Mark Maytubby, President
Mark Maytubby joined the Apela Board in 2010 and has been involved with Christian Education since 1996, as the past Board Secretary of Country Christian School in Bakersfield, CA. Mark was part of the initial Board of Directors of the school when it was incorporated in 1996. Mark has been employed with Pacific Gas and Electric for over 30 years and in 2010 he transferred with PG&E to the Central Coast. Mark has also served as a Board Member of San Luis Obispo Christian School. Mark, his wife Nancy, their three grown children and son-in-law have all been blessed to be involved with the Apela Foundation. Mark believes it is an exciting and joyous opportunity to share Jesus through exploring and experiencing all of God’s creation of the haven and earth.
Connie Willems, Vice President
Connie Willems was born and raised in the Arroyo Grande area. She received both her BS and her teaching credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and was a middle school teacher for 27 years. Her spare time activities include working with the local 4-H, volunteering at her church, horse-back riding, camping, and helping out around the Grieb Family Ranch. Connie has a heart for working with youth and animal husbandry and she is excited to combine these two passions while working with the Apela Foundation. Connie has been married since 1975 to Stan Willems. They have two sons, a daughter, and 3 grandchildren, all of whom are very supportive of Connie’s dream to share God’s creation through ranching and agriculture.
Renee Richards, Secretary
Renee Richards joined the Apela Board in 2016 after 5 years of teaching livestock and gardening classes at Ag Adventure. Renee was raised on a small family farm in Nipomo, developing her interest in agriculture from an early age. Her love of animals growing up led her to participate in 4-H, raising replacement heifers to sell at the Santa Barbara County Fair, where she discovered a passion for teaching the public about where their food comes from. After graduating from Arroyo Grande High School, Renee attended UC Davis, and received her B.S. in Animal Science, specializing in Livestock and Dairy. She is passionate about teaching children about sustainable farming, back-to-basics living, and the interconnectedness of nature. Married to her husband Ross since 2010, with four young children, Renee is invested locally in pursuing these goals through her work with the Apela Foundation as well as in her private life farming, gardening, hiking, camping, and observing God’s creation.
Sue Studer, Treasurer
Sue joined the Apela Foundation board in 2019. She received her accounting degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has worked in the accounting field for 37 years. Sue currently works in the Business Office at the Lucia Mar Unified School District as an account technician. Sue has enjoyed working with the Awana program at Grace Bible Church in Arroyo Grande for 25 years, working with the Kindergarten through 2nd graders. Sue and her husband Taed have been married for 37 years and have two sons. Sue loves working with groups that provide the next generation the opportunities to hear the Glorious News of Jesus Christ.