AQUATICS AD HOC COMMITTEE
The Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee is a collaborative working group formed by representatives from the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation, the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, and the Cities of Buellton and Solvang.
The committee was established to guide the development of a Joint Use Agreement that will define the future operations, maintenance, programming, and community use of the planned Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex. Through regional collaboration and shared planning, the committee is helping lay the groundwork for a sustainable, community-focused aquatics facility that will serve the Valley for generations to come.
To learn more about the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee and the regional partnership helping shape the future of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex? Read the full article from SYV News to learn more about the committee’s formation, purpose, and community impact.
ABOUT LISA
Lisa serves as the SYVCAF Board President and Campaign Chair, and is one of the SYV Community Aquatics Foundation representatives on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee. Lisa has more than 25 years of experience as a practitioner in communications strategy development, research, community outreach, media relations, and crisis communications, managing numerous complex and long-term public affairs efforts for projects navigating the public permitting process, primarily in California.
After spending most of her career working for a national public affairs firm, she has had her own strategic communications consulting practice for the past eight years, assisting private, non-profit and public agency clients with communications strategy, message development and stakeholder outreach.
In addition to serving as the President of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation and the Campaign Committee Chair, she also serves on the board of Veggie Rescue and is Vice President of the Los Olivos Community Services District.
Lisa is a graduate of UC San Diego. She and her husband Steve have made Los Olivos home for the past 27 years, raising their three now-young adult sons there.
ABOUT KYLE
Kyle serves as Co-Chair of the Foundation’s Programming Committee and brings decades of community leadership, recreation experience, and public service to the table. A lifelong Santa Ynez Valley resident and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School graduate, Kyle actually learned to swim in the current SYHS pool — the same community pool built 65 years ago through fundraising efforts led by the Elks Lodge and Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation.
In February 2026, Kyle was named Executive Director at Santa Barbara Strings. Kyle has also served as Recreation Director for the City of Buellton for 20 years, helping establish programs and community spaces that continue to benefit local families today, including the Buellton Community Recreation Center, Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden, and PAWS Dog Park.
His long history of public service also includes serving on the boards of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, Santa Ynez Valley Foundation, Santa Ynez Valley Chorale, and currently the College Elementary School District Board.
Today, Kyle continues to advocate for expanded aquatics access, youth recreation, and community wellness throughout the Valley. His personal connection to the existing pool - and his vision for what the future complex can provide for generations to come - make him an invaluable voice on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee.
ABOUT CARLA
Carla Mead, Vice Mayor of Buellton and one of the City of Buellton’s representatives on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, brings a strong background in education, nonprofit leadership, and community advocacy to the committee. A former middle school teacher and current Board Chair of SYV Humane Society & DAWG, Carla has long been committed to creating inclusive, community-centered spaces and programs that improve quality of life throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
As Vice Mayor and a Buellton City Councilmember, Carla is passionate about thoughtful planning, regional collaboration, and investing in amenities that support local families, youth, seniors, and future generations. She believes access to aquatics programming plays an important role in community wellness, recreation, water safety, and connection.
Through her role on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, Carla is helping ensure the future aquatics complex reflects the needs and values of the broader community while strengthening partnerships between local agencies and organizations across the Valley.
ABOUT JOHN
Bio coming soon!
ABOUT ELIZABETH
Elizabeth Orona, Solvang City Councilmember and one of the City of Solvang’s representatives on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in the technology industry to the committee, having worked in senior roles with major Silicon Valley firms across healthcare, telecommunications, finance, media, manufacturing, and high-tech industries. Throughout her career, she has focused on collaboration, strategic problem-solving, and building strong relationships across diverse organizations and communities.
Beyond her professional background, Elizabeth has long been passionate about mentorship, inclusion, and community engagement. She has served as a leader and advocate for Women in IT initiatives, STEM programs for girls, diversity and inclusion efforts, and technology accessibility projects supporting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Since joining the Solvang City Council, Elizabeth has brought a thoughtful, community-centered perspective to local issues and regional partnerships. She believes the future aquatics complex will provide lasting benefits for Valley residents through expanded recreation opportunities, water safety education, wellness programming, and community connection.
Through her role on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, Elizabeth is helping ensure the future facility reflects the needs of the broader community while fostering collaboration between local agencies and organizations working together to bring the project to life.
ABOUT MARK
Mark Infanti, Solvang City Councilmember and one of the City of Solvang’s representatives on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, brings a strong background in business leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement to the committee. Before entering public service, he spent more than 40 years as a project management consultant working with federal agencies and major government contractors. He also studied architectural engineering and previously served on the Solvang Board of Architectural Review, bringing valuable experience in planning, infrastructure, and long-range community development.
Beyond his work in local government, Mark is deeply involved in the Santa Ynez Valley community. He is an active supporter of organizations including the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, and the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society, and also serves as a docent at the UCSB Sedgwick Reserve.
As a Solvang City Councilmember, Mark understands the importance of regional partnerships and collaborative problem-solving when it comes to creating lasting community assets. He believes the future aquatics complex will provide important opportunities for recreation, youth programming, water safety, wellness, and community connection for Valley residents of all ages.
Through his role on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, Mark is helping guide conversations around long-term sustainability, community access, and interagency collaboration to help ensure the future facility becomes a valued regional resource for generations to come.
ABOUT TODD
Todd Lefemine serves as the SYVUHSD representative on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, helping guide the collaborative planning efforts for the future Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex.
A Santa Ynez Valley resident for more than 17 years, Todd brings a strong background in public safety, emergency management, strategic planning, and community collaboration. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration and an M.A. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Todd currently serves on the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees and previously participated in the Buellton Union School District School Site Council, where he focused on budgeting, long-term planning, and supporting student success.
As a parent of three children — including two currently attending SYVUHS — Todd is passionate about strengthening opportunities for local students and families and helping ensure the Valley has access to safe, modern, community-centered recreational facilities for generations to come.
The Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee represents a collaborative effort between regional partners working together to define the future operations and maintenance framework for the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex.
ABOUT KATHY
Kathy Grace-Velazquez serves as a Trustee on the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District School Board and is a representative on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee.
With more than 30 years of experience as an educator, she brings expertise in youth development, program design, and community engagement to the committee. A dedicated mother and wife, she has spent her career supporting students and families both inside and outside the classroom.
As a lifelong swimmer, Kathy is passionate about the power of aquatics and sports to connect people of all ages and backgrounds. Her daughters swam and played high school water polo, giving her firsthand experience of the value of strong local aquatics programs. She believes strongly in the role that safe, accessible community aquatics facilities play in promoting physical health, water safety, teamwork, and lifelong wellness for the community.
Through her service on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, Kathy is committed to helping create a sustainable, inclusive, and community-centered aquatics complex that will serve generations of families in the Santa Ynez Valley.
ABOUT KIM
Bio coming soon!
ABOUT RANDY
Randy Murphy, Solvang City Manager and member of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation Leadership Committee, serves as one of the City of Solvang’s representatives on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee.
Randy brings more than 30 years of management and public administration experience to the committee, including more than two decades in the public sector. Throughout his career, he has worked across a wide range of areas including public works, economic development, strategic planning, emergency management, policy analysis, and government operations.
As both Solvang City Manager and a member of the Foundation’s Leadership Committee, Randy has played an important role in strengthening regional collaboration around the aquatics project. He believes the future aquatics complex will provide lasting benefits for Valley residents of all ages through expanded recreation, water safety, wellness, and community programming opportunities.
Through his role on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, Randy is helping ensure the future facility is thoughtfully planned, operationally sustainable, and positioned to serve the Santa Ynez Valley for generations to come.
ABOUT SCOTT
Scott Wolfe, Buellton City Manager and one of the City of Buellton’s representatives on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, brings decades of experience in municipal leadership, public administration, and regional collaboration to the committee. Throughout his career in local government, he has worked closely with elected officials, community organizations, and partner agencies to support infrastructure projects, community development initiatives, and long-term planning efforts that enhance quality of life for local residents.
As Buellton City Manager, Scott has been a strong supporter of the aquatics project and recognizes the important role the future complex can play in expanding recreation opportunities, promoting water safety, supporting youth athletics, and strengthening community wellness throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
Known for his collaborative and solutions-oriented leadership style, Scott has helped foster meaningful partnerships between the cities, school district, and Foundation as planning for the aquatics complex continues to move forward. His experience navigating public agency coordination and operational planning brings valuable perspective to conversations surrounding the long-term sustainability and shared use of the future facility.
Through his role on the Aquatics Ad Hoc Committee, Scott is helping ensure the future aquatics complex becomes a lasting regional asset that serves students, families, athletes, seniors, and community members for generations to come.
Want to learn more about the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation and the team helping lead this effort? Interested in volunteering, partnering, or supporting the campaign? We’d love to connect with you.