The Santa Barbara Peace Corp Association (SBPCA) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves as a network and resource for prospective, current, former, and future Peace Corps Volunteers in the Santa Barbara and Central Coast area of California.

Any former, current, or prospective Peace Corps volunteer or Peace Corps staff member, any person affiliated with the Peace Corps, or any person who supports the mission of the Peace Corps is eligible for SBPCA membership.


Santa Barbara Peace Corps Association
Board of Directors

March 2024 - February 2025

Our Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary will be appointed at the board’s March meeting, as per our bylaws. Planned appointments are Jeff Reiss, Christy Nichols, and Kiersten Anderson, respectively.

Photo of Chas Feinstein

CHAS FEINSTEIN
President

RPCV, MICRONESIA 1976-1978
Financial Management Advisor to Department of Finance
APCD, WESTERN SAMOA 1980-1983
PEACE CORPS FELLOW 1979-1980

Language spoken while an APCD: Samoan
Language spoken while a PCV: Ponapean

Photo: People with whom Jeff Reiss worked as a VISTA Volunteer, Causby's Rural Maryland.

JEFF REISS
Vice President

VISTA VOLUNTEER, RURAL SOUTHERN MARYLAND 1972-73
Planner, Citizens for Progress

Language spoken as a volunteer: English

Photo: Christy Nichols in Zambia

CHRISTY NICHOLS
Treasurer

RPCV, ZAMBIA 1997-2000
Water, Sanitation, Health Education (WASHE), then Wildlife Management during 3rd year

Languages spoken as a PCV: kiKaonde and chiNyanja

Photo: Kiersten Anderson (and canine friend) in Eastern Caribbean

Kiersten Anderson
Secretary

RPCV, ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES, EASTERN CARIBBEAN 2011 -2013
Institution/NGO Development

Languages spoken while a PCV: English & Local Dialect

Photo: Naomi Kovacs and little friend Jon in Cameroon

NAOMI KOVACS

RPCV, CAMEROON 1995-1998
Community Development
Technical Trainer, CAMEROON 1998-1999
Water & Sanitation

Languages spoken while a PCV & Technical Trainer: French & Fulfulde’

Image: Map showing Kenya

CATHY OLIVERSON

RPCV, KENYA 1978-1980

Photo: John Reed (and community kids) in Solomon Islands

JOHN REED

RPCV, SOLOMON ISLANDS 1997-1999
Science, Math, and Industrial Arts High School Teacher

Language spoken as a PCV: Solomon Island Pijin English

Photo: Julie Reed (on left) with friend in Solomon Islands

JULIE REED

RPCV, SOLOMON ISLANDS 1997-1999
English, Science, and Home Economics High School Teacher

Language spoken as a PCV: Solomon Island Pijin English