2025 PASB Board Members
Michael Woodard, PASB President obtained his real estate license in 1991 and has been selling real estate in Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara and Goleta markets. Michael helps in the community by being involved in Parkinson Association Santa Barbara, leading a Parkinson's Only Support Group and spearheading Golfing with Parkinson's (GWP) on Tuesday's at Santa Barbara Municipal Golf Club, Unity Shoppe, YMCA and The Heart Association, Daniel Bryant Center, CADA, County Blood Bank with over 100 donations.
Jayne Brechwald, Vice President worked locally for the Public Health Department for 23 years, after working in 3 other counties as a Health Educator, followed by her role as Executive Director for the American Lung Association. Since retiring she has been busy volunteering with Hospice of Santa Barbara, Cottage Hospital, Sansum Clinic, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department. Jayne is a Past PASB President and also serves as a facilitator for two of our Support Groups. In Jayne’s work volunteering, she has learned about the dying process; how to think about it and cope with it, for herself as well as family members. As well as helping many as a Patient Care Volunteer, she has been a presenter for many groups, advising people in the community about their Advance Directive Plannings. For hobbies, Jayne loves to read, take beach walks and travel – she finds India particularly fascinating and has been twice. How many other people can say that they marched in Kennedy’s Inaugural Parade in ‘63!
Debra Herwaldt, Treasurer had a professional career as a financial executive with a background in corporate accounting and healthcare finance. With a 40+ year career, she served as Chief Financial Officer at several major hospitals within the HCA system, including Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks and Mountainview Hospital in Las Vegas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Quincy University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Debra has been involved in community service and has served as Treasurer for a decade on the Board of Directors for Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks and is currently Treasurer with the Franciscan Villas Homeowners Association and volunteers at the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center. Debra enjoys traveling with friends, spending time with her large family including 17 nieces and nephews, and walking her dog, Lucy.
Valerie Cavanaugh, PASB Secretary is a retired attorney married to Bill Kerstetter, a PD patient. She practiced in Los Angeles, first as a litigator at Tuttle & Taylor and then as an entertainment lawyer and ultimately a television executive for studios including MGM and Columbia and the Paramount network.
Karen Atkins grew up in LA and went to college and law school in Southern California. In 1978, she moved to Santa Barbara and was a Public Defender representing indigent clients until retiring in 2010. She raised her children here. Her younger brother was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1998. Though he does not live in Santa Barbara, serving on the PASB board is a way to honor his struggle and appreciates serving on the board because it has taught her more about the disease and ways to help him and other Parkinsons sufferers.
Paul Bielaczyc was born and raised in Michigan, graduated from Western Michigan University and then traveled across the country ending up in Santa Barbara where he has lived for the past fifty years. Paul worked 18 years as a builder in the Santa Barbara area involved with commercial and residential construction. He earned a degree from the Santa Barbara College of Law, where he served as president of the Student Bar Association. He handled civil litigation while working also as a mediator for many years before recently retiring from full-time practice. Paul became involved with the Parkinson’s Association over a year ago after one of his younger brothers, who lives in New York, was diagnosed with PD. Besides the Parkinson’s Association Paul also works with Meals on Wheels and the Lobero Theater. He enjoys many recreational activities, learning Spanish and regular visits to the YMCA for yoga and swimming.
Ryan Bice is a Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery "PWR!Moves" Certified Therapist who received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Indiana University in 2019. He is currently on the management team at a local home health agency (Central Coast Home Health & Hospice) and contributes to their Parkinson’s Wellness Program. Ryan describes PASB as a great resource available for this community and he hopes to spread the word to help people with Parkinson’s and their families know what is available to them through PASB.
Lore Coudert is the Business Development Executive for Love and Care, a local Senior Home Care Organization based in Santa Barbara. With a background in Social Services, Lore brings years of experience supporting individuals and their loved ones in navigating care and finding the proper resources. She is dedicated to building strong connections with families, caregivers, and the community, and has collaborated closely with local organizations, businesses, and healthcare professionals to create meaningful relationships to assist families. Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional work and she looks forward to contributing her collaborative spirit, insight, warmth and positivity as a member of the board of PASB.
Peggy Levine worked for 35 years at the Santa Barbara County Dept of Social Services, mostly working in the Child Welfare program and interfacing with the court system on behalf of neglected and abused minors, Peggy enjoyed a few years of leisure and travel with her husband, a retired SB County attorney. She later survived several exhausting years as a Parkinson’s caregiver for her husband and sought help from the Center for Successful Aging for individual therapy. Luckily, CSA also directed her to a wonderful Parkinson’s Caregiver Peer Support Group facilitated by people trained in group work by CSA. Peggy always felt that the group participation saved her life by helping her navigate caring for her seriously ill husband. Once her husband past, with her social work background, it was a natural fit to take the group facilitator training and join the PASB team of volunteers. In 2020, she felt honored to join the PASB Board of Directors.
Ed Moore began his career in 1974 as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Santa Barbara. In 1978, he joined the firm of Westwick & Collison, becoming a partner in 1980. In 1981, he joined the firm of Egenolf & Moore where he practiced until 1993. Since then, he was a partner with the Schramm & Raddue, and later with Howell Moore & Gough LLP. He practiced in the area of civil litigation for his entire career, handling litigation involving construction defects, breach of contract, mechanics liens, landlord-tenant disputes, specific performance actions, claims for real estate commissions, failure to disclose cases, the defense of title companies. Ed and his wife Christie have lived in Santa Barbara since 1974 and raised two children, Amanda and Meghan, both of whom are teachers, while Christie is a retired teacher. In 2014, Ed retired from the practice of law to pursue his many outside activities, including tennis, bike riding, wind surfing, snowboarding, travel, and grandchildren.
Bill Oakley has proudly served on the board of the Parkinson’s Association of Santa Barbara since 2020. A longtime resident of Santa Barbara—he’s called it home since 1944—Bill has deep roots in the community. His wife was born and raised here, and together they’ve built a family that continues to thrive locally, with two children and five grandchildren still living in the area. Bill attended local schools, including Santa Barbara High School, before earning his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and a Doctorate of Pharmacy from UC San Francisco Medical School. He went on to enjoy a 32-year career as a pharmacist at Cottage Hospital, retiring in 2003. Bill remains committed to supporting the local community and improving the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
A Tribute to Bev by Jan Birzer, Past Board Member
BEVERLY MAY STEWARD
November 30, 1923 – May 9, 2006
After over 50 years of living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and surviving numerous mini-strokes, Bev departed this life leaving family, friends, Parkinsonians and caregivers appreciating the wonders of this great woman. This was apparent by the large number attending her celebration of life on June 17 at the Free Methodist Church in Santa Barbara.
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It was Bev’s inspiration and leadership that lead to the formation of the Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara (PASB) in August of 1978. Approximately 45 people attended an organizational meeting after seeing Bev’s invitation in the Santa Barbara News-Press. Bev acted as the Executive Director, a position she held until about 1991 when she retired. This was the first PD support group in California.. Eventually Bev helped to establish groups in Ventura, Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, California.
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In 1981, Bev produced an audio exercise tape and started the weekly exercise group which then met at the Naval Armory. Bev was also instrumental in educating the PD community with reading and audiotape lending libraries. Throughout the years Bev helped in providing speech therapy, in-service for nursing professionals and Adult Education in-services, to mention a few.
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In 1981, Bev attended the first PD leadership conference in Maryland. She attended meetings in Washington DC as an advocate to raise Congressional awareness for PD. In 1989, the Sid Dorros award for an outstanding PD support group was given to PASB. More recently the Parkinson Disease Foundation recognized PASB.
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Although Bev was nationally known for her work to raise awareness of the disease, she was also a friend and mentor to all who attended the monthly PASB meetings. Her personal phone calls and visits showed her interest and concern. PASB is a better organzation thanks to Bev! We miss her, but all her good works live on in our organization!