Central Coast Pulse

Michelle Martinich, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at American Riviera Bank sits down with Peter Rupert, Professor of Economics at the University of California at Santa Barbara to discuss the economy on the Central Coast, including the pandemic's impact on unemployment, local businesses, and education, and the long-term ramifications we can expect to see as a result. Peter serves as the Director of the Economic Forecast Project and is the Associate Director of the Laboratory for Aggregate Economics and Finance at UCSB.

Lori Murray, Senior Vice President and Residential Lending Manager at American Riviera Bank and Nancy Hamilton, of Calgano & Hamilton Real Estate Partners in Montecito, discuss the residential real estate market on the Central Coast during the pandemic - from an influx of  buyers from cities like New York to the rich and famous to the first time buyers and more.

With over 28 years of residential real estate experience, Nancy Hamilton has remained in the top 1% of agents in our area year after year.

Dustin Reese, Assistant Vice President, Banking Relationship Officer, sits down with Bettina Swigger of Downtown SLO to talk about their innovative efforts to keep downtown San Luis Obispo vibrant and thriving during the pandemic. As the CEO of Downtown SLO, Bettina leads the staff serving the community by working on initiatives like parking and beautification efforts, coordinating special events and the weekly Thursday night Farmers’ Market, supporting economic activities, and examining Downtown issues like creative place making, supporting small business, enhancing tourism and creating a clean and safe environment for all in downtown SLO.

Jason Wilson, Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer, sits down with Sam Walters of Zodo's Bowling and Beyond to talk about the short- and long-term changes they have made in light of the pandemic. From new cleaning protocols to take-out orders to their brand new Virtual Reality studio, Walters shares the steps Zodo's has taken to ensure safe, high quality family fun and community entertainment can continue, even in uncertain times. Zodo's Bowling and Beyond is a family entertainment center with 24 bowling lanes, a full-service restaurant and sports bar, arcade, Virtual Reality studio, and events room in Goleta, California.

Michelle Martinich, Executive Vice President at American Riviera Bank, sits down with Dr. Joanne Gronquist to talk about the process of reopening her practice during COVID-19, including retaining staff, procuring personal protective equipment, and establishing new protocols for scheduling patients. Dr. Gronquist has served as President, as well as the Chair of Governmental Affairs, for the Tri-County Optometric Society. She has been honored by her patients with Santa Barbara News-Press Readers’ Choice Award for Best Optometrist.

Laurel Sykes (EVP Chief Compliance and Risk Officer), Paul Abramson (EVP Chief Technology Officer, and Eusebio Cordova, Jr. (EVP Chief Credit Officer) continue the discussion on pandemic response. In this episode, they discuss phase 1 and phase 2 of the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - including setting up a portal to accept applications, reviewing and submitting completed applications to the SBA, rolling out loan documentation, and, ultimately, funding over 500 loans in four weeks.

Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, Laurel Sykes and Paul Abramson, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, discuss pandemic response and how what we are doing now can shape the future.

Joanne  Funari, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of American Riviera Bank, speaks with McArthur Fellow, Amir Abo-Shaeer, and his wife, Emily Shaeer, of the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy, about the challenges and rewards of being innovative in education and business. This two-in-one episode spans their efforts to create mindsets that break through gender stereotypes to the benefits of engaging in authentic, meaningful work, as they describe their journey of creating a transformative experience.

Michelle Martinich, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, of American Riviera Bank speaks with Lynda Tanner, President & CEO of VNA Health (formerly Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care) to discuss navigating in-home healthcare and hospice options, including how to have conversations, self-care, insurance and preventative care. Lynda Tanner is responsible for planning, coordinating, managing and directing all activities and programs of VNA Health. Her experience includes more than 30 years working in home care including working as a consultant and JCAHO surveyor with organizations across the United States.

Lori Murray, Senior Vice President and Residential Lending Manager of American Riviera Bank, chats with Jackie Walters, Realtor with Village Properties about the new real estate landscape in the Santa Barbara area, including how recent local natural disasters have affected the market, the affects of supply and demand, and how to find opportunities for purchasing real estate. Jackie has been a successful agent in the Santa Barbara area for over 30 years. Jackie closely watches the market stats and trends and is a regular writer on the real estate market for the Santa Barbara News-Press.