By Mike Harris Friday, January 3rd, 2025

Former Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne has been hired as the first CEO of the Northern Santa Barbara County EconAlliance.

Osborne, who served on the nonprofit’s board from 2016-2018, starts in January. 

She was selected from numerous applicants.

“EconAlliance has set the standard for regional economic development over the past ten years, and I am excited to lead the organization moving forward,” Osborne said in a press release.

“With a history of amazing forums, a diverse and supportive board, and strong industry partners across Northern Santa Barbara County, we are poised to expand membership, advocate for our members, and implement programs to assist and support our local economy,” she said.

Osborne will take the reins from EconAlliance co-founder and Initiatives Director Victoria Conner, who is retiring in early 2025. 

The CEO position pays $120,000 annually plus benefits.

Based in Santa Maria, the organization is a cross-industry alliance that fosters awareness, advocacy, support andappreciation for Northern Santa Barbara County industries and communities.

It promotes industry understanding, entrepreneurship and innovation, and the development of well-paying jobs, a highly-skilled workforce and worker opportunity.

Driving positive impact through advocacy, strategic initiatives, unique partnerships, and creative programs, EconAlliance supports industry attraction, retention and expansion.

It champions Northern Santa Barbara County communities and the key industry sectors that fuel those communities and inspire regional economic vitality.

“We are pleased to welcome Jenelle back to EconAlliance in this pivotal role after her successful work as the mayor of Lompoc,” Sam Cohen, the organization’s board president, said.

“I’m confident she will flourish as our new CEO,” he said.

Osborne’s career encompasses more than forty years of private and public-sector positions.

She served as mayor of Lompoc from 2018 to 2024, and prior to that was a city council member from 2016 to 2018.

Osborne was chair and vice chair of the city’s Economic Development Committee during her 2012- 2016 tenure.

As mayor, she served as chair of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and legislative and regulatory chair of the Northern California Power Agency.

She also participated in the transportation, communication and public works committee for The League of California Cities.

Osborne has been a key partner with Vandenberg Space Force Base in building capacity for commercial space launches, expanding housing, and developing a more secure and resilient region for the base and its surrounding communities, EconAlliance said.

Osborne owned her own consulting and event planning business, OriJenel Organizer, from 2005 to 2020. 

A Texas transplant, Osborne graduated summa cum laude from Texas Woman’s University in 1996 with a degree in history focusing on public administration.

The EconAlliance CEO’s responsibilities include developing and executing a strategic plan, managing an annual budget and cash flow, and serving as a key organizational liaison to the board.

Other responsibilities include being the public “face” of the organization, managing staff and volunteers, and developing and managing member/fundraiser/donor strategy for private sector support. 

Osborne will be introduced as the EconAlliance CEO at the organization’s Annual Dinner/Future Forum on Jan. 8.

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