Board of Directors

Jason Collis, Jonathan's - founding board member

Jason Collis is the owner of Jonathan’s Inc. His Mediterranean influenced restaurant, Jonathan’s at Peirano’s, is listed as a destination spot in state and national magazines such as Gourmet, Westways and The San Diego Tribune and rated one of the top in Zagat 2008.

Collis apprenticed under world-renowned chef, Wolfgang Puck prior to taking ownership of Jonathan’s. He worked at Spago and assisted Puck with special events, cooking more than 1,200 fine dining plates for the famous Governor’s Ball following the Academy Awards, as well as catering large charity events and high-profile weddings. Jason donates his time, food, restaurant and staff for quarterly charity events, including the Special Olympics, Easter Seals and a Hurricane Katrina Benefit where he and other Ventura area chefs raised more than $20,000. Collis earned his culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, Calif., one of only 12 facilities world-wide.

Clarey Rudd, Bank of Books | founding board member

Clarey Rudd, owner of Bank of Books, Abednego Book Shoppe and Books for Cooks. Bank of Books voted the #1 Independent Books Store in Ventura County last 6 years. A member of the California Literary Arts Society, and organizer for the formation of Ventura, an International Book City, which City Council approved in 2007.

A founding member of the DVO. Served the first two years of the DVO as Chairman of the Board, Third year as Vice-Chairman, currently a Board member. For 20 years he has served on the International Board of Mission Without Boarders, in addition serving on a number of the individual country boards, which includes: Albania, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Norway, USA, Holland and Switzerland. Married to Debby, and having 3 daughters. Graduate of California State University, Fresno with a Degree in Management and Marketing.

Lori Moll, Savory Cafe

Ed Warren, Busy Bee Cafe | founding board member

Ed Warren has led an amazing and fulfilling life. Born in the coal mining town of Wilkes-Barre, PA Ed moved to Los Angeles in 1946. After serving his time for the US Military in Korea, he met his wife Hilda in 1953 and opened his first restaurant at age 27 – a deli – in 1954. Hilda and Ed moved up to Ventura in 1963 and opened the first Warren’s Restaurant at the site of the current Busy Bee. Ed bought and opened the Santa Clara house in 1971 which has since been occupied as the Greenhouse, Andy’s Barbecue Heaven, Seafood & Beverage Company, Smokey’s, Joe Daddy’s, Landmark 78, and now the Candlelight. Along the way Ed and Hilda opened a chain of restaurants in LA and Orange Counties known as Longfellows but always came back home to Ventura.

Ed is somewhat retired at this point, but he and Hilda participate in many cultural-related events and organizations in Ventura and are a fixture in the downtown, as they have been for almost 50 years. Ed is a founding board member of the Downtown Ventura Organization and serves on a number of committees.

Seana-Marie Weaver, Weaver Wines/Ace-Ana Promotions | founding board member

Seana-Marie Weaver came to Ventura in 2003 because she fell in love with the small town, eclectic style of the downtown area. Weaver worked in sales and marketing for 15yrs when she began Ace-ana Promotions in 1998, with the goal to “logo and promo” local businesses. Ace-ana Promotions specializes in promotional give-aways, advertising specialties, custom embroidery, screen-printing, marketing consulting and corporate gifts. Weaver uses unique ideas, eco-products, innovative technology and copious expertise to help her clients reap their ultimate profits. In 2005, Weaver was looking for a new business challenge. Her love of wine and passion for customer service convinced her to open Weaver Wines, a tasting room, wine bar, wine shop and gift store. Located in historic Downtown Ventura, Weaver Wines features unique wines from all over the world, and maintains an ethnic/eclectic ambiance.

Weaver serves on the Ambassadors of the chamber, board member for the Downtown Ventura Organization and Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau. She volunteers on fundraising committees for Casa Pacifica, Foodshare Golfest and Womens Economic Ventures. Seana is married to Steve Weaver and they have two dogs, Sam and Santana. Though her two businesses keep her very busy, she finds time for family, friends and community.

Jim Rice, Entrepreur

Starting out in the corporate world for a fortune 500 company in his twenties, it didn't take long for the entrepreneur bug to bite. Jim has been involved in many notable business ventures including a financial services company and a contracting firm. Jim and his son started a very successful restaurant company and the restaurant business has been his passion ever since. Jim has been a volunteer and leader in the many communities in which he lived. In addition to the Board of DVO, Jim serves on the Economic Restructuring Committee and is chairman of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Ventura; is a board member of Peace Through Music and a member of Project Encore. Jim has three children: Shanon, Jim and Jessica; as well as a new grandson, Jackson. A coach for twenty years, Jim now enjoys golf and all sports. Jim discovered Ventura when his car ran out of gas en route to Santa Barbara, and the seaside town has been his home ever since. Jim's latest undertaking breathes new life into the Ventura dining scene.

Doug Wood, Crowne Plaza

Doug Wood is General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. With over a decade of management experience in high-end hotels in Northern California, Doug was recruited by Providence Hospitality Partners (PHP) to complete the conversion of the Crowne Plaza from a Holiday Inn. Wood served most recently as general manager for the Crowne Plaza Hotel San Jose. Previous to this position, he was regional food & beverage director for a nine-hotel group of hotels managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts that included this Crowne Plaza, as well as two Marriott's, a Wyndham, a Sheraton, an Embassy Suites and three Hilton Hotels. All together, Wood has more than eighteen years of experience in the food and beverage aspects of the hospitality industry. As an integral aspect of his philosophy of hotel management, he feels that a good hotel creates a mutually supportive relationship with the community of which it is a part. Wood has served on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club in Monterey and board of directors for Team San Jose, a group that over saw the CVB and the business improvement district (BID) in San Jose.

Mark Hartley, property owner

I am the co owner of the Fitzgerald Hartley company which is celebrating 31 years in business. We specialize in management for music related projects and artists. We currently manage Brad Paisley, Colbie Caillat, Vince Gill, Robert Cray, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Olivia Newton John, Leann Rimes, Keith Anderson, Kelly Pickler,and others. We have offices in Austin, Ventura, and Nashville.

I own and operate the Lavender Inn and the Ojai Playhouse in Ojai, the Star Lounge, and the new Watermark/W20 restaurant in Ventura. The Hartley family operates the Shady Lane Farm in Franklin Tennessee, and various properties in downtown Ventura and Nashville. I am a commissioner for the Ventura Cultural Affairs commission, and currently serve as the Chairman of the Academy of Country Music, which produces a CBS television awards show and has a membership of over 60,000 members. I have been on the executive board since the inception of the DVO.

Greg Smith, property owner - TREASURER & Chair , Finance | founding board member

I am currently managing partner of Smith – Hobson and have enjoyed working in Downtown Ventura since 1982. I live in mid-town with my wife and children. Smith – Hobson manages family owned agricultural, commercial and industrial properties in several counties in California including four retail parcels in Downtown Ventura. Both my parents’ families have been in Ventura County for five generations. The Hobsons have been headquartered in Downtown since 1859 and my grandfather Charles Petit served as mayor of Ventura for 16 years. I served on the 1985 Downtown Specific Plan Committee and the Downtown Cultural Arts District formation committee. I am currently Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign for the Museum of Ventura County’s downtown expansion and also serve on the board of Community Memorial Healthcare System and Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

Thomas Wood, property owner

David Comden, publisher/property owner - VICE-CHAIR 2010

David is publisher of the VCReporter newspaper, Ventana Monthly magazine and V.P. of Southland Publishing, Inc., a Southern California based media group. Raised in Manhattan, David has 25 years experience consulting in marketing, advertising and promotions. and has worked throughout the California. He moved to Ventura in 1998 because of the outstanding quality of life.

"Small independent businesses are what make a city unique and are vital to a certain quality and sophistication in a community. Ventura has many such retail shops, restaurants, etc... I want to help these merchants not just survive but thrive as they make our downtown a great experience. The DVO is an important force in helping downtown grow to it's full potential."

David Armstrong, Armstrong Advisors | CHAIR 2009 - Chair, Economic Restructuring

David Armstrong is the founder of Armstrong Real Estate Advisors, LLC (AREA), a land-use consulting firm specializing in creating unique urban places. The firm’s projects range from large, integrated specific plans to infill mixed-use buildings. Working with both private and public entities, the firm’ current projects include more than 1,000 acres representing more than $1 billion in value.

In historic downtown Ventura, California, Mr. Armstrong works with multiple property owners to create unique development opportunities. Previously, as a consultant to the Redevelopment Agency, he directed a full range of planning and development activities from drafting a form-based code designed to redefine the public realm, to implementing innovative projects. In addition to more than $350 million in new private investment, Mr. Armstrong coordinated the entitlements for an 83-unit artist live/work project and launched Project Encore, a non-profit venture to adaptively re-use historic buildings as arts venues. He oversaw the creation of the Downtown Retail and Office Strategy and helped with the initial funding for DVO.

Lucas Johnston, Affinity Bank

Lucas Johnston is a Ventura County native that has worked with Affinity Bank for the past 5 years. Lucas began work at the Bank as the Manager of Training and Development, and after 2 years transitioned to manage the Camarillo Branch location. Lucas currently works at the Affinity Bank corporate office where he manages the Downtown Branch. In addition to his activities with the Bank, Lucas is also heavily involved in service throughout the county. He and his wife Rhonda are active with various service organizations and Lucas has worked as a volunteer for the Camarillo Art and Jazz Festival and is an active board member for the Long Term Care Services of Ventura County. Lucas is a graduate of California Lutheran University as well as America’s Community Banker’s National School of Banking.

Jerry Breiner, REMAX Gold Coast Realtors - SECRETARY 2009 and Chair - Downtown Operations Team (DOT) | founding board member

Jerry Breiner has been involved with downtown's renaissance since he and his wife Holly opened Mermaids, a beachwear and swimwear shop, in early 2000. Breiner served on the Downtown Ventura Community Council in various capacities, ending his tenure there as the DVCC closed its books and turned over its assets and concerns to the Downtown Ventura Organization in late summer 2005. Breiner served as a member of the DOT (Downtown Operations Team) since its inception in 2002, and has brought DOT's purpose and vision to the DVO's Main Street approach. DOT meets regularly twice a month, and the public is always welcome to attend.

Jerry received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Theory/Composition from Webster University Cum Laude in 1976 and an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering from Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts Summa Cum Laude in 1992. Breiner moved to California in 1980 to work in the music and recording industry, and he makes his living as a residential and commercial real estate agent for REMAX Gold Coast. You can also see him performing with his band BIG ADVENTURE at various places around Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

Cheryl Heitmann, Executive Director - Ventura Music Festival

Cheryl Heitmann has been the Executive Director of the Ventura Music Festival for the past 2 years. Prior to that she co-owned the DC Group, a political and fundraising group. She is a licensed clinical social worker and had a private practice in Oak Park for 18 years. Ms. Heitmann is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ventura County Community College District, elected to her second term in 2006 and has served 2 terms as President of the Board. In addition she is a board member of United Way, Ventura County, the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance, and the Conejo Schools Foundation. She was recently selected as one of the top 50 business women leaders in the Tri Counties by the Pacific Coast Business Times.

Jim Luttjohann, Executive Director - Ventura Visitors Bureau | founding board member

Jim Luttjohann is the Executive Director of the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau. Jim was previously the Director of Operations with the Ventura Music Festival (2001-2004), where he was also a founding board member in 1996. He is a member of the Ventura Cultural Affairs Commission, which oversees funding and programming in the downtown cultural district. As a former downtown business owner and property owner, Luttjohann has long held a stake in Ventura's downtown evolution. Through his involvement with the arts and tourism, he appreciates the value of downtown by drawing visitors to the community and the resulting positive economic impacts. Luttjohann also serves on the Friends of the Olivas Adobe committee. He is a 1985 graduate of Pepperdine University.

Christy Weir, Mayor - Ventura City Council | founding board member

Christy Weir is the Mayor of Ventura. She was first elected to the City Council in 2003.

The 22-year city resident is a former teacher, division manager at a publishing company and free-lance editor/writer. She's married to Tim Weir and they have two children and three grandchildren. A longtime community volunteer, Weir first made local news in 2003 as the leader of a non-profit group which raised money to purchase the historic Father Serra Cross after the city was forced to sell it because of separation of church and state issues.

She's also a founding board member of the Downtown Ventura Organization, a member of the Midtown Community Council, City Council liaison to the Fair Board, Ventura Music Festival and Visitors Bureau, liaison to the Ventura Unified School District, sits on the city's committee on homelessness and was the co-chair of the city's Cultural Plan Task Force. In her leisure time, Weir enjoys sea kayaking, playing guitar and piano, bicycling, sculpting, painting and traveling. She earned her bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies, with a Concentration in Art, from Cal State University Channel Islands.

Zoe Taylor, Executive Director - Ventura Chamber of Commerce

I have had the privilege of living in Ventura for the past twelve years, serving as the President/CEO of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. After having my eye on the community for a number of years, I am very pleased to be able to live and work in this beautiful community.

As a true believer that quality of life is the result of a strong local economy, it is a privilege to serve as a member of the DVO Board of Directors. It is important to have a strong vibrant downtown. I serve on two cultural boards (Ventura Music Festival and the San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts). As a past board member of the Rubicon, live theatre is also an important part of our quality of life. Through my position at the Chamber, I am able to interact with our education community, helping to ensure a skilled workforce for the future. Ventura has it all. Working together, we can make it even better.

Advisory Board Members 2007

Nick Deitch
Vic Georgino
Gerhard Mayer
Loretta Merewether