MONTEREY, CA - Leadership is a key facet of success, and the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) is honoring industry luminaries that have helped evolve fresh produce as it has selected the 2021 Profiles in Leadership (PIL) Award recipients. The list of honorees includes Jeff Stephens, Jeannine Campos Grech, and Tracy Schohr, Ag Leadership Program alumni who will be awarded at a ceremony in Clovis, California, on October 14.
“Ag Leadership is focused on growing leaders who make a difference,” said CALF President and Chief Executive Officer Dwight Ferguson. “We are delighted to see our alumni positively influence their industries, communities, and families. This couldn’t be more evident with Jeannine, Tracy, and Jeff, and this award is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their leadership-in-practice.”
Jeannine Campos Grech was part of the 29th class of the Ag Leadership Program.
Aaccording to a release, Campos Grech was selected for her community service work, especially with Valley Children’s. Currently, she serves as Chair of both Valley Children’s Hospital and Valley Children’s Healthcare Boards of Trustees and also served as a Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation Board Member.
“Jeannine has left a lasting legacy on the children of the Central Valley,” said those who nominated her. “She is a hands-on Board Member and is directly involved in the strategic planning, financial management, and vision setting for the healthcare network.”
A part of Class 39, Tracy Schohr is receiving the award based on her community service during wildfires in her area, including the 2018 Camp Fire, 2020 North Complex Fire, and 2021 Dixie Fire, all of which ravaged the California landscape. To aid in relief, her work included coordinating with emergency personnel and ranchers to contain, transport, and secure a safe place for loose herds and displaced livestock. She currently serves as Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor at the University of California.
“Tracy supports the agricultural industry through education and understanding of the science around natural working lands with the public,” commented her nominators. “She is the first to step up to make a difference. California will continue to have natural disasters and Tracy will be there on the front lines, and we can count on the fact that her crisis leadership will benefit everyone.”
Jeff Stephens, Class 24, will join the list of recipients for his work with homelessness and community cleanup.
“I saw a need and the community needed action taken, and what resulted has totally changed my life and benefited our community,” said Stephens. “We took people who were feeling hopeless and gave them something to feel hopeful about within the community.”
To help this cause, he founded SAYlove, an organization to address dumping in rural areas and provide care and support in Yuba City and the surrounding communities. Bringing businesses and the community together, Stephens enabled the cleanup of over 1.5 million pounds of dumped material in just one year.
Recipients of this year’s awards will be honored during the Class 51 Inaugural Banquet being held on October 14 at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.
Congratulations to these three leaders on becoming recipients of this honor and for making a vital difference in their communities!
