Board of Directors

The Santa Barbara Events Professionals is a wholly volunteer organization committed to excellence in event-planning and presentations in the Santa Barbara area. We appreciate the strong leadership and integrity of our Board of Directors.
	Justin Avery President/Website and Media Assistant JRA Designs & Alterations 3 W. Carrillo St. #202 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 t: 805-685-7492 e: justin@jrahouseofdesign.com Justin Avery has enjoyed over 20 years in the garment construction industry. He earned his degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, LA. His Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: pattern drafting, wedding dress design and construction, general alterations, reconstructions, couture, formal dresses and costuming.
	Diana Andonian Vice President and Communciations Director Weddings By Diana & Invitations, Etc. 4786 Carpinteria Avenue Carpinteria, CA 93013 t: 805-566-0558 e: weddingsbydiana@earthlink.net Diana graduated from UCSB with an English major, minoring in French, Music, and PA. She received her Teaching Credential at UCLA. Working her way through college as a waitress in a 5-star French restaurant, Diana has always loved excellent service, blending perfectly into her profession as a wedding and party coordinator and stationer in Santa Barbara since 1978.
	Melissa Sylvester Past President, Member at Large Rincon Beach Club & Catering Co. 3805 Santa Claus Lane Carpinteria, CA 93013 t: 805-566-9933 e: melissa@rinconcatering.com A Santa Barbara native, Melissa graduated from culinary school in 1996 and has been with Rincon Beach Club & Catering, Inc. for eight seasons, first as service staff, then as the assistant to the Chef, and now as an Event Director. Melissa received her First Degree Black Belt in Hapkido in April of 2006. She is a member of the ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants), NACE (National Organization of Catering Executives), and an Ambassador for the Carpinteria Chamber of Commerce.
	Philippe Sautot Treasurer Events by Philippe 254 E. Calle Laureles Santa Barbara, CA 93105 t: 805.687.3979 e: eventsbyphilippe@yahoo.com Philippe was born and raised in France and attended Hotel & Restaurant Management in Paris. He has been a resident of Santa Barbara for the last 30 years, and in 1992 he founded Events by Philippe, a full Event and Wedding Planning Co. In addition to SBEP, Philippe is also a member of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) and ISES (International Special Event Society).
	Robyn Johnson Founder/Member at Large Impressive Weddings 209 Spruce Drive Goleta, CA 93117 t: 805-685-2200 e: robyn@impressiveweddings.com Robyn Johnson, owner of Impressive Weddings, began planning weddings and selling invitations in 1997. She is a co-founder of the Santa Barbara Event Professionals and handles the organization’s memberships. Robyn is also the Program Director, coordinating the venues and presentations for monthly meetings.
	Gary & Harlene Conlin Members-at-Large You're the Star Video Productions PO Box 60703 Santa Barbara, CA 93160 t: 805-964-7612 e: conlin@silcom.com "Gary and Harlene Conlin a long with sons David and William are the creative team of You're The Star Video Productions. They are award-winning videographers and editors, having just won "The Accolade" Award for "Best in Show International-Wedding Video" and "The Communicator" Award of Distinction. Gary and Harlene are two of the founding members of SBEP and have enjoyed being a part of the SBEP Board of Directors. Together they cherish their first 20+ years in business and look forward to the future of their company!"
	Miriam Lindbeck Secretary Wedding Santa Barbara 924 Anacapa St. #2D Santa Barbara, CA 93101 t: 805-564-4414 e: miriam@sbcoxmail.com Rev. Miriam is an ordained, non-denominational minister who, over the last 20 years, has performed over 600 weddings in the Santa Barbara area. She works closely with her couples, getting to know and value them as people, and custom designs the wedding both in structure and content. She conducts the rehearsal and delivers a ceremony that far exceeds all expectations. Distinguished as one of the most personal and gracious wedding ministers in the tri-county area, Rev. Lindbeck leaves a footprint in your heart and the light of eternal love in your marriage.
	Glenn Novack Registration Director Glen was brought up in a catering and entertainment family here in Santa Barbara and has worked under the same umbrella ever since! If you'd like to get to know more about Glen and his background in the wonderful world of events, please visit his web site at www.iloveevents.com.
	Dacia Harwood New Membership Liaison The Gardens of Rancho La Patera 304 N. Los Carneros Rd. Goleta, CA 93117 t: (805) 681-7216 e: stowhouseevents@yahoo.com Dacia has enjoyed life in Santa Barbara for over 17 years. Her passion for the "paradise we call home" drives her work planning fundraisers, organizing community events and concerts, and marketing on behalf of two local museums. She earned her degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
	Madeline Vite Website/Media Director Madeline Photography 682 Carlo Drive Goleta, CA 93117 t: (805) 967-9550 e: photos@madphoto.com For over twenty years I have been a successful, professional photographer in Santa Barbara, California where I operate a full service studio. My background is in fashion, commercial and fine art photography. My work has been featured in the New York Center of Fine Arts, and the Chelsea Art Museum, New York. My photographs have been published internationally in numerous magazines and books, postcards, and posters. Z Galleries distributed my posters nationally. I have also been employed as a expert speaker on the topic of Photography Work Flow in Beijing China to Professional Photographers. My photography covers a full range of subjects: Commercial Photography Fashion, Family. Weddings, Kids, Pregnancy, Artistic fine art sensual Imagery, lifestyle, My style is emotional and original with a sophisticated, classical European style.
	Tonya Szele Program Director Soigne Productions 327 Ladera Street #1 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 t: (805) 448-8028 e: tonya@SoigneProductions.com Tonya was born and raised on Nantucket Island, a destination known for its hospitality. She has been a resident of Santa Barbara for the last 14 years and her professional experience includes catering management, venue direction and event coordination. During her career, Tonya has planned more than 600 events: including weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, social gatherings and wine club parties. She founded Soigné Productions, a full Service Event and Wedding Planning Company in 2008 and puts her diverse expertise to good use in producing events of all styles and sizes in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. Tonya has established close relationships with the best vendors in the area and is able to gather the ideal team of professionals based on her client’s vision. She is passionate about the events she helps to produce and her calm and professional demeanor helps her clients to enjoy the event planning process from start to finish.