Digital NEST welcomes new board members

Digital NEST, a growing Santa Cruz County nonprofit providing free computer access and tech skills training to underserved youth, has announced the addition of Keisha Frost and Tom Minnich to its 9-member board of directors.

Frost is the Associate Director of United Way of Santa Cruz County. She is a respected nonprofit leader with special expertise in organizational growth, program design, and successful funding strategies. Digital NEST Founder Jacob Martinez said, “Keisha’s contributions to Digital NEST will be invaluable as we work to broaden financial support and continue growing in our youth programming and services.”

Minnich, a resident of Monterey with a long career in owning and managing agricultural businesses, will help Digital NEST build its “bizNEST” youth consulting arm, and develop the organization’s new Ag-Tech career focus area. “Tom’s strong connections in Salinas and south Monterey County will help us expand our programming reach while continuing to build our Watsonville center,” Martinez said.

Founded in 2014 by local educator and entrepreneur Jacob Martinez, Digital NEST went from zero to nearly 500 youth members during its first 9 months of operation. The organization secured a large, central Watsonville location on the campus of Cabrillo College and after closing briefly to complete repairs and upgrades, Digital NEST re-opened this February. Since then, NEST membership has grown to more than 900 youth. All Digital NEST technology, classes, trainings, and resources are provided free. The Digital NEST is funded by local grants and donations from community members. Learn more at www.digitalnest.org