The nonprofit that guides downtown Carlsbad's business district added a city economic development official and a longtime Village café owner to its volunteer board.

The Carlsbad Village Association announced Tuesday, Oct. 6, that Tess Sangster and Aaron Williams have joined its board of directors. The two are the second pair of new members the CVA has added in 2026, following Cory Orcutt and Abby Snyder earlier this year.

Sangster, a Carlsbad native, serves as the City of Carlsbad's Economic Development Director. She has nearly two decades of experience across North County San Diego, according to the CVA announcement. That work has included a role with the City of San Marcos and a stint leading a North County Main Street association, where she worked with local businesses and community groups.

Williams owns Kona Craft Café at 3001 Carlsbad Blvd., steps from the Carlsbad sign at the corner of Carlsbad Village Drive. He has more than 35 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, 27 of them in Carlsbad Village.

Before opening the café, Williams spent 25 years at the Coyote Bar & Grill in the Village Faire Shopping Center. He started as a bartender, moved to bar manager and ran the restaurant as general manager for 18 years, according to a CVA profile published in April 2025. At the time, Williams said he had watched the café, then called Daily News Café, for years before taking it over from longtime owners Bob and Linda Ruane.

"I had a tremendous amount of respect for Bob and Linda and what they built together," Williams said in that April 2025 profile. "I feel fortunate that they gave me the opportunity last year to take over their legacy."

The CVA board is made up entirely of volunteers, including property owners, business owners and residents. Each elected director serves a minimum two-year term. Chairman Zac Markham, owner of Humble Olive Oils, leads the current board.

The announcement did not include a date for the new members' first board meeting.