Our Dedicated Staff
Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley and oversees educationally supportive
services to foster youth and homeless families.
Program Directors
Edwin Weaver, initially a Child Welfare Supervisor, transitioned to the Executive Director of Fighting Back in 2014 to proactively address the distressing situations witnessed in Child Welfare. With a Master’s in Social Welfare and Dispute Resolution, he dedicates his career to aiding troubled families using Restorative Approach methods. Holding vital positions in numerous organizations, Edwin resides in Santa Maria with his family, enjoying outdoor activities like beach visits and cycling.
Dawnette Kingsley-Smith, Programs Director started her career at Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley in 2009 shortly after she tragically lost her sister in a drunk driving car crash. This life changing experience reignited her passion to prevent youth substance use. Drawing on her experience in human services and addiction recovery, Dawnette has led many successful youth AOD prevention and intervention initiatives. Prior to joining FBSMV, Dawnette was in construction management and is a licensed real estate agent. Her strengths and experience are instrumental to her effective leadership and management of property acquisition projects. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time camping, archery, and boating with her family.
Shana Pompa, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over two decades of experience, began her career providing mental health services to youth and families in Santa Barbara County. Over the years, she progressed to managerial roles in programs like Therapeutic Behavioral Services and Wraparound initiatives. As a Programs Director at Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, she oversees supportive services for foster youth and homeless families, while also training on Community Resiliency Model techniques. Her expertise lies in behavioral modification, family system therapy, program development, conflict resolution, and child and family advocacy. Outside work, she enjoys family activities, television, travel, and football.
Office Staff
SMBSD Program Staff
Taylor Elementary, Rice Elementary, Ontiveros Elementary, Tunnell Elementary, and Tommie Kunst JHS
Alvin Elementary, Battles Elementary, Miller Elementary, Adam Elementary, and Fesler JHS
Sanchez Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Jimenez Elementary, Libbon Elementary, and Arellanes Elementary/JHS
Robert Bruce Elementary, Oakley Elementary, Bonita Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, and El Camino JHS
Robert Bruce Elementary, Oakley Elementary, Bonita Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, and El Camino JHS
Sanchez Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Jimenez Elementary, Libbon Elementary, and Arellanes Elementary/JHS
Taylor Elementary, Rice Elementary, Ontiveros Elementary, Tunnell Elementary, and Tommie Kunst JHS
Alvin Elementary, Battles Elementary, Miller Elementary, Adam Elementary, and Fesler JHS
Fesler Junior High School
Tommie Kunst Junior High School
Arellanes Junior High School
El Camino Junior High School
Sanchez Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Jimenez Elementary, Adam Elementary, Miller Elementary, Battles Elementary, Alvin Elementary, Arellanes Elementary/JHS, and Fesler JHS
Ontiveros Elementary, Taylor Elementary, Rice Elementary, Tunnell Elementary, Bruce Elementary, Oakley Elementary, Bonita Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, El Camino JHS, and Tommie Kunst JHS
GUSD Program Staff
Robert Bruce Elementary, Oakley Elementary, Bonita Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, and El Camino JHS
SMJUHSD Program Staff
Robert Bruce Elementary, Oakley Elementary, Bonita Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, and El Camino JHS
Foster Youth Services and Conflict Mediation Services at Santa Maria High School
Foster Youth Services and Conflict Mediation Services at Pioneer Valley High School
Foster Youth Services, Homeless Youth Services, and Conflict Mediation Services at Delta High School
Homeless Youth Services for Pioneer Valley High School, Ernest Righetti High School, and Santa Maria High School
Homeless Youth Services for Santa Maria High School
Homeless Youth Services for Pioneer Valley High School
Homeless Youth Services for Ernest Righetti High School
Homeless Youth Services for Delta High School
Young Adult Homeless Services Program Staff
Prevention Program Staff
Juvenile Hall Staff
Board of Directors
Guadalupe Union School District, Superintendent
Emilio Handall ED. D, President
Orcutt Union School District, Retired Superintendent
Bob Bush, Vice President
Bob Bush spent 42 years in the Orcutt Union School District, as a teacher at Patterson Road Elementary, Lakeview Junior High, Joe Nightingale, and Pine Grove. He then went on to be Principal at Patterson Road Elementary and Lakeview and Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent for Orcutt Union School District. He also coached multiple sports at Lakeview and Righetti High School. Bob retired in 2014. Click here for more information on Mr. Bush.
Santa Barabara County Facilities, Medical Director, MSPH
Carrick Adam, M.D., Secretary
Dr. Adam is a Pediatrician in Santa Maria and attended Tulane University. She is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics and is affiliated with Marian Medical Center. Dr. Carrick does training for the Santa Barbara County Probation Department and has served on the Board of Allan Hancock College.
City of Santa Maria, Mayor
Alice Patino
Alice Patino has served Santa Maria for many years. She began her career as a teacher, then a board member in the public school system, and holds various leadership positions with the City of Santa Maria, where she grew up and attended Allan Hancock College. In November 2012, she was elected as Mayor, becoming the first female Mayor in Santa Maria’s history. She has service in the Rotary Club of Santa Maria, the Minerva Club, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Maria Valley Republicans and other groups. For more information about Ms. Patino click here.
Orcutt Union School District, Superintendent
Holly Edds
Dr. Edds has been a member of the Orcutt Union School District’s management team for the past 16 years, most recently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services since 2010. She also served as Principal of Joe Nightingale Elementary School for six years. Prior to coming to OUSD, Dr. Edds was a teacher and administrator in San Luis Obispo County in the Paso Robles Unified School District and San Miguel Joint Union School District as well as working for the Santa Barbara County Office of Education as a Program Specialist in their Migrant Education program. She has experience teaching both regular and special education, and holds multiple teaching credentials including a reading specialist certificate.
Allan Hancock College, President
Kevin Walthers
Santa Maria-Bonita School District, Interim Superintendent
Matt Beecher
Matt Beecher started serving as Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s interim superintendent in 2019. Beecher’s worked for the district for more than 16 years, and he served as the district’s chief business officer (assistant superintendent for business). He attended Cal Poly SLO, graduating with a bachelor’s in business administration specializing in accounting. He also has his CPA license. Before moving into the world of school finance, he spent six years in public accounting and five years working for a publicly traded company.
Law Offices of M Jude Egan, Owner
Jude Egan
M. Jude Egan, J.D., Ph.D, Certified Family Law Specialist, graduated law school at the University of California, Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law in 2004. While working at a major international law firm in San Francisco doing civil litigation and land use work, he wrote his doctoral dissertation in Jurisprudence and Social Policy. Dr. Egan has litigated numerous cases in civil litigation and family law and enjoys a growing reputation drafting legal documents for estate planning. His practice serves English and Spanish speaking clients in Santa Maria, the Five Cities and Santa Barbara. Dr. Egan has published internationally in peer reviewed legal, trade and academic journals. He has taught disaster law, business law and Federal and state entitlements at the Louisiana State University, E.J. Ourso College of Business, where he was commended by the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for his work drafting the National Nonprofit Relief Framework, by Catholic Charities USA for a policy paper ultimately adopted by the Centers for Disease Control, and for work with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.
Santa Maria Joint Union School District, Superintendent
Antonio Garcia
Garcia currently serves as the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Superintendent. Garcia began his career as a high school teacher for the Whittier Union High School District before joining RUSD in 1999. He has served as an assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent of K-12 curriculum & instruction and worked for the Riverside County Office of Education. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree from Brown University.
