Staff

General Manager

Barbara Causley
831-775-3105
bcausley@carodeo.com

Accounting Manager

Suzette Gertsch

831-775-3101

sgertsch@carodeo.com

Accounts Payable Clerk

Petra Mena

831-775-3104

pmena@carodeo.com

Brand Manager
Amanda Gianolini

831-775-3185

agianolini@carodeo.com

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Facility Administrator
Sheri Durgan Varner

831-775-3103

sdurgan@carodeo.com

Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

Noe Navarro

831-294-3165

nnavarro@carodeo.com

Marketing Director

Mandy Linquist

831-775-3102

mlinquist@carodeo.com

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Sponsorship Manager

Victoria (Rossi) Carlisle

831-775-3109

Cell 619-518 5039

vcarlisle@carodeo.com

Ticket Office Manager

Brenda Hernandez

831-775-3130

bhernandez@carodeo.com

Volunteer Coordinator

Rosa Bravo

831-775-3100

rbravo@carodeo.com

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General Manager - Barbara Causley

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.

Accounting Manager - Suzette Gertsch

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.

Accounts Payable Clerk - Petra Mena

Petra Mena was born and raised in the South County of Salinas Valley.
Petra comes from V&V Farms in Gonzales, where she gained valuable accounting experience and was introduced to the California Rodeo by her late boss Brian Violini.
The Salinas Rodeo represents more than an event for Petra; It is an opportunity to celebrate local traditions and strengthen bonds with neighbors and friends.
Petra is excited to be part of the California Rodeo and looks forward to giving back to the community that has supported her throughout her life.
Petra enjoys spending time at her family's home. She finds happiness in watching her children and grandchildren pursue their personal goals and dreams.

Brand Manager - Amanda Gianolini

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.

Facility Administrator - Sheri Durgan Varner

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.

Facilities Maintenance Supervisor - Noe Navarro

Noe Navarro Jr. was born in Harlingen, Texas, and graduated from North Salinas High School in 1984. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1984 to 1992 before building a diverse career with local businesses and organizations, including Jack in the Box, Kelly-Moore Paints, San Lorenzo Lumber, Hayward Lumber, Salinas Valley State Prison, Correctional Training Facility, and Memorial Hospital. In 1991, he earned his painting contractor’s license and founded I & N Painting, and has also worked with several construction companies, including SSB Construction. Noe has been an active volunteer with the California Rodeo Salinas, serving on the Bull X-ing Committee from 2009 to 2016 and the Directors Patio Committee since 2016. He enjoys cooking, barbecuing, fishing, camping, golfing, and the outdoors. He is proud of his two children—Miranda, a yoga instructor in Texas, and Nicholas, a former Marine living in Japan with his wife, Loly, who serves in the U.S. Air Force.

Marketing Director - Mandy Linquist

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.

Sponsorship Manager - Victoria Carlisle

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.

Ticket Office Manager - Brenda Hernandez

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.

Volunteer Coordinator - Rose Bravo

Rose Bravo was born and raised in Salinas. She has always been fond of the Rodeo, the western style, and the music. She joined the California Rodeo 3 years ago as a volunteer alongside her sister. She has been serving and helping her community for 9 years. Helping others created her journey as a volunteer coordinator at the California Rodeo Salinas. She also enjoys reading books, spending time at the beach, and dancing.

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