A down to earth midwesterner by birth, Mark Whitehurst grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, graduated from Graceland University, and soon flew to Australia to teach.

He returned to the States to work on the team of his brother’s newspaper in Oregon (and teach on the side!) That opportunity turned into a passion for community building via local newspapers. Mark relocated to Santa Barbara 27 years ago. 

During those years he has supported the arts and arts education, the non-profit community, and served on several non-profit boards. He is Publisher and Editor of VOICE Magazine (AKA CASA) and has enjoyed being a SBCC Continuing Education Instructor.

Over the years, Mark studied Public Policy at Park University, Law at SB School of Law, and earned a masters and PhD in Mythology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He also earned a Certificate in Mediation from UCSB.

Mark’s professional and community work have been recognized with several awards, including: General Excellence  Award from Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association; Man of the Year from the Sutherlin Chamber of Commerce; Leadership in the Arts Award, with co-recipient Kerry Methner, from the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, 2010; Citizen of the Year Award presented by the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization to CASA Magazine for being instrumental in creating and supporting the 1st Thursday monthly arts night program, 2007; Business and Art Award presented by the City of Santa Barbara Visual Art in Public Places to CASA Magazine, 2005.

Mark’s family is important to him. He has been married to Kerry Methner for 22 years and he enjoys a close relationship with his brother, John Whitehurst. Mark has one son and two grandchildren, and a large extended family.

Please join him in working for the good of the community.