ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
FOUNDED IN 1996
In March of 1996, a group of young professionals residing and working in Santa Barbara formed a club that would cater to individuals interested in enhancing social and professional contacts. The Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club came to be as an outgrowth of an informal gathering of young professionals that socialized on a regular basis at what was referred to as Big Wednesdays. The original members included J. Paul Gignac, Amanda Thomas, Shana Bright, Michael Magne, Laird Cagan, Jim Hazard, Laura Carlos and their illustrious ring-leader Dan Encell.
Throughout the history of the club, its members have been dedicated to assisting various organizations in Santa Barbara.
Organizations that have received financial contributions from SBYPC fundraising activities include Shelter Services for Women, The Special Olympics, Transition House, Direct Relief International, Deserving Dogs, the American Heart Association, the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation to name a few. SBYPC has always attracted a professionally diverse, fun and dynamic group of men and women. The club strives to provide an environment that is conducive to enhancing social and professional contacts. As our organization continues to grow, we infuse greater diversity, vitality and new ideas that are of benefit to all our members.
MEET OUR BOARD

Jason Frantz
PRESIDENT
Jason is the freshly inaugurated and fearless leader of SBYPC, where he also serves as interim Treasurer. Jason is passionate about expanding SBYPC’s reach in the community and increasing the benefit SBYPC brings to its members. When he’s not leading SBYPC towards greatness, Jason is busy practicing law at Brown & Frantz LLP, where he specializes in complex family law. Jason has also served on the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara Barristers, where he went on to become the President.

Kristine Ulrich
VICE PRESIDENT
As second in command, Kristine is charged with executing Jason’s vision by harnessing the collective efforts of the accomplished members on the SBYPC Board. Besides being tasked with wrangling cats, Kristine heads the SBYPC Gala Committee and she established the SBYPC Foundation, where she serves as Secretary. Kristine is also an attorney and serves on the Public Affairs Committee for the Junior League of Santa Barbara, drafting and advocating for legislation aimed at combating human trafficking.

Jon Standring
SPONSORSHIP DIRECTOR
Jon is the O.G. of SBYPC; earning the title of longest serving active SBYPC Board Member, Jon serves as Sponsorship Director and SBYPC Immediate Past President. Jon is also the current President of the SBYPC Foundation and the Founder and President of the residential and commercial real estate firm, Beachside Partners. Additionally, Jon serves as a Committee Member with the American Heart Association and a Member of the Board of Directors for the Central Housing Coalition.

Justin Dees
events director
Having served as Events Director for the past several years, Justin is not only a pro at finding a new, exciting home for the SBYPC Business Casual Mixers each month, he is also the go-to guy for financing the purchase of actual family homes. Justin is a Mortgage Loan Expert with Home Services Lending and serves on the Board of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors for Events and Education. Justin is also a former SBYPC President.

Beth Boire
Non-Profit Coordinator
As the Supreme Guru of all things non-profit, Beth scours Santa Barbara County for especially deserving local non-profits to feature for SBYPC Members and Guests at each Monthly Business Casual Mixer. When she’s not procuring non-profits locally, Beth is traveling the world as the Global Procurement Manager for Deckers Brands. In her non-existent free time, Beth serves as the Branding Chair for the Junior League of Santa Barbara.

ERICA RUIZ
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
When she’s not jet-setting across Europe, Erica serves as a CPA, Financial Accounting Analyst with the Santa Barbara County Audito-Controller’s Office. Any questions regarding SBYPC Membership (or taxes…)? Erica is the Membership Master!

SCOTT OVERSTREET
CULTURAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
Though Scott’s job is brokering technology infrastructures at TopRight Telecom, everyone knows Scotty O’s unofficial title is Ambassador of Cultural Affairs for Santa Barbara. With his knowledge of what is going on, with who, and where, it was only natural that Scott take on the Cultural Affairs position. Scotty O always knows the hottest places to go.

ANDREA POSEY
Member Liaison
After winning Santa Barbara Young Professional of 2015, Andrea decided to join the SBYPC Board. Andrea is a practicing attorney, specializing in litigation at Amyx Merrill LLP. Andrea is also the Santa Barbara Young Professional of the Year Director for 2017 – if you want to nominate anyone, let Andrea know!

NICK WEISER
Sponsorship liaison
The SBYPC Board is thrilled to welcome our newest Board Member, Nick. While he may be new to the job, Nick has wasted no time ‘insuring’ communication channels are open with other organizations in the community. As Managing Partner of The Weiser Agency, Nick specializes in insuring other things, too – insurance solutions for protecting clients’ personal or business assets. The Wiser Agency is currently in the Top 3% of all Farmers Insurance Agencies nationwide.