In December, Santa Maria Airport Board President Nash Moreno moved out of the district’s division two which includes portions of Orcutt and the area west of Skyway Drive.  As his replacement, the remaining members of the board have unanimously appointed Marvin Rodriguez of Orcutt.  
          Rodriguez is the vice president of True Precision Machining in Buellton.  The company specializes in aerospace parts for military defense.  He has lived in Orcutt since 2018; before that, he lived in Lompoc for 15 years.   
          “I want to help build a stronger airport,” he says. “The Santa Maria Airport has so much potential.  Right now, I am in the integration phase, and I hope soon I can add experience and creativity to the district.”  
           Rodriguez was one of two applicants who applied for the position.  The other was Jennifer Harrison, vice president of marketing for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.  
          Moreno served three years as president of the District Board.  When he announced his resignation at the December meeting, he reflected on accomplishments of the district during his tenure including, “settling multiple lawsuits with state and federal agencies, adding solar infrastructure, rehabilitating the runway, improving the fire station, and securing twice-daily air service to a major hub.” 
Moreno said although he no longer lives in the division where he was elected, he still lives in Santa Maria and will continue to be active in the community.  
          The division two term will be up for election this November 2026.  Rodriguez says he plans to run for the position.     
Steve Southwick reporting