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Staff

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STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:

(Scroll down for biographies of each staff member)

Sponsorship Manager

Victoria (Rossi) Carlisle

831-775-3109

Cell 619-518 5039

vcarlisle@carodeo.com

General Manager
Barbara Causley
831-775-3105
Bcausley@carodeo.com

Brand Manager
Amanda Gianolini

831-775-3185

agianolini@carodeo.com

Ticket Office Manager

Brenda Hernandez

831-775-3130

bhernandez@carodeo.com

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Marketing Manager
Mandy Linquist

831-775-3102

mlinquist@carodeo.com

Facility Administrator
Sheri Durgan Varner

831-775-3103

sdurgan@carodeo.com

Accounting Manager

Suzette Gertsch

831-775-3101

sgertsch@carodeo.com

Facility Administrator Assistant

Rosa Taylan

831-775-3100

rtaylan@carodeo.com

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Victoria Carlisle, Sponsorship Manager

Born and raised in the Salinas Valley, Victoria Carlisle is passionate about all things sponsorship-related in our community. After spending her college years in San Diego, she moved back to Salinas in her late 20s. After a brief stint in the produce industry, Victoria joined the California Rodeo Association in 2012. She enjoys spending time with her husband and her kids, and all the joys of raising a family here in her hometown. She is passionate about giving back to her community through the staging of the California Rodeo Salinas and working with sponsors to provide a one-of-a-kind experience.

Barbara Causley, General Manager

Barbara Causley was born and raised in Salinas and is passionate about the Western sports industry. She most recently served as Velocity Tour Manager for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), where she oversaw event production, sponsorships, and multi-team coordination. She previously interned at the California Rodeo Salinas and Rodeo Austin. During the pandemic, Barbara created “Cowboy Safe Plans” to help venues safely host events—protocols later adopted by the NFL. She enjoys hiking and skiing in her free time.

Amanda Gianolini, Brand Manager

Amanda Gianolini is a long-time resident of the Salinas Valley with a love for rodeo, the Western lifestyle, her family, and friends. She is proud to be a part of the California Rodeo Salinas’s effort to give back to the community and honored to be involved with the long-standing tradition of the California Rodeo Salinas. She enjoys concerts and live music, time with her family, and outdoor activities including hiking, spending time at the lake and riding horses.

Brenda Hernandez, Ticket Office Manager

Brenda Hernandez has worked as the Ticket Office Manager of the California Rodeo Salinas for 4 years. A first-generation Mexican American and Salinas native, she grew up attending the Rodeo each July and then became a volunteer and continues to work for an organization that gives back to the community. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts and spending time with her family.

Mandy Linquist, Marketing Manager

Mandy Linquist was born and raised in Salinas and grew up attending the California Rodeo Salinas. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business with a focus on marketing, a minor in wine and viticulture, and a Master of Science in agriculture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The most rewarding thing about working for the California Rodeo Salinas, and what’s kept her here for almost two decades, is going to work and giving back to the community at the same time. She enjoys spending her free time traveling and going on outdoor adventures with her husband and kids.

Sheri Durgan Varner, Facility Administrator

Sheri Durgan Varner, Facility Administrator, has been employed with the California Rodeo for 22 years. Her primary focus is Facility Management, booking the Complex, Stadium and managing the horse barn. Her love for the Rodeo began as a child when her family kept horses in the same barn she manages now, and she couldn’t wait for the Rodeo to come to town every year! Sheri was born and raised in Monterey County and lives in Prunedale with her husband and son.

Suzette Gertsch, Accounting Manager

Suzette Gertsch is a native of Salinas who began her involvement with the California Rodeo Salinas by riding in the horse parade with her dad as a child. She has served on several Rodeo committees over the years and was honored with her 25-year volunteer pin in 2019. Before officially joining the Rodeo team, Suzette worked in accounting for various agricultural firms throughout Monterey County. She is proud to now work for the organization she has supported for so long. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy visiting their family’s ranch, sightseeing, and spending time outdoors.

Rosa Taylan, Facility Administrator Assistant

Rosa Taylan has lived in Salinas most of her life, though she originally hails from Texas. She has a long history of volunteering for the California Rodeo Salinas and many other local organizations. With over 30 years of experience in banking and finance, Rosa brings valuable expertise and a strong work ethic to everything she does. She enjoys giving back to the community and being part of the long-standing tradition of the California Rodeo. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors and cherishing moments with her family and friends.

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