Longtime Orcutt resident Tony Guy has been appointed to the County Planning Commission by Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson. He succeeds Roy Reed, a rancher who owns several hundred acres in the north county. Reed resigned from the commission in May.       

          “Tony Guy has spent his career solving complex problems, creating jobs and helping our community grow,” says Nelson.  “His experience, integrity and commitment to northern Santa Barbara County makes him an outstanding choice to serve on the Planning Commission.” 

          Guy has spent most of his 35-year professional life in Santa Maria working as a manager or an executive for C&D Aerospace, Zodiac Aerospace and Safran Cabin.

C&D Aerospace, acquired by Zodiac Aerospace in 2005 with a site located at the Santa Maria Airport, was one of the world’s largest producers of aircraft cabin interiors. In 2008, Guy was appointed general manager of the Santa Maria site. 

In 2023, Guy was recruited by Boeing to be the CEO of their aircraft seating joint venture, Adient Aerospace, now named Elevate Seating, an award-winning manufacturer of premium business class suites and airplane seats. Guy opened a site in Santa Maria prior to his retirement in 2024.

          Guy married Natalie, his college sweetheart, in 1988. They have three children. Natalie recently retired from working in special education in Lompoc and taught at Pacific Christian Elementary School for fifteen years. 

         The five person planning commission guides land use planning by reviewing developments and ensuring projects are aligned with county policies and state law.  

          “I have been dealing with land use issues in the Santa Maria Valley with the city and county for decades.  I hope I will be able to put that experience to use,” he says.

          Guy also serves as secretary as a member of the Santa Maria Airport Board of Directors.    

Steve Southwick reporting