Meet our Board

Tom is the Executive Vice President and Regional Manager of the Central Coast area for the Banc of California. Mr. Strait’s banking experience spans three decades, with banks in Los Angeles, San Diego and Texas. He has held a diverse array of positions during his career in banking including, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Credit Officer and Managing Director of Alternative Delivery Channels. Mr. Strait is active in the local nonprofit community, recently serving as the Board Chair of Goodwill Central Coast. He proactively seeks out sponsorship opportunities with valued community groups, such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County. Mr. Strait actively participates in ongoing education through the California Bankers Association and the Risk Management Association.

Morgen Houlis, a CPA and Principal with Glenn Burdette for 25 years, is an expert in cost segregation studies and fixed and capitalized asset concepts, focusing on the hospitality industry. She is also passionate about trust administration. In addition to serving as acting Treasurer for the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, Morgen serves as Treasurer for RISE, an organization which provides crisis intervention and treatment services to survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. Morgen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly and has practiced as a licensed CPA in New York and Wyoming. She is the former Treasurer of both SLOHS Boosters and San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.

Brandon Downing is a Strategy, Policy, Organizational Effectiveness, and Engagement Expert with Pacific Gas and Electric Company at Diablo Canyon Power Plant. He joined PG&E in 2023 after working in local broadcast television for 27 years, most recently as Marketing and Creative Director at KSBY-TV. Mr. Downing has been recognized for his exceptional work and is a four-time Emmy award winner from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He is highly active in the local community, serving on numerous non-profit boards and is a member of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. He spent most of his childhood in the small coastal town of Cambria and is a graduate of Cal Poly. He and his wife Shannon live in Arroyo Grande with their son, Carter.

Skylar has over 24 years of experience in the wine industry. Born in Portland, he has lived around the world and holds an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. Skylar also serves on the Rhône Rangers Board of Directors, Partner Advisory Board of MUST! Charities, and Trade Marketing Committee of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.

Having moved from Seattle in 2021, Stacy continues to advocate for the arts here in San Luis Obispo. She served on the Pacific Northwest Ballet board for a decade and was instrumental in growing DanceChance, PNB’s successful youth outreach program. Stacy reviewed performing arts for county grant-funding purposes at 4Culture and fundraised with SAMS, the Seattle Art Museum Supporters group. She was raised in Ventura County, holds a BA in English Literature from UCLA, is an RYT200 yoga instructor, and is very grateful to be back near her family in California.

Claude works with Farmers Insurance in Atascadero. He has always been passionate about music and has maintained a presence in a variety of musical groups. Whether as a session musician or leading original music ensembles, his love and commitment to the arts has always burned brightly. Claude resides in San Luis Obispo with his wife Amanda, and their beloved dogs.

Ashley Wilken heads up The Rice Partnership’s offices in California. Ms. Wilken is a Cal Poly graduate with a degree in Agribusiness and an MBA with a concentration in Agribusiness. Previous to The Rice Partnership, she worked as a commercial and agricultural lender in San Luis Obispo County. Ms. Wilken is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM, Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) and NFLPA Registered Player Financial Advisor. She is passionate about the arts and enjoys bringing her family to the PAC for a variety of performances.