With professional expertise in everything from investing to insurance to political consulting to real estate, four new individuals — all of them alumni of the university — have been elected to the UC Santa Barbara Foundation Board of Trustees.
The new cohort joins the leadership body that promotes the university by increasing philanthropy and managing and growing the endowment. In addition, a new board chair, Sue Wilcox ’70, ’72, ’75, has also been installed, taking over from trustee John Arnhold ’75, who has concluded his two-year term in the role.
“For five decades, UC Santa Barbara’s Foundation Board of Trustees has helped to shape teaching, research and faculty and student development on our campus, through wise counsel and generous support,” said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “We are proud to welcome to this visionary leadership group four of our alumni as our newest trustees. Their dedication and diverse perspectives will be invaluable as we work together to foster innovation, inclusivity and academic excellence.
“We are also fortunate to have the steadfast guidance and engagement of our new chair, Sue Wilcox, an alumna who, along with her late husband, Gary, has created a strong philanthropic legacy at UC Santa Barbara over the past 30 years," he added. “Collectively, our bold vision will lead UC Santa Barbara into an ever-brighter future.”
Sue Wilcox has served on the trustee board since 2021.
“I look forward to serving as the chair of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation and want to welcome our four new trustees,” she said. “The university has been an incredibly important part of my life, from student to donor to trustee. As Foundation chair, I look forward to working with my fellow trustees, the university and the community to grow the legacy of giving to this great institution.”
As UC Santa Barbara’s principal fundraising organization, the nonprofit foundation generates and administers private gifts to the campus, including support for students, research and instruction. It also ensures the appropriate use of all private funds.
Helping to forge links between the professional and business communities and the campus to increase private support for university programs, the foundation plays a critical role in promoting and achieving fundraising goals and priorities. The board consists of philanthropic leaders sharing a commitment to advance UC Santa Barbara’s mission and sustain its reputation for excellence.
“Each trustee brings distinct insight and expertise to our university,” said Chris Pizzinat, interim executive director of the foundation. “We are grateful for the gift of their time and guidance, and with their support, we anticipate a meaningful year working together to advance UC Santa Barbara.”
The new trustees are:
Mark Maxson ’75 – Reinsurance consultant, Maxson Consulting; past president API Re and executive vice president of JLT Re (a division of Jardine Matheson, Hong Kong) and reinsurance broker at Lloyd’s of London (Orinda, CA)
Martin Stone ’82 – Partner, Stone’s Phones, a leading Democratic political consulting firm (Washington, DC)
William Bennett Meredith ’04 – MSPM, co-founder & principal, MFI Real Estate LLC; partner, The Sutton Company (Austin, TX)
Robert L. Zorich ’71 – Partner and founder, EnCap Investments L.P. (Houston, TX)
The UC Santa Barbara Foundation Board of Trustees includes up to 100 elected distinguished trustees and 14 additional university representatives, and complies with the University of California Policy on Campus Foundations set by the Regents of the University of California. From its inception in 1973, members of the foundation’s board have formed a valuable link between UC Santa Barbara and the local, regional and national communities. As they encourage private gifts and identify and cultivate potential donors, trustees build interest and support for the campus and communicate to the public an informed understanding of UC Santa Barbara’s mission.
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