James Kyriaco has been a member of the CommUnify Board since 2019. He started his career working in local politics, managing and assisting the election campaigns for a number of respected local elected officials who represented Goleta. Following this he also worked in Goleta’s nonprofit community, serving as the first executive director of the Goleta Valley Historical Society, which manages Rancho La Patera and Stow House. His accomplishments there included working to open the new History Education Center and raising needed funds for restoration of the historic gardens, trees, and pathways.

Mr. Kyriaco was a founding member of the City of Goleta Public Engagement Commission and is a former member of the Santa Barbara County Historic Landmarks Advisory Committee. He is also a former board member of the Citizens Planning Association of Santa Barbara County, the Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons, and the Santa Barbara Family Care Center, where he served as both President and Vice President of the Board of Directors.

As Mayor Pro Tempore Mr. Kyriaco serves as the City’s representative to several organizations in addition to CommUnify including: Goleta Valley Community Center, South Coast Task Force on Youth Safety, League of CA Cities Community Services Policy Committee, and CAUSE. In addition, Mr. Kyriaco serves on several Committees, among them: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan, Legislative Issues, and Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Mr. Kyriaco graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Antioch University of Santa Barbara, and earned a Master of Arts in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge. Kyriaco and his wife Angie have lived in Goleta since 2010.