Sammy Kayali grew up in Texas before moving to California where he spent 35 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He retired as the Director for Laboratory Operations Integration and Chief Financial Officer, earning honors that include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, and the Engineer’s Council Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award. He holds degrees from Texas A&M University and Sam Houston State University in Electrical Engineering and Solid State Physics.

Drawn to the natural beauty and easygoing lifestyle of the California Central Coast, Sammy and his wife, Melissa, established roots in the Creston area in 2010. Sammy’s passion for live music led him to explore the region’s cultural offerings, and discovering Festival Mozaic felt like striking gold - a place where exceptional classical music meets the charm of the Central Coast.