BOARD OF DIRECTORS

All members of the Board of Directors are volunteers. You may reach any of the Directors by sending an email to chimineasranchfoundation@gmail.com and the email will be forwarded to them. 

TERRY PALMISANO - CHAIR

Terry has been involved with the management of the Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve, including the acquisition of the Chimineas Ranch properties, since 2000 as a supervising biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). She was one of the Department’s representatives to advise the Working Group on the formation of the Chimineas Ranch Foundation. Terry has a degree in forestry and wildlife management from Purdue University and spent more than 31 years with CDFW protecting the lands and wildlife of the Central Coast, providing recreational opportunities, and working with the public.  Now retired, she and her husband live in Gilroy.  Terry joined the Board in May 2019.

MIKE HANDBERG – VICE CHAIR

Mike joined the Board in April 2022.  He has worked in the Grounds Department for the Simi Valley Unified School District for more than 25 years overseeing landscape maintenance on 30 district properties. He holds a Pesticide Applicators Certificate with the California Department of Pesticide Regulations. As a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), and a member of the San Fernando Valley chapter, Mike has volunteered for many years helping out on the junior elk hunt sponsored by RMEF on the ranch. 

STEVE ADAM - SECRETARY AND MEMBERSHIP

Steve is a former member of the Advisory Board for several years and was raised on a cow/calf and dairy farm in the Santa Maria Valley.  He is a retired peace officer and an active hunter/conservationist.  He is a certified 4-H shooting instructor and a CDFW Hunter Education instructor.  He is active in several local conservation groups.  He joined the CRF Board in 2020.

ZEKE BASS – TREASURER

Zeke brings extensive financial and tax experience to the board from his work with Bartlett, Pringle & Wolf and Deckers Brands. He is a Navy veteran and volunteers in his local community. Zeke has assisted with the junior elk hunt on the Chimineas Ranch since 2017 and joined the CRF Board in 2022. 

DEREK ADAM - AT LARGE

Derek joined the Foundation in September 2024.

DON COPELAND - AT LARGE 

Don is a life-long native of the Central Coast.  His father shared his passion for the outdoors with Don at a very early age, a passion Don has shared with his kids as well.  Beginning his working life as a ranch hand, Don gained much of his "boots on the ground" knowledge and honed his agricultural skills until his employment with the County of Santa Barbara Department of Public Works as a heavy equipment mechanic and fabricator for over 30 years.  He has been a non-profit and wildlife conservation volunteer for many years, joining the CRF board in 2016.  

MATT DOCKSTADER - AT LARGE

Conservation and the outdoors have been a large part of Matt’s life for as long as he can remember. As a father, he does his very best to make sure the same drive and passion for the outdoors and community is strong with his children as well. Matt is the owner and taxidermist for Butcher Shop Taxidermy in Buellton. He was on the Advisory Board for more than 4 years and volunteered on CRF work projects and the junior hunts.  He joined the Board in May 2021. Matt administers the CRF Instagram account and assists with the Facebook page. 

JOHN DODSON – AT LARGE

John has been involved with CPER as a volunteer since 2005. He was a member of the working group which formed the Chimineas Ranch Foundation and has served as a board member since 2008 holding the positions of Treasurer and Director.  His higher education includes work in public education and engineering degrees.    He served in the U. S. Navy.  John is an 8th generation descendant of an old Californio land grant family.  He has volunteered countless hours to local wildlife conservation groups since 1994.  He lives in Ventura where he has a successful business as a sales engineer.

ETHAN WATERFALL - AT LARGE

Ethan joined the Board in July 2024.  His passion for the outdoors came at an early age by way of his family. Camping, backpacking, canoeing, white water rafting, cycling, and fishing were  regular activities in their daily lives. A passion for food and the outdoors brought him  to start hunting in his  30’s and he enjoys slowing down and experiencing the back country at a slower pace.  He is a member of RMEF, CRF, Access Fund and CDA.  His 3 children also enjoy the outdoors and he spends weekends with them and his  friends at the Channel Islands, coastal fishing or hiking the back country.  Currently, he is the owner and operator of Ethan Waterfall Electric. 

VACANT (MARK GOMES)

It is with great sadness that we announce that Mark passed away March 25, 2024.  Mark was one of the founders of the Chimineas Ranch Foundation and was on the Board of Directors and actively involved since the beginning.  His last project was to plan the restoration of the elk pond on the South Chimineas Unit.  His insight, energy, laughter, and friendship will be sorely missed.  

Mark has been involved with the Chimineas Ranch since 2005. He was a member of the working group that formed the CRF and has served as Board Chair and Secretary. He is a native Californian whose ancestors arrived in the early 1700's. His family has been involved in ranching, agriculture and construction in the local area. He is a Cal Poly graduate with studies in agriculture, biology and wildlife biology. Mark served in the U.S. Navy. He is a member of several community and conservation organizations in the Santa Maria area. He is a businessman, outdoorsman and conservationist who owns his own General Contractor business in Santa Maria.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE LIAISON TO THE BOARD:
DAVID HACKER, SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR