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

Robin Ghormley

I recently retired from my position as the Director of Public Affairs at Vandenberg Space Force Base where I served as the organization’s senior Public Affairs adviser to Wing leadership. I began my military career in the USAF in 1991 and served 27 years as a Federal Civil Servant for the Department of Defense. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters in Organizational Management. I enjoy spending time with my wonderful husband, two daughters, son-in-law, precious grandson and two dogs. I am honored to be a member of this board and assist this amazing team as they advocate and provide support and counseling to those victims of sexual assault in our community. I have had a fulfilling career of serving and want to continue to do so in the community that has become my home.

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.”

Secretary of the Board

Jess Gallus

Dr. Jessica Gallus has spent the last few decades overseeing military policies and programs on some of the toughest challenges that individuals and organizations face – from sexual harassment to sexual assault to suicide. She has extensive subject matter expertise and experience in helping organizations create healthy climates that prevent harmful behaviors. Jessica joined the Board given it’s critical mission in supporting community members in their most vulnerable and challenging moments. ‘Being part of the NCRCCPC mission is my way to more directly support the brave survivors who come forward to seek help and heal.’

Member 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.”

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

Sandy Patel

I have proudly called Santa Maria home for almost 40 years and have dedicated more than 30 years to serving school employees and their family at Santa Barbara Teachers Federal Credit Union, helping members meet their financial needs. Despite the growth the Central Coast has experienced over the years, I still consider our area to be a close-knit community where people support one another. My husband, Paul, is a retired police officer and currently works as an investigator. We are blessed with two wonderful children who both attended local schools. With my experience working with school employees and having family members in law enforcement, I understand the importance of advocating for victims of abuse. Serving as a board member for NCRCCPC gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a community I deeply love and am committed to give back to.

Member of the Board

Ashley Leonard

Ashley Leonard is a seasoned operations leader and passionate community advocate. She works in reproductive healthcare overseeing large-scale health initiatives, grants management, and experience strategies ensuring access to critical services and programs across diverse communities. A champion for inclusive services, Ashley brings to the board a deep commitment to trauma informed care and cross-sector collaboration, a real scrappiness to get the work done! In addition to her professional work, Ashley also serves as a City of Lompoc Library Commissioner, where she advocates for public resources that promote literacy, belonging, and equity. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and fur family reading, working on art projects, advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Ashley has volunteered for the center’s annual auction the last few years, and is thrilled to join as a Board member and further the mission of the center, knowing first-hand how vital community resources and support are to those that are the most vulnerable and in need.