COMMUNITY NEWS
Goraya to head Monterey Bay Economic Partnership T ahra Goraya will become president & CEO of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership on Jan. 3, succeeding Kate Roberts, who has led the organization since 2015 and is retiring at year’s end. “Tahra brings an amazing set of qualities and experience to Tahra Goraya the position and will build on the superb foundation that Kate Roberts has built over the last 6 years,” said Eduardo Ochoa, MBEP board chairman. “Kate has been so influential in creating partnerships in the region, expanding membership, and driving positive change through our key initiatives — affordable housing, equitable access to broadband,
workforce development, and climate change. We are a better region because of Kate’s leadership.” Goraya is a California native, an organizational consultant and executive coach in Boston, and before that, director for Zero to Three Western Regional Office, a national early childhood public policy and research organization. She spent two-and-a-half years as district director for California State Sen. Carol Liu; was national director for the Council on American Islamic Relations, an American Muslim civil rights organization in Washington, D.C.; and almost seven years as executive director of Day One in Pasadena, a substance abuse prevention and policy organization, where she helped get legislation passed for more than a dozen policies.
Her achievements include the Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School Woman and Public Policy Program and chosen by the California State Senate and Assembly nonprofit executive director of the year. She is the founder of Milton Muslim Neighbors, advisor to Latino Muslim Unity, and in 2019, she was elected Town Meeting Member in Milton. She’s a member of the advisory board for the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston. She grew up in Bakersfield, the daughter of Pakistani Punjabi Muslim immigrant parents. The oldest of five children, she learned early the importance of hard work and the struggles of immigrant families, especially in farming communities.
She learned about agriculture in Kern County from her father, an agronomist. She graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in biology, earned a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government with an emphasis in management, leadership, and decision sciences. She and her family are excited to return to California. “I am elated to lead MBEP during the next stage of its development and growth,” said Goraya, citing the organization’s focus on equity, environment and economic vitality. “I cannot wait to partner with various stakeholders to build upon the great legacy of the founders to improve the quality of life and economic health of the region.” n
Matt Huffaker Named New Santa Cruz City Manager
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atsonville City Manager Matt Huffaker will become Santa Cruz city manager on Jan. 3, replacing Rosemary Menard, the former water department manager who is doing the job on an interim basis. Huffaker’s salary will be $22,199 a month, or $266,388 annually. On Nov. 9, the city council unanimously approved his appointment. Huffaker, 37, started as deputy city manager in Watsonville in 2016 and became city manager three years ago. Before that, he held leadership positions with the City of Walnut Creek for 10 years, advancing to deputy city manager. In Watsonville, Huffaker doubled
“Aptos Sports Foundation” from page 4 Aptos High School is the place that can bring everyone together to focus on the students, the next generation. Under Bailey’s leadership, the Aptos Sports Foundation built the football facility, the baseball park, installed the marquee at the school’s entrance, put up scoreboards, resurfaced tennis courts and resurfaced the track twice. Travis Fox, Aptos High athletic director, came here from Colorado and found the support in Aptos “truly amazing” – a level of support he hadn’t seen elsewhere in his 12 years working in education. Because California’s funding falls
the city’s General Fund reserves while expanding Parks, Arts and Recreation services. He led an inclusive public outreach and education effort that resulted in a 79 percent voter approval for a halfcent sales tax, funding for police, fire and Matt Huffaker parks and recreation in perpetuity. Huffaker spearheaded the city’s first Employee Engagement Action Plan to build a more connected, empowered, and valued organizational culture.
Before this news came out, he and Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra visited staff at Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Services, which is looking for 10,000 square feet for a new home. Huffaker is vice chair of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and treasurer of Second Harvest Food Bank. He’s a 2006 political science graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University with a master’s in public administration from Cal State East Bay, and he attended UC Berkeley’s Executive Leadership Program. He’s married to Jocelyn Huffaker; they have three children and live in Soquel. “Matt has a unique set of qualifications to make a positive impact for
our community quickly,” said Mayor Donna Meyers. “Not only will he bring a wealth of operational experience to the role, but he will also arrive with deep relationships across the region already in place.” She added, “The Council was particularly impressed with his breadth of creative ideas that stem from his experience, vision, and leadership values.” Huffaker said, “I think my local experience and established regional partnerships will allow me to hit the ground running. I’m ready to get to work.” One of the city of Santa Cruz regional partnerships is with Soquel Creek Water District. n
short of what’s needed, many high school teams are supported by parents of children on the team donating money. Not so at Aptos High. Close to 700 Athletes here’s no charge to play athletics here,” Fox said, noting the school fields 26 teams, with close to 700 of the 1,415 students involved in athletics. Expenses add up with officiating (which the district funds 60%) and League fees totaling $17,000. For football and basketball, fans pay admission, but there’s no charge to watch water polo. “We break even,” Fox said. “There’s not a whole lot extra.”
The foundation’s next project is to build Holcomb’s Landing, installing concrete steps for student seating near the snack shack, replacing an area that in rainy weather gets quite muddy. The foundation has a declaration of support and collaboration from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which has approved the project, and permits from the Division of the State Architect. Because it’s a private project, the foundation will select the contractors. Bailey expects to seek donations of rebar to further lower the cost. On the to-do list: New batting cages. Bailey has a big idea in mind: Building
an endowment fund over the next five to 10 years. “We’re building future citizens,” he said. “Aptos Loves Aptos.” n To learn more, visit https://www.aptos sportsfoundation.com/
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8 / November 15th 2021 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
