PRESIDENT

Allen started his first welding business in 1976, specializing in unique custom metalwork in residences, churches, and commercial spaces. His firm has successfully competed in 11 Public Art Requests for Qualifications, at sites across the West. He was involved in crafting San Luis Obispo’s first Public Art Ordinance and has worked closely with the City in the maintenance and repair of our art inventory. Consequently, he is well acquainted with the personnel and processes of the City’s Planning and Building departments. Allen is halfway through his fourth four-year term on San Luis Obispo’s Architectural Review Commission, currently serving his third year as chair.

SECRETARY (Advisory)

Currently working as a full-time artist and muralist, Missy (she/her/hers) can often be found in her coveralls at The Bunker SLO, behind piles of panels with paint on her face mixing the perfect green to get that mountain just right. When working with a team, Missy is known as an idea generator, often coming up with big plans to help guide a campaign, event, or program to its greatest heights.

Missy has, and always does, put her creative converse clad foot forward to find solutions to committee or artistic challenges. As the ( iii ) DESIGN founder and creative juggernaut, Missy inspires the team to think big and do bigger.

BOARD MEMBER

Rick Castello (he/him/his) has been a resident of SLO County for over 20 years - with a 10-year break in the middle, where he explored the Boston and Santa Cruz areas before he realized that SLO County is where he really wants to be.

He is inspired most by (and strives to create) meaningful and immersive artistic experiences where participants enjoy a sense of wonder and awe and feel a connection with each other and their surroundings. His preferred art medium is live performance, which he personally explores through SLO Tease, the burlesque troupe that he has produced and emceed for over a decade, as well as "Our Moveable Feast", a new "costumed flash mob performance art dinner" experience that he has created.

Rick's goal on the board of the Arts Council is to help create a thriving arts scene in our county, and to provide more opportunities for local artists to be seen, heard, appreciated, and paid for their art.

BOARD MEMBER

Reese Galido grew up on the music played in her family car during road trips: The Platters, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, Filipino love songs... and Elvis. She cut her teeth singing jazz standards in front of pianos from living rooms to nightclubs and inherited her first guitar from her late brother at the age of 17. Since 2003, she has found the stage a familiar place, from the Majestic Ventura Theater to Santa Barbara's West Beach Music Festival to her hometown's Concerts in the Plaza in San Luis Obispo, simply enjoying the intimacy and personal connection of sharing art and music through song.

BOARD MEMBER

Jessie recently started a life-long goal to follow her passion to be a studio artist. She is currently splitting her time between continuing a 23+ career in architecture and dedicated time in her art studio. Jessie is inspired by simple forms in architecture. She uses her explorations through oil painting to record the architectural “gems” as she sees them. For her, the paintings are a reminder to keep it true and simple and to show people how peaceful architecture can be. Her goals for the years ahead include integrating her two passions to further weave together the art and architecture communities in SLO County. Jessie strives for excellence in design, as well as personal, respectful relationships between clients, artists, and the community.

BOARD MEMBER

Art has always been an important part of Riki’s life. She acquired a communications degree studying graphics, photography, and printing. After graduation, she lived in Alaska, cutting her teeth on print shop graphics and the printing industry. While living in LA, she had a career in radio advertising. Advertising sales and management provided her with invaluable business experience. She has dealt with customers and co-workers and learned the importance of developing relationships. Riki and her husband spent many years as snowbirds, traveling to and from Washington state to San Luis Obispo. Their long-term plan was successful, and they permanently moved to SLO in 2019.

Today, Riki is an oil painter passionate about creating serene, contemporary landscapes. She is glad to support the local arts by bringing more awareness, fun, and entertainment to the community through the arts.

BOARD MEMBER

Jonathan York, Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurship at Cal Poly, has enjoyed the vibrant landscape of San Luis Obispo for 15 years, immersing himself in the startup and tech communities. At Cal Poly, Jon co-founded both the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the SLO Hothouse and leveraged his expertise to develop a robust entrepreneurial scene on campus as well.

Before his time at Cal Poly, Jon led a varied career, ranging from CEO of large mental health and substance abuse systems in Detroit and Ohio, to internet company founder and venture investor. He has lent his energy to numerous boards spanning the arts, healthcare, and human services. As CEO of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Jon witnessed firsthand the powerful relationship between a thriving arts community and sustainable economic development, fueling his desire to support arts in our region. Jon earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University and holds a PhD in Psychology from Michigan State.