After The Granada Theatre’s 2024 centennial celebration, Executive Chair and CEO Palmer Jackson, Jr. felt the board needed to expand to continue offering the new experiences and creative programming it produced during its 100th celebration year.

Since then, the board has nearly doubled, most recently welcoming Morgan Bennett and Robert Montgomery as new members.

“We are delighted to welcome Bob Montgomery and Morgan Bennett to The Granada Board,” said Palmer Jackson, Jr., Executive Chair and CEO of The Granada Theatre. “Both bring remarkable experience and a genuine love for the arts and this community. We look forward to working with them to continue bringing world-class performances to the Santa Barbara region.”

Robert Montgomery

Robert Montgomery is a modern-day Renaissance man. A lawyer by trade, he had a 40-plus-year career in law with the international firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, serving as head of the Business & Finance Practice Group for 15 years before retiring. Along the way, he also served as Chairman and CEO of a NYSE-listed manufacturing company.

Despite his busy career, Montgomery found time to join Peter Ueberroth, who led the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, as Senior Vice President of the committee, helping plan the successful 1984 Olympics.

Bitten by the wine bug, Montgomery morphed his family retreat in Calistoga into a working winery, launching Montgomery Vineyards in 2010.

Throughout his life, Montgomery and his wife Val have given back to the community. He was the Board Chair of Community Arts Music Association (CAMA) for eight years and served on the boards of the United Way of Santa Barbara and Duke University School of Law.

“Bob is no stranger to The Granada family,” said Jackson, Jr. “His years leading CAMA, one of our resident companies, along with his long career in business and law, give him a perspective that will be invaluable to our board.”

Montgomery’s time at CAMA gave him firsthand insight into the scheduling needs of The Granada’s resident companies and the complexities that come with serving as a hub for Santa Barbara’s performing arts community.

“The Granada is the center of performing arts and lectures in Santa Barbara, but that can also mean it’s tough for each group to secure their schedules,” he said. “I hope that I can provide help both from an operational and financial standpoint.”

Morgan Bennett

A dedication to philanthropy is often learned at home, and that was certainly the case for Morgan Bennett. Alongside her parents, she serves as a trustee of the Schiele Family Foundation, which supports arts and culture, the environment, and nonprofit collaboration in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.

“The performing arts have been my lifelong companion, serving as a teacher of ideas and cultures, a celebration of the human experience, and a lifeline through challenges,” Bennett said. “I feel it’s both my responsibility and privilege to help others experience the transformative power of performing arts, especially in these polarized times when shared experiences that foster empathy and connection are needed more than ever.”

Bennett brings that commitment to giving back into her work in the nonprofit sector, currently serving as an advisor for arts and family philanthropy at SoCal Grantmakers, a learning and leadership hub for 300+ regional grantmaking organizations. Additionally, Bennett serves on the board of the California Nature Art Museum and is an active member of The Foundation Roundtable.

Living in the Santa Ynez Valley, Bennett hopes to expand The Granada’s regional impact.

“As the premier venue for live performance within our county, I believe strongly that The Granada is a must-visit destination for everyone,” she said. “I’m particularly interested in ways to spark greater engagement from and in Santa Maria, our county’s largest population center, both through targeted outreach that brings residents to The Granada and through partnerships with community-based organizations that bring The Granada to residents.”

As a board member, Bennett hopes to help broaden The Granada’s reach and strengthen its connections with communities throughout Santa Barbara County.

With her focus on expanding The Granada’s reach and her background in arts philanthropy, Bennett is a strong addition to the board.

“Her knowledge of the funding community across the Central Coast and Los Angeles, and her passion for our region, will help The Granada reach even more audiences,” said Jackson, Jr.

Bennett and Montgomery join a talented board that continues to steward The Granada and bring new, innovative arts programming to the region.