Michele Carson is the Chair of CTA’s committee; She discusses the importance of having Certified Tourism Ambassadors here in Lake County. Learn about how it can help increase the economic impact on our county, builds a positive destination image and gives visitors a wonderful experience while visiting.
At Lake County EDC, we utilize local expertise to support economic opportunity and community vibrancy with resources and collaboration in Lake County, CA.
Lakeport Office
Clearlake Office
Advisor
Kira Wojack is a PR and Marketing Strategist who specializes in creating narratives, connecting people, and crafting campaigns. She got her start as the Communications Director for a local film festival before going freelance. She has experience developing content for clients from Los Angeles to London. She has worked with tech startups, filmmakers and awards ceremonies, the tourism industry, and lifestyle brands. Her clients have been featured in media outlets around the world, including Motherboard (Tech by Vice), the Adweek blog, the San Francisco Chronicle, and industry podcasts. In addition, as a business development advisor, she helps local small businesses set their messaging, build their brand identities, and establish marketing strategies. She graduated with a BA in history from Yale University, where she wrote her thesis on dissident communication.
Advisor
Kevin brings four decades of business experience to his work with Lake County EDC. Prior to consulting with Lake County EDC Kevin was employed for over six years as a business advisor with the Small Business Development Center in Northern
California. During that time, he provided general business advising to start-ups and existing businesses, assisting them to grow and thrive in both Lake and Mendocino counties.
As an entrepreneur, Kevin owned and operated a successful consulting business for over 10 years providing career planning, assisting in resolving work related personnel challenges, process improvement plans, implementation, and succession planning. In addition, he brings over 20 years experience working for Fortune 100 companies focused primarily on customer service operations. Kevin’s passion for business development and entrepreneurship drives his commitment to assisting small businesses in Lake County.
Business Resource Coordinator
Lillian Rubie has years of experience working in the SBDC network, providing assistance in administration as well as working directly with business owners to ensure they have access to resources that help them build their businesses. Lillian started her own photography and illustration business in 2012, where she first learned of the SBDC network and received assistance herself. She joined the SBDC team in 2020, providing assistance and art business advising. Lillian also serves her community as Executive Director and co-founder of the Deep Valley Arts Collective and Medium Art Gallery. She is treasurer for the Arts Council of Mendocino County. She is a supporter of the small business community and passionate advocate for the arts and the working artist.
Advisor
Lead Advisor, Shasta-Cascade SBDC 25 Years Experience in Commercial Lending 21 Years Teaching Financial Literacy Classes 13 Years Experience as a Small Business Owner 11 Years Experience as a Small Business Advisor
Advisor
Currently working on SEO and digital marketing campaigns, eCommerce content, and thought leadership articles. I believe strongly in using strategy and focusing on the customer experience at every point in the customer flywheel (lifecyle). I help businesses grow their online visibility and ensure a customer experience that will attract, engage, and delight current and future customers.
For enterprises: My value is in helping busy marketing directors, managers, and CMOs position your business strategically and in translating technical and business information into easy to understand content accurately, on time, and on budget. With me on your team, you’ll have a reliable external resource so you can free up internal resources to focus on your revenue-generating lines of business.
For small businesses: I identify your business’s key differentiator and customer experience benefits so your customers can see what makes your products or services unique. I train you in implementing SEO on your website (or can do it for you), and I can also help you streamline processes for greater efficiency.
Advisor
Advisor
Julia Siderakis has had many years in business as a restaurant owner of 26 years, a business and culinary instructor at Mendocino College for 10 years, and is currently the college’s educational and occupational work experience coordinator. She enjoys sharing all these learning experiences with our clients here at Lake CAEDC as one of our advisors for a little over five years and is looking forward to participating further in our Food Expo and Restaurant programs as we gradually develop this very significant part of our Lake County business sector.
Advisor
As a dedicated food industry specialist, Anni has worked with multiple Northern California SBDCs since 2005 during which time she has assisted hundreds of food and beverage entrepreneurs, taught insightful workshops, and created dozens of client success stories.
After spending two years in Italy studying cultural cuisine, Anni worked with Williams-Sonoma to launch Il Fornaio, designed commercial kitchens, managed catered events, and was on the launch team of a unique food emporium in San Francisco before starting her own wholesale baking company which grew to an international business. During her career she developed a broad network of professional associations and a wide lens on the pulse of the industry’s constantly evolving trends.
Anni is devoted to assisting SBDC clients with the fundamentals of getting started in the specialty food business, helping them expand, and fulfilling their business dreams.
Director
Kevin Ingram is the city manager of Lakeport, California, where he has served since July 2020. Prior to his appointment he served Lakeport as both assistant city manager and community development director for the past six (6) years. Mr. Ingram has over fifteen years of land use planning and economic development experience in Lake County. Mr. Ingram holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Regional Development and Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona and in 2013 received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Sonoma State University.
Director
As a public manager over the last two decades, Susan Parker has been involved in developing partnerships with local businesses with her involvement in CDBG Economic and Housing Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Programs, Redevelopment Authorities and Tax Increment Financing, Main Street Program, Residential/Commercial Paint and Fix-it Program, State Film Offices and Arts and Culture Districts, Public and Regional Transit Services, and currently as the Assistant County Administrative Officer most recently developed the Lake County CARES Small Business Grant Program.
Ms. Parker earned a Bachelor’s s of Arts Degree in 1994 in Government in Policy Studies from Beloit College, WI and in 1997 earned a Master’s of Arts Degree in Public Affair and Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin.
Director
Kevin Reynolds is the Director of Operations at Reynolds Systems, Inc (RSI) where he has been since 2016. Kevin oversees day to day operations at RSI and is responsible for all contingencies the company may face during disasters. Prior Kevin received his Bachelor’s from Louisiana State University in Criminal Justice and went on to get his Master’s in Business Administration from Chapman University.
Director
Dr. Karas joined Mendocino College as Superintendent/President in July 2020. Previously he served as President and Vice-President of Instruction at College of Alameda. College of Alameda was the host agency for a WIOA funded One-Stop Career Center. Prior to Alameda Tim was Dean of Liberal Studies and Language Arts and Director of Library Services at Mission College. Tim has served on many civic committees and commissions, including Rotary Clubs, City of Alameda’s Economic Development Taskforce, City of San Jose Library Commission, and Bond and Parcel Tax Citizen Oversight Committees. His educational background includes a Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Humboldt State University. Tim completed his doctoral studies in educational leadership at Fielding Graduate University.
Director
Roman Arroyo was born in Mendocino County but has spent most of his life in Lake County. He attended Kelseyville Unified School District from K-12, where he graduated in 2000. After high school Mr. Arroyo attended Mendocino College and worked towards his AA in Business Administration. At the same time, he worked his way up in retail becoming one of the youngest members on the management team for Safeway at the age of 18. In 2004 Mr. Arroyo went into business for himself as a Farm Labor Contractor where he spent 14 years in and around the Ag community in both Lake and Mendocino counties. In 2018 one of his Ag clients convinced him to make a career change and currently Mr. Arroyo is commercial Insurance agent employed by Lincoln Leavitt, a local independent insurance agency. Mr. Arroyo not only partners with small businesses to assist and advise with their insurance needs, but also works with them to find solution for everyday problems they face as business owners. Mr. Arroyo believes that small business is the life blood of our community and he has a vested interest in seeing Lake County prosper. He plans to spend his foreseeable life in Lake County and raise his children here.
Director
Alan Flora is the city manager of Clearlake, California, where he has served since April 2019. Prior to his appointment he served Clearlake as both assistant city manager and finance director; and has held various other local government positions in both California and Indiana. In addition to holding a degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University, Flora is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute as well as a Credentialed Senior Executive through the California State Association of Counties.
Director
Rick White is a native of Lake County and accomplished business professional from Silicon Valley. Mr. White has worked as a program manager specializing in product development and customer service in the high-tech industry. Mr. White was raised in Lake County and graduated from Kelseyville High School in 1976. He entered the Navy soon after high school and after serving 10 years in the Navy, Mr. White began work in Silicon Valley for the Boeing Company and then for Terayon, a broadband equipment manufacturer.
In 1999 Mr. White earned a Bachelor of Arts, Management from Saint Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California. Mr. White is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors, the Lake County Association of Realtors, and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Director
Stephanie Ashworth is passionate about small business and loves working with small business owners throughout Lake, Napa and surrounding counties. She specializes in Commercial lending including Real Estate, Operating Lines of Credit and Equipment. Prior to her promotion to Branch Manager with Bank of the West in April of 2017, Ms. Ashworth was a Senior Business Banking Specialist with Wells Fargo from April 2015 – July 2016 and Assistant Branch Manager II with Bank of the West from July 2016 – April 2017. Ms. Ashworth previously served as the President of Lake EDC, and a Director on the Executive Board of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Executive Director
Mrs. Flora has over 10 years of economic development experience including workforce development linking vocational training to local industry; supporting entrepreneurship, identifying and matching gaps in support to ensure success; business lending connecting industry to capital; labor market data analysis understanding local industry and living wage jobs; changing the local story helping locals to identify opportunity. She served as the Executive Director of the Headwaters Fund from March 2013 to December 2016, which is charged with the management of an economic development fund for the County of Humboldt.
Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Humboldt State University in 2003.
Secretary / Treasurer
Chris Mansell was born and raised in Lake County and graduated high school from Clear Lake High in 2001. He then started college locally at Mendocino College, graduating with an associates degree in liberal studies. Chris transferred to Sonoma State University where he pursued an economics degree, graduating Cum Laude in 2008, while also obtaining a minor in business administration. Since then, Chris has been a part of his family-owned Napa Auto Parts stores in Lake and Sonoma Counties, while also purchasing a restaurant in Lakeport. He understands the need for local prosperity and opportunities for local citizens to create a better future for themselves and their community.
Vice President
Laura McAndrews Sammel moved to Lake County in 2006 to lead the Human Resources Department for a local hospital. In the years since, she has worked for two other healthcare facilities, serving in the capacities of human resources management and operations, before becoming a consultant for a small, local human resources management firm in 2018. In 2021, Ms. McAndrews Sammel accepted her current role because she is passionate about helping business owners grow their business, which in turn helps the community thrive. She earned an MBA and is a Certified Human Resources Professional (PHR). She currently serves on several boards including the Lake County Arts Council as Treasurer and the Rotary Club of Lakeport as President.
President
Mr. Padilla received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management Economics in August 2002 from the University of California at Santa Cruz after growing up in Lake County. From 2002 to 2005 Mr. Padilla worked as a Financial Analyst and Grant Specialist for the Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in Lake County where he secured over 4.6 million dollars in funding from various federal agencies including the Bureau of Indian Affairs. From 2005 to 2009 Mr. Padilla was responsible for all aspects of the San Francisco Branch of the number one Hispanic news and information company in the U.S. in online and print, La Opinion SFO. Mr. Padilla has been the CEO of Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Inc. since 2011 where he provides leadership, management and direction to the Federally contracted outpatient health care facility.
