Doug Arnett
Retirement Benefits Specialist
Doug works in our Death Benefits Unit. He is primarily responsible for processing survivor continuances and beneficiary payments.
Chantell Garcia
Retirement Benefits Specialist
Chantell works in our Actives Unit. She is primarily responsible for processing benefit estimate and service credit purchase requests.
Michelle Hernandez
System Administrator
Michelle is primarily responsible for ensuring our pension system stays up and running effectively.
Amy Herron
Chief Operations Officer
Amy joined VCERA as the Chief Operations Officer in January 2023. Prior to that, she was the Chief Deputy over Payroll & Accounts Payable at the County of Ventura Auditor-Controller for 5+ years, and held various positions with the County of Santa Barbara Auditor-Controller for 20 years, culminating in Financial Systems Division Chief.
Amy is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), and Project Management Professional (PMP).
Leah Oliver
Chief Technology Officer
Leah provides leadership in building and supporting VCERA’s information technology (IT) infrastructure. She has 20 years of IT experience, including 10 years with the County of Ventura’s Information Technology Services Department. Leah received a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and a Master in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University.
Jackie Pineda
Retirement Benefits Specialist
Jackie has worked for the County of Ventura since 2013. Before joining VCERA, she worked for the Department of Child Support. She enjoys working at VCERA due to the positive, encouraging, and happy attitude feel in the office. She also enjoys helping members with their questions and concerns.
Richard Santos
Interim Retirement Administrator
Mr. Santos joined VCERA as the Interim Retirement Administrator in August 2023. He previously served as the Executive Director at the Stanislaus County Employees’ Retirement Association (StanCERA) for more than 11 years before retiring in January 2023. Prior to joining StanCERA, he worked as a Senior Pension Actuary for the nation’s largest defined benefit pension plan, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), for nearly 16 years.
Angie Tolentino
Retirement Benefits Specialist
Angie works in our Retiree Payroll Unit. She is primarily responsible for calculating benefits.
Josiah Vencel
Retirement Benefits Manager & Public Information Officer
Josiah joined VCERA as its Communications Officer in 2018 after a 12-year tenure as the Communications Officer at Kern County’s pension plan. In March 2020, he began managing VCERA’s Disability Retirement Division. In early 2023, he was tapped as VCERA’s Public Information Officer to assist with the Alameda Implementation. Earlier in his career, he filled various communications roles in the healthcare, financial services, technology and education industries. He earned a B.A. in Public Relations from Biola University and an M.S.
Christina Webb
Retirement Benefits Specialist
Christina has worked for the County of Ventura since 2002. Before starting with VCERA in 2012, she worked for Public Heath Fiscal and the Farm Advisor Agency. Her favorite thing about working at VCERA is educating members about their pension benefit.