Bill Macfadyen, Kristen Miller, and Chris Chiarappa discuss The Crisis' Effects on Business and Journalism in Santa Barbara

About the Speakers

Bill Macfadyen

Founder and Publisher of Noozhawk

Noozhawk is Santa Barbara County's top source for professional, breaking local news, 24/7. The largely virtual news organization is battle-tested from years of disaster coverage, but the COVID-19 crisis has challenged the Noozhawk team like never before. Bill's talk addressess the pre-coronavirus plans for 2020, and how they changed as Noozhawk keeps pace with the pandemic's health, economic, social, political, and cultural impacts and consequences for our community. Bill Macfadyen also chairs the board of the Goleta Chamber of Commerce, and is a board member of Santa Barbara Partners in Education, the Westmont Foundation, and the Santa Barbara Club.

Kristen Miller

President/CEO, Santa Barbara and Goleta Chamber of Commerce

Kristen Miller was the President and CEO of the Goleta Chamber of Commerce for 18 years before leading its merger with the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce, which now represents more than 1,000 business members and 45,000 local jobs. Ms. Miller has led the Chamber's successful political campaigns, its economic development programs, affective workforce housing programs, and tourism and visitor services division. Her presentation focuses on the impact of the COVID crisis on local businesses.

Chris Chiarappa

Local Restauranteur and Business Partner

Mr.Chiarappa is the part owner of Mesa Burger and owner of the newly opened enterprise, Corner Tap. Mr.Chiarappa discusses the impact of the stay-in-place orders and recent re-opening efforts on the local restaurant industry.