Candidate for
County Board of Supervisors; County of Santa Barbara; Supervisorial District 4

A familiar face on the Santa Maria scene for years, Joni was born and raised in Orcutt, CA, attended Santa Maria Public Schools and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Science and Master's Degree in Education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Joni holds teaching credentials in Secondary Education, Adult Education, Counseling and Guidance and General Administration. She spent four years teaching geography, history and home economics at Santa Maria High School.

In 1973, she was elected to the Santa Maria High School District Board of Trustees where she served as President, making her, at that time, the youngest school board member in California. During her nine years of service she gained a unique insight into the workings of public agencies. She also taught for eleven years at Allan Hancock Community College and later served as an Administrative Assistant to the County Superintendent of Schools.

Joni's second career began in 1988 when she was admitted to the California State Bar and started practicing law with Kirk & Simas in Santa Maia. Being a little more "seasoned" than most new attorneys, she immediately established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the legal community. As a result, she is a member of the Family Law and Taxation Sections of the State Bar of California and was instrumental in writing the family law rules used by the local Superior Court. Her practice focuses primarily on family law and estate planning matters.

In August 1998, Joni was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve as the Fourth District Supervisor for Santa Barbara County. In November 1998, she won the seat in that General Election and has continued to serve as Fourth District Supervisor since that time. Prior to her appointment, she served as Chairperson of the Santa Barbara Planning Commission. Today, in addition to her Supervisor's responsibilities, she serves on the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, the Air Pollution Control Board, Santa Barbara Regional Health Authority Board and Vice Chair of the Coast Rail Comission.

Joni's community acitivites are extensive. She has served as a Board Member for the Valley Community Hospital, serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, is a Founding Board member of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Council, served on the Board of Directors for the visiting Nurses Association, served as Chairperson for YMCA Fund Raising, President of the Righetti PTA and Boosters Club, 4H, Rape Crisis Center, Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley, is a Board Member of the Western Commerical Space Center, Santa Maria Valley Economic Development Association as well as the Minerva Club, Alpha Club and Lompoc Women in Chamber.

Joni and her husband, George, reside in Orcutt and have three children, Samantha, Jason and Tim.