SANTA BARBARAThe Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has announced the new officers of its board of directors for the 2019-2020 year.
Don Barthelmess, professor and former director of the Marine Technology Program at Santa Barbara City College, became the president of the board of directors on July 1. Mr. Barthelmess has been training professional commercial divers for 30 years. In 1982, he set a depth record, diving 1,972 feet, operating in an atmospheric diving suit in support of offshore exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a news release.
Mr. Barthelmess is the past president of the Historical Diving Society USA and is on the board of directors of the Diving Foundation of Santa Barbara, which he co-founded, officials said.
Sigrid Toye has been named vice president. She is a clinical psychologist with private practices as an educational and behavior therapist and counselor in Calabasas and Summerland.
Chuck Wilson has been named secretary. The Santa Barbara native has held a variety of government planning and community development positions, including 25 years with the city of Mission Viejo in Orange County.
Gail Anikouchine has been named treasurer. She joins the museum with many years of experience in public accounting, primarily in the field of audits of nonprofits and in business taxation. Ms. Anikouchine previously served as president the museum’s board from 2015 to 2017.