctoral degree from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in reading instruction from California State University, Fullerton. Joanna has worked as a consultant for the Los Angeles Unified School District for over 10 years and has taught graduate courses for USC and extension courses for the University of California, San Diego and the University of California, Irvine. Joanna lives with her husband and 3 daughters, two of whom are current Mountain View students.
Nancy Schley: Director – Nancy is a physical therapist (MPT, CSU Northridge) with a focus on outpatient care. Upon graduating from ECU with a major in Resource Management, she worked with the National Park Service as a Ranger and Naturalist in NC, CO and CA. After a shift in careers, Nancy worked for Santa Barbara Swim Club for 12 years where she enjoyed coaching and motivating youth in all levels of competitive swimming. At this time she qualified and raced as a professional triathlete. Today she enjoys backpacking, horseback riding, studying and practicing wilderness life support as well as teaching lifesaving, stroke technique and water safety to youth.
Nancy’s principal love is working with children. She has had her own children at MVS since 2010. She is a school volunteer and PTA executive board member, and has received the Honorary Service Award and other recognitions. She is an adult leader and volunteer with her boys’ scout units and assists with youth programs at Santa Barbara Community Church.
To help MVS continue its tradition of excellence in education, Nancy, together with Mike Schley and then principal Ned Schoenwetter, started the Foundation in 2013. She has been active in board development and fundraising since inception, and joined the board of directors in 2019.
Vivi Tziouvaras: Director – A parent of three Mountain View School alumni, Vivi was actively involved for 14 years in all areas of Mountain View School, from the PTA to classrooms, ice cream sales, jog-a-thons, carnivals and more. Vivi continued her PTA involvement at Goleta Valley Jr. High and for the past decade at Dos Pueblos High School, she has been a PTA lunch helper and NHS/CSF advisor. Vivi is also on the board of Park Highlands Association, currently serving as secretary.
Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, Vivi worked in management at ANA Trading in Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Southern California. Vivi and her husband Paul have three daughters; Xeni (a graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music), Andriana (a sophomore at the University of San Diego), and Natalia (a junior at Dos Pueblos High). They live in Santa Barbara with their newly adopted dog. Vivi loves the beach, traveling, shopping, drinking lattes, and most of all spending time with her family!
Bob Wood: Director — Bob was the principal at Mountain View School for ten years until his retirement in 2009. Prior to that, his teaching career spanned twenty-eight years as a both a classroom and special education teacher.
Bob received his degree in political science and elementary teaching certificate from UCSB and his master’s degree in special education from California Lutheran University. Bob and his wife, Julie, have two adult sons who are graduates of Mountain View School.
Bob and Julie are avid cyclists, fly fishers and golfers. They enjoy exploring the western states in their travel trailer and treasure the time they spend with their four grandchildren.
EMERITUS DIRECTORS
Mike Schley: Emeritus Director – Attorney and a founding partner of Schley Look Guthrie & Locker LLP, Santa Barbara. He provides counsel to business and nonprofit clients.
He also performs volunteer service for several local and international charities.
He is a graduate of Hastings College of the Law and Westmont College. Mike and his wife Nancy have two children who are current Mountain View students.
Dan Cattaneo: Emeritus Director – An entrepreneur who has started and owns several businesses in the Santa Barbara area. Dan is currently the managing principal at OneDigital Health and Benefits, a leader in Employee Benefits planning and implementation for employers throughout the country.
Dan sits on various philanthropic boards and is a regular speaker at UCSB and other Human Resource and management venues. Dan lives with his wife, Cindy and his youngest daughter Mia in Santa Barbara and enjoys many outdoor activities, travel and serving the community. Dan and Cindy have three children who are alumni of Mountain View School.
Sue Douglas: Emeritus Director – Owner (with husband Randy) of an underground pipeline construction company in Santa Barbara since 1978. While her three sons attended Mountain View School, she served as PTA Co-President twice, chairman of jog-a-thon, carnival and various committees. During that time, her company donated the installation of the kindergarten play equipment. She continued her volunteer efforts at the junior high and high school levels as well. She served on the Santa Barbara School District Nutrition Task Force and on the Goleta Girls Club Board. Sue has been a member of the Assistance League of Santa Barbara since 1980. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Judy Jennings: Emeritus Director – A parent of two Mountain View alumni, and grandmother of a current 5th grader, Judy has been actively involved in Mountain View PTA, serving as President, Jog-a-Thon and Carnival chairs, Treasurer, and helped create the MAGIC program, as well as serving on the Site Council. She has over 20 years of PTA and school voluntarism including various positions on the District, Goleta Valley and Dos Pueblos PTAs. Her local community service includes past-President and numerous board positions with the National Charity League, Treasurer for the WRA which supports the San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department, past Chair of the Goleta Union School District Education Foundation, Girl Scout leader, and executive board positions with the Junior League.
Judy received her BA in Business Economics at UCSB and her MBA from Stanford University. Her recent non-profit employment was as CFO/HR with the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, and is currently with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. She and her husband, Craig, enjoy camping, fishing, jeep trips and traveling.
Regina Magid: Emeritus Director – Regina Magid is a real estate broker associated with Village Properties and is the founder of Teachers Fund. Regina has been successfully servicing the Santa Barbara community with all types of real estate needs since 1987 and continues serving on the SBAR Professional Standards Committee. She has been sponsoring and continuously supporting local organizations, such as: Domestic Violence Shelter, Alpha Resource Center and Teachers Fund. Regina has founded a Neighborhood Safety program for San Antonio Creek neighborhood which is part of the Mountain View School attendance area. Regina is a graduate of Polytechnic University in Lithuania with a Master’s degree in Economics and Management. Regina’s two sons have graduated from Mountain View School, her three grandchildren are currently or will soon be attending Mountain View School as well!
Dale McCaskey: Emeritus Director – With a strong commitment to community, Dale has been involved in youth oriented non-profits and fundraising for many years. A member of the CALM (Child Abuse Listening Mediation) Auxiliary since 1998, she served on the Executive Board for 8 years and was Auxiliary President from 2011-2013. Dale has served on the PTAs of Mountain View Elementary School, Goleta Valley Jr. High and Dos Pueblos High School and has supported and been directly involved in the Girl Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America and the Goleta Valley Girls Softball Association. Dale also acted as a Zone Leader in the Rancho Del Ciervo Emergency Network. . A graduate of the University of Southern California, Dale received her degree in Communications. She and her husband, Dean, have three children, all alumni of Mountain View Elementary School.
Fritz Pinney: Emeritus Director – Fritz Pinney is a veteran school fundraiser with recognized leadership skills and experience in managing academic and artistic program fundraising efforts from conception through fruition at local schools. Fritz has extensive experience working with academic staff, parents, children, and the community that has resulted in over $500,000 raised for direct contributions to schools over the past 25 years. She was the Co-creator and Director of the MAGIC Fund at Mountain View Elementary School, Student Recognition Awards Program Director for Goleta Valley Junior High School, Co-author of the Charger Challenge Fund (established to raise funds for instructional materials, music, art, theater, and physical education) at Dos Pueblos High School, and past president of the Masaai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which has raised funds for the building of schools, financing educational programs and staff, and providing health services for the Masaai children of Southern Kenya.
Fritz is a professional photographer, specializing in aerial and architectural photography. She and her husband, Tom, have three children, all alumni of Mountain View Elementary School.
Sharon Rossol : Emeritus Director – Sharon has been the Office Manager of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, an international non-profit organization based in Santa Barbara, for more than 19 years. She has worked as an Executive Assistant/Legal Assistant/Officer Manager for over 30 years. Sharon was formerly on the Santa Barbara Legal Secretaries Association Board and has served as Chairman on the Program, Scholarship, and Employment committees. In addition to being on the Mountain View School Foundation Board, Sharon also served on the Mountain View School PTA Executive Board and was the co-chair of the 2014 Mountain View Spring Fling. Additionally, Sharon contributed to the creation of the annual Preserve the Peabody Experience (PPE) fundraising campaign at Peabody Charter School, which financially supports various programs and staff.
Sharon and her husband, Gary, have one son, Michael, who was promoted from Mountain View Elementary School in 2014 and is currently attending Dos Pueblos High School. She enjoys hiking, running, biking, and tennis, as well as baking her Rossol Colossal cookies!
Ned Schoenwetter: Emeritus Director – Former Principal, Mountain View School, Ned has been in education for the past 20 years. After teaching fourth and fifth grades in both suburban Chicago and Goleta, Ned served as the Coordinator of Instructional Media and Technology for the Goleta Union School District before taking over as the Mountain View School principal in 2009. Ned has a Bachelor’s in Economics and History from St. Olaf College and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas, both in Minnesota. Ned and his wife, Alexandra, have two sons that attend Mountain View School. This allows Ned an appreciation of Mountain View School as both an educator and a parent.
Karla Smith: Emeritus Director – Karla is a current parent at Mountain View School and serves as the corresponding secretary of the PTA. After graduating from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, she attended the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy earning her Doctor of Pharmacy professional degree. She did post-graduate residency in Drug Information at the UCSF Medical Center before moving to Santa Barbara. Karla has been employed by Cottage Health since 2005 and currently works as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Antibiotic Stewardship and Cystic Fibrosis. As a member of the Junior League of Santa Barbara, Karla held leadership positions during most of her years and is a JLSB sustainer. Professionally she volunteers as adjunct faculty teaching pharmacy students from the University of Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Her passion for volunteerism along with wanting the best community for families to live and thrive has aligned her with the Mountain View School Foundation Mission.
Angel Sugleris: Emeritus Director – Angel Sugleris is VP Human Resources & Administration for PlanMember Financial Corporation, a California firm specializing in retirement plan solutions for nonprofit and for-profit employers, their employees, and for associations, unions, membership groups and their members. She has volunteered with charities and associations including Alpha Resource Center, “CASA” Court Appointed Special Advocates, The American Heart Association, March of Dimes, The Alzheimer’s Association, the Santa Barbara Cancer Center and the Society for Human Resource Professionals. She has been a volunteer for over 25 years in local schools including serving as PTA Co-President and in many fundraising roles benefiting Mountain View School. Angel is a graduate of Santa Barbara Business College, attended Santa Barbara City College and The University of Phoenix with an emphasis in Business Administration. Angel holds the designations of PHR from the HRCI Institute and her FINRA Series 6 and 26 licenses. Angel and her husband Bill have 3 children, two of whom graduated from Mountain View Elementary School.
Abbey Vasquez: Emeritus Director – Former Principal of Mountain View School. Abbey was a classroom teacher for 12 years, teaching preschool, then second, third, and fifth grades. Abbey then became an instructional coach and trainer, supporting teachers in their classroom instruction, with a focus on mathematics and English Language Development. Abbey has been the principal at the Santa Barbara Community Academy and Ellwood Elementary School prior to coming to Mountain View.
Abbey states “While I loved being a classroom teacher, I have found my true joy in being the leader at an elementary site. This position allows me the opportunity to provide the support that allows teachers to provide rigorous and relevant instruction to our children. Ensuring that all of our children are making progress both academically and in social/emotional development is truly my motivation for getting to work each day!”
Abbey and her husband are natives of Santa Barbara, having strong roots in this community. They have two children; Miranda, nineteen and a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz, and Diego, seventeen, a senior at SB High School. The combined perspectives of both educator and mother has only strengthened Abbey’s passion for children and education. Abbey holds the strong belief that public schools are the gateway to opportunity for all students, and the foundation to building the community and society that she wants not only for my own children, but all children.
If you would like more information about the Foundation, please call Mike Schley, Emeritus Director, at (805) 966-2940 or email him at mschley@slgl-law.com