Simi banker takes seat on park district board

Dee Dee Cavanaugh The park district’s board of directors has selected a woman with numbers know-how and a love for her hometown to fill an open seat on the board.

Dee Dee Cavanaugh, a Simi resident and a banker, grinned from ear to ear while taking the oath of office at her first meeting March 3.

Cavanaugh said she applied for the position with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District because she wants to be a part of Simi’s long tradition of great parks.

“I’ve lived in the community a long time and utilized the facilities . . . and I’d like to be a part of the continuation of the quality of our parks,” said Cavanaugh, 50, who’s been a resident here since 1969.

Cavanaugh is replacing board member Jim Meredith, who decided to retire in January during the final year of his term due to an illness. He’d served on the board for nearly 30 years.

Vice Chair Gene Hostetler said no one can fill Meredith’s shoes, but Cavanaugh will be a positive addition.

“It’s going to be hard without Jim there, and it’s a shame that he got sick and had to retire, but I think Dee Dee will fit in and she’ll be an asset to the district,” said Hostetler, who’s served on the board for 16 years.

Cavanaugh, who’s known Meredith since she was a child, said she’s admired him for years.

“To be able to follow in his footsteps is something that I’m very excited to do and hope to do half of what he’s done over the years.”

Like her predecessor, Cavanaugh is involved in the community. She’s a member of the Rotary Club and sits on the board of the Simi Valley Community Foundation, the Simi Valley Hospital Foundation and the Simi Valley Police Foundation.

She also works in town, serving as vice president and regional manager at First California Bank, and was named Business Person of the Year for 2008 by the Chamber of Commerce.

According to Park District General Manager Larry Peterson, 17 people applied for the position and 16 were interviewed.

There was a lot of competition, Hostetler said, but Cavanaugh’s genuine attitude and pleasant personality made her the right choice. In addition, her background in banking will be a big help when it comes to finances and the budget, he said.

“Her business and banking experience will help her position as a board member, totally,” he said. “And she’s very conscientious. She has no personal agenda; she wants to do what’s best for the district and the people of the district.”

The last time the board made an appointment was in 2003 for current board chair, Elaine Freeman.

Cavanaugh will finish out Meredith’s term, which ends in November. She said she would run for election.

“I think it’ll be a lot of fun and a lot of work, but I think we’ll do a good job keeping our parks beautiful,” she said.