Milestones

Mike Day '90

Mike Day, BA 1990, a longtime real estate professional, has joined Knight Real Estate Group, one of Santa Barbara’s top-producing real estate teams and an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, as Director of Operations.

Christopher Griffith '91

I am proud to announce the publication of Urban Trails: San Diego by Mountaineers Books, which I co-wrote with Susie Kara Slater. This guidebook showcases San Diego’s stunning variety of landscapes. It features routes across six distinct regions: Beaches & Bays, North, Central, Mission Trails, East, and South Bay. From La Jolla’s coastline and downtown waterfront paths to inland peaks in Mission Trails Regional Park and quiet canyon trails near Chula Vista, every hike offers a new way to explore the region’s natural beauty.

Rachelle O. Barnier '06

Rachelle O. Barnier, CPA and partner, BA 2006, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co. LLP, celebrates 50th year in business, Pacific Coast Business Times.

https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2026/02/06/central-coast-accounting-firm-marks-50th-anniversary/

Larry W. Brown '00

Larry W. Brown, CPA and partner, BA 2000, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co. LLP, celebrates 50th year in business, Pacific Coast Business Times.

https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2026/02/06/central-coast-accounting-firm-marks-50th-anniversary/

Tom A. Burk '92

Tom A. Burk, CPA and partner, 1992, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co. LLP, celebrates 50th year in business, Pacific Coast Business Times.

https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2026/02/06/central-coast-accounting-firm-marks-50th-anniversary/

Jody Dolan Holehouse '81

Jody Dolan Holehouse, CPA, CMA, and partner, BA 1981, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co. LLP, celebrates 50th year in business, Pacific Coast Business Times.

https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2026/02/06/central-coast-accounting-firm-marks-50th-anniversary/

Cody Makela '08

Cody Makela, BA 2008, partner at Arlington Financial Advisors, elected President of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.
He and his father, Craig Makela, are the first father-son duo to both serve as president of the organization.

https://www.independent.com/2026/02/04/first-father-son-presidents-of-historic-santa-barbara-nonprofit/

Tom A. Olson '03

Tom A. OIson, CPA and partner, BS 2003, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co. LLP, celebrates 50th year in business, Pacific Coast Business Times.

https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2026/02/06/central-coast-accounting-firm-marks-50th-anniversary/

Sarah E. Turner '03

Sarah E. Turner, CPA and partner, BA 2003, Nasif, Hicks, Harris & Co. LLP, celebrates 50th year in business, Pacific Coast Business Times.

https://www.pacbiztimes.com/2026/02/06/central-coast-accounting-firm-marks-50th-anniversary/

Justin Pollack '93

Justin Pollack, RICP, BA, partner, 1993, Channel Wealth, a boutique financial planning and wealth management firm, is proud to announce that it has surpassed $1 billion in client assets as of November 2025. To support this growth and enhance client service, the firm has expanded to a new State Street office location and larger office space, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Santa Barbara community.

Chris Snowden '01

Chris Snowden, BS 2001, partner, Channel Wealth, a boutique financial planning and wealth management firm, is proud to announce that it has surpassed $1 billion in client assets as of November 2025. To support this growth and enhance client service, the firm has expanded to a new State Street office location and larger office space, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Santa Barbara community.

Bertie Magit '13

Bertie Magit, BA 2013, a transactional attorney with experience in a variety of industries, including technology, life sciences, financial services, health, and consumer products, joined the premier, full-service law firm Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy, in December of 2025.

Justin Anderson '01

Justin Anderson CFP®, CLU®, CRC®, BA, 2001, partner, Channel Wealth, a boutique financial planning and wealth management firm, is proud to announce that it has surpassed $1 billion in client assets as of November 2025. To support this growth and enhance client service, the firm has expanded to a new State Street office location and larger office space, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Santa Barbara community.

Maxwell Phillips '06

Maxwell Phillips, AIF, BA, 2006, partner, Channel Wealth, a boutique financial planning and wealth management firm, is proud to announce that it has surpassed $1 billion in client assets as of November 2025. To support this growth and enhance client service, the firm has expanded to a new State Street office location and larger office space, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Santa Barbara community.

Gayle Nagy '73

Gayle Nagy, BA, 1973, a well-known mortgage lender in the Santa Barbara area, has added Reverse Mortgage Expert Witness to her credentials.

Ali Farr McCarty '18

Ali Farr McCarty joins Farr Johnen & Associates representing the third generation of Farrs. Ali joined the firm in 2023 after working at Deloitte Consulting and Capital Group (American Funds). She is a licensed health and life insurance agent serving clients across both life-insurance and employee-benefits sides of the business. Ali’s experience at large corporations brings a new perspective and valuable network of relationships to the firm.

Jonathan Johnen '05

Jonathan Johnen, BA 2005, co-owner and managing partner of Farr Johnen & Associates, an insurance firm built on deep community roots and a shared commitment to doing what's right for clients, celebrates the company's 40 years of top-notch client service.

Adam Fischer '15

Two Gauchos are making waves on the national stage! UCSB alumni Adam Fischer and Tyler Fish have earned a spot on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list, recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in America. Even more impressive, their company, Sun Home Saunas, ranked #20 overall in the U.S. and claimed the #1 spot in the Consumer Services category.

Sun Home Saunas has quickly become a leader in the wellness industry, driven by a mission to make the benefits of saunas more accessible to households across the country. The company’s remarkable growth is a testament to the entrepreneurial vision, grit, and determination that Gauchos are known for.

This milestone highlights not only Adam and Tyler’s achievement but also the impact UCSB alumni are making in business and innovation. Their story reflects the strength of the Gaucho network, a community that inspires, supports, and celebrates one another’s successes.

Join us in celebrating Adam and Tyler’s accomplishments, following their journey, and sharing this milestone with pride. Gauchos continue to shape industries, spark innovation, and leave a lasting mark on the world.

Dov Lutzker '92

1992 graduate Dov Lutzker has joined national law firm Epstein Becker Green, as a Member of the Firm in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Dov joins EBG’s Employment, Labor & Workforce Management practice group, where employers rely on his counsel to anticipate and address accessibility risks. His career includes more than two decades at the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, where he managed impactful investigations, litigated seminal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cases, and negotiated compliance agreements that nationally improved accessibility.

Dov Lutzker '92

Dov Lutzker joined Epstein Becker Green as Senior Counsel focusing on ADA and accessibility law after nearly 25 years with the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. He will help clients across industries navigate public accommodations, workforce accessibility, and regulatory compliance.

Ally Meier '18

Arlington Financial Advisor’s Ally Meier, Bachelor's Degree 2018, has earned the sought-after Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) credential, an accreditation certifying her expert ability to assist clients with the financial aspects of divorce.

Robert M Geraci '05

I've published my latest book, Futureproofing Humanity, which explores the myths and technologies that combine in our modern world. Thinking through myth and technology is part of the project, and another part is thinking about how we might build a better myth to lead us into the future. This is my first book since joining Knox College as the Knight Distinguished Chair for the Study of Religion & Culture.

Christopher Petersen '02

Christopher J. Petersen has been elevated to Vice Practice Group Leader, Business Litigation at Blank Rome LLP, effective January 1, 2025.

Therese Fisher '94

Therese just graduated with her Masters in Theological Studies from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Her studies & personal experience inspired her to write Walking Through the Valley of Dementia: A Self-Paced Spiritual Retreat for Care Partners, which was just published.

The book is written for care partners of People Living with Dementia (PLwD) who face a multitude of challenges that leave them tired, depleted, and feeling isolated from society, community, church, and even family/friends. The retreat begins with a discussion of what dementia is and the common challenges that care partners face. Within those challenges, readers start to explore some of the many invitations God offers in the Valley of Dementia. It guides them through various exercises and scriptural reflections that create a space for them to engage in their relationship with God.

This book offers the gift of spiritual exploration and relationship-building with the Divine to help nourish and sustain care partners and even help them find new life on the journey through the Valley of Dementia.

https://wipfandstock.com/9798385215874/walking-through-the-valley-of-dementia/

Kristine Fowler Cirby '88

Kristine Fowler Cirby was elected president of the Marin County Bar Association for 2025.