Board Members


Josh Ripp

 

Head of School, Ceiba Schools

Michael Jones

 

Board Chair

Javier Gonzalez

 

Board Member
Josh Ripp joined Ceiba College Prep in 2016 as principal and became Head of School in July 2020. Prior to joining Ceiba, Josh worked in schools in both Peru and New Mexico that followed the International Baccalaureate educational program model. He is continually inspired by students who overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.

Josh received his undergraduate degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, his Juris Doctorate and Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Denver, and his Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Eastern New Mexico University.
 Michael G. Jones joined the Ceiba Board of Directors in July, 2018. He recently retired after serving as Principal of Alianza Charter School for many years. Michael, along with his colleague Judy Stobbe, led the conversion of Alianza from a magnet school to a charter school in order to preserve the unique Two Way Bilingual Immersion Program that serves as the core of the school’s instructional program. He is committed to supporting efforts to provide excellent educational opportunities for the families of the Pájaro Valley.

Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He received his Master of Arts in Educational Administration at the University of San Francisco. He is a member of the Watsonville Rotary and also serves on the Save Our Shores Board of Directors.
Javier Alejandro Gonzalez was born in Tecate, Baja California and completed high school in Tecate before attending the University of Baja California. At the age of 23, he began a journey to emigrate to the United States on his own. It was not easy being a Spanish speaker while working and attending school in a different country. 

In 2015, Javier and his family relocated to Watsonville and fell in love with the community. In 2018, he became a Deputy Sheriff for the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office. He has assisted in many community outreach programs with the intent to learn about the problems in our neighborhoods and to find solutions.

After learning about Ceiba College Preparatory Academy, Javier was interested in supporting the school. Knowing that education is a key element to success in life, he wants to encourage students to continue their education to be successful for themselves and for their families.
 
  

 

 
  

 

Mary Navas

 

Board Treasurer

Gershom Toriz

 

Board Member

Larry Vilaubi

 

Board Member
Mary Navas is currently the Director of Business Services at Scotts Valley Unified School District. Prior to joining Scotts Valley, Mary worked at Navigator Schools in Gilroy and Pacific Collegiate School in Santa Cruz as the Director of Business and Operations. Mary has over ten years of experience in the charter school finance industry and over twenty years of board experience.
 
Mary currently serves as chair of the board for Mountain Elementary School in the Soquel Hills.
Gershom Toriz is a parent at Ceiba College Prep who joined the School Board in July 2020. He has lived in Watsonville for almost 35 years. Mr. Toriz’s son attends Ceiba College Prep, and his daughter attends a local elementary school. Gershom works with the State of California Fish and Wildlife Department. When he is not working, he loves spending time with his family and attending his children’s extracurricular activities. Mr. Gershom is passionate about serving his community.
Larry Vilaubi joined the Ceiba Public Schools Board in July, 2020. Now retired, Larry spent 43 years as an educator in the Bay Area as a teacher and administrator in comprehensive high schools and charter schools. Additionally, he trained and mentored future principals for the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He brings a wealth of experience to the Ceiba community.
 
Born and raised in East Los Angeles to immigrant parents, he spoke only Spanish when he started school and has a deep affinity for students from similar backgrounds. This served him well as principal of two charter schools, one in East San Jose and the other in East Palo Alto, both of which are very similar to Ceiba in their mission and communities.
 
Larry holds a Bachelor's Degree from Long Beach State University and a Master’s in Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford and truly looks forward to joining the Ceiba community and helping us to achieve our goals.
Dr. Roberto Portillo
Board Member
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I am a first-generation Latino whose parents risked it all in fleeing a civil war for the betterment of their family. I have been forever in debt for the opportunity my parents have given me, and I am in a position to pay it forward. Higher education has opened doors for me that I will be forever grateful for. I am dedicated to supporting a community at Ceiba College Prep that values opportunities that our community parents dream for their kids.