2022 Carpinterians of the Year: Gregg and Geri Ann Carty

BY JUN STARKEY

Former Carpinteria City Councilmember Gregg Carty and community leader Geri Ann Carty were awarded the coveted 2022 Carpinterians of the Year title on Saturday – one of four couples to receive the title as a pair since the award’s inception more than 60 years ago.

“I will treasure this forever,” Gregg said, as he and Geri Ann accepted the award at the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Carpinteria Community Gala Saturday night.

“I really have no words,” Geri Ann said. “I’m so overwhelmed by this beautiful and generous award.”

The couple was nominated by Wade and Debbie Nomura, who stated in their application letter that the Cartys had contributed to several major “jewels” of Carpinteria, including the Rincon Bluffs Preserve, the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, the Alcazar Theatre and the Avocado Festival.

“This dynamic couple has had a major impact on people, as well as the Carpinteria Valley and all it offers,” the Nomuras wrote in their letter.

The couple was revealed to be the winners of the prestigious award at the end of Saturday’s gala, following a night of honoring other local leaders, educators and students, including the three finalists for the Junior Carpinterian of the Year.

During his acceptance speech Saturday night, Gregg took time to admire the accomplishments of the three Junior Carpinterian of the Year finalists: Hugo Alvarado Carmona Aldair, Monica Adriana Delgado and Stephanie Ramirez Garcia. “You are our future,” he said. “It’s great to see we’re in good hands.”

Gregg and Geri Ann have a long and storied history with the community of Carpinteria; Geri Ann and her family moved to the city more than 35 years ago, and Gregg grew up on Concha Loma Drive. Geri Ann’s brother, Mike Lazaro, and sister, Marybeth Carty, received the honor of Carpinterian of the Year in 1996 and 2001 respectively, and Gregg’s father, Bill “Doc” Carty, received the award in 1989.

“To win an award that my father won, I am just so honored,” Gregg said Saturday.

Gregg was elected to the Carpinteria City Council in 2006, where he would serve for 16 years before stepping down at the end of 2022. During his tenure on the council, he served two terms as mayor, from 2008 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2016.

At the council’s Dec. 12, 2022 meeting, the city passed a resolution commending Gregg for his years of service, including specific language regarding his service on numerous boards and committees; his work to acquire the Rincon Bluffs Preserve for the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County; his advocacy for Measure X; his work to protect local businesses during Covid-19 and his work to protect city’s housing stock, among many others.

Geri Ann was recognized Saturday for her contributions to numerous local organizations, such as Girls Inc. of Carpinteria and the Carpinteria Women’s Club, having served as a member of the club’s board since 2002. In her daily life, she works as a nurse, and Gregg attributed their nearly 40 years of marriage to her compassionate personality.

In 2016, Geri Ann received a Women in Inspiration award from Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, for her work in supporting the organization and local girls. She has also served on or helped organize events with the Hospice of Santa Barbara’s tree lighting ceremony, Rods and Roses, the Orchard to Ocean registration, Women Making Change and Carp Cares for Kids.

Gregg went on to say he inherited his community-oriented mindset from his parents, Daphne and Bill, and fondly remembered sitting at the dinner table with his parents and seven siblings, discussing everyday events. He said this experience growing up helped foster his deep love for his community.

“I look forward to doing as much as I can for this community for the rest of my life,” Gregg said. “Take care, take care of each other and God Bless Carpinteria.”