Rachelle Antinetti
Dow AgroSciences, Oakdale
Rachelle Antinetti grew up in the town of Gridley, where she was an active member of the Future Farmers of America. Her agricultural interest runs in the family: her grandmother farms nearly 500 acres of rice in the Richvale area. Rachelle attended Yuba College and later received her bachelor of science in crop science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is employed by Dow AgroSciences serving as a territory manager in Madera and eastern Fresno County. She was recently appointed to sit on the Stanslaus County Planning Commission.

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Armando Aparicio
USDA Rural Development, Bakersfield
Armando Aparicio immigrated from El Salvador when he was twelve and grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco. He credits the Equal Opportunity Program at SFSU and his faith for making his achievements possible. Armando received a bachelor's degree in International Relations from SFSU and a master's degree in Community Development from UC Davis. He worked for eight years with the U.S. EPA as a Compliance Officer and Project Manager in the pesticides and underground storage tank programs. He currently works with USDA Rural Development in civil rights, the community empowerment initiative, and the Native American program. He is in charge of overseeing subsidized multi-family housing complexes.

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Sikander Bajwa
San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, Fresno
Sikander Bajwa was born one of ten children in Punjab, Pakistan. After receiving a bachelor of science in Physical Therapy in Pakistan, Sikander worked in Ireland & England and then he came to North America where he settled in Fresno. Currently he serves as Director of Clinical Services at San Joaquin Valley Rehabilitation Hospital. Sikander has earned a masters in Organizational Management, serves on an Advisory Committee on healthcare issues for the 19th Congressional District, and is involved in community projects through a Muslim community organization working with youth and adult programs. He trained the Fresno County Health Department on cultural competencies for Muslim, Arab, and Middle Eastern cultures and has played a pivotal role in organizing teh Central Valley Islamic Council. He became a US Citizen in May 2000.

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Nancy Bright
Yuba County Library, Marysville
Nancy Bright grew up in Marysville. She moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1972, where she worked as a Legal Secretary at Legal Aid Society of Alameda County. Over the next few years she took several battered women into her home and was active as a leader in church youth groups. After twenty-five years on the job, Nancy was laid off when the program lost its federal funding. Nancy then returned to Marysville and completed one year of service as an AmeriCorp* VISTA Volunteer. Nancy plans to use the Educational Award to return to school and pursue a B.A. in communications. She is currently on the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.

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Connie Cha
Opportunity Plus, Fresno
Connie Cha and her family came from Laos as refugees to Portland, Oregon in 1981, later coming to Fresno to work in the vinyards. She is the second youngest of 24 children and the first to go to college. She holds a business administration degree from CSU Fresno and is pursuing a master's degree in organizational development at Alliant International University. Connie is the founder and Executive Director of Opportunity Plus, an organization working to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities by increasing self-empowerment, enrichment and employment. She is also active in a family plant nursery business.

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Andrea Jean Victorino (formerly Duron)
Federal Land Bank Association of Kingsburg, FLCA, Exeter
Andrea Duron is a native of Modesto. She is a graduate of Modesto Junior College and received her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management at California State University Stanislaus. Andrea worked at Yosemite Farm Credit in Turlock. She recently acccepted a position as a Credit Support Specialist, working for the Federal Lank Bank Association of Kingsburg, out of the Hanford office. She enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking.

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Linda Eveland
USDA, Willows
Linda Eveland was raised in a semi-rural area of San Diego county. She has earned an associates degree from Yuba College and a bachelor in science in animal science with a minor in ag. business from California State University Chico. She was the Executive Manager for Colusa County Farm Bureau for three years. She was recently hired as a Rural Development Specialist for USDA. She enjoys riding horses, traveling, gardening and living in a rural community. She serves on steering committees for the Colusa high School Science Academy, the Colusa Farm Show, and the Colusa-Tehama Weed Management Area.

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Ruby Fessenden
Community Services & Employment Training, Visalia
Ruby Fessenden works as Youth Development Coordinator at C-SET in Tulare County, where she supervises the out-of-school youth program. She is also a planning commissioner for the City of Lemoore. She is a graduate of California State University, Fresno and teaches psychology part-time for West Hills Community College District, most recently through the Internet. She enjoys scrapbooking, travel, exercise, and spending time with her great-niece.

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Sterling Fountain
Modesto Irrigation District, Modesto
Sterling Fountain is a native of Modesto. She is a Risk and Property Analyst with the Modesto Irrigation District and has been active in various community service organizations in the Modesto area. She has served as a board member for the King Kennedy Memorial Center, United Way Allocations Board, and the Muir Trail Girl Scouts. She is a past president of the Women's Auxiliary-"A Modesto Community Connection" and Soroptomist International. She was chosen by the Stanislaus Commission for Women as one of the "Outstanding Women in Stanislaus County" in 1990 and received a Women of Distinction award from Soroptimist International of Modesto-North in 1996.

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Phyllis Franklin
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Tracy
Phyllis Franklin is the Director of Public Affairs and Fund Development for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Greater San Joaquin Region. She is also a commissioner for the San Joaquin County Commission on the Status of Women and a member of AAUW. Prior to joining Planned Parenthood, she owned and operated Chic and Unique Consignments in Stockton. She holds a master's degree in Public Administration from California State University at Hayward. Phyllis is active in the Stocton Women's Network and is serving as a Commissioner for the San Joaquin County Commission on the Status of Women. She has served as a Tracy Community Cultural Arts Commissioner, served as Director of the San Joaquin County Arts Council, and founded the Winner in You Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to assist women in business.

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Steven Froberg
City of Lemoore, Lemoore
Steve Froberg is a fifth generation resident of Kings County. He graduated form Hanford Union High School and holds a bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara and a master's degree from the University of Southern California. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. Steve has been the City Manager of the City of Lemoore since April 1997. He is actively involved in the Lemoore Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts of America, Lemoore Odd Fellows Lodge, #280, and the Lemoore Yacht Club. Steve was recognized by the California State Legislature as the 2000 Economic Development Professional of the Year.

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Sylvia Garza
Selma
Sylvia Garza was born in Fowler and earned an associates degree at Reedly College. She credits a variety of experiences with giving her insight to the way organizations and communities work. She was a farm worker, worked as an administrative secretary, and worked in the Fresno County Public Works Department and for Avante health before beginning employement with California Sate University Fresno. She is involved in the Selma Mexican-American Community Club, the Selma Arts Council, and the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center. While Sylvia did not win in her first campaign for a seat on the Selma City Council, she learned much about the process and is running again.

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Essie Jean Gilchrist
Stockton
Essie Gilchrist lived her early childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. She came to Northern California after earning a masters degree in business administration from Webster University and a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Alabama A&M. Essie worked for the US Government as the Director of Contracts at Sharpe Army Depot and later as the Chief of Architectural Engineering Contracting with the Navy in San Bruno. She has been involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Girl Scouts, and as a foster parent.

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Gordon Johnson
McDougall Trading, Turlock
Gordon Johnson was raised on a farm in Hughson on land his grandfather developed in 1920. He has experience growing peaches, almonds, corn, beans, alfalfa, oats and raising onions for seed. Gordon received a B.S. in Agricultural Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1981, worked for Blue Diamond Growers as a Field Supervisor in the 1980s and managed an almond hull marketing cooperative in the 1990s. He now provides marketing services to 37 almond hullers throughout the state through www.almondhulls.com. Gordon serves on the board of directors for the California Grain & Feed Association as well as the Feed Inspection Advisory Board, and is the part-time administrator for his church.

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Susan LaGrande
California Cattleman's Association, Sacramento
Susan LaGrande works for the California Cattlemen's Association, serving as the Director of Governmental Relations. Previously, Susan served as Field Representative to Assemblyman Sam Aanestad. She has also worked for the Farm Bureau organization in both Lake and Shasta Counties serving as Executive Director. Susan was born and raised in the Colusa County Area where her family farms and runs cattle. She is a 1995 graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

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Stephen Lucas
County of Butte, Chico
Stephen Lucas came to California from Pennsylvania, where he grew up in a small farming community. After traveling the United States, he has made Chico his home for the past 15 years. He graduated from Chico State University with a bachelor's degree in Geography and Planning and a master's degree with an emphasis in rural planning. Stephen has served in a variety of land-use planning positions in the public sector and is currently a Senior Planner with the Butte County Local Agency Formation Commission. He is chairman of the Chico airport Commission and serves ion the steering committee for LEAD Butte County.

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Tedi Mills
Community Services & Employment Training Inc., Pixley
Tedi Mills is from Porterville. She majored in community studies at UC Santa Cruz and currently works for the Mennonite Central Committee as an Immigration and Documentation Concerns Worker. As a volunteer with the Tulare County Civic Action League, Tedi helps adults prepare for the US citizenship interview and exam. She also serves as a committee member for the American Friends Service Committee community relations program.

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Francisco Mireles
Great Valley Center, Fresno
Francisco Mireles is a native of Oaxaca, Mexico. He comes from a farm worker family and immigrated to the United States twelve years ago. Francisco attended CSU Fresno, where he studied economics. His work experience involves community outreach/relations for nonprofit and for-profit organizations. He is now working at the Great Valley Center as a circuit rider for the Community-based Assistance Program. Francisco has participated in internships with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. He is an active member of various committees and boards.

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Trinh Nguyen
Surface Transportation Policy Project, Sacramento
Trinh Nguyen has been a resident of Sacramento for the majority of her life. Inspired by caring teachers in English as a Second language (ESL) instruction, she has worked and volunteered as an ESL tutor to give back to the community through Sacramento City College and UCLA. Trinh's interests in education, community empowerment, and issues of environmental justice have brought her to work for Neighborhood Green Corps, San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG), and the Surface Transportation Policy Project where she currently promotes transportation choices for the Central Valley.

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Tracy Pepper
Fresno
Tracy Pepper is currently completing a bachelor of science degree in business management through Phoenix University and plans on attending graduate school. Tracy has a history of volunteer involvement including working with domestic violence and rape victims and with at-risk youth within a prison diversion program established at the Central California Women's Facility. She was co-founder of the statewide Thumbs-Up Fingerprint Your Child program and currently volunteers for the Marjorie Mason Shelter for Women. Tracy serves on the board for Leadership Planned Parenthood, the Fresno League of Women Voters, and is a member of the Fresno Unified School District's Gifted & Talented Advisory Committee. She will be starting her Master's program in Public Administration at CSU Fresno this fall. She was also selected as one of eleven participants nationwide to attend a League of Women Voters Global Leaders Workshop in Washington, DC.

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Michael Rivera
EZC Remediation, LLC
Mike Rivera grew up Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He works as a Laboratory Director for EZC Remediation, LLC, a firm that remediates sites contaminated with gasoline, diesel, and oils. Mike is currently taking graduate classes in Bakersfield in pursuit of an advanced degree in education. He has been involved in the Bakersfield Museum of Art and the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter Gourmet Gala committees and is a Sheriff's Volunteer. Mike is also volunteering for "First Night" Bakersfield, a New Years Celebration Committee.

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Jenny Rodriguez
Visalia Unified School District, Visalia
Jenny Rodriguez grew up in Farmersville after immigrating to the United States with her parents and 5 siblings. She is still involved in her family's ranch, which her parents purchased after working as farm laborers for twenty years. Jenny studied accounting and office administration at CSU Fresno. When she took a teaching internship in West Fresno after graduation, Jenny discovered her love for teaching and watching children learn. Jenny is involved in several community and school organizations and is actively involved in the California Mathematics Council through the Visalia Unified School District.

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Martha Rodriguez
West Hills College District, Fresno
Martha Rodriguez is a life-long resident of the Valley. Born in Bakersfield and raised in Fresno, she received her teaching credential from CSU Fresno. Martha has pursued education as a means to mentor youth and women. After receiving a doctorate in education, she served in a variety of capactities-teacher, project director, and faculty member. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Extended Opportunity Program and Services for the West Hills Community College District. Martha founded Young Latinas for Empowerment (YLE), a nonprofit organization that assists young latinas in realizing their potential as future leaders within their communities.

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Brian Sinclair
Hughson
Brian Sinclair lives on the ranch in Hughson his great-grandfather purchased 1913. He attended Hughson schools, Modesto Junior College and graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California in 1989 majoring in illustration with an emphasis in advertising. Brian serves on the boards of the Hughson Chamber of Commerce, the Hughson Historical Society, and Hughson School of Arts, and as the board president of the newly established Hughson Arboretum & Gardens, Inc. He is a member of Hughson's general plan update committee and volunteers with the Hughson Healthy Start Collaborative.

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Jason Tescher
Act Locally, Sacramento
Jason Tescher lives in Midtown Sacramento. He was born in Southern California and transplanted himself to the State's better half when he attended the University of California at Davis. Jason is now a nonprofit consultant with Act Locally Consulting, an organization that provides technical assistance to organizations in the areas of civic engagement, community mobilizing, strategic planning, and advocacy. Jason is currently completing graduate studies in Community Development at the University of California, Davis. He is also a Commissioner for the Sacramento County Children and Families Commission and a faculty member for the California Asset-Based Community Development Institute.

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Blia Thao
Money Tree Lending, Modesto
Blia Thao works as an insurer for Money Tree Lending, a mortgage company. She recently participated in a Neighbors United Clean Up and will be working with the community in the creation of a lighting district-a neighborhood street lighting project to make the area safer for pedestrians. Blia enjoys working with people in the community and is also looking forward to beginning work on a community garden project.

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Pai Yang
Valley Catholic Charities, Fresno
Pai Yang was born in Laos. She came to the United States with her mother and younger sister as refugees from the Vietnam War in 1980. She moved to California from Iowa in 1990. Pai is the Refugee Resettlement Coordinator and a Community Organizer at Catholic Charities, helping refugees resettle into a better life and get oriented and providing services that will help them find employment. Pai teaches citizenship classes and works to help people become more civically active. She organizes and coordinates the Hmong Education Task Force and gathers women for leadership workshops.

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