Staff
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Director of Membership and Marketing
Chamber Office:
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My best memory of Cambria:
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A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
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Nancy Carr
Office Manager
Chamber Office:
I have been working in the Chamber office for at least 14 years and enjoy every day of it. I love hearing the interesting questions from our visitors, answering those questions and recommending the appropriate Chamber business to accommodate their needs.
And, of course, everyone says they would love to live here!
My best memory of Cambria:
The "good ole' days" when I first moved here in the 1980's. Of course, I was a lot younger then, too!
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
For me and most locals it would be the Fiscalini Ranch and San Simeon Cove. But, for visitors, you have to see the elephant seals, Hearst Castle, and maybe a zebra or two.
Plus, we have fabulous restaurants and wonderful shops.
Board of Directors
2025-2026
Stephen Kniffen
President
2024-2025
Sea Chest Restaurant
805-927-4514
skniffen1@charter.net
The best part of serving on the Board:
Small business is the backbone of the American economy and every local member of our Chamber qualifies as such. Cambria is a unique little spot, buried away on the coast. It’s not the easiest place to make a living. I take a lot of pride in blending those two vital aspects of our community, trying to find a way to live here and operate a small business. Our Chamber is dedicated to making both of those things easier to achieve.
My best memory of Cambria:
When the Pope came to town in the 70’s.
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
Some 2,000 yards, south, down the beach from the Lampton Park access, there is a house built into the cliff that is unseeable from the bluff. Built a long time ago, it is only accessible on very low tides, in as it is trespassing to be on the bluff (or enter the building), and the people running Rancho Marino don’t want you down there, but it’s there.
Melissa Avina
Vice President
2025-2026
Pacific Premier Bank
805-369-5227
The best part of serving on the Board:
I love networking with local businesses and building relationships with the people who make them thrive. I also really enjoy working with this board-we, a dedicated, hardworking team that collaborates to get things done efficiently.
My best memory of Cambria:
It’s hard to choose just one thing, but I feel truly blessed to be in Cambria, raising my family in such a beautiful and supportive community.
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
Moonstone Beach has a beautiful walking path with access to the beach. The sunsets are amazing. You can catch the local surfers catching a wave. It is just breathtaking.
Juli Amodei
Board Director
2024-2025
12 Toes Promotions
559-760-1258
The best part of serving on the Board:
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
-Audrey Hepburn
It brings me great joy to work towards finding ways to help our community. The exchange of different ideas and perspectives is inspiring.! Certainly have reached a point in my life where my true joy comes from service above self and extending that hand to others. Also, learning so much from those on this board, gaining their insights and ideas.
My best memory of Cambria:
There are so many but, so thankful for our neighbors who have become family to us. We try and eat together almost every Sunday night and there is something truly special in being around a dinner table with food and friends, it feeds my soul. New memories created every week! Cambria is home.
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
The hike at San Simeon Cove, along the coast. (right outside of Cambria) The walk never gets old. It is the best of Mother Nature as you hike through different microhabitats, worth taking your lunch in a backpack and finding a rock to sit down on, the ocean never disappoints! Hard to give just one place, so many special spots.
Maira Arellano
Secretary
2024-2025
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
805-395-1319
The best part of serving on the Board:
The best part of being on the board is to serve our businesses and help connect them with the right resources for growth and development of the community.
My best memory of Cambria:
No special memory in Cambria, because everyday is memorable in paradise…
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
Must see in Cambria is the beautiful Moonstone Beach and its views!!! As well as the downtown and all the unique and eclectic shops!
Rebecca Biskaduros
Board Director
Finishing Term 2024-2025
The best part of serving on the Board:
Knowing we are helping to build a stronger community for all living in our little village and all those visiting as well.
My best memory of Cambria:
Is the feeling when we moved here from across the country to open our store and feeling so much love, kindness and appreciation from our new customers even in the midst of Covid.
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
Is Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and then a short drive up the coast to San Simeon to hopefully catch a glimpse of the wild zebra near Hearst Castle.
Karen Cartwright
Board Director
2025-2026
The best part of serving on the Board:
The best part of serving on the Cambria Chamber of Commerce Board is having the opportunity to make an impact on our local businesses and community. It's incredibly
rewarding to collaborate with fellow business owners, support economic growth, bring tourists to our beautiful town, and create events that bring people together
My best memory of Cambria:
One of my favorite memories is the first time I discovered Moonstone Beach—a place I had never seen before. As I rounded the corner, I was completely taken aback by its breathtaking beauty and picturesque scenery. Even today, I never take its beauty for granted
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
There is a short trail that goes up the hill on the south side of Moonstone Beach, offering a stunning panoramic view of the coastline and surrounding hills. If you look closely, you can even spot an old Indian grinding hole nestled in the outcropping of rocks.
Christina Galloway
Board Director
2025-2026
Santo/Sage
805-857-8883
The best part of serving on the Board:
Coming together as a group to create new opportunities for the community and local businesses—and always finding a reason to laugh!​
My best memory of Cambria:
We bought our home from the beautiful Pat Hascall—a long-time resident, active community member, and steward of this land. In preparation for Pat’s move, our neighborhood (to be) was throwing a going-away block party, which Pat and her daughter Anne graciously expanded into a welcome party for us! An afternoon turned late night filled with laughter, love, and tears that deeply instilled in me the spirit of local community. Cambria is a magical place that can’t be explained in words.
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
Harvey Beach.
Gayle Jenkins
Treasurer
2025-2026
Re-Max Pines By The Sea
714-315-3284
The best part of serving on the Board:
There’s nothing more rewarding than supporting the small businesses that give our town its unique charm and helping our community thrive. Cambria is more than just a place to live and work—it’s a special gem on the Central Coast, filled with incredible people, creativity, and heart. Being able to promote tourism, connect to local businesses, and contribute to the growth of our beautiful town is truly an honor. I love Cambria, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to give back to the place I call home.
My best memory of Cambria:
Vacationing in Cambria as a kid. We would rent a house for a week and explore everything Cambria had to offer. We’d spend a lot of the time climbing the rocks along the shore hunting for seashell as well as going on hikes. We couldn’t wait to shop and find someplace fun to eat for lunch. I remember going out to Linn’s Farm and buying fruit and meeting the dogs and speaking with John Linn……that was over 40 years ago.
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
The hikes in Cambria and San Simeon are amazing! The Fiscalini Ranch along the cliffs is a must. A favorite not everyone knows about is just up the road in San Simeon near the pier. You have to walk along the beach to get to the starting point of the hike and it’s well worth the sand in your shoes. Best views of the ocean and shoreline and if you’re really lucky, you may run into a bull.
Renee Linn
Board Director
2025-2026
The best part of serving on the Board:
I enjoy getting to meet and hearing the concerns of other business leaders. I can tend to get lost in the activities of my business and being on the board broadens my vision as to events and other types of businesses in Cambria.
My best memory of Cambria:
The best memory would be driving into the village with our caravan of kids and belongings realizing that this would be our forever home. It has turned out to be way more than we ever expected.
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria:
A must see place we enjoy here in Cambria is the winding, beautiful country drive on Santa Rosa Creek Road. This road used to be old Highway 46 until they relocated it to Green Valley in the early 1970's, the only way to the coast from the Salinas Valley. It showcases the variety of agriculture and old farmhouses of the original settlers and is a great place to hike, bike or drive. We enjoy it daily as we claim it as the road to our home.