TV Santa Barbara Announces New Board Appointments, Emeritus Honors, and Advisory Board Members Following 50th Anniversary Celebration

Erik Davis~Posted On July 9, 2025

Santa Barbara, CA — TV Santa Barbara (TVSB), the region’s nonprofit community media center, is pleased to announce a series of exciting leadership updates following its milestone 50th Anniversary Celebration and recent Board of Directors meeting. These appointments reflect TVSB’s continued growth and deep commitment to amplifying local voices and media innovation in the community.

TVSB has officially established an Emeritus Board to recognize distinguished leaders whose long-standing contributions have shaped the organization. The inaugural honorees include:

  • Meighann Helene, Board Chair
  • Michael Mongold, Secretary
  • Tracy Beard, Board Member

Each was honored during the anniversary event and will continue to serve as trusted advisors to the organization.

TVSB also welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors:

  • Ben Wahler, a seasoned media and communications executive with nearly 20 years of global experience, most recently at Deckers Brands.
  • Jamie Knee, a longtime TVSB supporter and current Event Chair for the Association for Women in Communications.
  • David Starkey, a celebrated TVSB producer and host of The Creative Community, and former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate.
  • Emily Zinn, Associate Director of UCSB’s Carsey-Wolf Center, where she leads media programming and academic initiatives. She is also a partner in TVSB’s new internship stipend program.

In addition, the organization has launched a new Advisory Board to expand its network of talent and expertise. The first two appointees include:

  • Jessie Ward O’Sullivan, a multimedia producer at UCSB with over 20 years of experience in film, television, and interactive media.
  • Dr. Lois Phillips, a communications consultant, author, and former TVSB host known for her work in public speaking and women’s leadership.

“These new and returning leaders reflect the heart of TV Santa Barbara’s mission—to inform, inspire, and engage our community through media,” said Erik Davis, Executive Director of TVSB. “We’re excited for the energy, ideas, and experience they bring to our team as we move actively into the future.”

For more information about TV Santa Barbara and its leadership, visit www.tvsantabarbara.org.

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