Board of Directors
Chairperson
Josh Erdman
Torchlight Marketing
in Nipomo
Joshua Erdman was born and raised in Clovis, CA just outside of Fresno. He attended Cal Poly majoring in Computer Science and at the age of 20 obtained an internship in the IT Department at Anheuser-Busch in Van Nuys. Being the youngest guy in the brewery, he was reminded daily from his co-workers that although he couldn’t try their product, he was free to explore!
Following his internship in 1997 he took a career in IT and eventually started his own IT company and started a family in 2003. Eleven years later he sold his company looking for new business opportunities and something even more fun.
Now, as CEO of a national Digital Marketing Agency, Torchlight Marketing, he is pursuing his passion in marketing – helping businesses connect to customers at the intersection where lifestyle and technology meet.
Josh volunteers with SCORE giving presentations to small business owners on how to market their business. He is also the facilitator of our local Central Coast’s CEO Roundtables, a confidential peer group where CEOs discuss business issues and share ideas.
Vice Chairperson
Adam Verdin
Old Juan's Cantina
in Oceano
Adam Verdin is a lifelong resident of San Luis Obispo County. Growing up in the restaurant business, he and his sister are the owners of Old Juan’s Cantina in Oceano. Adam is also a professional pilot and Chief Pilot of Marcair, a San Luis Obispo based aircraft charter company.
Adam serves on the Board of Jack's Helping Hand, the SLO County Airport Land Use Commission, the Vitality Advisory Council of Oceano, and the 5Cities Homeless Coalition. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons and live in Arroyo Grande.
Immediate Past Chair
Kristen Palera
KSL Resorts
Bio Coming Soon!
Treasurer
Anthony Salas
Epic Entertainment
in Grover Beach
Anthony Salas wants to live in a world where social media is void of political arguments, someone follows him around with a ghetto blaster constantly crankin’ West Coast hip-hop, and business books can be downloaded directly into his brain.
Instead, Anthony is an entrepreneur, DJ, dad, husband, and your homie. He has over 25 years of experience in the wedding and special event industry (starting as a 14-year-old party DJ). He has bought and sold multiple businesses throughout the span of his career. Many of them he has absorbed in his biggest venture: Epic Entertainment, that he founded in 2010 in San Luis Obispo, CA. He speaks regularly around the country where he shares his learning and findings in an effort to get others to their goals quicker while lifting the wedding and event industry as a whole.
When he is not DJing a wedding, producing a Wedding Expo, or delivering rental items, Anthony loves spending as much time as possible at Disneyland. He owns a pair of leather pants (a story for another time) and is down to try just about anything as long as it isn’t sushi. He is the father of the three cutest kids on the entire planet and hates how old they make him feel.
Anthony is currently the CEO of Epic Entertainment, Inc. a DJ, Decór Lighting, Photo Booth and Casino Rental Company; Butlerz Event Rentals a company that rents items such as tents, chairs, china, flatware, glassware, furniture, etc; and Central Coast Bride, a marketing company that connect engaged couples to wedding professionals via their app, website, social media, and wedding expos.
Secretary
Kim Banks
Barrett Business Services (BBSI) in San Luis Obispo
Kim Banks is a Human Resource Consultant for Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI). She grew her 22-year Human Resources career within the Hospitality and Restaurant industries. Kim built her expertise as a generalist, with emphasis on creating unique cultures, selection, retention, compliance, and employee development. After 25 years in the hospitality sector, Kim moved to San Luis Obispo County and began working for a local nonprofit. In 2015, Kim joined Barrett Business Services, Inc, which provides payroll, HR, and risk support for small businesses. A California native, Kimberly grew up in Orange County, attended California State University Long Beach and currently resides in Arroyo Grande with her husband. Currently serving as the Secretary for the Employer’s Advisory Council of San Luis Obispo, Kim is actively involved in several local nonprofits benefitting the community. Other organizations she works with are Transitions – Mental Health Association, Growing Grounds Farm, Santa Maria, The Clark Center of Performing Arts, and the Arroyo Grande High School Boosters (Past President 2016-2019).
Director
Ron Reilly
Garing, Taylor & Associates in Arroyo Grande
Ron Reilly serves as President at Garing, Taylor and Associates, Inc., an engineering and land surveying firm located in Arroyo Grande and incorporated in 1962. He employs and leads a team of six licensed engineers, two licensed land surveyors, one licensed architect and several technical and administrative support staff. Ron has designed and managed projects throughout the state of California, serving a diverse mix of clients in retail, municipal, educational and residential market sectors. In his professional life, Ron is passionate about leadership, strategic planning and implementation, building trusting and durable relationships, marketing, business operations, logistics, and helping improve and enrich the lives of those in his employ. He regularly seeks ways to make the seemingly robotic and calculated work of an engineer more human. Ron is presently a member of the Governing Board for Sierra Vista Hospital and the Member at Large for the Zone 3 of the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.
Director
Mary Ishikawa
Allstate Suncoast Insurance Services in Arroyo Grande
Mary Rowan-Ishikawa has visited all 50 states and lived in over a dozen as part of her military family. Eventually settling in California, Mary graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in insurance and leadership. Upon graduation 37 years ago, she began her partnership with Allstate.
Mary’s education and experience are rare in the insurance industry. For the first 10 years, she served customers as a claims adjuster handling property, liability, and injury claims. As a member of the National Catastrophe Team, she was deployed throughout the US to help customers rebuild their homes and lives after natural and man-made disasters. Mary was assigned to Allstate’s corporate headquarters near Chicago where she served in a variety of leadership roles for compliance, education, technology, marketing, and customer service teams. After 17 years in Chicago and a major blizzard for which she ran the Business Resumption Plan for three states and 800 insurance agent locations, Mary planned her route back to California.
Having served customers on the Central Coast as a claims adjuster, Mary felt fortunate to continue the client-centric service provided by retiring 25-year agent, Matt Rice. Matt was an active member of the “Chamber” and encouraged her to get involved. Her most recent role has been as a Chamber Ambassador the past nine years helping new members leverage the many benefits of being a Chamber member.
As President/CEO of Suncoast Insurance Services, Inc., she oversees 10 team members providing personal lines and commercial insurance services. Mary especially enjoys serving her 401k and retirement-focused clients bringing her knowledge of retirement product taxation and social security to the discussion. She is a member of the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, the Home Builders Association, and Lions Club International. She volunteers with and sponsors a number of organizations including The Clark Center for the Performing Arts, American Cancer Society, Studio of the Performing Arts/Remembering Sam Ford, Boys & Girls Clubs, GALA Pride & Diversity Center, Friends of Waller Park, SLO Goldens in the Park, and Lumina Alliance. And there are the many youth, art, education, and sports programs as well! Mary is excited to serve as a Director for the South County Chamber of Commerce for the 2023-2025 term.
Director
Nicole Moore
SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel in Pismo Beach
Nicole first experienced the central coast when she attended college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University, kicking off her passion for travel and creating amazing experiences in the events and hospitality industry. After college she practiced at various occupations in the major metropolitan areas before re-settling back near the central California coastline and joining the Shorebirds Hotel Group in 2010.
Nicole uses her past positions within the hotel and events industry to lead the sales and marketing team with innovative advertising campaigns, creative on-site events, and excellent customer service. While not working, Nicole spends her time on the beach and hiking the mountains with her dog, exploring the expansive west coastline in her self-built camper van and volunteering at the San Luis Obispo County Foodbank and Chambers of Commerce.
Director
Dave Pier
Clark Center for Performing Arts
Bio Coming Soon!
Director
Susannah Brown
Renaissance Strategy Dynamics
Bio Coming Soon!
Director
Scott Robertson
Arroyo Grande Community - Dignity Health
Since 2017, Scott Robertson, MD has served as the President & CEO of the Pacific Central Coast
Health Centers (PHC), a not-for-profit community clinic system with locations in San Luis Obispo,
Santa Barbara, Kern, and Ventura Counties. PHC currently operates Dignity Health’s 47 physician
offices, which includes 250 physicians and advanced practice providers, over 20 inpatient and
outpatient medical specialties, and nearly 500,000 annual patient visits. Additionally, Dr. Robertson
served as the Division Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Dignity Health’s Central Coast hospitals
from 2014 through 2021. His CMO responsibilities included oversight of hospital utilization
management, clinical aspects of at-risk contracting and self-funded health plans, and the support and
implementation of quality, safety, and physician integration strategies.
Originally from Kentucky, Dr. Scott Robertson earned his Bachelor of Science degree from
Georgetown College, a Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of Louisville School of
Medicine, and completed his residency training at the Scottsdale Healthcare Family Medicine
Residency Program in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Robertson worked as the medical director
for Tatum Highlands Urgent Care and earned a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State
University while also serving as a media liaison for Paradise Valley Hospital and a medical consultant
for KNXV(ABC) and KTVK(IND) television.
In 2003, Dr. Robertson relocated to California's Central Coast and founded Ventana Health & Medical
Center in Pismo Beach, and served as its President until 2011. During this time, he was also the
medical reporter for KCOY(CBS) and KKFX(FOX) television and served three years as the Chief of
Staff for Arroyo Grande Community Hospital.
He enjoys living on the California coast with his wife, Dana, and their three children, and spends his
free time running, playing guitar, and traveling with his family when he is away from the office.
Director
Shannon Downing
Adventist Health
Bio Coming Soon!