Nick & Vanessa Carkonen

Associate

Sponsors: Ryan Gould, Randy Glick, George Downing, Steve Pinsker

Nick and Vanessa are thrilled at the prospect of joining La Cumbre Country Club and becoming part of its active, welcoming community. With deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, their family’s journey ultimately led them to Santa Barbara in search of a lifestyle better aligned with their love of sunshine, outdoor activities, and connection.

Nick works in commercial real estate at CBRE, specializing in office leasing, a career he began in 2007. A Seattle native, he grew up playing golf and greatly values the club environment, having been a longtime member at Broadmoor Golf Club. Nick looks forward to reconnecting with the camaraderie and competition of club life through golf, pickleball, tournaments, and other activities at La Cumbre.

Vanessa grew up in Palos Verdes Estates and moved to Seattle after college, where she worked as a kindergarten teacher. She now works as a part-time substitute teacher at her children’s school, something she and her kids both enjoy. Vanessa is relatively new to golf but has quickly developed a genuine enthusiasm for learning and improving. She also enjoys pickleball and is taking tennis lessons at Elings, and looks forward to becoming involved in the club community.



Nick and Vanessa share a strong passion for an active, family-oriented lifestyle, which is reflected in their children. Their son Gus, 11, is a fifth grader at Peabody Elementary and has been playing golf since age six, participating in First Tee at Santa Barbara Muni, the junior golf program at Twin Lakes, and private lessons. Their daughter Evi, 9, a third grader at Peabody, enjoys junior golf, competitive AYSO soccer, and exploring a variety of sports and activities. As a family, they are eager to build new friendships and make La Cumbre an important part of their Santa Barbara life.

Chris Dailey & Stephanie Culver

Associate

Sponsors: John Davis, Chris Hayden, Mike Paschke, Justin Anderson

Chris is a veteran of the technology sector and a high performing Sales Executive specializing in hardware and SaaS solutions. His career began in New York City, where he served as an advisor to financial institutions and quantitative high-frequency trading firms. In this capacity, he was instrumental in helping some of the world’s most sophisticated trading operations develop and maintain hardened cybersecurity postures.

Chris transitioned his career to the West Coast to support his wife, Stephanie, during her surgical fellowship. Since then, he has continued his trajectory as a leader in the software space while becoming deeply integrated into the local community.

Dr. Stephanie A. Culver is a board certified Otolaryngologist, Head and Neck Surgeon in Santa Barbara, CA. She completed both her medical school and residency training at New York University School of Medicine in Manhattan, NY. During her training in New York City she had the privilege of serving as chief resident at the world renowned Bellevue Hospital Center, the country's oldest public hospital and training ground for thousands of some of the best and brightest physicians and surgeons for over 100 years.

After successful completion of her surgical residency, Dr. Culver transferred to the West Coast to complete her fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA. She then moved to Santa Barbara, CA shortly thereafter, where she started her own practice servicing Santa Barbara County. Dr. Culver is dedicated to providing her community with the highest level ENT care based upon the principles of integrity, honesty, compassion, and professionalism, qualities that all patients deserve.

Outside of their professional lives, Chris is an avid golfer and is passionate about the traditions of the game. Stephanie, through covid, has learned she is a knock out chef and baker. Both Stephanie and Chris never miss an opportunity to go skiing together and love catching a great NHL tilt in MSG or the T-Mobile area. During stone fruit season, Chris keeps particularly busy at the farmers market sourcing the perfect peaches and mailing fresh garlic back to his family in New Jersey (if you know you know). A hike to the inspiration point or a quiet casual weekday date night at Third Window for a smashed burger with their four legged best friend Lucky Dog rounds out their downtime. Chris and Stephanie are proud to call Santa Barbara home and are committed to contributing to the social and professional fabric of the area.

Ric & Andrea Smith

Racquets

Sponsors: Megan Fleming, Jamie Nida, Mike Murphy, Lauren Katz, Sharon Jordano



The Smith family brings together professional accomplishment, a strong commitment to wellness, and a shared enthusiasm for creativity, community, and an active lifestyle. Ric, a technology executive and Wharton MBA, relocated to Santa Barbara in 2021 after two decades in the Bay Area and enjoys cycling, playing guitar, and spending time with family. Andrea, a UCSF-educated Family Nurse Practitioner, is deeply engaged in health, wellness, volunteer work, and her children’s school community, and looks forward to tennis, pickleball, and family events at the Club.

Their children, Brooke and Graham, add a wonderful sense of energy and creativity to the family. Brooke, a rising fifth grader, loves musical theater, singing, guitar, volleyball, cross country, and sewing, while Graham, age eight, enjoys art, engineering builds, tennis, guitar, and time at the pool. Together, the Smiths are an active, thoughtful, and family-oriented household excited to become involved in the Club’s recreational, social, and family programming.