Nora Dunbar & Gordon Abra

Regular (current ST)

Sponsors:  Matt & Roberta Collier, MJ Baumgartner, Joan Tomeo, Chris Portney

Dr. Norah Dunbar and Dr. Gordon Abra moved to Santa Barbara from Norman, Oklahoma in 2014 after both accepted positions at UC Santa Barbara—Norah as a Professor and later Chair (2015–2021) and Gordon as a Lecturer in the Communication Department. They met in graduate school at the University of Arizona, where Norah earned her PhD in Communication and Gordon in Sociology. Their son, Robert Abra-Dunbar, is 17, a rising senior in the International Baccalaureate program at Dos Pueblos High School, and a former member of the school’s golf team. Norah is an avid golfer with a 12 handicap, a five-time club champion at Glen Annie, winner of the 2024 Santa Barbara Senior Open, and the current club champion of the Women’s League at Santa Barbara Golf Club. Gordon plays hockey in two local leagues and enjoys pickleball and other racket sports.



Both Norah and Gordon grew up as members of private clubs in Canada and value the community and responsibility that comes with membership. They joined as Tennis/Social members of La Cumbre in 2021 and are now seeking Equity membership to allow Norah and Robert to play more golf together and to give Robert the same social experiences they both enjoyed in their youth.

Tony Chase & Dina Alsowayel

Non-Resident

Sponsors:  Jeff Jordano, Bert Banta, Sharon Jordano, Lauren Kats

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Tony has been happily married to his wife, Dina, for over 35 years. Together, they’ve raised two children who continue to be a source of pride and inspiration. 



A seasoned entrepreneur, Tony, has founded and successfully exited multiple ventures, including Cricket Communications, an innovative wireless company that was ultimately acquired by AT&T. His passion for building and scaling businesses has defined his dynamic career in the private sector. 

Currently, he serves on the boards of four publicly traded companies: LyondellBasell, Nabors Industries, Cullen/Frost Bankers, and NESR. In addition to his corporate work, he is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy, serving as a trustee of the Houston Endowment. 

His leadership extends into public service as well, having formerly held the role of Vice Chairman of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank and Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership. With a deep commitment to innovation, economic development, and community advancement, Tony continues to be a respected voice in both business and civic circles. 

Chris & Shannon O’Neal

Social TenNon-Residentnis

Sponsors: David Prichard, Jason Spievak, Dave Dawson, Greg Moss 

Chris grew up in Bakersfield, CA, and moved to Santa Barbara in 1999 to attend UCSB. It was there that he met his wife, Shannon. They married in 2006. In 2012, he founded Joint Ventures LLC, which has since become the largest franchisee of The Joint Chiropractic, operating 65 locations across five states. 

An avid ice hockey player, he plays twice a week in Reno and enjoys golf, skiing, snowboarding, and has recently taken up tennis and pickleball. In 2021, he and his family purchased a second home in Santa Barbara, with plans to move there full- time once their children leave for college in approximately four years. Santa Barbara holds a special place in their hearts, as it is where he and Shannon met, married, and frequently visit. Until their permanent move, they look forward to enjoying the club as non-resident members and building new friendships within the community. 

Monica Kaderali

Social Tennis

Sponsors:  : Lauren Katz, Taryn O’Flaherty, Jason Spievak, Ryan Fell

Born and raised in Marin County, California, Monica spent winters skiing and summers hiking in Lake Tahoe. After graduating from Tulane University, she traveled before enrolling at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, where she earned a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine to become an acupuncturist.

Upon graduation, she moved back to Marin, where she met her husband, Karim Kaderali, who was living and working in Santa Barbara. After several years of long- distance, he finally "imported" her to his beloved Santa Barbara. She, too, soon fell in love with the seaside town, nestled between the mountains.



While her husband built his business, Santa Barbara Axxess, she focused on raising their children, Sierra and Devin, and managing their home. As the children grew older, she returned to part-time work, and life was fulfilling. Santa Barbara Axxess became a great source of pride for their family—built from the ground up, it grew into the largest school fundraiser in Santa Barbara, generating millions for local schools and nonprofits. It also provided a valuable membership and discount program, allowing families to save on dining, automotive services, and more.

When COVID-19 hit and the economy shut down, they decided to fulfill her long-held dream from her years of travel and move to Costa Rica, giving their children a year to immerse themselves in Spanish. What was meant to be a one-year adventure turned into three incredible years of exploring Costa Rica and Central America, learning Spanish, surfing, and ocean swimming. Their children attended a top-tier international school and formed lifelong friendships with peers from around the world.

As they approached their fourth year in Costa Rica, tragedy struck when Monica’s husband contracted meningitis and passed away suddenly. Wanting to be close to family and friends, she made the decision to return to Santa Barbara this past August. As she and her children work to rebuild their lives without their beloved husband and father, they remain committed to living the life he would have wanted for them—back in the town they love so much.

Megan & Christian Vanderwall

Regular (current Associate)

Sponsors:  Josh Macaluso, Pat McAlister, Tim Casey, Phil & Leslie Haight

After living together in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, Megan and Christian moved to Megan’s hometown of Santa Barbara at the end of 2021. They bought a home on the Mesa and welcomed their son Wesley in September 2024. They have enjoyed their first year at the club as Associate Members and are excited about the opportunity to be involved long term as Regular Members. Christian is a computer software engineer and Megan is an interior designer. In their free time, they both look forward to improving their golf and tennis games. Most of all, they are excited to raise Wes with lots of sports, community, and fun at the Club!

Doug & Stacey Carman

Regular

Sponsors:  : Sharon Jordano, Bob Kopf, Bert Banta, Jason Spievak

Doug grew up in California's San Joaquin Valley and spent over 30 years in corporate agriculture, developing and managing citrus farming operations across California, Texas, and Mexico. In 2018, he transitioned out of the corporate world to focus more on his family's citrus farms in the San Joaquin Valley. Doug and his family have been part-time residents of Santa Barbara for 12 years, and they're now shifting towards a slower pace, spending more time in Santa Barbara and less on business

management.

Doug and Stacey have been married for 40 years and have a grown son and daughter. They love traveling, enjoying the outdoors, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Peter & Mary Connolly

Social Tennis

Sponsors:  Hank Mitchell, Pietro Amirkhanian, Tim Casey, Lauren Katz

Peter was born and raised in Pacific Palisades, the youngest of four siblings, including a twin brother. He earned his degree from UCSB before attending Loyola Law School, where he specialized in corporate law. Peter started his career as an associate at Paul Hastings, then transitioned to Kirkland & Ellis to focus on real estate and fund formation. He became a partner in 2019.

Mary, originally from Minnesota, lived in Indiana and Pennsylvania before heading to California to attend UCSB, where she double majored in Communication and Sociology. After graduating, she moved to LA and began a career in advertising.

Peter and Mary met at UCSB and married in 2014 at LACC. They have three young children—Della, Callie, and Rowan. While they’ve lived in Pacific Palisades, they recently relocated to Santa Barbara due to the fires. The family enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and is looking forward to connecting with more families at La Cumbre.

Andrew & Kimberly Kootman

Regular

Sponsors:  Ed Fisher, Marcus Morales, Patrick Graham, Josh Macaluso

Andrew grew up immersed in the country club lifestyle, cherishing the memories and opportunities it provided. An avid golfer, he’s excited to share his passion for the game with his children as they grow.



Kimberly, a former elementary school teacher, has a love for family and travel. A native of Santa Barbara, she was a La Cumbre member from a young age.

The couple values an active lifestyle and is looking forward to joining La Cumbre and becoming part of the community.

Ryan & Jannise Babbush

Regular

Sponsors:  John Davis, Sharon Jordano, Jason Spievak, Ed Fisher

Ryan was born in Newport Beach and grew up playing golf at the Santa Ana Country Club, where his family were members. Some of his fondest memories are of learning the game there. He played varsity golf throughout high school and college before pursuing a PhD in physics at Harvard University, which he completed in 2015. Since then, he has worked as a research scientist at Google and is now one of the directors of Google’s Quantum AI team. His team focuses on developing new algorithms and applications for quantum computing. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys surfing and has traveled to more

than sixty countries.

Jannise was born in Huntington Beach, CA, and spent her early years in Orange County before moving to the Bay Area in fifth grade. She earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz and later completed a PhD in chemistry at USC. After graduating, she worked as a product manager for two tech companies before co- founding a health and wellness products company in 2019 with colleagues from her PhD program. The company was successfully sold in 2023. Passionate about travel, Jannise once spent a summer in Bangkok, Thailand, conducting chemistry research on a grant. It was there that she met Ryan, a fellow scientist and traveler from California. Today, Ryan and Jannise are married and have two children.

James & Karina Ballantyne

Social Clubhouse

Sponsors:  Kristin Linehan, Alex McGeever, Tyler Powell, Tom Brennan

While pursuing his PhD in robotics in London, James discovered Parkour (free running) and quickly developed both skill and passion for the sport. After relocating to Santa Barbara, he founded a local Parkour group and began teaching as a side hustle. A few years later, he returned to his first love—golf—spending two years as the head varsity golf coach at Santa Barbara High.

Meanwhile, after graduating from UCSB, Karina worked as a personal trainer and dance fitness instructor around town. Intrigued by the challenge of Parkour, she reached out to James for lessons. Three years later, they were married, tackling DIY home projects together, and raising the sweetest Australian Shepherd puppy.

A career opportunity took James and Karina away from Santa Barbara for five years. Karina launched her real estate career just days before the COVID lockdowns, while remote work opened new possibilities. They spent time in Half Moon Bay—just a stone’s throw from Mavericks—before enjoying a dreamy chapter on the north shore of Kauai. These experiences deepened their desire to return to Santa Barbara one day.

Now, they are grateful to be back and settled on the Mesa. Their two-year-old daughter, Artemis, joyfully attends Montessori Center School and is an active little one with a love for swimming. James continues his work in robotics, while Karina helps buyers and sellers make their Santa Barbara dream a reality.

Dr. Barry & Sandy Pressman

Non-Resident

Sponsors:  Paul Portney, Lauren Katz, Alan Harden, Jane Lodas

Dr. Pressman is professor and chair of the Department of Imaging at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He also serves as chief of the Section of Neuroradiology and Head and Neck Radiology at Cedars-Sinai. He has served on many Boards including the Board of the Metropolitan Water District and the editorial advisory boards of the Journal of the American College of Radiology and the American Journal of Neuroradiology.



Sandy is very active in the arts in addition to her work on the Board of the LA Philharmonic. She serves on the Board of a small, modern opera company- Beth Morrison Productions. Sandy’s first love is the Beverly Hills Rotary. She is on the Board and will soon be president. She has been involved with Rotary for many years and loves the philanthropic aspects locally and internationally, as well as the camaraderie.

They love dining out and have a special affinity for hamburgers from fine dining to fast food. Barry enjoys bike riding, and they both enjoy playing bridge, but golf comes first!

Rusty & Kara Reed

Regular (current Social Tennis)

Sponsors:  Dave Dawson, Graham Bell, Jim Buttimer, Ryan Fell

Rusty is originally from Dallas and Kara is from Los Angeles but have proudly called Santa Barbara home for the past 20 years. They have been dedicated tennis members at La Cumbre Country Club for the past 18 years. Throughout this time, the club has played a central role in their lives, serving as the backdrop for countless summer days, family celebrations, and cherished moments as they raised their four boys. Grateful for the friendships they've built within the community, they are now excited to expand their experiences at the club by adding golf to their repertoire of treasured memories.

Emily & Noel Cohen

Social Tennis

Sponsors:  Jenna Perez, Nancy Downing, Ty Varying, Jane Lodas

Noel, a Southern California native, has called Santa Barbara home since 1994. With a background in communications, media, and technology, he has held roles at several local tech firms and been involved with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. In recent years, he transitioned into the clean tech sector. Noel also serves on the Board of Trustees at Congregation B’nai Brith. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys mountain biking, snow sports, and time on the ocean, as well as making memories with his wife and their two children, ages 8 and 10.

Emily was born and raised in Santa Barbara and has lived here continuously since 2012. With over 22 years of experience in renewable energy development, she currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Primergy Solar. In her free time, Emily enjoys yoga, cooking, crafting, traveling, and cherishing time with her family.

Jennifer Cotteleer & Stephen McFeely

Social Tennis

Sponsors:  Sara Loncki, Melissa Henderson, Jane Lodas, Evan Berger

Jennifer recently relocated with her family from Los Angeles, where she built a dynamic career spanning over 20 years in the entertainment and event industries. As an actress, she appeared in national commercials and was an active member of the LA theater community. In the world of events, she specialized in sponsorship management and coordination for high-profile productions, including GQ’s Men of the Year, the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, and the annual SAG Awards. Most notably, she spent a decade managing a key sponsorship partnership with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Since 2018, Jennifer has supported her screenwriter husband on various creative projects while embracing her role as a dedicated mother to their daughter, Georgie. Now, she is excited to embark on this new chapter in Santa Barbara, embracing both family life and her new community. Stephen has been a working screenwriter for over two decades. His feature credits include The Chronicles of Narnia and Captain America franchises, You Kill Me, Pain & Gain, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and The Gray Man.

In television, he created the series Agent Carter and wrote The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, for which he won an Emmy. His next feature, The Electric State, premieres on Netflix in March. Alongside his writing partner, Chris Markus, Stephen holds the title of the highest-grossing screenwriter in history. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, theater, bike riding, college football, and writing concise autobiographies.

David & Stefanie Jackson

Equity

Sponsors:  Henning Thorsen, Josh Macaluso, Tom Brennan, Dave Dawson

The Jackson family has proudly called Montecito home for the past 10 years. David and Stefanie cherish raising their sons, Hunter (11) and Quinn (8), in the warm and welcoming Santa Barbara community.

Deeply engaged in local philanthropy, David has played a key role in helping numerous nonprofit organizations raise millions for disaster relief, education, and environmental preservation. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and is also an active board member at Laguna Blanca School.



Stefanie embraces her role as a stay-at-home mom, dedicated to providing her children with the best education and keeping them active with a variety of after-school activities. Hunter and Quinn are proud students at Laguna Blanca School and are eager to connect with friends whose families are members of La Cumbre Country Club.

David and Stefanie are excited about the opportunity to join LCCC, where their children can benefit from exceptional athletic and social experiences. As members, they look forward to becoming actively involved in the club’s vibrant community and participating in its many gatherings throughout the year.

Jim & Steph Linn

Regular

Sponsors:  Bob Atwater, Mike Westmacott, Scott Vincent, John Vincent

Jim was born and raised in Southern California where he attended UC Santa Barbara. He began his career in real estate right out of college and is currently the Executive Vice president of Western U.S Institutional Industrial Capital Markets for Newmark. 

Steph moved to Santa Barbara when she was in first grade. She attended UCLA where she rowed crew competitively. She began her career in the commercial mortgage business and later worked in the marketing department for Advanced Bionics and was also a substitute math teacher. They have two grown children, and a Springer Spaniel named Maverick. The couple love skiing, hiking, golf, and tennis.

Katie & Adam Crook

Associate

Sponsors:  Sue Wilcox, Paul & Chris Portney, Hillary Sims, Tracy Jenkins 

Katie & Adam are high school sweethearts who share a love for travel, golf and collecting unique wines. Adam began his electrical engineering studies at UCSB in 2003 before moving to Austin, TX to complete his PhD at the University of Texas. Since returning to Santa Barbara in 2012, he has worked for a variety of technology companies but is currently the Chief Scientist for Teledyne FLIR. Katie began working as a kitchen & bath designer in 2005. 

After working in the industry for over a decade, she opened Heritage Cabinetry & Design in 2017. When they are not working (or golfing) you might find them entertaining friends and family at their home in Solvang. Or maybe watching a movie with their dog, Princess, and cat, Ozzy Pawsbourne.

Derek & Carolyn White

Regular

Sponsors:  Jane Lodas, Lauren Katz, Bob Kopf, Anna Friederich

Five years ago, Derek & Carolyn knew the time was right to leave their long-time East coast life and embark on their “second half” life journey in Santa Barbara. Derek’s work afforded him the ability to lead the company from the West coast, where they have some business offices. Upon arrival, the Newcomers organization proved a fantastic way for them to meet new friends and get introduced to the attributes and activities connected with this wonderful part of the world. 

After his MBA in computer decision support systems, his profession from day one has been at the intersection of the Marketing, Design & Technology. From the early years introducing the personal computer throughout the business ecosystem, to later launching some very early and notable Internet companies focused on college students. For the last twelve years, he has served as President and CEO of a portfolio of Advertising and Marketing Agencies serving primarily Fortune 1000 clients. They both love the outdoors, good food and the laid-back Santa Barbara lifestyle.

Mark & Elizabeth Magid

Regular

Sponsors:  Ryan Fell, Jason Mochi, Dave Dawson, Dr. Marc Bienstock

Mark, a native of Santa Barbara, is a graduate of San Marcos High School and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He runs Below Magid Construction as a local general contractor. Mark has been active in the community, serving on the board of the Santa Barbara Contractor’s Association and as a board member for the Montecito Rotary Club. Additionally, he has a long-standing involvement with the Police Activities organization, where he previously served as Board President. He enjoys outdoor activities such as volleyball, pickleball, backcountry skinning, and waterskiing. 

Beth, originally from San Diego, met Mark while studying Business and Accounting at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After years as a Finance Manager at Below Magid Construction, she’s looking forward to her anticipated retirement party in 2022. In her free time, Beth loves cooking and enjoys playing sports and games with family and friends. The couple have 3 children: Charlie, Jake and Reese. 

Greg & Kim Wells

Regular

Sponsors:  JD Davis, Nick Katzenstein, Andy Winchester, Kathy & Mike Gallagher

Greg was raised in Santa Barbara before earning his degree from the University of Oregon. He began his career as a banker and later transitioned into leadership roles within global peer group organizations. Since 2015, he has served as Chief Operating Officer of TIGER 21. Greg also founded several businesses, including an event company in partnership with the University of Oregon, which creates unique game-day experiences at Oregon athletic events.

Kim, also a Santa Barbara native, graduated from the USC Dental School and worked as a dental hygienist in Santa Barbara and San Diego for many years. Now retired, she enjoys pursuing her passions of family, travel, pickleball, skiing, and improving her golf game. 

Together, Greg and Kim have three adult daughters and two grandsons. They look forward to creating lasting memories at the club with friends and family. 

Jeff Omdahl

Regular

Sponsors:  Chris Portney, Walter Hishmeh, Glenn Carter, Eloy Ortega

Jeff and his family have been members of La Cumbre for over 25 years. He has 4 daughters that grew up with great memories of the club, from lessons with Bobbie at the aquatic center to tennis lessons from John Kinsella that lead his youngest daughter to play on the high school team and club tennis in college. 

Jeff spent his career in the financial services industry working for well-known and recognizable names in the ETF and Private equity firms and currently for an LA based firm that represents Private debt, Private Equity and R/E funds. 



Jeff enjoys introducing his grandkids to the club and having a new generation participate in the La Cumbre experience. He’s looking to revitalize his golf game and looks forward to many more years of enjoyment at the club.