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Chamber Leadership
Message from the Chairman
Stephanie Becerra
Chair of the Board
Branch Manager,
Mid-State Bank & Trust
Stepanie Becerra, 2007 Chair, has a deep rooted love for Ventura
County. Her family has been here since 1865. A third generation
Californian, her love of the land stems from her ancestors having been
born and laid to rest in Rancho Comulos.
Most of her life has been spent in Ventura County. She graduated
from Santa Paula High School and after a few years away, moved to
Thousand Oaks where she spent the next 20 years. She has lived in
Camarillo and worked in the great City of Ventura for the last 6 years.
Giving back to the community in which she lives and works has always
been paramount.
She has sat on the Board of Directors and served as president for the
Conejo Free Clinic, as well as served on the Citizens’ Advisory
Committee at California Youth Authority for many years. When she began
working in Ventura, she immediately became involved with the Chamber of
Commerce and has co-chaired the Ambassadors, served as Membership Chair
and in 2006 as Chair Elect.
Becerra states that “Being involved with the Chamber has been an
exciting and great learning experience. I have met so many people who
are extremely dedicated, talented and give so very much to this
beautiful city. Over the years I have come to realize all the chamber
does for the community, both up-front and behind the scenes.â€
Regarding her experience with the Chamber to date, she continues “I have
attended meetings from each division, including the PAC, and Regional
Alliance. I value the Economic Development meetings which are so
informative and interesting; where you have a front row view of what is
happening in our city and nationwide. I look forward to continuing
my work with these groups as we strive to deliver the Chamber message
and creating impact.†She has also attended many “fascinatingâ€
City Council meetings.
Thirty years of banking experience has given her many attributes such as
understanding that “life is not black and white but most often gray. The
trick to living in the grey is to gather as much information as you can
on the subject so that an informed decision can be made.â€
As the 2007 chair she would like to encourage everyone to become more
involved in some way. “I challenge you all to stretch your limits
and find ways that will make Ventura the best place to live, work and
invest. I am humbled by my predecessors, current Board of
Directors and staff and feel blessed knowing that I may call on any one
of them with their tremendous expertise.â€
In order to facilitate economic vitality in Ventura she expressed that
there needs to be a constant flow of information between the Chamber of
Commerce and the City of Ventura. Becerra has been participating
in meetings with Rick Cole, Ventura City Manager and she “looks forward
to continued monthly meetings†and is hopeful that “we can expand the
common denominators we share and move toward middle ground on issues
where our positions differ.â€
Becerra has been in banking for 32 years and is currently the Vice
President and Financial Services Manager for Mid-State Bank & Trust in
Ventura. She has previously worked for Security Pacific National
Bank, Bank of America and First Bank. Her hobbies and interests
include staying fit, running 5k’s, dancing, hiking, camping, attending
Broadway musicals and hanging out with her family. She is the
proud parent of sons Kevin, Adam and Henry and daughter Maryanne and she
has two granddaughters, Alissa and Erica.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Becerra
Chairman's Circle Members
