This week in Santa Cruz County business: New executive director of Volunteer Center sets out his goals; Joby embarks on national tour

Quick Take

In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on Shawn Peterson's focus as he takes over the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County from Karen Delaney, Joby Aviation's electric aircraft taking to the skies in Texas and more.

Each week, we’re taking a closer look at the movers and shakers, the growth of industries and what’s really driving the Santa Cruz County economy. I’ll be spotlighting some of the biggest areas for opportunity, updates on local development and all things underpinning the regional business scene each Wednesday.

Got ideas? Send them my way to news@lookoutlocal.com with “Business News” in the subject line.

From intern to executive director: Shawn Peterson looks to the future of the Volunteer Center

Shawn Peterson (left), the new executive director of the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, along predecessor Karen Delaney. Credit: Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County

As Karen Delaney enjoys her much-deserved retirement after 44 years heading up the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, her successor is hard at work planning the future of the nearly-60-year-old organization.

Shawn Peterson officially became executive director in August, but had been serving in the role in an interim capacity since January. And since 2020, he’s overseen all of the organization’s more than 20 programs, which span everything from behavioral health and restorative justice to literacy development and support for seniors.

Peterson first came to Santa Cruz as a teenager, shelving plans to pursue a baseball career before enrolling at Cabrillo College, where he became involved with Encompass Community Services, the county’s largest nonprofit provider of health and human services. An internship opportunity with Friends Outside, which provides support for incarcerated individuals and their families, led him to the Volunteer Center. A decade ago, he joined the organization full-time, working his way up to executive director.

As he works to continue the vision Delaney led with, he’s carefully planning out the next steps and initiatives for the community powerhouse. That includes potential expansion of its restorative justice work, leading the county’s CalFresh employment and training, and doing more work with environmental conservation. Another goal is expanding disaster preparedness efforts in the county, especially in South County, which has been hard-hit in recent years by devastating floods.

Having worked closely with Peterson as the organization planned for her retirement, Delaney is confident about his ability to usher in Volunteer Center 2.0 and praised his leadership style.

“What wouldn’t fit [for the Volunteer Center] would be a leadership style rooted in getting people to do what you want,” she said. “Shawn sees his leadership as a way to really understand what a team can do together, to bring people together.”

That’s essential for an organization where people are really at the heart of it, she said.

Joby Aviation conducts flight campaign in Texas as part of federal pilot program

Joby aircratft — A Joby Aviation aircraft at the company’s Marina facility in June 2023. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Late last week, Santa Cruz-based electric helicopter company Joby Aviation kicked off a week of flights in the Dallas-Fort Worth area as part of the eVTOL Integration Program’s work in Texas. Texas is among 10 states selected to participate in the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which is enabling companies like Joby to start early operations in some states ahead of federal certification. (California is not one of those states.) As part of the efforts in Texas, pilots flew Joby aircraft on real-world flight routes across North Texas, including direct flights into Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

In addition, this month Joby has also kicked off a national tour of its J208 autonomous aircraft, which will be used to conduct demonstrations in all 10 states selected to be part of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.

Ch-ch-changes

Monterey Bay executive named to national list of women in eVTOL: Lavera Alexander, the chief growth officer of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), is among those recognized in the “2026 Women in AAM” special report, published by eVTOL Insights. eVTOL Insights is a publication focused on developments in advanced air mobility, including electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, which includes the likes of Santa Cruz-based Joby Aviation’s electric helicopters. The list, now in its fourth year, recognizes women from all areas of the advanced air mobility industry. As chief growth officer at MBEP, Alexander has been leading the organization’s work with the California Air Mobility Corridors Initiative.
Butcher and eatery opens in Live Oak: Carne, a full-service butcher, marketplace and eatery, is now open for business in the East Cliff Village Shopping Center at 21511 East Cliff Dr. The new business, which builds on what owner Tim Estrada started with the Point Butcher Shop in Pleasure Point, held its grand opening Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Dientes adds two new dentists: Dientes Community Dental Care is expanding its access to pediatric dental care with two new dentists. Drs. Jody Chiang and Danny Do specialize in pediatric dentistry, and their hiring will allow Dientes to accept more new patients under the age of 18.

Got hires, promotions or departures to report? Send them to news@lookoutlocal.com with the subject line “Career changes.”

Looking at the numbers

Visitors to the 2025 Santa Cruz County Fair watch the drone show. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

$20: That’s the cost of an adult ticket to the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair, which starts Wednesday. It’s lower than previous years, a change ushered in by fair executives in response to community feedback that the event had gotten too expensive to attend.

What’s new on the Lookout Job Board

Recording Services Supervisor at The County of Santa Cruz
Early Education Teacher (Preschool) at UC Santa Cruz
Utility Service Technician / Utility Service Specialist at Scotts Valley Water District
Behavioral Support Specialist at BalanceSCC
Operations Coordinator at UC Santa Cruz

Want more? Browse all openings on our job board. | Hiring? Post your job today!

Save the date

Thursday, Sept. 17: The Aptos Chamber of Commerce’s September members luncheon will feature California Assemblymember Dawn Addis. The event, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Dr., Aptos, is $35 for chamber members and $40 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased here.
Saturday, Sept. 19: The Rio Theater in Santa Cruz hosts a 50th anniversary concert for the Santa Cruz Guitar Company, starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets and more details are here.
Wednesday, Sept. 23: The Aptos Chamber will hold its annual community showcase and artisan market at Seascape Golf Club in Aptos from 4 to 7 p.m. The event will also feature booths providing storm preparedness tips for businesses. Business owners interested in participating can sign up here.
Wednesday, Sept. 30: The next Women in Business mixer is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. at Grey Bears’ facility at 2710 Chanticleer Ave. in Live Oak. Anyone who brings a can of food to donate will be entered in a raffle. Register here.
Thursday, Oct. 8: The Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce will host its next Women in Business Summit from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mission Springs, 1050 Lockhart Gulch Rd., Scotts Valley. Registration is here.
Saturday, Oct. 17: The Startup World Cup, a global competition and conference for startups, is coming to Santa Cruz. Those interested in participating must apply to be selected for a chance to pitch their company and win an opportunity to represent Santa Cruz at the national competition in San Francisco. The event will be held at The Catalyst nightclub in downtown Santa Cruz from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To apply or purchase tickets, go here. Those wanting to pitch their company must apply by Sept. 17.