Skip Stecker

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA I have been involved in Fiesta all my life, starting as a spectator on my father's shoulders. He was the well-known Navy Recruiter here in Santa Barbara when it used to be in the basement of the main post office with its close proximity to De La Guerra Adobe and Plaza. This gave me exposure to Fiesta prior to, during and after. It also gave me access to Jose Manero's dance studio which was above De La Guerra plaza. I either performed as a dancer or band member until I became a volunteer in 1991. I started as a volunteer emcee and entertainment planner to improve the level of entertainment for the entire Fiesta.

After several years as a volunteer I was nominated to the board in 1997 and honored to serve my first year for El President Michael Mendoza. I then worked as one of the co-chairs of El Mercado Del Norte in its development as the family park. I then advanced to the chair of El Mercado Del Norte in which I worked with the city to expand to include the entire park. The following year with the addition of a co chair, El Mercado Del Norte continued to develop into the Mercado to be at during Fiesta. In addition I became the responsible person for all production and logistics for the Fiesta event. The following year I became the Vice-President of Entertainment and Production (VPEP). At the present time I continue to support the current VPEP.