Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the overall governing body of the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center. It consists of a group of concerned, committed volunteers representing the community who work with the Executive Director in overseeing the operations of the agency.

Who We Are

On Being a Member of the Board

Individuals get involved with the Center for a variety of reasons. As with any Board, there are responsibilities of which involvement is the most important as the Board is the overall governing body of the Center. Together with other members of the Board, the individual Board member is legally responsible for all activities of the agency. Several committees exist for Board members to participate in ranging from Personnel, Finance/Planning, and Fundraising/Community Relations. All Board members also assist with fundraising as several fundraisers are held throughout the year. If you are interested in Board opportunities, please feel free to reach out to the Executive Director. Below are members of our current Board of Directors.

Get Involved

President of the Board

Barb LeFebvre

“I originally started with the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center in 1997 as a volunteer advocate. I wanted to get involved and give back to my community and as a career woman, I have myself experienced sexual harassment and unwanted advances and felt I didn’t have a voice. I quickly learned how dedicated the staff and volunteers were to the mission despite the long hours and terrible things they see and deal with. It only makes them more dedicated and driven to work harder to educate and work towards ending sexual assault. I have been a member of the executive board since 2009 and my admiration for the staff and volunteers grows each year. They ask for nothing, but give everything.”

Vice-President of the Board

Dorian Hodge

Dorian started her lengthy affiliation with the NCRCCPC first as a hotline volunteer and then as a board member in the early 1990’s while still on active duty in the United States Air Force. Following retirement from the military, she worked for almost 10 years as a college guidance counselor at the Vandenberg Air Force Base Education Center. Now fully retired, she has spent the last 2 years as a student at Allan Hancock College. She has a B.S. in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Education, an A.S. in Welding Technology, and will soon earn a second A.S. degree in Automotive Technology. “I volunteer for the Board of Directors because The Center is a dynamic organization that proactively adapts to our changing times; is comprised of incredibly talented, dedicated staff, volunteers, and board members; and most importantly, serves countless survivors of sexual assault and child abuse as well as their significant others.”

Secretary/Treasurer of the Board

David Rose

“I’ve spent the last three decades working on government affairs, acquisitions and divestitures, permitting and regulatory compliance for award-winning oil and gas operations. It’s been challenging and rewarding to have participated on several non-profit boards and industry committees. I love to learn, so I’ve spent a lot of time in school; earning certificates in both petroleum technology and hazardous materials management; an Associate of Science in Architecture; a Bachelor of Science in business administration, and a Juris Doctor. I am a husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin. I enjoy all types of music, science, nature, traveling, snow skiing, water skiing, and any kind of fitness challenge. I volunteer for the Board of Directors because it’s a meaningful way I can help support the fight against sexual assault and child abuse.”

Member of the Board

Karen Starbuck

Karen was born in Lakewood, CA and moved with her family to the Central Coast as a young child. She married her high school sweetheart right after high school, and they soon moved to the East Coast after her husband joined the United States Navy. Being in the Navy meant that they traveled the world; one of Karen’s favorite spots was Guam, where they lived for four years. There Karen had their third and final daughter and raised her children while her husband was mostly at sea. Another favorite of her many homes was in New Orleans, where she and her family created some great, long-lasting memories. Karen and Dirk were away from Lompoc for 17 years, coming home in 1994. Karen went on to earn three associate degrees in Criminology, Psychology and Art at Allan Hancock College.

Karen worked as an in-home caregiver for over 40 years and is now retired, spending her time with grandchildren, close friends and taking an annual girl’s trip to Yosemite where she creates amazing charcoal, watercolor, and acrylic landscapes and soaks up the beauty of the park.

With extra time on her hands Karen wanted to give to the community that she loves so much, so when she was approached about becoming a Board member she gladly accepted. Being a mother of three and a grandmother of five, Karen understands the importance of the many services provided by the Center and is proud to be a part of the solution.

Member of the Board

Anastasia “Tasha” Hueffner

Anastasia “Tasha” Hueffner, a huge advocate for sexual assault prevention and survivor support, serves as a valuable board member for the North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center in Lompoc, California. Her journey towards this role began at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and then the University of Oregon, where she studied military sexual assault prevention, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding this issue.

Tasha’s dedication to this critical work was further amplified during her time as a victim advocate at the USAFA. Her compassionate and empathetic approach provided survivors with a safe space to seek assistance, navigate the military justice system, and access support services. One of her most notable contributions during her time at USAFA was her leadership in establishing the Teal Rope Program, a peer mentoring initiative designed to support fellow cadets.

For Tasha, the North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center holds a special place in her heart. It matters to her deeply because it represents a community-based, grassroots approach to tackling sexual assault and providing survivors with the care and support they deserve. The North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center is a beacon of hope and support in the community, offering a lifeline to survivors of sexual assault and child abuse. Through its essential work, the center provides vital resources, counseling, and advocacy, contributing to the healing and empowerment of survivors while raising awareness about these critical issues.

Member of the Board

Steve Lopez

“I was born and raised in Santa Maria. I attended the local schools and played football through high school. I worked in the grocery business, construction, and route sales before going into law enforcement. I graduated from the Allan Hancock Police Academy in 1993 as a sponsored cadet. I worked for the Santa Maria Police Department for 25 years and I retired as a Sergeant in 2018. During my career at SMPD, I worked on patrol and in the Detective Bureau in the Gang Suppression Team. In 1998 I became a member of the Color/Honor Guard Team. I remained in GST until 2001 and I rotated back to patrol. In 2003, I was promoted to Corporal and remained on patrol. During this year I became a Field Training Officer and was promoted to Co-leader on the Color/Honor Guard Team. In 2004 I was assigned to the Community Services Unit as the Beat 1 Coordinator. This year, I was also selected as the Chairman of the Peace Officers Memorial Committee. In 2013, I was promoted to Sergeant and remained on patrol while supervising the Dispatch Center. In 2014, I was assigned a co-lateral duty as the SMPD Museum Curator. I retired from SMPD in 2018.

In 2019, I went to work for the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office as a District Attorney Investigator and I’m currently assigned to the Domestic Violence Team.

My amazing wife, Shamra and I have five adult children who all live and work in Santa Maria. Shamra and I enjoy traveling, camping, and BBQs with family and friends. However, lately, we’ve been working on home projects and watching TV shows. I have been a member of Elks Lodge 1538 for 23 years. Woodworking and gardening are my favorite hobbies.

The reason I’m on the Board of the North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center is that I like helping people and working with the other board members and staff in making a difference in our community.”

Member of the Board

Veronica Villanueva

I am a Registered nurse and have been a resident of Santa Maria for over 40 years. I attended our local schools and earned my nursing degree at Allan Hancock College in 2006. I then completed a BSN at Chamberlin College of Nursing and graduated with presidential honors. I work for Marian Medical Center as a reserve staff nurse. In addition to working as a bedside nurse, I am a full-time assistant nurse professor at Allan Hancock College. I am passionate about helping future nurses become the best they can be. Helping and giving have always been a part of me. So, when I was asked to become a board member, I knew this would be an opportunity to give back, especially to an organization that helped me when I faced adversity. I am dedicated to giving my all to be an integral part of the team and help make a difference for all victims. I am honored to serve as a board member for the Rape Crisis Center.

Member of the Board

Richard Bresslin

“I feel blessed to serve on the Board of Directors for the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center. Most of my teaching career was directed toward young adults who were wards of the court, on probation, involved with gangs, young mothers, had experienced expulsions, or students who were not successful in the traditional school setting. Many of these at-risk teens were physically, sexually, or spiritually abused and both my passion and compassion were always directed to recovery in order for them to succeed. Many were able to catch up and graduate with a high school diploma! I have also been a part of the United Way “Fun In The Sun” summer program during the past three years. Additionally, my experience has extended to the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex through the Federal Bureau of Prisons volunteer program. Finally, having had experience with both perpetrators and victims of sexual assault, my goal is to contribute to the mission of the Center.”

Member of the Board

José E. Guzmán, Jr.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors for the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center. As a husband and father of four wonderful children, I believe in the mission of this great organization. As a resident of the Central Coast, I believe it is my responsibility to give back to our community by serving an organization whose mission is to advocate for victims of sexual assault and child abuse. Through my work as a member of a local Spanish language television station in Santa Maria, I am always happy to assist local organizations that contribute to the well being and safety of our community. An organization that has always motivated me to assist with their outreach and promotion, has been the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center. Thank you NCRCCPC for advocating and defending those who are unable to advocate for themselves.”