Board of Directors
PresidentÂ
Paula Power
Retired National Park Service biologist
Paula devoted her career to managing and restoring public lands. She attributes her commitment to public open spaces to having grown up in the Ojai Valley with unlimited access to trails, barrancas, and Los Padres National Forest in her backyard. Paula has been an advocate for art and nature for many years. While a biologist for the National Park Service, she organized a juried show of visual art from California’s Channel Islands for the 2016 California Islands Symposium. She is a resident of Meiners Oaks and an Ojai native (Nordhoff High School ’71).
Treasurer
Dee Bennett
Retired Middle School Teacher
Dee taught Physical Education at Matilija Middle School for more than 30 years. She is a resident of Meiners Oaks, regularly cares for her two grandchildren, and understands the need for outdoor spaces for young children.
Secretary
Amanda Clark
Compliance Manager specializing in licensing and land use
Amanda has navigated regulatory landscapes at all levels of government throughout her professional career. As a former student of Meiners Oaks Elementary and current homeowner in Meiners Oaks, Amanda is proud to be giving back to her community.
Director
Derek Poultney
Executive Director of The Crew
Derek is the former Executive Director of the Ventura Land Trust and former Conservation Director for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. Derek is an Ojai Valley resident with two children in the Ojai Unified School District.
Director
Philip Bagley
Attorney
Philip is a legal research attorney for the Superior Court of Ventura County. He enthusiastically supports developing a park in Meiners Oaks. He lives with his wife and three children in Meiners Oaks.
Director
Rosalie Bossler
Professional Geologist
Rosalie has worked as a professional geologist for more than 10 years focusing on compliance and water issues. She currently works remotely while living in Japan with her husband who is stationed there with the US Navy. Rosalie is a graduate of Nordhoff High School (’07).
Director
Julie Gerard
Attorney
Julie has been a practicing attorney for over 35 years, representing clients in all areas of the law. She is currently the Executive Director of the Ojai Community Farmers Market, with a focus on providing healthy food to the local Ojai community. She credits her love of nature to spending her formative years in the San Bernardino Mountains, hiking, fishing and participating in water sports. She has been a resident of Ojai for over ten years and has three grandchildren who attend school in the Ojai Valley. She has a passion for national parks and understands the importance of providing access to nature for all human beings.