Our Team

Buellton Visitors Bureau is funded by the City Of Buellton, and operated by the Buellton Chamber Of Commerce.

Board Of Directors

The current Board Of Directors for 2020-2021 include:

Tessi Martinez, President

What do I love about Buellton? Where do I start! I love Firestone Brewery with friends. Riding bikes over to Flying Flags and sitting around a pit fire chatting with visitors at the park. Riverview Park offers a great place to walk. Industrial way is great for many things: work out at All Sports – (AWESOME GYM!), go wine or spirit tasting. Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Industrial Eats – many choices for a fun afternoon in our Industrial Zone! And don’t forget Pattibakes, our little hidden gem.

---

Janeen Bouslaugh, Vice President

For me the hidden gems in Buellton are the coffee cabin where I start each day, River View Park for its walking path and botanical gardens and Firestone BarrelWorks for the wild ale beer program. Can’t get any better.

---

Sonia Jimenez, Director

Hello my name is Sonia Jimenez. I am a lifetime resident of Buellton. My family moved here when Pea Soup Andersen’s had a zoo and we could hear the Lion and Elephant, as we lived right across the street. I have fond memories of riding the train and taking pictures in the cut out faces of “Hap Pea and Pea Wee” with my siblings.  

---

Steve Jenkins, Director

My name is Steve Jenkins and I was born in Sacramento, California. Currently, I reside in Solvang. I lived in Sacramento until I was 29 and graduated from Sacramento State University. I moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2005 after receiving a job offer at Chumash Casino Resort. With a degree in Communications, I currently work as Program Manager working with Advertising and Local Marketing for Chumash Casino Resort. My one main hobby I enjoy the most is playing golf. I have thoroughly enjoyed living here in the valley and look forward to spending many more years living in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.

---

Mark Mendenhall, Treasurer

I was born at the Lompoc Hospital (because the Valley didn’t have one) in 1952 and have lived in Buellton all of my life (except for about a year when I lived in Solvang). I attended Buellton School when it was at the site of the Post Office. Kindergarten was in the basement! I graduated from SYVUHS in 1970 alongside my future bride, Vickie. My parents both graduated from the high school in 1948, all of our children graduated from there as well as our oldest granddaughter! I worked for my Dad at the original Buellton Garage for many years. Later I leased the Chevron from Bill Olivera for 25 years (it is now the lube bay). During this time in 1989, I got my contractor’s license and started Mendenhall Construction Co. When Buellton became a city, I was on the original Planning Commission and City Council for 15 years. I later joined the Chamber of Commerce as a board member. My hobbies are racing, collecting gasoline memorabilia and antiques to enhance our museum, Mendenhall Museum of Gasoline Pumps and Petroliana.

---

Rudie Henderson, Military Affairs Chairperson

I was born in Lone Pine, California and joined the Air Force in 1950 and served in Japan and Korea until 1954. I was then sent to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and was discharged in December of 1954. I entered a career involved in the design and development of instruments for missiles and aircraft for over 33 years and retired as a senior microelectronics engineer from Raytheon in 1991. I now serve as the Military Affairs Chairman for the Buellton Chamber of Commerce. My wife Carol and I have lived in Buellton for over 30 years. We have three children, Janet, Mike, and Dean.  We are proud to have two of our grandchildren serving in the armed forces.

---

Chris Merz, Director

I have lived in Buellton for four years and in the Valley for six years. My wife and I love this area because of the natural beauty, small town feel and the many restaurants, wineries, hiking areas and other activities that are available. We have an American Bulldog and an older home that we enjoy renovating  

---

Buellton Visitors Bureau Staff

Kathy Vreeland Executive Director kathy@discoverbuellton.com

---

Marketing Inquiries marketing@discoverbuellton.com

---

Jennifer Mlodzik Office Manager info@discoverbuellton.com

---

Cheryl Kerr Office Assistant info@discoverbuellton.com

---

Public Relations & Media Inquiries pr@discoverbuellton.com