The City of Goleta is excited to introduce our newest Board & Commission members! Vacancies were recently filled with new members on five of the City’s Boards and Commissions: Design Review Board, Library Advisory Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Public Engagement Commission, and Public Tree Advisory Commission.

Thank you to everyone who applied and congratulations to those selected! Our Board Members and Commissioners bring a diverse list of experience, interests, and talents to the position. Here is a little background on each of them and what drew them to get involved.

Design Review Board

Jonathan Eymann was appointed to the Design Review Board to fill an unexpired portion of a term ending February 28, 2026.  A 35+ year resident of Goleta, Jonathan’s three sons, along with his six grandchildren, all still reside in the area. Recently retired as a civil service employee, Jonathan wants to help Goleta move into the future in a way that respects Goleta’s past and distinct character as a community. He believes that a balanced and sensitive approach are key in allowing Goleta to continue to be the “Good Land”.

Jonathan received a BA from the University of California Santa Barbara and a MA in Clinical Psychology form Antioch University. He is also a former member of both the State and Local chapter of the Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Library Advisory Commission

Anna Jordan was appointed to the Library Advisory Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2027. Anna believes deeply in the role of advocacy for the people that the board serves. Her goal is to help improve systems all while working in a thoughtful and generous capacity alongside her colleagues and peers.

Anna graduated from Westmont College with a BA in English Literature and received her Master of Fine Art from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. For the last seven years, Anna has served as a member of the Brandon Elementary School PTA and was the Vice President in charge of Fundraising for the last four. Additionally, she currently serves on the Westmont College Communications Board and the college Program Review Committee and is also on the Board of Directors for Angels Foster Care.

Krista Rodkey was appointed to the Library Advisory Commission to fill an unexpired portion of a term ending June 20, 2025. A lifelong Goletan, Krista loves her community and wants to contribute her vision to how the city develops. She wants to bring a valuable perspective to the planning process as a non-driving, disabled millennial who grew up in a trailer park residential area.

Krista received her BA Summa Cum Laude from Westmont College, MA from the University of Oxford, and her Doctorate from Indiana University – and is a graduate of the City’s award-winning LEAD Goleta Community Academy!

Parks and Recreation Commission

Alyssa Flores was appointed as a Youth Member for the Parks and Recreation Commission for a two-year term ending on November 30, 2026. Alyssa was inspired by the recent sidewalk improvement projects in the City.

Currently a Sophomore at Dos Pueblos High School, Alyssa is actively involved in many programs and organizations. These include serving as the Class Historian for the Associated Student Body, a member of the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy, a school journalist, working on campus murals, and volunteering for the “Beautify DP” project among others. These experiences have given Alyssa valuable insight into how environment can influence community behavior and improve overall wellbeing.

Public Engagement Commission

Lori Goodman was appointed to the Public Engagement Commission to fill an unexpired portion of a term ending November 30, 2025. Lori is passionate about engaging under-represented and marginalized communities that have been disenfranchised. Lori believes in the importance of engaging all of Goleta’s community members.

Lori is currently the Executive Director of LEAP and is deeply connected to low-income families living and working in Goleta. She is on the Executive Board of the Kids Network of Santa Barbara County, the past chair of the Courage to Lead alumni Committee, and most recently served seven years on the Library Advisory Commission for the City of Goleta.

Sagarika Manian was appointed as a Youth Member to the Public Engagement Commission for a two-year term ending November 30, 2026. Sagarika is hoping to create a lasting impact on the City of Goleta by serving as a proactive youth voice to ensure that everyone’s opinions are heard and validated.

Sagraika is an active member of the community with a long history of involvement in non-profit and community organizations. For the past three years she has served on the Santa Barbara Youth Council and is currently the Second Vice Chair. Her involvement also includes ProgramHers, YouthMuze, student leader for the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy, and the co-founder/copresident of the Self Care Club, and as a volunteer for the Santa Barbara Sea Center.

Public Tree Advisory Commission

Karl Rider was appointed the Public Tree Advisory Commission to fill a portion of a term ending February 28, 2027. Karl wants to preserve and promote the urban forest and promote its value to the community while highlighting the importance of preservation and restoration of our trees.

A professional horticulturist for 25 years, Karl has worked with trees on many levels from propagation and procurement to maintenance and removal. He is vastly experienced in managing landscapes and forest land for aesthetics, restoration and hazard mitigation. His past work also includes training arborists and contracting with diverse specialists on installation, relocation, Plant Health Care and removals in urban and forest situations in New England, the tropics, and Santa Barbara.

To learn more about the City’s Boards and Commissions, and to see available vacancies, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/BoardsCommissions.