Board of Directors | 2009-2010

Mike was born and raised in California. After graduating from San Luis Obispo High, he went to college at Johnson and Wales University receiving a degree in Culinary Arts and later business administration. At age 24 he received his Certified Executive Chef certification and went on to work for many large caterers and hotels. He has been cooking for weddings and special events for over 30 yrs. His business The Cypress Ridge Pavilion has been a member of CCWP since 2001. Michael lives with his wife Becky and 3 sons in Nipomo.

Michael Taylor was one of the very first wedding professionals to join CCWP in 1992. As a Charter member Michael served on the Board of Directors for the first ten years of the CCWP's existence, including being the fourth person to hold the office of President. Now re-joining the Board as Vice President two of his current goals for CCWP are to give its members greater marketing opportunities and to help more brides and grooms connect with the highest quality wedding vendors in this area, which are of course CCWP members! Michael Taylor became a non-denominational minister and established 'At Your Service Weddings' in 1980. A man of many "First to offer.." he was the first "Professional Officiant" on the Central Coast to supply his own sound system so that the ceremony would be clearly heard. A few years later he became the first minister on the Central Coast to offer a "Seamless Day of Celebration" joining the ceremony and reception by offering Mike Taylor's FunTime DJ and Emcee services, hence his title 'The RocNRev'. Today he continues to be a leader and innovator, offering couples his signature 'Rose Petal Cascade' for a dramatic conclusion to their ceremony. In 2010 Michael added a full size popcorn machine to his DJ services for an extra fun touch at receptions! For Michael "your wedding is more than his job, it is his joy!" The 'RocNRev' Michael Taylor brings talent, sensitivity, and the right touch of humor to all events he presides over, as well as 30 years of experience and dedication to both your event and as Vice President of the CCWP.

Playing the guitar and performing at weddings was a natural and frequent experience very early in my life. From teaching my self how to play guitar as a teenager (later studied with a master classical guitar teacher) to writing an original song for my wife’s wedding processional. Through out the last 30 years, my life has continued to be blessed to be apart of the wonderment of wedding ceremonies, expressing romantic harmonies from my custom handmade guitar. My wife and I have raised 2 adopted daughters who are married and living near us here in Santa Maria. Now my wife and I are “blissfully” at the empty nest stage of our marriage. She keeps her self busy crocheting, going to the thrift store hunting for her next treasure and of course keeping up with my “insane schedule.” We both grew up in Visalia located in the Central Valley, California. We would not have ever guessed after spending our honeymoon here in the central coast in 1979 that we would someday return to make it our permanent home. My time is divided between weddings and performing business. Teaching music lessons on: Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Banjo and Mandolin. I also produce a public access television show called “All About Guitar”(Over 300 shows in 10 years / As a charter producer) which airs on Comcast Cable channel 25 and 24 in Northern Santa Barbra county. I have recorded 2 music CDs, the first CD was solo guitar music and the second is the Bette Byers (we perform as Guitar / Violin duo ) called "Romanza" and I self-published a beginner guitar method book. I try to bring innovation and integrity in everything I do.

Beau graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor's in computer engineering and a masters in business. He started Kramer Entertainment DJs & Event Lighting in 1997 and has grown it to become the largest DJ company company on the central coast. They provide Host MCs, DJs, and lighting design for weddings and events in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Although their office and wedding showroom is in San Luis Obispo, he and his wife, Melissa live in Paso Robles Wine Country. After serving as the Programs, Director, Facilities Director, and Vice President, he has served as President from 2009-2011. He now serves as immediate past president.

His mission is to raise the public's expectations of event professionals. And he is dedicated to improving the wedding industry.

Penny Beavers, putting it mildly, is an accomplished harpist. She has had extensive training and has performed with the best, such as Johnny Mathis and Linda Ronstadt, not to mention the George Lucas Star Wars orchestra.

She is the founder of the Central Coast Chapter of the American Harp Society and been on numerous Harp related boards throughout her career.

Penny recently moved to the coast and continues playing for weddings on the Central Coast. She graces our Board of Directors with her cheery smile and gracious spirit. As our Treasurer, she keeps our books in perfect harmony.

Dennis and his wife Deborah started Studio 101 West in 1988 after graduating from prestigious art schools and moving from Los Angeles. Dennis is the studio's full time photographer while Deborah is a graphic designer and many times his second shooter at weddings; a combination that has proven to be a great balance for them and their clients. Photographing weddings is one of Dennis' passions and as a true wedding professional he puts no bounds on creativity or what he will do to help a wedding go as smoothly as possible. He has stood-in for DJs, helped with the vows, set up twinkle lights and even drove the bride and groom to the ceremony once when they lost their car keys on the beach.

Both Dennis and Deborah feel blessed to have two lively teenagers who still enjoy family time; to live where people dream of vacationing; and to work at what they are passionate about.

Kristin Odenwald established Jour Parfait Wedding Coordination and Design in 2005 after realizing her passion for weddings while working for her family winery in Templeton.  With a degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Agriculture Economics she strives to be a great resource to her brides to make their perfect day reality.

www.jourparfait.com
805-423-8303

Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort has always been a part of my life. As a child, my parents brought me here to play in the pool and run in the lush gardens. As an adult, I found my calling and in 1998, I started working for the resort as a server in the restaurant. I left a couple of years later to pursue my education and in 2004, after getting married and the birth of my son, I returned to Sycamore. Being the Wedding Coordinator and Events Sales Manager for the most beautiful resort on the central coast is a dream come true.

Chris Bailey is the proud owner of Bailey Entertainment. A professional, yet fun, mobile disc jockey service specializing in weddings, school dances, corporate events, parties and décor up-lighting. Chris has 17 years of experience as a disc jockey and master of ceremonies. He loves what he does, takes pride in his business and is very dedicated to his work. So much so, that he does this full time. His immense understanding of people, optimistic outlook and positive disposition help in creating a unique and exciting event. Chris graduated from Arroyo Grande High School and has lived on the Central Coast for most of his life and is centrally located in the Arroyo Grande area.

I grew up in the California foothills with a camera slung around my neck. My family spent their summers vacationing in Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo and Cambria. By the time I completed High School, there was only one part of the world I wanted to live: San Luis Obispo! With camera in hand, I began school at Cal Poly graduating with a major in Sociology and minors in graphic arts/photography, education, geography and nutrition six years later.

I am living my dream. Not too many people can say that. I have the cutest wife ever. Michelle never stops smiling and she is simply a joy to wake up to each day. I am incredibly thankful for our happy little boy who spends way more time giggling than crying, a wife who is the love of my life and a job I look forward to each day. Marriage for me has been a dream come true and I am thrilled to be a part of each couple's wedding day as they make the commitment to be together for the rest of their lives.

And to be a little less sappy - I also love wine, cooking, cyclingnews, figuring out near impossible lighting setups, single speed mountain bikes, chips and salsa, brie with crackers and caramelized onions, the perfect margarita with just a touch of salt, and knowing when I click the shutter that I captured a perfect moment.

Photography has been a passion in Melissa’s life since she received her first camera at the age of twelve (a polaroid one step!). Photography has changed over the years but Melissa’s passion is still the same… to create beautiful artwork with her camera. Being a person who loves interacting with people, she soon learned her talents were with portrait and wedding photography and has never looked back. Melissa has enjoyed creating beautiful photographic memories for her clients for the past 16 years and loves every minute of it.

To Say that Thomas Friedman was born in the the event rental business might be considered to be an understatement. Tom is the third generation following both his father and grandfather into the rental business. He has been involved in almost every aspect of event rental.

He grew up in Pasadena Ca. where he learned the value of team work being involved in both soccer and baseball since the age of 5. Being one of the most athletic student in school gave him energy to always try new things. At the young age of 10 he assembled his first 20’ x 20’ canopy in his back yard. At thirteen he designed and built a deck in his backyard just in time for his brothers high school graduation. While in junior high he worked summers at his grandfathers rental company where he installed the worlds largest tent at the time, 200’ x 740’. There he also worked on the Rose Parade, World Cup, and at the Playboy Mansion. After graduating from high school he went on to work for other event rental companies while attending collage in Santa Barbara.

With a passion for cars since the age of 14 when he got his first car, a 69 Camaro, which he still owns, he went on to work as an automotive technician and earned 5 ASC certificates. In 1997 Tom and his family moved to San Luis Obispo where they purchased Got You Cover’d. Also during that year he met his beautiful wife Vanessa. Since that time, Tom has continued to raise the bar for Event Rentals on the central coast. He has built a reputation in the industry as the man with answers, how to cover a pool with staging, install a tent over a tree, or on the fourth floor. If it’s possible he will find a way. They now have two children, Julia who is Eight, and Jake Ryan who is one.

(805)541-8368

Dean Sullivan, principal photographer and founder of Sullivan Studios, is an award winning photographer who has been covering weddings on the central coast, as well as throughout the country, for over 30 years. He is proud to be among the 5% of professionals nationwide to hold certification from the Professional Photographers of America.

"The most important thing to me, beyond being the best photographer I can be, is to really find a connection with the bride, groom and their families and friends, then to capture the real joy, happiness, silliness and tenderness that is totally unique to those people. It's a real honor and a real rush. I've gotta admit, I love photographing weddings."

Sullivan Studios is a member of NAPP, CCWP, WPPI and more. Dean currently serves on the board of the CCWP, as well as a number of other community oriented non-profit organizations including the NEP, Chamber of Commerce.

Lauren McIntyre moved to the San Luis Obispo area to attend Cal Poly in 1996. After receiving her B.S. in Psychology she took on a series of other sales jobs. There was always something in her heart for the hotel industry, as she worked at the Apple Farm while going through college. Finding her way back to the industry in 2001 as the Sales Manager for the beach front SeaVenture Resort property, she felt like she was back home. In 2006 she was promoted to the Director of Sales and Catering and continues to coordinate weddings, but also wears a lot of other hats for the property, to include marketing, public relations, sales and keeping up on the every changing internet. SeaVenture is a magical property, with a huge 23 mile stretch of beach that runs in front of it, brides and grooms get married with their toes in the sand and receptions in a full ocean view restaurant, with views that just won't quit. Living in Paso Robles now, Lauren feels like she is so fortunate to be able to enjoy the best of both worlds, the beach and vineyards and enjoys guiding her couples in making their special day happen here, in one of the most beautiful spots around.