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Why I'm Running
Every day as your City Councilmember, I’m working hard and bringing people together to protect our quality of life, keep our families safe, and build on the progress being made on issues Goletans care about most.
I have prioritized public safety, keeping Goleta one of California’s safest cities. I’m delivering on promises for better affordable housing and childcare options, addressing homelessness, and improving parks and playgrounds, such as Old Town’s new Community Gardens and Splash Pad.
I’m leading efforts to renovate and upgrade our Goleta Community Center, and Public Library, complete the new train station, and invested over $10.5 million last year towards fixing our roads. Across Goleta I’m leading significant investments for our future, while ensuring we remain fiscally strong with healthy reserves.
Project Connect is nearly completed, vehicle circulation, bike and pedestrian improvements are working, new trees and landscaping are being planted, and new small businesses are moving into Old Town.
About James
Four generations of my family have lived, worked, and served in Goleta and Santa Barbara.
I am a true born and raised local. My maternal great grandfather owned and operated a small business, Turnbull Flowers. My paternal grandfather and my father both worked for Jordanos; my dad Jim as a driver and my grandfather Andy Kyriaco as their controller.
Our community is an amazing place. My mom Maradee tended bar at the Bak Door in Old Town and was a medical receptionist for Pueblo Radiology. Today I work in Human Resources where I once did my homework in the lobby and also represent Old Town on the city council.
In 1990 I learned the true meaning of Public Safety, when I had Summer School Geometry classes cancelled at San Marcos High School due to the Painted Cave Fire.
After graduating from Santa Barbara High School in 1991 I stayed home, attending Santa Barbara City College. I got a part-time job, working in Old Town Goleta at a technology company so that I still had time to play on the SBCC tennis team.
My career started in political volunteerism, walking neighborhoods for former Supervisors Bill Wallace, Susan Rose and Gail Marshall. This led in paid work, leading the election campaigns for former Supervisor Janet Wolf, former Goleta Mayors Margaret Connell and Ed Easton, and former School Board Member (now Senate President) Monique Limón.
I then went back to school and finished my Bachelor's Degree at Antioch University and worked part-time as the Executive Director of the Goleta Valley Historical Society while completing my Master's Degree in Public Administration from Cal State Northridge.
My wife Angie and I were married in 2011. For the past fifteen years she has worked at trusted local organizations like Planned Parenthood Central Coast, while I have worked in leadership positions, including the past decade as a Human Resources leader.
A lifetime of local knowledge & experience