Meet Our Team

Director of Admission

kyle_mason@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x331

Track & Field
BA, Boston College
Appointed: 2008

Kyle comes to Cate with a host of global experiences and passions for music, travel and working with young adults. After graduating from an east coast boarding school, Kyle continued onto Boston College where he majored in Communications and Education Policy. His passions, purpose and commitment to service through education has led him to teach and serve in a variety of settings from Newark, NJ to Africa and Thailand. His experiences, positive attitude and boundless energy lend a global perspective that is shared and celebrated at Cate.

In addition to serving on Cate’s Admission team, Kyle’s presence is felt throughout campus as an Advisor, and Head Track & Field Coach.

Director of Financial Assistance and Admission Officer

vanessa_cruzsantana@cate.org / (805) 684-4127 x 261

Cate School 2006
Hamilton College B.S.
University of Pennsylvania MS. Ed.

Vanessa first arrived at Cate as a 9th-grade boarding student from Santa Ana, California through the A Better Chance Program. She graduated from Cate in 2006 and ventured to Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. After graduating, Vanessa returned to Cate for two years to start her career in admission. In 2012 Vanessa moved to the New York City area to grow professionally and to pursue a graduate degree in education at the University of Pennsylvania. Vanessa returned to the Mesa as Cate’s Director of Financial Assistance in 2018. What keeps her coming back? The community, the campus’ beauty, and Cate’s commitment to offering young people a quality education that includes so much more than academics without sacrificing academic rigor. In addition to her work in Admission, Vanessa is a dorm parent and serves as a student advisor.

Senior Associate Director of Admission

david_soto@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x247

Cate School 2008
BA, Gonzaga University
MA, Gonzaga Unversity
Appointed: 2012

Dave is a Carpinteria native, growing up in the city known for the California Avocado Festival and the “World’s Safest Beach”. After graduating from Cate in 2008, Dave found his way to the inland northwest, completing four years at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA where he graduated with a degree in broadcast studies and journalism. During his time at Gonzaga, Dave worked with several media outlets as well as working in digital journalism. He also served as the vice president of the Kennel Club, Gonzaga’s student athletic fan club…Go Zags! Since then, Dave “returned” to Gonzaga, completing his master’s in Sports and Athletic Administration online.

Dave returned to the Mesa after graduation to take a role in Cate’s communications office. Now in the admission office, Dave looks forward to looking for and working with the next group of Rams. When he’s not in the office, Dave can be found coaching football and baseball at Cate or walking his dog, Sammy, around campus. Dave lives on campus with his wife and two young daughters.

 Associate Director of Admission

carter_ford@cate.org / 805-684-4127

BFA, Savannah College of Art and Design
Appointed: 2022

Carter comes to Cate with extensive knowledge and passion for the prep school world. Having graduated from Blair Academy, a boarding school in New Jersey, she then went on to Savannah College of Art and Design and earned her BFA in Advertising & Marketing Design, focusing on social media strategy, photography, and communications.

Prior to moving west, Carter served in several admissions offices and marketing roles at boarding schools across New England. Carter has also served as an Advisor, Dorm Hean, Community Activities Leader, and Social Media Manager.

Carter grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, so she’s no stranger to Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs, Old Bay seasoning, and Thrashers Fries drenched in Malt Vinegar. Carter resides on campus and serves in the 9th and 10th-grade female-identifying dorm.

Assistant Director of Admission

joseph_cordero@cate.org / 805-684-4127

BA, MA, San Diego State University
Appointed: 2022

Joseph was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where he attended K-12, played basketball, and enjoyed the beach.  A first-generation high school graduate from Dos Pueblos in 2004, he then attended 3 different community colleges trying to find his passion. He ultimately graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelors in Sociology and  Masters in Postsecondary Education Leadership, and Specialization in Student Affairs. Eager to give back to his community and encourage future generations of high school students to experience the treasure of education, Joseph moved back to his hometown to work for Santa Barbara City College’s Enrollment and Retention Services department. At the same time, he started his journey at Cate, becoming an Assistant Coach for Boys Varsity Basketball (go Rams!).

In 2017, he moved to Ventura and started working for Ventura College as an Outreach Specialist, again giving back to the community that gave so much to him. He and his wife Laura continue to live in Ventura and are parents to Mila and Luca, both of whom attend the Cate Early Learning Center.

Assistant Director of Admission

tim_weir@cate.org / (805) 684-4127

BA, Montclair State University
Appointed: 2023

Tim began his boarding school career at Governor’s Academy in the Dean of Students Office and, over the past 25 years, has served in a variety of administrative positions domestically as well as internationally. Tim has been a Dean of Residential Life, an Athletic Director, and the Director of Upper School Admission at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., before moving west to be the Director of Admissions at Midland School.

Tim is a true boarding school veteran who is our Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach. He is the Dorm Head of Cook House West, junior and senior boys. The opportunity to educate the whole person is what keeps him working at boarding schools.  Tim and his wife Christina, who also works at Cate, have raised three boys together on different campuses, or as he likes to say, in the last great neighborhoods! Their youngest son is entering the 12th grade at Cate. Tim grew up in New Jersey where he attended Don Bosco Prep and Montclair State University.

Director Admission Operations

lynn_dinning@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x217

Appointed: 2001

Lynn grew up in Carpinteria, where she attended Carpinteria High School, just down the road from Cate. She lived in Louisiana for a short time while her now husband was a commercial diver. After two years, they moved back to Carpinteria and raised their two sons, Ryder, ’17, and Gage.

Lynn manages the daily operations as well as maintains the admission database. Oftentimes, she is the first person from Cate to speak with prospective students and their families as she sets up campus visits or clarifies the application process. In addition, she supports enrollment and re-enrollment efforts. Lynn works in conjunction with the Director of Financial Assistance and Enrollment and the Director of Admission.

Assistant Office Associate

hayley_aguilar@cate.org / 805-684-4127 ext. 292

BA, Antioch University
Appointed: 2022

Hayley grew up in Carpinteria and went on to graduate from Antioch University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts. Hayley is often the first person to speak with prospective students and their families as she sets up campus visits & interviews, and assists families through the application process. In addition, she supports Cate’s Tour Guide Program and Admission Events.

Hayley lives in Ventura with her husband, Joe, and their two daughters, Sienna, ’27, and Naomi. They can be found on the weekends enjoying the waves at Rincon Beach.