Pitch In Initiative earns Clean California designation

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Volunteers with local nonprofit County Park Friends gathered May 11 to participate in a cleanup effort at DeLaveaga Park in Santa Cruz, held May 11. PITCH IN INITIATIVE — CONTRIBUTED

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Santa Cruz County’s Pitch In Initiative was recently recognized by Caltrans, Clean California and Keep America Beautiful as one of 22 California communities that are the first to pledge to be a part of the Clean California Community Designation Program.

The statewide program encourages local engagement in a statewide effort to make communities cleaner, more sustainable and to foster community pride. It is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a $1.2 billion, multiyear initiative led by Caltrans to clean up, reclaim, transform and beautify public spaces. Since the program’s inception three years ago, 50,000 tires, 12,000 mattresses and mountains of trash have been hauled away.

So far, Santa Cruz County has committed to meeting 10 of 15 commitments to attain the Clean California Community designation. Municipalities must complete 10 of the 15 specific criteria to earn the designation.

“Today, we celebrated the first communities pledging to earn the Clean California Community designation and encourage others from across the state to join,” said Caltrans Deputy Director Mike Keever in a news release following a cleanup in Fresno to launch the program. “The designation spotlights communities that are zero-litter leaders with a vision for a better tomorrow. These leaders understand the long-term benefits to clean communities, and we applaud them for their efforts.”

Clean California Designation Program criteria include a commitment from top local officials, a litter abatement plan, regular local cleanups and litter collection drives, establishing measurements tracking litter removal, and engaging local stakeholders and businesses.

In return, designated communities receive “Clean California Community” signage, educational resources, free cleanup kits, cross-promotional Clean California materials, and priority access to Keep America Beautiful national grant opportunities.

The program’s goal is to enlist 100 communities by June 2025. For more information or an application for the Clean California Designation Program, visit cleanca.com/designation.Visit Santa Cruz County welcomes new board members

Visit Santa Cruz County recently announced the election of new members to the Board of Directors. Each member began their duties on July 1 and will sit on the 25-member board for two-year terms.

The new board members are Jess Brown (executive director of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau), Owen Lawlor (principal of Lawlor Land Use and co-managing member of SCFS Venture LLC/The Cruz Hotel), Tim McDonald (general manager of Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection), Keiki McKay (executive director of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association) and Herman Wuysang (general manager of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz).

With these newly appointed members, the Visit Santa Cruz County board determines policies that govern the agency, review and approve Visit Santa Cruz County’s annual work plan and budget and serve on committees that directly support tourism promotion for the county.

Acrisure announces new local leadership

Following the retirement of Santa Cruz-based leaders Peter Neuwald, Tom O’Rourke and Tricia Barrett of Acrisure’s West Region, the company announced Principal Broker Dave Loustalot will manage Acrisure’s Santa Cruz office and carry the mantle for community involvement and key client relationships starting Sept. 1.

“It is with deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude that we honor Peter, Tom and Tricia, who are retiring after extraordinary careers providing dedicated service to the Santa Cruz County community as trusted advisers,” said Acrisure West Region Managing Partner Dan Michelini in a statement. “As we look to the future, our clients are in great hands as Dave assumes responsibility for this office.”

Together, Neuwald, O’Rourke and Barrett served the people and businesses of Santa Cruz for a combined 118 years.

“Santa Cruz County is a vibrant community with unique needs, and maintaining a strong presence here is essential for local residents,” said Loustalot in a statement. “Acrisure understands the value of being part of this special community, and we are committed to continuing the tradition of exceptional local service that Peter, Tom and Tricia have established.”

A global fintech leader, Acrisure empowers millions of businesses and individuals with solutions to grow forward. It connects clients with solutions across a range of insurance, reinsurance, payroll, benefits, cybersecurity and mortgage services.