Joni Gray for 4th District Supervisor

More Information on Joni.................

A familiar face on the Santa Maria scene for years, Joni was born and raised in Orcutt, attended Santa Maria Public Schools, and earned her Bachelor's of 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 in 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 for 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 Maria. 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 addition to her Supervisor’s responsibilities, she has served on the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, she is the Santa Barbara County representative to the California Association of Supervisors (SCAC) and serves on the Executive Board as well as Treasurer. She is Vice Chair of the Santa Barbara County Employees Retirement System and serves as the representative for California Counties on the Department of Correction Facilities Advisory Committee. During her tenure in office she has also served as former chair of SBCAG, representative on the Regional Health Authority and Coastal Rail Commission.

Joni's community activities 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 Sheriffs 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, 4-H, Rape Crisis Center, Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley, is a Board Member of the Western Commercial 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, have three children Samantha, Jason and Tim.